Florida is one of the best places to take a vacation, with plenty of beaches, entertainment and nightlife to keep anyone occupied during their stay. But, as with all vacations, there’s a danger of enjoying the sights and sounds of Florida a little too much. When your Florida vacation turns from a dream into a DUI nightmare, what do you do, especially when you live in another state?
First, you have to look into your options with Florida’s administrative license revocation policy after a DUI. Since Florida will suspend a driver’s license immediately upon suspicion of driving under the influence, your license may be affected in both Florida and your home state.
If both Florida and your home state participate in the interstate license compact, you will likely have the same consequences at home for driving under the influence. Your court involvement will happen in Florida, of course, but the results of that will still follow you back to where you live. That means that even if you’re guilty of a DUI in Florida, you will have to pay the state’s fines and work out a way to participate in any drunk driving awareness programs or classes they require that are similar in your state.
Then, you have a car breathalyzer or ignition interlock requirement to fulfill. If you are required by the Florida court or DMV to install an interlock, your Florida DUI means that when you drive ANYWHERE, you better have the device installed. Fortunately, this isn’t as uncommon as you think, and there are excellent ignition interlock service providers who work with out-of-state agencies to ensure you are fulfilling that part of your DUI conviction.
There’s no need to worry about a DUI in Florida if you have a plan in place before you hit the hot spots and drink a few too many drinks on the beach. Vacations are supposed to be relaxing, not ending with more worries than you started. Be smart, drink responsibly, and have a great Florida vacation filled with nothing but great memories, not a drunk driving conviction.