What drivers licenses are invalid in Florida?
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) has updated what out-of-state driver’s licenses that will no longer be valid in Florida effective July 1, 2023. Is your state’s license on the list? Keep reading to find out if your driver’s license is invalid in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and the rest of Florida.
Our top-rated criminal defense attorney Matthew Konecky, based in Palm Beach County, also discusses if you can drive in Florida with an out-of-state driver’s license, what happens if you drive in Florida with an invalid license, and the rest of the newly passed Senate Bill (SB) 1718 which went into effect July 1, 2023, under Florida governor Ron DeSantis.
What state driver’s license is not accepted in Florida?
Right now there are currently 5 states on the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles list of invalid out-of-state licenses. The state licenses which are not accepted in Florida are Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Connecticut drive-only license now invalid under Florida Law
If you’re from Connecticut, you know that your state issues a special kind of ‘drive-only’ license for those individuals lacking a permanent legal status, but still need a car for transportation purposes. According to the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, around 61,000 people in Connecticut currently have a drive-only license. Connecticut started the program in 2014 as a means for immigrants without a legal status to drive not registered and un-insured, according to Connecticut State law (Public Act 2013-89)
Delaware Driving Privilege Cards are not valid under Florida Law
Starting in 2015, Delaware put into effect their Driving Privilege card program for undocumented Delaware residents. In order to qualify, applicants must show proof of identity, and fingerprints are also taken. Currently, Delaware Driving Privilege Cards, or DPCs, are only valid within the state anyways. Individuals without a valid license driving a car outside of Delaware, or using the license in place of a state-issued Identification Card are already running a risk.
Can I drive in the state of Florida with an out–of–state license?
Yes, aside from the 5 states named by the Florida Department of Highway Safety. As long as you have a valid driver's license issued with your name on it, people on vacation and other visitors to the state of Florida may drive. This also applies to visitors who are visiting from out-of-state as well as from another country.
What Happens if I Drive in Florida with an invalid license?
Even if you have a Florida driver’s license, it is still possible your license is invalid. To check if your license is suspended or the status of your Florida license, you can check by going to www.flhsmv.gov and checking your driver’s license number under driver's license & ID tracking. Anyone presenting an invalid license from any of the mentioned states (Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, Delaware, and Hawaii) may receive a citation if they present an invalid out-of-state license at a traffic stop.
What happens when you get caught driving without a license in Florida?
Florida Statute 322.03 makes it a crime to drive a vehicle without a valid driver's license. It is considered a crime in the state of Florida if you drive with a license that has expired for more than 6 months. The only exception is if you can prove that there is a pending driver's license that was already issued. Driving without a license is often charged as ‘Driving Without a License’ or ‘No Valid Driver’s License’ (No Valid DL). It is important to know that if you get caught driving without a license in Florida you may be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor in Florida, which is punishable by 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
What is Senate Bill 1718?
Florida Senate Bill 1718 was signed by Florida Governor Ron Desantis in May, but it officially went into effect on July 1, 2023. The bill broadly covers immigration law in the state of Florida, including human smuggling and means to verify the citizenship status of employees as Desantis cracks down on immigration legislation. This is why Senate Bill 1718 outlines which types of state government-issued IDs or licenses are no longer valid in the state of Florida.
Contact an experienced traffic violations attorney in Palm Beach Florida
At the Law Offices of Matthew Konecky, we defend drivers in Palm Beach Gardens, Boca Raton, Jupiter, West Palm Beach, Wellington, and all of Palm Beach County against any allegation of a traffic violation. Whether you received a traffic ticket for a minor violation or are charged with a more serious offense, we have the experience to help you avoid the consequences. We offer traffic attorney services for our clients all over Palm Beach County, including Wellington, West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Jupiter, Lake Worth, Greenacres, Palm Beach Gardens, & more.
You can call our office at 561-671-5995 or contact us online anytime. We look forward to serving you!
