Habitual Traffic Offenders in Florida

Jacksonville Habitual Traffic Offender Defense Lawyer

Understanding HTO in Florida

Many people don’t realize how easy it is to be classified as a Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO) in Florida. A series of traffic-related offenses, even tickets you thought were minor, can add up and result in a five-year license suspension.

Under Florida Statute § 322.264, a driver is designated as an HTO if, within five years, they are convicted of:

Three or more major offenses, such as:

• Driving while license suspended, revoked, or canceled (DWLSR)
• DUI
• Vehicular manslaughter
• Leaving the scene of an accident with injury or death
• Any felony involving a motor vehicle

OR

• 15 moving violations that carry points.

👉 Important: Simply paying a traffic ticket counts as a conviction and can move you closer to HTO status.

For a breakdown of how these suspensions work, see our blog Let’s Dig Into HTO Suspensions in Florida.

Knowingly vs. Unknowingly Driving While Suspended

Most HTO cases in Florida come from Driving While License Suspended or Revoked (DWLSR). Florida law makes a critical distinction:

• Unknowingly driving while suspended is a Civil infraction (like a ticket)
• Knowingly driving while suspended is a Criminal offense (misdemeanor in most cases)

Unfortunately, multiple DWLSR convictions in Florida and even outside of Florida — whether civil or criminal — can quickly lead to HTO designation.

Consequences of Being an HTO

If you are designated as a Florida Habitual Traffic Offender, the consequences are severe:

• Mandatory 5-year revocation of your license
• Ineligibility to drive legally during that period (with narrow exceptions for hardship)
• Being caught driving while HTO-suspended = third-degree felony (up to 5 years in prison)
• Higher insurance premiums, job loss, and long-term disruptions to your life

Your Legal Options

Even if you’ve already received notice of HTO designation, you may still have options. At Mesic Law, we evaluate your case for:

• Errors or misapplied convictions on your driving record
• Motions to vacate old convictions or modify prior pleas
• Eligibility for a withhold of adjudication to prevent stacking points
• Negotiating reductions on pending charges
• Challenging the process if DHSMV failed to give proper notice
• Correcting issues caused by out-of-state convictions

For answers to the most common questions we hear, see our blog 5 Most Frequently Asked Questions About an HTO Suspension in Florida.

Hardship & Limited Licenses

For some HTO drivers, it may be possible to apply for a hardship license — often called a Business Purpose Only (BPO) or Employment Purposes Only license. These licenses allow limited driving to work, school, or medical appointments.

Eligibility depends on your history and timing. 

Learn more about this process in our blog Hardship Licenses for HTO in Florida: How to Apply & Qualify.

HTO Case Results at Mesic Law

Real-world results matter. Here are some recent examples from our practice:

• Nursing Student Got Her License Back
  A second-year nursing student had three civil tickets for unknowingly driving on a suspended license in different counties. We successfully set aside the Nassau County conviction, and when the DMV dragged its feet, Attorney Kate Mesic contacted Tallahassee directly. As a result, she was able to get her license back before her semester began and continue her nursing program.
• Young Professional Avoids Jail and Keeps His License
  A young professional with two criminal DWLS charges and one civil conviction picked up another criminal charge, putting him at risk of jail and a five-year HTO suspension. We set aside the civil case and obtained a dismissal of the new criminal case, allowing him to keep a valid license and avoid jail.
• Three Years Without Driving → License Restored
  A young man had not driven for over three years because of multiple traffic convictions. Our office successfully set aside two convictions, clearing the way for him to finally obtain a valid driver’s license.

Read more about how clients can restore driving privileges in our blog Florida HTO Suspension — Get Your Driver License Back.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can out-of-state tickets count toward HTO status in Florida?
Yes. Florida is part of the Driver License Compact, which means many out-of-state convictions transfer to your Florida record.

Q: What if I already paid my tickets?
Paying means conviction. Even small infractions can push you toward HTO status.

Q: How long does an HTO suspension last?
Five years. But in some cases, legal remedies or hardship licenses may shorten the impact.

Q: What happens if I drive while HTO-suspended?
You can be charged with a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison.

Q: Can an attorney really remove HTO status?
In many cases, yes. By reviewing and challenging past convictions, we can sometimes remove enough offenses to lift the HTO designation.

Q: How do I get started to get help with HTO suspension? 

Send us your 7 year driving record. Attorney Mesic will review it and explain your options. Especially if you have a pending criminal driving on license suspended or revoked case, reach out so we can evaluate your options and work on getting your driving privileges back. 

Q: Where can I get my driving record, I cannot drive to the DMV? 

You can get it here, get the 7 year record so we can evaluate your options on how to set aside your HTO suspension. 

Driving record link.

Related Reading on HTO in Florida

Want to learn more about Habitual Traffic Offender laws and defenses? Explore our HTO blog resources:

• Let’s Dig Into HTO Suspensions in Florida »
• 5 Most Frequently Asked Questions About an HTO Suspension in Florida »
• Hardship Licenses for HTO in Florida: How to Apply & Qualify »
• Florida HTO Suspension — Get Your Driver License Back 

Why Choose Mesic Law

• Local experience: Serving Jacksonville, Duval, Clay, St. Johns, and Nassau Counties.
• Proven track record: We’ve helped clients set aside convictions, restore licenses, and avoid jail.
• Personalized strategy: Every driving record is different — we craft a defense tailored to you

Take Action Now

If you’ve been labeled an HTO in Florida, time is critical. Waiting too long can close doors to important remedies.

📞 Call Mesic Law today at (904) 619-2510 or contact us online for a free consultation. We’ll explain your options, fight for your license, and help you move forward.

 Bullet Point Summary

• HTO = 5-year revocation under Florida Statute § 322.264.
• Triggers: 3 major convictions OR 15 moving violations in 5 years.
• DWLSR (knowingly vs unknowingly) is one of the most common HTO causes.
• Driving while HTO-suspended = felony.
• Defenses include vacating old convictions, withholds, plea reductions, and hardship licenses.
• Out-of-state convictions often count.
• The sooner you act, the more options you have.