DWLS – Overview
DWLS – Penalties
DWLS – Laws
DWLS – Reasons for Suspension, Revocation or Cancellation
DWLS – Reinstatement
DWLS – Definitions
DWLS - Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO)
Other Driver's License Offenses  

relevant Definitions

Pursuant to Florida Statute 322.01and the Official Florida Driver’s Handbook 2008

1. Authorized emergency vehicle: means a vehicle that is equipped with extraordinary audible and visual warning devices, that is authorized by s. 316.2397 to display red or blue lights, and that is on call to respond to emergencies. The term includes, but is not limited to, ambulances, law enforcement vehicles, fire trucks, and other rescue vehicles. The term does not include wreckers, utility trucks, or other vehicles that are used only incidentally for emergency purposes.
2. Cancellation: means the act of declaring a driver's license void and terminated.
3. Color photographic driver's license: means a color photograph of a completed driver's license form meeting the requirements prescribed in s. 322.14.
4. Commercial driver's license: a Class A, Class B, or Class C driver's license issued in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
5. Commercial motor vehicle: means any motor vehicle or motor vehicle combination used on the streets or highways, which: a) has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more; b) is designed to transport more than 15 persons, including the driver; or c) Is transporting hazardous materials and is required to be placarded in accordance with Title 49 C.F.R. part 172, subpart F
6. Controlled substance: means any substance classified as such under 21 U.S.C. s. 802(6), Schedules I-V of Title 21 C.F.R. part 1308, or chapter 893.
7. Conviction: means a conviction of an offense relating to the operation of motor vehicles on highways which is a violation of this chapter or any other such law of this state or any other state, including an admission or determination of a noncriminal traffic infraction pursuant to s. 318.14, or a judicial disposition of an offense committed under any federal law substantially conforming to the aforesaid state statutory provisions. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, the definition of conviction provided in 49 C.F.R. part 383.5 applies to offenses committed in a commercial motor vehicle.
8. Court: means any tribunal in this state or any other state, or any federal tribunal, which has jurisdiction over any civil, criminal, traffic, or administrative action.
9. Department: means the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles acting directly or through its duly authorized representatives.
10. Disqualification: means a prohibition, other than an out-of-service order, that precludes a person from driving a commercial motor vehicle.
11. Division of Administrative Services: manages the functions of payroll, personnel, purchasing, accounting and fiscal operations and maintenance and repair of equipment for the agency's operating divisions.
12. Division of Driver Licenses: administers examinations to qualify persons to drive on Florida's highways. Its primary mission is to promote and maintain the highest possible driving standards on the streets and highways of the State of Florida and remove unsafe drivers from the highways.
13. Division of the Florida Highway Patrol: enforces all state laws pertaining to motor vehicles, patrols the state highway system to help ensure the safety of all drivers and implements the state traffic safety program. Each trooper is always ready and willing to render assistance to the motoring public.
14. Division of Motor Vehicles: regulates the sale and distribution of all motor vehicles and vessels in Florida. The division administers the sale of license plates through county tax collectors and authorized tag agents for every automobile, vessel, trailer, truck, mobile home, camper and motorcycle that operates on the public roads. In addition, the division keeps records on every motor vehicle that is titled or registered in Florida and enforces mobile home construction standards and the licensing of motor vehicle dealers.
15. Drive: means to operate or be in actual physical control of a motor vehicle in any place open to the general public for purposes of vehicular traffic.
16. Driver's license: means a certificate that, subject to all other requirements of law, authorizes an individual to drive a motor vehicle and denotes an operator's license as defined in 49 U.S.C. s. 30301.
17. Endorsement: means a special authorization which permits a driver to drive certain types of vehicles or to transport certain types of property or a certain number of passengers.
18. Felony: means any offense under state or federal law that is punishable by death or by a term of imprisonment exceeding 1 year.
19. Foreign jurisdiction: means any jurisdiction other than a state of the United States.
20. Identification card: means a personal identification card issued by the department which conforms to the definition in 18 U.S.C. s. 1028(d).
21. Information Systems Administration: manages data processing for the agency's operating divisions.
22. Motorcycle: means a motor vehicle powered by a motor with a displacement of more than 50 cubic centimeters, having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider, and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor or moped.
23. Motor vehicle: means any self-propelled vehicle, including a motor vehicle combination, not operated upon rails or guideway, excluding vehicles moved solely by human power, motorized wheelchairs, and motorized bicycles as defined in s. 316.003.
24. Motor vehicle combination: means a motor vehicle operated in conjunction with one or more other vehicles.
25. Narcotic drugs: means coca leaves, opium, isonipecaine, cannabis, and every substance neither chemically nor physically distinguishable from them, and any and all derivatives of same, and any other drug to which the narcotics laws of the United States apply, and includes all drugs and derivatives thereof known as barbiturates.
26. Owner: means the person who holds the legal title to a vehicle. However, if a vehicle is the subject of an agreement for the conditional sale or lease thereof with the right of purchase upon performance of the conditions stated in the agreement and with an immediate right of possession vested in the conditional vendee or lessee, or if a mortgagor of a vehicle is entitled to possession, such conditional vendee, lessee, or mortgagor is the owner for the purpose of this chapter.
27. Passenger vehicle: means a motor vehicle designed to transport more than 15 persons, including the driver, or a school bus designed to transport more than 15 persons, including the driver.
28. Permit: means a document authorizing the temporary operation of a motor vehicle within this state subject to conditions established in this chapter.
29. Resident: means a person who has his or her principal place of domicile in this state for a period of more than 6 consecutive months, has registered to vote, has made a statement of domicile pursuant to s. 222.17, or has filed for homestead tax exemption on property in this state.
30. Restriction: means a prohibition against operating certain types of motor vehicles or a requirement that a driver comply with certain conditions when driving a motor vehicle.
31. Revocation: means the termination of a licensee's privilege to drive.
32. School bus: means a motor vehicle that is designed to transport more than 15 persons, including the driver, and that is used to transport students to and from a public or private school or in connection with school activities, but does not include a bus operated by a common carrier in the urban transportation of school children. The term school includes all pre-elementary, elementary, secondary, and postsecondary schools.
33. State: means a state or possession of the United States, and, for the purposes of this chapter, includes the District of Columbia.
34. Street or highway: means the entire width between the boundary lines of a way or place if any part of that way or place is open to public use for purposes of vehicular traffic.
35. Suspension: means the temporary withdrawal of a licensee's privilege to drive a motor vehicle.
36. Temporary driver's license or temporary identification card: means a certificate issued by the department which, subject to all other requirements of law, authorizes an individual to drive a motor vehicle and denotes an operator's license, as defined in 49 U.S.C. s. 30301, or a personal identification card issued by the department which conforms to the definition in 18 U.S.C. s. 1028(d) and denotes that the holder is permitted to stay for a short duration of time, as specified on the temporary identification card, and is not a permanent resident of the United States.
37. Vehicle: means every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public highway or operated upon rails or guideway, except a bicycle, motorized wheelchair, or motorized bicycle.

The material on this page is not intended to be legal advice. Florida law is continually changing therefore some of the provisions contained here may be out of date. It is always best to consult a Florida criminal defense lawyer about your legal rights and responsibilities regarding your particular case.

Consult With An Experienced Orlando Suspended License Lawyer

The facts of every license violation case are different and because of the various complexities involved in handling these types of cases, it is vitally important that you obtain representation from an Orlando suspended license lawyer experienced in defending, not prosecuting these types of crimes.
 
If you have been arrested or charged with driving with your license suspended or revoked, driving without a valid license, or driving with an expired license call an Orlando suspended license attorney at Corzo & Kohrs. Call toll free 877-99CK-LAW for a free consultation and explanation of your rights.