No, you cannot obtain a driver's license in Florida while your license is suspended in Texas. According to the Florida driver's handbook you cannot obtain a FL driver's license with a suspended license in any another state. The handbook states that driving a motor vehicle in Florida is a privilege you earn. You cannot obtain a license in Florida under the following conditions:
- If your license is suspended or revoked in any state;
- If you are addicted to drugs or alcohol;
- If you cannot drive safely because of mental or physical problems; (Deafness alone will not prevent a person from being issued a driver license.)
- If you are under the legal age for licensing (15 for Learner's license, 16 for Class E).
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (HSMV), the state agency that grants driver's licenses for FL, notes that on the application for the license it is asked whether the applicant has previously been licensed to drive, and, if so, when and by what state, and whether any such license or driving privilege has ever been disqualified, revoked, or suspended, or whether an application has ever been refused, and, if so, the date of and reason for such disqualification, suspension, revocation, or refusal.
When a person applies with the FL HSMV for a driver's license they check the National Diver Register (NDR) which is a national database that lists problem drivers such as those that have a suspended or revoked license. All states input information about "problem drivers" into the NDR and all states check the NDR when a person applies for a license. Your TX suspended license will be listed in the NDR by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
If you somehow were able to acquire a Florida license but did not mention the TX suspension and Florida later found out your FL license would be cancelled. The HSMV states that if your license was issued because of a mistake or fraud (giving false information or identification), it will be cancelled.
To find out the status of your Texas driver's license you can contact the Texas DPS.They should be able to tell you if your license is suspended. You could also order a copy of your Texas driving record. You can also get a copy of your record from the NDR to see if you are listed on there.
To have the NDR checked to see if you are listed on it, you must complete a form, have your signature (or your mark as witnessed) notarized, and mail the completed form to the National Driver Register at: 400 7th Street, SW., Room 6124A (NPO-124), Washington, DC 20590-0001. Forms that are not notarized will not be processed.The form can be found on the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) site.
If your Texas license is suspended than to obtain a Florida driver's license you would need to be able to reinstate your TX license. If this is not possible you can contact the FL HSMV to see if there are any options for you such as a hardship license to get to work.
To clean up your Texas driving record you should check with the DPS to find out how to first reinstate your driver's license (if it is suspended), find out how long convictions are going to stay on your record along with any DMV points on your driver's history. You can see if there is any driver improvement course or traffic school you could take to help clean up your driving record.
When you are able to obtain a full, valid license you can come to use for free auto insurance quotes online. Keep in mind though that if you do continue to have convictions for moving violation in Texas any insurance company you obtain insurance though will check that MVR and rate accordingly since if you just now obtain a FL license your record in Florida will be too new for them to rate on.