Check your suspension status through the Florida DHSMV website or by phone

Florida's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) lets you look up your license status online in minutes, or you can call their automated system. The online method is faster and gives you written confirmation you can save. You will need your driver's license number or Social Security number to search.

Go to flhsmv.gov and look for the "License Status" or "Driver License Check" tool on the homepage. Enter your information and the system will tell you when ready whether your license is active, suspended, revoked, or cancelled. If it is suspended, the results page will show the reason — unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, medical suspension, or another cause — and what you need to do to restore it.

If you prefer to call, dial the DHSMV's automated license status line at 850-617-3800. Have your driver's license number ready. The system will ask you to enter it using your phone keypad, then read your status aloud. This method does not give you a written record, so write down what you hear.

Key Takeaways

  • The DHSMV website at flhsmv.gov shows your license status when ready and tells you the specific reason for any suspension.
  • You can also call 850-617-3800 to hear your status through an automated system, though you will not receive written confirmation.
  • A suspension usually means you must take action to restore your license — paying fines, clearing a child support debt, or completing a required course.
  • If your license is suspended, the DHSMV results will explain what steps you need to take and which office or agency to contact.

What the suspension reasons mean and what comes next

Florida suspends licenses for different reasons, and each one requires a different fix. The most common reason is unpaid traffic citations or court fines. If that is your situation, you will need to pay the outstanding balance to the court that issued the ticket, then request a reinstatement from DHSMV.

Child support arrears is another frequent cause. If you owe back child support, the Florida Department of Revenue will have reported you to DHSMV. You must contact the child support enforcement office in your county and either pay what you owe or set up a payment plan. Once the office confirms you are in compliance, they will notify DHSMV and your suspension will be lifted.

Medical suspensions happen when DHSMV receives a report from a doctor or law enforcement that you are medically unfit to drive — usually due to a seizure disorder, loss of consciousness, or similar condition. To restore your license, you will need to submit a medical evaluation form signed by your doctor stating you are safe to drive. DHSMV has a specific form for this; ask which one when you contact them.

Failure to appear in court or failure to pay court costs can also trigger a suspension. Contact the court listed in your DHSMV results, resolve the underlying issue, and ask the court to notify DHSMV that you have complied.

How to request reinstatement once you have resolved the issue

After you have paid fines, cleared child support arrears, submitted medical paperwork, or otherwise addressed the reason for your suspension, you must formally request reinstatement. You cannot straightforward show up at a license office; DHSMV requires a written request.

Submit a Form HSMV 42040 (process for Reinstatement of Driver License) to the DHSMV office that suspended your license. You can read this form from flhsmv.gov or pick one up at any license office. Mail it to the address shown on the form, or deliver it in person. Include proof that you have resolved the suspension cause — a receipt showing payment, a letter from child support enforcement, or a completed medical form.

Processing takes about two weeks. DHSMV will mail you a notice confirming whether your license has been reinstated. If you need your license sooner, call the DHSMV office that handled your suspension and ask whether you can pick up a temporary driving permit while your reinstatement is being processed.

Reinstatement fees you will owe

Florida charges a reinstatement fee when you restore a suspended license. The fee is typically $150, though it may be higher if your suspension was for certain violations like driving with a suspended license. Some suspensions have no reinstatement fee — medical suspensions, for example, usually do not.

Ask DHSMV what the exact fee is for your situation when you contact them about reinstatement. You can pay the fee when you submit your reinstatement process, either by check, money order, or credit card if you are explore online. If you cannot pay the full amount at once, contact the DHSMV office to ask whether a payment plan is available.

What to do if you were suspended in error or disagree with the suspension

If you believe your suspension was a mistake — for example, you paid a fine but DHSMV did not receive notice, or the suspension was issued in someone else's name — you have the right to request a hearing. Contact the DHSMV office that suspended your license and explain the error. Ask for a copy of the suspension order so you can see exactly what triggered it.

If DHSMV confirms the suspension was in error, they will cancel it when ready and you can drive legally. If you disagree with the reason for the suspension but DHSMV stands by it, you can request an administrative hearing before a hearing officer. This process takes longer — usually several months — and you will need to present evidence that the suspension should not have been issued. Consider consulting a traffic attorney if the suspension is costing you significantly.

Driving with a suspended license in Florida

Driving while your license is suspended is a criminal offense in Florida. A first offense is a misdemeanor, and you can face fines up to $500, jail time up to 60 days, or both. A second offense within five years increases the penalty. Additionally, if you are caught driving on a suspended license, DHSMV will extend your suspension period.

If you need to drive before your reinstatement is complete — for work, medical appointments, or other essential reasons — ask DHSMV whether you are may be able to access for a temporary driving permit. Not all suspension types allow this, but some do. A temporary permit is not the same as reinstatement; it is a limited authorization that expires on a set date.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a suspension last if I do not take action?

A suspension remains in effect indefinitely until you resolve the underlying cause and request reinstatement. DHSMV will not automatically lift it after a certain time. The longer you wait, the more serious the consequences become if you are caught driving — and the harder it becomes to prove you have complied with the reason for the suspension.

Can I get a hardship license while my license is suspended?

Florida does offer hardship licenses in some cases, but availability depends on the reason for your suspension. Suspensions for unpaid fines or child support typically do not may have access to. Medical suspensions and some other types may. Contact the DHSMV office handling your suspension and ask whether you are may be able to access; if you are, they will explain the process process.

What if I moved out of Florida after my license was suspended?

Your Florida suspension remains active even if you move. If you obtain a license in another state, Florida's suspension may prevent you from renewing your Florida license or transferring your driving record. Resolve the suspension before you move, or contact the DHSMV office that suspended your license and ask how to handle it from out of state.

Will the suspension show up on a background check?

A suspended license is a public record and may appear on background checks, particularly those run by employers or landlords who check driving history. Once your license is reinstated, the suspension will no longer be active, though the historical record may still exist. Some suspensions can be expunged after a certain period; ask DHSMV whether yours qualifies.