Three ways to check your suspension status right now
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) gives you three ways to find out whether your license is suspended. The fastest is the online check through the DHSMV website, which takes about two minutes and requires only your driver license number and date of birth. 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, or visit a local Driver License office in person with your ID.
Each method returns the same information: whether your license is currently suspended, the reason for the suspension, and the date it will be lifted or what you need to do to restore it. The online method is available 24/7, while phone and in-person options follow standard business hours, usually 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Key Takeaways
- Check your suspension status online at the DHSMV website using your driver license number and date of birth, or call 850-617-2000 during business hours.
- Florida suspensions have specific reasons — unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, medical conditions, or administrative issues — and each has different restoration steps.
- A suspension is not the same as a revocation; suspensions are temporary and can usually be lifted once you meet the conditions, while revocations are permanent or long-term.
- If your license is suspended, you cannot legally drive in Florida or most other states, and driving on a suspended license carries criminal penalties.
- Restoration timelines vary from when ready (if you pay an outstanding fine) to several months (if you must complete a course or wait out a medical hold).
How to use the DHSMV online license check
Go to the DHSMV website at flhsmv.gov and look for the "Check License Status" tool, usually found under the "Driver Licenses" section. You will need your Florida driver license number (the number on the front of your card) and your date of birth. Enter both pieces of information and submit. The system will return your current status within seconds.
The online tool shows whether your license is valid, suspended, or revoked. If it is suspended, the result will list the reason — for example, "Failure to Pay Fine," "Failure to Appear," or "Medical Suspension." It will also show the suspension start date and, if applicable, the date it will be automatically lifted. If restoration requires action on your part (like paying a fine or completing a course), the tool will indicate that as well.
If the system cannot find your record, double-check that you entered your license number and date of birth correctly. If the information is accurate and the system still does not find you, call the DHSMV at 850-617-2000 to confirm your status.
Common reasons Florida suspends driver licenses
Florida suspends licenses for specific violations and failures, not as a punishment but as an enforcement tool. The most common reason is failure to pay a traffic fine or court-ordered fine within the important date. Another frequent cause is failure to appear in court for a traffic ticket or criminal charge — the court issues a suspension order, and DHSMV enforces it by suspending your driving privilege.
Medical suspensions occur when DHSMV receives a report from a physician or the Department of Health that you have a condition affecting your ability to drive safely. These suspensions remain in place until you provide medical clearance or complete a medical evaluation. Administrative suspensions can result from not maintaining required insurance, not paying child support, or not paying court costs.
Some suspensions are automatic and lift on a set date once the underlying issue is resolved. Others require you to take action — paying a fine, appearing in court, obtaining a medical clearance, or completing a driver improvement course. The online status check or a phone call to DHSMV will tell you which type applies to your suspension.
What to do if your license is suspended
Your first step is to confirm the reason for the suspension using one of the three methods above. Once you know the reason, the next steps depend on what caused it. If the suspension is due to an unpaid fine, you will need to pay the fine to the court or the agency that issued the ticket. Contact the court listed on your ticket or the DHSMV to find out the exact amount and where to send payment.
If the suspension is for failure to appear, you must contact the court and resolve the case — usually by appearing in court or arranging a resolution with the prosecutor. If it is a medical suspension, you will need to obtain a medical evaluation or clearance from a physician and submit it to DHSMV. For administrative suspensions related to insurance or child support, you will need to provide proof that the underlying issue has been resolved.
After you have completed the required action, contact DHSMV to confirm that your suspension has been lifted. Some suspensions lift automatically once payment is processed or a important date passes, but others require DHSMV to manually update your record. Do not assume your license is valid again until you have confirmed it with DHSMV.
Suspension versus revocation in Florida
A suspension is temporary. Your driving privilege is taken away for a set period or until you meet specific conditions, but it can be restored. A revocation is more serious — it means your license has been cancelled and you must reapply for a new one, usually after a waiting period. Revocations typically result from serious violations like multiple DUI convictions, habitual traffic offender status, or criminal convictions.
The online status check will tell you whether you are dealing with a suspension or a revocation. If your license is revoked, the restoration process is longer and more complex than for a suspension. You will need to wait out the revocation period, pay reinstatement fees, and sometimes complete additional requirements like substance abuse treatment or a driver improvement course before you can reapply.
Penalties for driving on a suspended license in Florida
Driving while your license is suspended is a criminal offense in Florida. A first offense is a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. A second offense within five years is a first-degree misdemeanor, with penalties up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. A third offense within ten years is also a first-degree misdemeanor with the same penalties.
Beyond criminal penalties, driving on a suspended license can result in vehicle impoundment, additional fines, and a longer suspension period. If you are stopped by law enforcement, your vehicle may be towed, and you will face arrest. Even if you are not stopped, insurance will not cover accidents or damage if you were driving illegally on a suspended license.
How long does it take to restore a suspended license
Restoration timelines vary depending on the reason for the suspension. If the suspension is due to an unpaid fine and you pay it when ready, your license may be restored within one to three business days. If the suspension is automatic and set to lift on a specific date, it will be restored on that date without any action from you — though you should confirm with DHSMV that the lift has been processed.
Medical suspensions typically take longer because you must obtain a medical evaluation and submit it to DHSMV, which then reviews it. This process can take two to four weeks. Failure-to-appear suspensions require you to resolve the court case, which may take several weeks or longer depending on the court's schedule and whether you need to appear in person.
After you have completed the required action, allow an additional three to five business days for DHSMV to process the restoration and update your record. Some actions, like paying a fine online, process faster than others, like submitting medical documentation by mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive in another state if my Florida license is suspended?
No. Most states recognize suspensions from other states through the National Driver Register, a database that tracks suspensions and revocations across state lines. If you drive in another state on a Florida suspension, you can be arrested and charged with driving with a suspended license in that state as well.
Will my suspension show up on a background check?
A driver license suspension will appear on a driving record check, which employers, insurance companies, and landlords may request. It will not appear on a criminal background check unless you were convicted of a crime related to the suspension, such as driving on a suspended license.
What if I lost my driver license number and cannot check online?
Call the DHSMV at 850-617-2000 and provide your full name and date of birth. A representative can look up your license number and check your status for you. You can also visit a local Driver License office in person with a valid ID.
Can I get a hardship license while my license is suspended?
Florida does not issue hardship licenses for most suspensions. However, if your suspension is for failure to pay a fine, you may be able to work out a payment plan with the court, which could lead to the suspension being lifted. Contact the court that issued the fine to ask about options.
How do I know if my suspension has been lifted after I pay the fine?
Check your status again online at flhsmv.gov or call 850-617-2000. Allow one to three business days after payment for the system to update. If you paid online, the update may be faster than if you mailed a check. Do not drive until you have confirmed that your suspension has been lifted.