St. Lucie County is one of Florida’s fastest-growing counties, driven by Port St. Lucie’s rapid residential expansion and the Tradition master-planned community. With growth comes increased traffic, increased DUI enforcement, and an increasing number of St. Lucie County residents navigating Florida’s FR44 requirements. Here’s what you need to know.

Jurisdiction: 19th Judicial Circuit

St. Lucie County falls under the 19th Judicial Circuit, which covers St. Lucie, Indian River, Martin, and Okeechobee counties. DUI cases are prosecuted at the St. Lucie County Courthouse in Fort Pierce. The State Attorney’s Office for the 19th Circuit handles all DUI prosecutions in the county.

FR44 Cost in St. Lucie County

Driver Profile	Estimated Annual FR44 Premium
Port St. Lucie, first DUI, owns vehicle	$1,200 – $2,200/year
Fort Pierce, first DUI, owns vehicle	$1,300 – $2,400/year
Tradition / St. Lucie West area	$1,100 – $2,000/year
Non-owner FR44 (no vehicle)	$320 – $600/year
Second DUI within 5 years	$2,300 – $4,200/year

Port St. Lucie: Florida’s Fastest-Growing Large City

Port St. Lucie has grown from a small planned community to one of Florida’s largest cities—now exceeding 250,000 residents. The primary DUI enforcement corridors include:

• US-1 (Federal Highway) — running north-south through the city, major commercial corridor
• Port St. Lucie Boulevard — primary east-west arterial with restaurant/bar cluster near I-95
• Gatlin Boulevard and Tradition Parkway — Tradition/St. Lucie West growth area, newer development and enforcement
• Crosstown Parkway — connects Port St. Lucie to Fort Pierce; significant OUI enforcement on weekends

Fort Pierce and the Historic Downtown

Fort Pierce is the county seat and older urban center. The Orange Avenue and 2nd Street corridor in downtown Fort Pierce has a concentrated bar and restaurant district that generates enforcement activity on evenings and weekends. Fort Pierce Inlet State Park and the A1A barrier island corridor see seasonal enforcement increases during spring and summer.

The FR44 Process After a St. Lucie County DUI

Florida’s FR44 process is the same statewide—administered by FLHSMV, not the court:

1. DUI arrest → FLHSMV administrative suspension; 10-day temporary permit issued
2. Request formal review hearing within 10 days if contesting the administrative suspension (waiving this means the suspension stands automatically)
3. Suspension period: 6 months first DUI; 1 year second DUI within 5 years
4. Complete Florida DUI school: Level 1 (12 hours) or Level 2 (21 hours if BAC 0.15%+ or minor in vehicle)
5. Obtain FR44 policy with 100/300/50 minimum limits
6. Insurer files FR44 certificate electronically with FLHSMV
7. Pay FLHSMV reinstatement fees
8. License reinstated; FR44 maintained for 3 years from reinstatement

Hardship License During Suspension

Florida offers a hardship license for business purposes (work, school, medical, church) during the suspension period. To qualify after a first DUI:

• Enroll in DUI school before applying for the hardship license
• Wait through the hard suspension period (30 days after a formal review hearing; waiver of hearing results in immediate hardship eligibility in some cases)
• File FR44 with FLHSMV
• Apply through the FLHSMV regional office in Fort Pierce

Hardship licenses are not available for drivers with prior DUI convictions within 5 years or those who refused chemical testing in some circumstances. An attorney familiar with 19th Circuit procedures can advise on eligibility.

Non-Owner FR44 in St. Lucie County

Non-owner FR44 policies satisfy FLHSMV’s requirements for drivers without a vehicle. This is appropriate for:

• Port St. Lucie residents who use rideshare or carpool as their primary transportation
• Residents in Indian River State College communities without regular vehicle ownership
• Any driver where an owned vehicle on the policy is unnecessary or unavailable

Communities in St. Lucie County

• Port St. Lucie — largest city; Tradition, St. Lucie West, River Park communities
• Fort Pierce — county seat; North Beach, South Beach, Midway Road areas
• Port St. Lucie Blvd corridor — US-1 commercial zone
• White City, Lakewood Park, Torino — unincorporated St. Lucie communities
• St. Lucie Village — historic village near Fort Pierce

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St. Lucie County’s rapid growth has increased both the driving population and DUI enforcement presence. The 10-day formal review hearing window remains the most time-sensitive step—missing it removes your option to contest the administrative suspension.