You normally need to apply with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (HSMV) for a hearing in which you plead your case for a hardship reinstatement of your driving privileges. It will depend upon the reason your license was suspended to determine the specific steps you will need to take to apply for a hardship license.

For example the FL HSMV notes that if you have had your first conviction for a DUI you must first complete DUI school before you can apply for an administrative hearing to obtain a hardship reinstatement. If it is your second DUI conviction within 5 years (which comes with a 5 year revocation) you may apply for a hardship reinstatement hearing after one year.

Florida statute 322.271 discusses the authority of the HSMV to modify revocation, cancellation, or suspension orders. Here it states in part that a person whose driving privilege has been revoked under s. 322.27(5) may, upon expiration of 12 months from the date of such revocation, petition the department for reinstatement of his or her driving privilege. Upon such petition and after investigation of the person's qualification, fitness, and need to drive, the department shall hold a hearing pursuant to chapter 120 to determine whether the driving privilege shall be reinstated on a restricted basis solely for business or employment purposes.

The FL state law goes on to say that upon such hearing, the person whose license has been suspended, canceled, or revoked may show that such suspension, cancellation, or revocation of his or her license causes a serious hardship and precludes the person's carrying out his or her normal business occupation, trade, or employment and that the use of the person's license in the normal course of his or her business is necessary to the proper support of the person or his or her family.

In some instances you will be required to show proof of the successful completion of the applicable department-approved driver training course operating pursuant to s. 318.1451 or DUI program substance abuse education course and evaluation as provided in s. 316.193(5).

Letters of recommendation from respected business persons in the community, law enforcement officers, or judicial officers may also be required to determine whether such person should be permitted to operate a motor vehicle on a restricted basis for business or employment use only and in determining whether such person can be trusted to so operate a motor vehicle.

If a driver's license has been suspended under the point system or pursuant to s. 322.2615, the department shall require proof of enrollment in the applicable department-approved driver training course or licensed DUI program substance abuse education course, including evaluation and treatment, if referred, and may require letters of recommendation described in this subsection to determine if the driver should be reinstated on a restricted basis.

You can read more about how to obtain a Florida hardship license by reading the rest of this FL statute or by contacting the FL HSMV directly.