The Florida Senate

322.27  Authority of department to suspend or revoke license.--

(1)  Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in chapter 120, the department is hereby authorized to suspend the license of any person without preliminary hearing upon a showing of its records or other sufficient evidence that the licensee:

(a)  Has committed an offense for which mandatory revocation of license is required upon conviction;

(b)  Has been convicted of a violation of any traffic law which resulted in a crash that caused the death or personal injury of another or property damage in excess of $500;

(c)  Is incompetent to drive a motor vehicle;

(d)  Has permitted an unlawful or fraudulent use of such license or has knowingly been a party to the obtaining of a license by fraud or misrepresentation or to display, or represent as one's own, any driver's license not issued him or her. Provided, however, no provision of this section shall be construed to include the provisions of s. 322.32(1);

(e)  Has committed an offense in another state which if committed in this state would be grounds for suspension or revocation; or

(f)  Has committed a second or subsequent violation of s. 316.172(1) within a 5-year period of any previous violation.

(2)  The department shall suspend the license of any person without preliminary hearing upon a showing of its records that the licensee has been convicted in any court having jurisdiction over offenses committed under this chapter or any other law of this state regulating the operation of a motor vehicle on the highways, upon direction of the court, when the court feels that the seriousness of the offense and the circumstances surrounding the conviction warrant the suspension of the licensee's driving privilege.

(3)  There is established a point system for evaluation of convictions of violations of motor vehicle laws or ordinances, and violations of applicable provisions of s. 403.413(6)(b) when such violations involve the use of motor vehicles, for the determination of the continuing qualification of any person to operate a motor vehicle. The department is authorized to suspend the license of any person upon showing of its records or other good and sufficient evidence that the licensee has been convicted of violation of motor vehicle laws or ordinances, or applicable provisions of s. 403.413(6)(b), amounting to 12 or more points as determined by the point system. The suspension shall be for a period of not more than 1 year.

(a)  When a licensee accumulates 12 points within a 12-month period, the period of suspension shall be for not more than 30 days.

(b)  When a licensee accumulates 18 points, including points upon which suspension action is taken under paragraph (a), within an 18-month period, the suspension shall be for a period of not more than 3 months.

(c)  When a licensee accumulates 24 points, including points upon which suspension action is taken under paragraphs (a) and (b), within a 36-month period, the suspension shall be for a period of not more than 1 year.

(d)  The point system shall have as its basic element a graduated scale of points assigning relative values to convictions of the following violations:

1.  Reckless driving, willful and wanton--4 points.

2.  Leaving the scene of a crash resulting in property damage of more than $50--6 points.

3.  Unlawful speed resulting in a crash--6 points.

4.  Passing a stopped school bus--4 points.

5.  Unlawful speed:

a.  Not in excess of 15 miles per hour of lawful or posted speed--3 points.

b.  In excess of 15 miles per hour of lawful or posted speed--4 points.

6.  All other moving violations (including parking on a highway outside the limits of a municipality)--3 points. However, no points shall be imposed for a violation of s. 316.0741 or s. 316.2065(12).

7.  Any moving violation covered above, excluding unlawful speed, resulting in a crash--4 points.

8.  Any conviction under s. 403.413(5)(b)--3 points.

(e)  A conviction in another state of a violation therein which, if committed in this state, would be a violation of the traffic laws of this state, or a conviction of an offense under any federal law substantially conforming to the traffic laws of this state, except a violation of s. 322.26, may be recorded against a driver on the basis of the same number of points received had the conviction been made in a court of this state.

(f)  In computing the total number of points, when the licensee reaches the danger zone, the department is authorized to send the licensee a warning letter advising that any further convictions may result in suspension of his or her driving privilege.

(g)  The department shall administer and enforce the provisions of this law and may make rules and regulations necessary for its administration.

(h)  Three points shall be deducted from the driver history record of any person whose driving privilege has been suspended only once pursuant to this subsection and has been reinstated, if such person has complied with all other requirements of this chapter.

(i)  This subsection shall not apply to persons operating a nonmotorized vehicle for which a driver's license is not required.

(4)  The department, in computing the points and period of time for suspensions under this section, shall use the offense date of all convictions.

(5)  The department shall revoke the license of any person designated a habitual offender, as set forth in s. 322.264, and such person shall not be eligible to be relicensed for a minimum of 5 years from the date of revocation, except as provided for in s. 322.271. Any person whose license is revoked may, by petition to the department, show cause why his or her license should not be revoked.

(6)  The department shall revoke the driving privilege of any person who is convicted of a felony for the possession of a controlled substance if, at the time of such possession, the person was driving or in actual physical control of a motor vehicle. A person whose driving privilege has been revoked pursuant to this subsection shall not be eligible to receive a limited business or employment purpose license during the term of such revocation.

(7)  Review of an order of suspension or revocation shall be by writ of certiorari as provided in s. 322.31.

History.--s. 39, ch. 19551, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 4151(653); s. 39, ch. 20451, 1941; s. 7, ch. 22858, 1945; ss. 1, 2, ch. 57-756; s. 1, ch. 57-759; s. 1, ch. 59-278; s. 1, ch. 61-42; s. 1, ch. 61-53; s. 1, ch. 65-175; s. 1, ch. 67-86; s. 26, ch. 69-353; ss. 24, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 70-115; s. 3, ch. 72-175; s. 1, ch. 74-36; s. 5, ch. 74-384; s. 5, ch. 76-153; s. 1, ch. 77-119; s. 20, ch. 78-95; s. 3, ch. 78-204; s. 1, ch. 78-226; ss. 23, 27, ch. 78-394; s. 2, ch. 81-3; s. 3, ch. 81-118; s. 2, ch. 85-184; s. 7, ch. 85-309; s. 4, ch. 86-260; s. 3, ch. 87-167; s. 6, ch. 88-50; s. 57, ch. 88-130; s. 47, ch. 89-282; s. 4, ch. 91-136; s. 22, ch. 93-164; s. 83, ch. 94-306; s. 939, ch. 95-148; s. 29, ch. 95-257; s. 56, ch. 96-350; s. 292, ch. 99-248.