Disclaimer: This summary was prepared by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and should be used for reference only. Please refer to the full text of any laws referenced below for complete and comprehensive legal information.
Under Florida law, Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of alcoholic beverages, chemical substances, or controlled substances is one offense, proved by impairment of normal faculties or an unlawful blood alcohol or breath alcohol level of .08 or above. The penalties upon conviction are the same, regardless of the manner in which the offense is proven.
To review the complete statutory language, please refer to section 316.193, Florida Statutes.
DUI fine schedule, per section 316.193, Florida Statutes.
To review the complete statutory language, please refer to sections 316.193(2)(a)-(b), (4)(a), Florida Statutes.
A DUI violation has additional penalties that may be assessed by the court. For more information regarding additional penalties, please see section 316.193, Florida Statutes.
Imprisonment
At the court’s discretion, sentencing terms may be served in a residential alcoholism or drug abuse treatment program and credited toward the term of imprisonment.
To review the complete statutory language, please refer to sections 316.193 (2)(a) 2, 4(b), (6)(b)-(c), 775.082(3)(e), and 775.084, Florida Statutes.
Impoundment or Immobilization of Vehicle
Unless the family of the defendant has no other transportation:
Impoundment or immobilization must not occur concurrently with incarceration. The court may dismiss the order of impoundment of any vehicles owned by the defendant if they are operated solely by employees of the defendant or any business owned by the defendant.
To review the complete statutory language, please refer to section 316.193 (6), Florida Statutes.
Conditions for Release of Persons Arrested for DUI
To review the complete statutory language, please refer to section 316.193 (9), Florida Statutes.
DUI Crash Involving Property Damage or Personal Injury
Any person who causes property damage or personal injury to another while driving under the influence is guilty of a first degree misdemeanor (not more than $1,000 fine or one-year imprisonment).
To review the complete statutory language, please refer to sections 316.193 (3), 775.082(4)(a), and 775.083(1)(d), Florida Statutes.
Repeat DUI Offender or Crash Involving Serious Bodily Injury
To review the complete statutory language, please refer to sections 316.193 (2)-(3) and/or 775.084, Florida Statutes.
Manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide
To review the complete statutory language, please refer to section 316.193 (3), Florida Statutes.
Driver License Revocation Periods for DUI
To review the complete statutory language, please refer to sections 322.271 and 322.28, Florida Statutes.
Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Alcohol-Related Convictions/Disqualifications
NOTE: There are no provisions for persons disqualified from operating a CMV to obtain a hardship (business or employment) license to operate a CMV, and the information above is in addition to any provisions of section 316.193, Florida Statutes, for DUI convictions. Second or subsequent convictions of any of the above offenses arising out of separate incidents will result in a permanent disqualification from operating a CMV.
To review the complete statutory language, please refer to section 322.61, Florida Statutes.
Review Hearings for Administrative Suspensions and Disqualifications
Sections 322.2615 and 322.64, Florida Statutes, authorize the FLHSMV, upon the request of the driver, to conduct formal and informal reviews for the purpose of sustaining, amending, or invalidating administrative suspensions and disqualifications. The decisions of the FLHSMV are not to be considered in any trial for a violation of section 316.193, Florida Statutes, nor are any written statements submitted by a person in his request for review admissible into evidence against him in any such trial. The disposition of any related criminal proceedings does not affect a suspension/disqualification.
To review the complete statutory language, please refer to sections 322.2615, 322.64, and 316.193, Florida Statutes.
Business or Employment Reinstatement
Individuals convicted of a DUI, may have their driver license privilege reinstated for business or employment purposes. To apply for a reinstatement, please see the following guidelines.
If these requirements have been met, an IID is required for two years.
To review the complete statutory language, please refer to sections 322.271 and 322.28, Florida Statutes.
Hardship License Prohibited
Convictions that Require DUI School
To review the complete statutory language, please refer to sections 316.193, 322.271 and 322.291, Florida Statutes.
Chemical or Physical Test Provisions – Implied Consent Law
To review the complete statutory language, please refer to sections 316.1932, 316.1933 and 316.1939, Florida Statutes.
Adjudication and Sentencing
All penalties for DUI convictions are imposed by the court, judges are prohibited from accepting a plea of guilty to a lesser-included offense, pursuant to section 316.656, Florida Statutes. The courts are prohibited from withholding adjudication in DUI cases or from reducing a DUI charge if the defendant’s blood alcohol was .15 or greater.
To review the complete statutory language, please refer to section 316.656 Florida Statutes.
Administrative Suspension Law
The suspension is effective immediately. The officer will issue the driver a temporary permit valid for 10 days from the date of arrest, provided the driver is otherwise eligible. For persons under the age of 21, the temporary permit is not valid until 12 hours after issuance and is valid for 10 days, provided the driver is otherwise eligible.
Section 322.2616, Florida Statutes, authorizes law enforcement officers to lawfully detain and request a breath-alcohol test from any person, under the age of 21, who the officer has probable cause to believe is driving or in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or having any alcohol level.
To review the complete statutory language, please refer to sections 322.2615, 322.2616, and 316.1932, Florida Statutes.
Administrative Disqualification Law for Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Operators
The disqualification is effective immediately upon refusal of the breath, urine, or blood test, or determination that the driver has a blood alcohol level of .08 or above, while operating or in actual physical control of a CMV or a non-commercial motor vehicle. The officer will issue the driver a temporary permit which is valid for 10 days from the date of arrest, provided the driver is otherwise eligible; however, the permit does not authorize the operation of a CMV, only for the operation of a non-commercial motor vehicle.
To review the complete statutory language, please refer to sections 322.61(3), (5), and 322.64(1)(a), Florida Statutes.