Where to check your Florida driver's license status
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) operates an online portal where you can look up your license status without visiting an office or calling. Go to flhsmv.gov and select "Check License Status" from the main menu. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth to proceed.
The system shows whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired. It also displays the reason for any suspension or revocation — for example, unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, or a medical hold. The information updates within one business day of any action taken by DHSMV or a court.
If you do not have internet access, you can call the DHSMV Customer Service line at 1-888-769-2778. Wait times vary, but calling early in the morning typically means shorter holds. Have your license number and date of birth ready when you call.
Key Takeaways
- The DHSMV online status checker at flhsmv.gov shows whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired, and why.
- You need your driver's license number and date of birth to check your status online.
- The system updates within one business day, so checking when ready after a court hearing or payment may not show the change yet.
- If your license is suspended, the portal tells you what caused it and what you must do to restore it.
- Phone support is available at 1-888-769-2778 if you cannot use the online tool.
What suspension reasons mean and how they affect you
Florida suspends licenses for different reasons, and each one has its own restoration path. A suspension for unpaid traffic fines means you must pay the court or the collection agency handling the debt. A suspension for failure to pay child support requires you to contact the Department of Revenue's Child Support Enforcement office and arrange payment or a payment plan.
Medical suspensions occur when DHSMV receives a report from a physician or law enforcement that you may be medically unfit to drive. To restore a license suspended for medical reasons, you must submit a medical evaluation form signed by a licensed physician and return it to DHSMV. The form is available on the DHSMV website under "Medical Evaluation."
Administrative suspensions happen when you fail to appear in court, fail to pay a fine by the important date, or accumulate too many points on your driving record. Each type has a different restoration requirement — some require you to contact the court, others require payment, and some require both.
How to restore a suspended license
The first step is to determine what caused the suspension by checking your status online or calling DHSMV. Once you know the reason, contact the agency or court responsible for the suspension. If it is a traffic fine, contact the court that issued the ticket. If it is child support, contact the Department of Revenue at 1-800-622-5437. If it is a medical hold, obtain the medical evaluation form from DHSMV.
After you resolve the underlying issue — paying the fine, arranging child support payment, or submitting medical clearance — DHSMV must receive proof of resolution. For fines and child support, the court or collection agency sends this proof to DHSMV automatically. For medical suspensions, you mail the completed form to the DHSMV address listed on the form itself.
Once DHSMV receives proof of resolution, your license status changes from suspended to valid. This typically happens within one to three business days. You do not need to visit an office or pay a restoration fee unless your suspension was for accumulating too many points, in which case DHSMV charges a reinstatement fee of $150.
Understanding points and how they lead to suspension
Florida's point system assigns points to traffic violations based on severity. A speeding ticket is typically 3 points, reckless driving is 4 points, and a DUI is 6 points. Points stay on your record for three years from the violation date. If you accumulate 12 or more points within 12 months, DHSMV suspends your license for 30 days.
You can reduce points by taking an approved defensive driving course, which removes up to 4 points from your record. The course costs between $20 and $70 depending on the provider, and you can take it online. You can take the course once every 12 months. Some traffic courts also allow you to reduce points by paying a fine in lieu of points, though this varies by county.
Checking your current point total is part of the online status check. If you are close to 12 points, taking a defensive driving course now can prevent a suspension before it happens.
What happens if you drive on a suspended license
Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in Florida. A first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. A second offense within five years is a felony. If you are caught driving on a suspended license, you will face arrest, vehicle impound, and additional court costs.
If your license is suspended and you need to drive for work or medical reasons, you may be able to request a hardship license from DHSMV. A hardship license allows limited driving — typically to and from work, school, or medical appointments — while your suspension is in effect. You must explore in person at a DHSMV office and bring proof of the hardship and proof of financial responsibility (insurance).
The safest approach is to resolve the suspension before you drive. Check your status online first, then contact the responsible agency or court to find out what you need to do.
Checking your record for errors
The online status tool shows your current suspension or revocation status, but it does not show your full driving record. Your full record includes all violations, points, and suspensions from the past three to five years. You can order a copy of your complete driving record from DHSMV for $7.50 by mail, in person, or online through the DHSMV website.
Review your record for errors — incorrect violation dates, points assigned to someone else, or suspensions that should have been lifted. If you find an error, contact DHSMV in writing with documentation of the mistake. Errors can take several weeks to correct, so start this process as soon as you notice a problem.
If your license shows as suspended but you believe you have already resolved the issue, check your record to confirm the suspension is listed. Sometimes DHSMV's status tool updates slowly, and your record will show the resolution date even if the status page has not caught up yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a suspension to show up online after a court orders it?
DHSMV typically updates the online status tool within one business day of receiving notice from the court. However, the court may take several days to send the suspension order to DHSMV, so there can be a delay between the court's decision and when it appears online. If you were just in court, check back the next day.
Can I check someone else's license status?
No. The online status tool requires the license holder's license number and date of birth. DHSMV does not release license information to third parties without a court order or written consent from the license holder. If you need to verify someone's status for employment or insurance purposes, ask them to check and provide you with the information.
What if the online tool says my license is valid but I was told it is suspended?
Contact DHSMV by phone at 1-888-769-2778 to confirm. There may be a delay in the system, or the suspension may have been issued by a court that has not yet notified DHSMV. A customer service representative can tell you the exact status and what caused any suspension.
Do I have to pay a fee to check my license status?
No. Checking your status online through flhsmv.gov is free. Calling DHSMV customer service is also free. You only pay fees if you order a full driving record by mail or in person, or if you need to pay a reinstatement fee to restore a suspended license.
Can I restore my license online?
You cannot complete the entire restoration process online, but you can start it. Once you know the reason for your suspension, you contact the responsible court or agency to resolve the underlying issue. After they send proof of resolution to DHSMV, your status updates automatically within one to three business days. For medical suspensions, you must mail the completed medical form to DHSMV.