Licensed To Drive Diversion Court
Program Description
The Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Office’s Licensed to Drive Diversion Court offers eligible persons facing suspended, expired or no valid driver’s license criminal charges due to financial reasons the chance to secure a valid Florida driver’s license and get their case dismissed.
Eligible participants will have all or most of their court fees and fines in Orange and Osceola counties converted to community service hours and must complete all community service and State-recommended services based on a needs assessment.
Program Eligibility
To be eligible for Licensed to Drive Diversion Court, participants must meet the following criteria:
- Orange County or Osceola County resident.
- U.S. Citizen or Florida Legal Resident.
- Be eligible to be licensed in Florida.
- Driver’s license must be suspended or revoked for the following reasons:
- Failure to pay traffic fines, penalties or tolls.
- Failure to pay criminal case fees.
- Failure to pay child support.
Eligible offenses
- Driving While License Suspended or Revoked (misdemeanors only), § 322.34
- No Valid Driver’s License, § 322.03(1)
- Expired Driver’s License for more than 6 months, § 322.03(5)
Ineligible offenses
The following cases are not associated with a financial suspension and are not eligible for the Licensed to Drive Diversion Court:
- Cases involving a crash, property damage or personal injury or death.
- Driving on a DUI-related suspension.
- Suspension as a sanction for a criminal conviction.
- Defendant is on probation at the time of the offense.
Out-of-county financial suspensions may not qualify if that is the sole basis for the suspension.
Completing the Program
Step 1: Apply for the program.
Step 2: Receive your next court date.
Step 3: Bring $100 to next court date and sign contract.
Step 4: Complete program requirements identified after needs assessment.
Step 5: Obtain valid driver’s license.
Step 6: Case is dismissed.
Program Completion or Failure to Complete
When a defendant successfully fulfills the terms and conditions of their Licensed to Drive Diversion Court agreement, the State will dismiss the charges against the defendant.
If the State finds at the termination of the diversion period or any time before the termination of the diversion period that the defendant has failed to fulfill the terms of the specific diversion agreement or probable cause has been found the defendant has violated the law, the State will inform the court and prosecution will resume.
Community Partners
The State Attorney’s Office works with several community partners to provide services on Licensed to Drive Diversion Court days including:
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Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles FLOW Bus
The Florida Licensing on Wheels (FLOW) Bus provides license and ID credentialing services. -
IDignity
Provides guidance on obtaining identification documents. -
Vital Statistics (Orange County)
Provides birth certificates. -
Vital Statistics (Osceola County)
Provides birth certificates. -
All Star Dads
Provides support for strong father figures in the lives of children. -
Central Florida Urban League
Provides child support assistance. - Florida Department of Children and Families
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Fifth Third Bank
Provides second-chance banking and financial literacy information. -
Orlando Serve Foundation “He Got Up!” Program
Assesses defendant’s needs. -
Social Security Administration
Provides social security card applications and verifications. -
Cornerstone Connections
Provides case management support and child support assistance. -
Operation New Hope
Provides reentry assistance and Ready to Work program. -
CareerSource Central Florida
Provides job training and placement. - Florida Department of Revenue
- 4 Lane Insurance
- Veterans Benefits Administration
