Last updated January 2026
If you’re facing a DUI charge in Florida, you may hear “reckless driving” discussed as a possible outcome. Many people assume reckless driving is basically the same as DUI.
It isn’t.
A DUI conviction and a reckless driving conviction can lead to very different consequences for your record, your ability to drive, and your long-term options. Understanding the difference helps you make smarter decisions about your case.
⚖️ What Is DUI in Florida?
A DUI involves driving (or being in actual physical control of a vehicle) while impaired by alcohol or drugs, or with an unlawful blood-alcohol level.
A DUI conviction is treated as a serious offense because it carries penalties and long-term consequences that are difficult—or impossible—to undo later.
⚖️ What Is Reckless Driving in Florida?
Reckless driving generally involves driving with a willful or wanton disregard for safety.
In DUI cases, reckless driving most often comes up as a reduction—sometimes informally called a “wet reckless”—when alcohol may be part of the facts but the charge ultimately resolves as reckless driving instead of DUI.
🔄 DUI vs. Reckless Driving: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Issue | DUI | Reckless Driving |
|---|---|---|
| DUI conviction | Yes | No |
| License consequences | Common | Sometimes |
| Ignition interlock | Often | Usually not required |
| DUI school | Typically required | Often avoided (case-dependent) |
| Criminal record impact | Permanent (cannot be sealed/expunged) | May be sealable if adjudication is withheld |
| Insurance impact | Often severe | Often less severe |
| Background checks | Persistent | May be reduced with qualifying record relief |
🔑 When Can a DUI Be Reduced to Reckless Driving?
Not every DUI can be reduced, but in some cases a DUI charge may resolve as reckless driving depending on how the case develops and how the evidence is evaluated.
A reduction is more commonly discussed when:
The case does not involve an accident or injury
The person has little or no prior history
The case posture supports a non-DUI resolution
Whether a reduction is possible depends heavily on the case facts and how the matter proceeds in court.
🛑 “Wet Reckless” vs. Regular Reckless Driving
Florida does not formally label a charge “wet reckless.” The term is used informally to describe a reckless driving resolution in a case that began as a DUI allegation.
Even when alcohol is part of the background, the legal consequences of reckless driving are generally less severe than a DUI conviction—especially regarding record permanence.
🧠 Why This Difference Matters
For many people, the difference between DUI and reckless driving affects:
Whether the outcome can ever be sealed or reduced from public view
Whether driving restrictions and long-term requirements apply
Whether insurance consequences remain elevated for years
Because DUI convictions are permanent in Florida, the distinction between these outcomes can matter long after the court case ends.
📍 Facing a DUI Charge in Florida?
If you’re trying to understand how DUI cases are handled in Fort Lauderdale and South Florida—and what outcomes may be possible—see our Fort Lauderdale DUI defense guide.
❓ FAQs — DUI vs. Reckless Driving in Florida
1. Is reckless driving better than DUI?
Yes. Reckless driving avoids a mandatory DUI conviction and carries fewer long-term consequences.
2. Can every DUI be reduced to reckless driving?
No — but many can, depending on evidence and case facts.
3. Is reckless driving still a crime?
Yes, but it is far less damaging than a DUI conviction.
4. Can reckless driving be sealed or expunged?
Often yes, if adjudication is withheld and eligibility rules are met.
5. Does a reckless driving plea count as a prior DUI?
No. A reckless driving conviction does not count as a DUI prior.