How to learn about your Florida license is suspended right now
You can check your Florida driver's license status through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) website without paying a fee. The fastest way is to use the online License and Permit Status Check tool at the DHSMV portal — you enter your driver's license number and date of birth, and the system tells you when ready whether your license is valid, suspended, or revoked.
If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, you can call the DHSMV Customer Service line at 850-617-2000 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time). Have your driver's license number and date of birth ready. You can also visit a local DHSMV office in person — bring your license or another form of ID, and staff will look up your status on the spot.
A suspension means your license is temporarily invalid but can be restored once you meet certain conditions. A revocation is permanent and requires you to reapply for a new license after a waiting period. The status check will tell you which one applies to you, but it may not always explain the reason — that information sometimes requires a follow-up call or visit.
Key Takeaways
- The DHSMV License and Permit Status Check tool at the official website is free and gives you an answer in seconds using your driver's license number and date of birth.
- A suspension is temporary and can be lifted once you resolve the underlying issue, while a revocation is permanent and requires reapplication after a waiting period.
- If the online tool does not explain why your license is suspended, call DHSMV Customer Service at 850-617-2000 or visit a local office to learn the specific reason.
- Common reasons for suspension in Florida include unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, medical suspension, or failure to maintain car insurance.
What the online status check tells you and what it does not
The DHSMV status check tool will show you whether your license is currently valid, suspended, or revoked. It displays the status as of the moment you check, so if a suspension was just lifted or just imposed, there may be a delay of a few hours before the system updates. The tool does not always display the reason for the suspension or the steps you need to take to restore it.
If your status is suspended, the next step is to find out why. Common reasons include unpaid traffic citations, failure to pay child support ordered by a court, medical suspension (usually after a seizure or loss of consciousness), failure to maintain required auto insurance, or accumulation of points from traffic violations. Each reason has different restoration requirements, so knowing the cause is essential before you can move forward.
How to find the reason your license was suspended
Call DHSMV Customer Service at 850-617-2000 and provide your driver's license number. The representative will tell you the specific reason and what you must do to restore your license. Write down the reason and any case numbers or reference numbers they give you — you will need these if you have to contact another agency or pay a fine.
Some suspensions require action from a different agency. For example, if your license is suspended because of unpaid child support, you will need to contact the Florida Department of Revenue's Child Support Enforcement office. If it is suspended for medical reasons, you may need to provide a doctor's clearance. If it is suspended for unpaid traffic fines, you will need to pay the fine to the court that issued the ticket, not to DHSMV.
Once you have completed the required action — paid the fine, arranged a payment plan, obtained medical clearance, or resolved the child support issue — contact DHSMV again to confirm the suspension has been lifted. Some restorations happen automatically once the underlying issue is resolved, but others require you to request reinstatement.
Suspension reasons and what each one requires
| Reason for Suspension | Who to Contact | What You Must Do |
|---|---|---|
| Unpaid traffic fines or citations | The court that issued the ticket | Pay the fine in full or arrange a payment plan with the court |
| Failure to maintain auto insurance | DHSMV or your insurance company | Obtain proof of current insurance and submit it to DHSMV |
| Unpaid child support | Florida Department of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement | Pay arrears or establish a payment agreement |
| Medical suspension | Your doctor and DHSMV | Obtain medical clearance and submit it to DHSMV |
| Accumulation of traffic violation points | DHSMV | Wait out the suspension period or take a driver improvement course |
What happens if you drive with a suspended license in Florida
Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in Florida. A first offense is typically charged as a misdemeanor, and penalties include a fine of up to $500, up to 60 days in jail, or both. A second offense within five years increases the penalty to up to $1,000 and up to five days in jail. A third offense within ten years is a felony.
Beyond criminal penalties, driving on a suspended license can result in additional fines from the court, an extension of the suspension period, and a mark on your driving record that affects your insurance rates. If you are stopped and your license is suspended, the officer will likely impound your vehicle, which adds towing and storage fees on top of everything else.
If your license is suspended and you need to drive for work or essential purposes, some suspensions may be may be able to access for a hardship license or business purpose license. Ask DHSMV when you call about your suspension — not all suspension types may have access to, but some do.
How to restore your license after the suspension is lifted
Once you have resolved the underlying issue — paid the fine, obtained insurance, cleared the medical condition, or resolved child support — contact DHSMV to confirm the suspension has been removed. Some suspensions lift automatically, but others require you to request reinstatement.
If your suspension was due to unpaid fines or child support, you may need to pay a reinstatement fee to DHSMV in addition to resolving the original issue. The fee varies depending on the reason for suspension but is typically between $15 and $150. Call DHSMV at 850-617-2000 to ask whether a reinstatement fee applies to your case.
After reinstatement, your license is valid again, and you can drive legally. Check your status one more time online or by phone to confirm the suspension has been cleared before you get behind the wheel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a suspension to show up in the system after it is ordered?
Suspensions usually appear in the DHSMV system within 24 to 48 hours of being ordered by a court or agency. If you were recently cited or notified of a suspension, check back in a day or two if the status does not show up when ready. Some suspensions take longer if they are ordered by an out-of-state agency.
Can I get a temporary license while my suspension is being resolved?
Florida offers a hardship license or business purpose license for certain types of suspensions, but not all. The suspension must be for a reason that allows hardship relief — unpaid fines and insurance violations sometimes may have access to, but medical suspensions and point-based suspensions typically do not. Ask DHSMV when you call about your specific suspension.
What if I disagree with the reason my license was suspended?
If you believe the suspension was issued in error, contact the agency that ordered it — the court for traffic fines, the Department of Revenue for child support, or DHSMV for medical or insurance-related suspensions. You may be able to request a hearing or appeal, but you must act quickly because suspension orders often have important date for appeals.
Do I have to pay a fee to check my license status?
No. The DHSMV online status check tool and the customer service phone line are both free. You only pay if you need to restore your license, and that fee applies only to certain types of suspensions.