A DUI arrest does more than put your criminal record at risk. It threatens your ability to drive—immediately. In Florida, your license doesn’t get suspended after a conviction. It happens almost instantly after the arrest. What many don’t realize is that there’s a hard deadline, and it comes fast. Ten days. That’s how long you have to protect your driving privileges. This is one of the most urgent and time-sensitive parts of a DUI case. Miss that window, and the consequences can drag on for months—or longer.
Florida’s 10-Day Rule After a DUI Arrest
The 10-day rule is one of the most important deadlines in any Florida DUI case. From the moment of arrest, you have exactly ten calendar days to take action. During that short window, you can file a request with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles for a Formal Review Hearing. That hearing is your opportunity to challenge the administrative suspension of your driver’s license. It’s separate from your criminal court case and focuses only on the circumstances of the arrest, such as whether the stop was legal and if proper procedures were followed. Filing this request on time can also allow you to obtain a temporary permit to continue driving legally while the hearing is pending. But the deadline is unforgiving. Miss it, and you lose the right to challenge the suspension—and with it, the chance to drive during this critical period.
What Happens to Your License After a DUI Arrest in Florida
What happens right after a DUI arrest in Florida is immediate. Your driver’s license is taken, and you’re issued a temporary permit that’s good for exactly ten days. If no action is taken in that timeframe, your license automatically goes into suspension—six months if you blew over the limit, one year if you refused the test. There are no second chances. The state doesn’t remind you. The system assumes you know. And if you don’t act, your ability to legally drive disappears overnight.
Getting a Hardship License in Florida After DUI
If your license does end up suspended—whether because you didn’t request the hearing in time or the DHSMV ruled against you—you might still qualify for a hardship license. This allows you to drive for essential reasons only: work, school, church, and medical appointments. It is not a free pass. Every condition is monitored closely, and violations can result in further penalties or a complete revocation. To apply for a hardship license, you’ll likely need to enroll in DUI school and provide documentation showing a legitimate need to drive. The application process itself can be complex. Mistakes, omissions, or inconsistencies can lead to delays or outright denial.
What Happens If You Miss the 10-Day DUI Deadline in Florida
Failing to take action in time has real consequences. If you blew over the legal limit, your license will be suspended for six months. If you refused the breath test, that jumps to one year. These are automatic suspensions imposed by the DMV, separate from anything the criminal court decides. Missing that ten-day mark removes your ability to challenge the suspension. It also removes the option for a temporary permit during the hearing process. You go directly into suspension—no in-between, no delay. You’ll be unable to drive legally for months, even if your criminal case is ultimately reduced or dismissed.
Why You Need a DUI Lawyer Immediately
Trying to handle a DUI case alone is risky, especially when your license is on the line. The laws are complex, deadlines are strict, and the system doesn’t explain your options clearly. An experienced DUI attorney understands the timelines, the procedures, and the strategic opportunities. They can act quickly to file the necessary paperwork, request the hearing, and fight for your ability to drive. They also know how to challenge the administrative suspension—looking at how the breath test was administered, whether the stop was lawful, and if proper procedure was followed. These technical points might seem small, but they can make the difference between having your license returned—or losing it for a year.
We Are The Largest DUI Firm In Florida & We Urge You To Act Fast
There’s no time to think it over for a few weeks. Ten days is all you get. And every day that passes after your arrest narrows your options. Whether it’s filing for the review hearing, applying for a hardship license, or building your defense—timing is everything. At The Ticket Clinic, we understand how high the stakes are. We act fast, we handle the paperwork, and we push back hard against suspension. Your license, your job, your reputation—they’re all worth fighting for. And it starts now.
