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Hardship Licenses (1 & H Restrictions)
THIS TRANSACTION MUST BE PROCESSED BY APPOINTMENT AT THE
DRIVER LICENSE OFFICE – 904 301 BLVD W, BRADENTON
Customers will be charged a $6.25 Tax Collector service fee for information and processing, and additional transaction fees may apply. Visit taxcollector.com to schedule your appointment. Services are for Manatee County residents and businesses only.
  
1. WHAT IS A HARDSHIP LICENSE?
 
It is a Class E license with a restriction that allows you to drive with limitations while you are otherwise suspended, revoked or cancelled.  There are two types of hardship license restrictions:

 Business Purposes Only...................1 Restriction  
 Limited to Employment.....................H Restriction  

Note: Hardship license restrictions cannot be added to Commercial Driver Licenses (CDL). Therefore, if you have a CDL license and you are granted a hardship license, you must downgrade your license to a Class E.
 
2. WHO ISSUES HARDSHIP LICENSES?
 
The Bureau of Administrative Review (BAR) holds formal and informal hearings for hardship licenses. They also have the ability to issue hardship licenses, and they do so for the majority that they grant.  However, you may be referred to our office for issuance of the hardship license, subject to verification of hardship approval.
 
You can request a hearing (1) online – or scan the QR Code to access the site, OR

(2) by contacting one of the offices below:
 
Clearwater BAR Office Tampa BAR Office
4585 140th Ave. N, Ste 1002
Clearwater, FL  33762
(727) 507-4405
Approximately 38 miles from us		 2814 E Hillsborough Ave.
Tampa, FL  33610
(813) 276-5795
Approximately 52 miles from us

Be prepared to pay the applicable fees for the hearing and hardship license filing.
3. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A HARDSHIP LICENSE?
 
In many cases, if your license has been suspended, revoked or cancelled, you will have the option to request a hardship license by way of a hearing at the BAR Office.  This does not mean that you will automatically be granted a hardship license.  BAR Hearing Officers review your circumstance to determine the necessity of a hardship license, and may or may not grant it if they feel it’s not entirely necessary or if you are ineligible.
 
Note: Our office will not advise you as to whether or not you are eligible for a hardship license. You must contact a BAR Office for more details.
 
4. ARE THERE SITUATIONS THAT ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A HARDSHIP LICENSE?
 
Yes, there are many suspensions, revocations and cancellations that are automatically ineligible for a hardship license.  Below are some of the more common reasons that make you automatically ineligible:
 
5. WHAT IF I AM DENIED A HARDSHIP LICENSE?
 
If you are denied a hardship license, you will be required to wait out your entire suspension/revocation time and will not be permitted to drive during that time.
 
6. HARDSHIP RESTRICTION IS EXPIRING. HOW DO I REMOVE IT FROM MY LICENSE?
 
After your suspension or revocation period is over, the hardship restriction will automatically drop off your driving record. You can resume driving with full privileges and you are not required to obtain a new license. The expiration date of the restriction will appear on the license for law enforcement to use in determining the restriction no longer applies.

If you are more comfortable with a new license without a hardship restriction, you may apply for a replacement or renewal (1) online* – or scan the QR code to access the site – for $27.00 to $50.00, or (2) in-office* for $31.25 to $81.25.

*There may also be a $7.00 fee per endorsement and a $15.00 late fee, if applicable.

If you opt to purchase an in-office replacement, you will be required to provide documents that establish your identity pursuant to the Real ID Act (e.g., US birth certificate, proof of name change(s), US passport, USCIS (INS) documents, Social Security Card and 2 proofs of residential address) unless you already have a Real ID compliant Florida driver license and no changes are needed. For a complete list of acceptable identity documents, visit flhsmv.gov/whattobring. Non-Immigrants must have at least 61 days remaining on their legal presence documentation. Our office accepts cash, check, debit cards, and credit cards. A $2.50 processing fee for debit cards and a 2.5% processing fee (minimum of $2.50) for credit cards will apply. Our office does not retain any portion of this fee.
 
Note:  If you are caught in violation of your restriction during the restriction period, your restriction period may be extended on your driving record and you may receive a suspension.  If this happens, your old license will show an old expiration date and your hardship restriction will not automatically drop off your driving record until the new expiration date has passed. You should purchase a replacement license for $31.25 to show the new expiration date.
 
7. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 You can sign up for electronic notifications when citations and/or sanctions are added to your record online - or scan the QR code to access the site. 

 An Online Application is REQUIRED for all transactions processed at the Driver License Office! To complete your driver license or ID card transaction at one of our offices, you must complete the Online Driver License & ID Card Application (https://taxcollector.jotform.com/210103795736152) – or scan the QR code to access the application – prior to your appointment.  Do not print the application; an associate will access your electronic submission during your appointment. Applications are valid for 90 days.
 
Not a Manatee County Resident? Our offices are open by appointment only for Manatee County residents/businesses only.  All out-of-county residents must visit their home county for information and processing.  To find a location visit flhsmv.gov/locations.

HardshipLicense – Last Update: 06/29/2022