FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR MANDATORY HEARING; REINSTATEMENT OF DRIVER LICENSE

(a) Notice of Failure to Appear. If a defendant fails to appear for a mandatory hearing, the clerk shall send notice of such failure to appear to the department, as required by section 318.15(1), Florida Statutes.

(b) Appearance After Notice Sent. If the defendant appears before the clerk after notice was sent, but before the department suspends the driver license, the clerk shall schedule a hearing for the official to determine whether the defendant committed the violation. If, after the hearing, the official finds the defendant committed the violation, the defendant shall be subject to the penalty provisions of section 318.14(5), Florida Statutes.

(c) Reinstatement of License. If the department suspended the defendant’s driver license, as authorized by law and upon request, the clerk shall set the case for hearing and, if after a hearing, the official finds the defendant committed the violation, the defendant shall be subject to the penalty provisions of section 318.14(5), Florida Statutes. If the defendant’s driving privileges were not reinstated prior to the hearing, the clerk shall give notice that the defendant is in compliance upon satisfaction of the penalties, and shall indicate that the defendant’s driving privileges are eligible for reinstatement.