Important: You Only Have 10 Days From the Date of Your DUI Arrest to Apply for a Hardship License.
Knowing what to do to keep your ability to drive after a DUI arrest is confusing. Here’s a simple guide about the process, and some common questions and answers:
Step 1: Make sure you keep your DUI citation.
You probably don’t want to carry around a reminder of your DUI arrest, but the paper citation is also a 10-day driving permit, so you’ll need to keep it in your car as you run errands and apply for a hardship license.
Step 2: Apply for DUI school,
It’s expensive (about $300) but you have to have proof of enrollment in DUI school before you can apply for a hardship license. You can apply online at a place like Drive Safe Tampa in Hillsborough county, or Safety.org in Pinellas county.
There’s another good reason to go ahead and complete DUI school: it’s usually a requirement of any kind of DUI diversion program or penalty. Getting it out of the way now means you won’t have to do it later.
Step 3: Go to the DHSMV office and sign a waiver.
If you’re in Hillsborough county, you need to go to 2814 E Hillsborough Ave in Tampa:
If you’re in Pinellas county, you need to go to 4585 140th Ave North, Suite 1002 in Clearwater:
There is a $25 fee with applying for a hardship license.