Manatee County, Florida · DUI
DUI in Manatee County
What happens after a DUI arrest in Manatee County, where your case will be heard and the deadlines that matter in your first days.
Where your case is handled
Formal review hearing
Your FLHSMV hearing office
Your hearing is handled by the FLHSMV. Keep the notice of suspension you received. Request your hearing within 10 days.
Your first days after an arrest
Request your formal review hearing
Within 10 days, or the suspension stands. Your ticket serves as a 10-day temporary permit.
Find your court date
Check your citation or release paperwork for your arraignment date and courthouse.
Write down what happened
The stop, the tests and what was said, while it's still fresh.
Talk to a DUI defense attorney
A local attorney can request the formal review hearing for you and review the stop.
Your license: two separate cases
A DUI arrest in Florida starts two cases: an administrative suspension by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and a criminal case.
FLHSMV · starts at arrest
Administrative suspension
Your license is suspended on the spot and your ticket serves as a 10-day temporary permit. Request a formal review hearing within 10 days; you may get a 42-day permit to keep driving.
If the suspension stands: 6 months for a failed test on a first offense.
Court · starts when charged
Criminal case
A conviction brings its own revocation, shown in the penalties table on this page.
A hardship license for work and essential driving may be available after DUI school.
Florida DUI penalties
| First offense | Second offense | Third offense | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail | Up to 6 months (9 if aggravated) | Up to 9 months (12 if aggravated); at least 10 days if within 5 years of a prior | Up to 12 months; a felony with up to 5 years and at least 30 days if within 10 years of a prior |
| Fine | $500 to $1,000 ($1,000 to $2,000 if aggravated) | $1,000 to $2,000 ($2,000 to $4,000 if aggravated) | $2,000 to $5,000 (at least $4,000 if aggravated) |
| License revocation | 180 days to 1 year | 180 days to 1 year; at least 5 years if within 5 years of a prior | 180 days to 1 year; at least 10 years if within 10 years of a prior |
| Ignition interlock | 6 months if aggravated | At least 1 year (2 if aggravated) | At least 2 years |
| Also required | Up to 1 year probation, 50 hours community service, 10-day vehicle impound, DUI school | 30-day vehicle impound if within 5 years | 90-day vehicle impound if within 10 years |
First offense
- Jail
- Up to 6 months (9 if aggravated)
- Fine
- $500 to $1,000 ($1,000 to $2,000 if aggravated)
- License revocation
- 180 days to 1 year
- Ignition interlock
- 6 months if aggravated
- Also required
- Up to 1 year probation, 50 hours community service, 10-day vehicle impound, DUI school
Second offense
- Jail
- Up to 9 months (12 if aggravated); at least 10 days if within 5 years of a prior
- Fine
- $1,000 to $2,000 ($2,000 to $4,000 if aggravated)
- License revocation
- 180 days to 1 year; at least 5 years if within 5 years of a prior
- Ignition interlock
- At least 1 year (2 if aggravated)
- Also required
- 30-day vehicle impound if within 5 years
Third offense
- Jail
- Up to 12 months; a felony with up to 5 years and at least 30 days if within 10 years of a prior
- Fine
- $2,000 to $5,000 (at least $4,000 if aggravated)
- License revocation
- 180 days to 1 year; at least 10 years if within 10 years of a prior
- Ignition interlock
- At least 2 years
- Also required
- 90-day vehicle impound if within 10 years
Manatee County DUI FAQ
What happens after a DUI arrest in Manatee County, Florida?
A DUI arrest in Florida starts two cases: an administrative suspension by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and a criminal case. Your license is suspended on the spot and your ticket serves as a 10-day temporary permit. Request a formal review hearing within 10 days; you may get a 42-day permit to keep driving. Your license is suspended at arrest, and the ticket you were given works as a temporary permit for those 10 days. Miss the deadline and the suspension stands.
Where are DUI cases heard in Manatee County?
The county seat of Manatee County is Bradenton. Contact the Manatee County Clerk of Court to confirm where your case will be heard.
Is my driver's license suspended after a DUI arrest in Manatee County?
Your license is suspended on the spot and your ticket serves as a 10-day temporary permit. Request a formal review hearing within 10 days; you may get a 42-day permit to keep driving. If the suspension stands: 6 months for a failed test on a first offense. A conviction in the criminal case brings its own suspension: 180 days to 1 year for a first offense.
What are the penalties for a first DUI in Manatee County?
Under Florida law, a first DUI carries: Jail: Up to 6 months (9 if aggravated). Fine: $500 to $1,000 ($1,000 to $2,000 if aggravated). License revocation: 180 days to 1 year. Ignition interlock: 6 months if aggravated. Also required: Up to 1 year probation, 50 hours community service, 10-day vehicle impound, DUI school. Higher ranges apply if your BAC was 0.15% or more or a minor was in the vehicle. How recent your prior DUIs are (within 5 or 10 years) also raises the minimums.
Do I have two separate cases after a DUI arrest in Manatee County?
Yes. A DUI arrest in Florida starts two cases: an administrative suspension by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and a criminal case. Administrative suspension: Your license is suspended on the spot and your ticket serves as a 10-day temporary permit. Request a formal review hearing within 10 days; you may get a 42-day permit to keep driving. Criminal case: A conviction brings its own revocation, shown in the penalties table on this page.