How to find out your suspension status right now
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) maintains a public lookup tool where you can check your license status in minutes. Go to flhsmv.gov, find the "Driver License Check" option under the Services menu, and enter your driver's license number or Social Security number plus your date of birth. The system will tell you when ready whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or cancelled.
If you cannot access the online tool or prefer to speak with someone, call the DHSMV Customer Service line at 1-844-9-HSMV-1 (1-844-947-6851). Have your license number or Social Security number ready. Wait times vary, but you will reach someone who can confirm your status and explain why the suspension occurred.
A third option is to visit a local DHSMV office in person. Bring your license or ID. Staff can print your driving record on the spot, which shows your current status and any violations or suspensions on file. This is the slowest route but useful if you need a physical copy for court or an employer.
Key Takeaways
- The DHSMV online license check at flhsmv.gov tells you your suspension status when ready using your license number or Social Security number.
- Florida suspends licenses for unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, accumulating too many points, or not paying child support or court-ordered restitution.
- A suspension is temporary and can be lifted once you resolve the underlying reason — paying fines, clearing a failure to appear, or completing a required course.
- Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense in Florida and can result in arrest, additional fines, and jail time.
- If you cannot pay fines when ready, contact the court that issued the citation to ask about payment plans or hardship waivers.
Common reasons Florida suspends a license
Florida suspends licenses for specific violations, and knowing which one applies to you is the first step toward lifting it. The most common reason is unpaid traffic fines or court costs. If you received a citation and did not pay the fine by the due date, the court reports it to DHSMV, which suspends your license automatically.
A failure to appear (FTA) in court also triggers suspension. This happens when you were cited, received a court date, and did not show up. Even if you later pay the fine, the suspension stays in place until you resolve the FTA — usually by appearing in court or contacting the court to explain your absence.
Accumulating too many points on your driving record within a set time frame causes suspension as well. Florida uses a points system: minor violations like speeding add 3 points, reckless driving adds 4 points. If you reach 12 points in 12 months, 18 points in 18 months, or 24 points in 36 months, your license is suspended. You can reduce points by completing a defensive driving course, but only once every 12 months and only if you have not had a suspension in the past five years.
Other suspension triggers include failure to pay child support, failure to pay court-ordered restitution, DUI-related violations, driving with a suspended license, and failure to maintain car insurance. Some suspensions are also administrative — for example, if you did not renew your license before it expired and you were caught driving, DHSMV may suspend it rather than straightforward let it lapse.
What to do if your license is suspended
Once you know why your license is suspended, the path to reinstatement depends on the reason. For unpaid fines, contact the court that issued the citation. You can usually find the court's phone number on your citation or by searching the Florida court system website by county. Ask about the exact amount owed, including any late fees or court costs, and whether the court offers payment plans. Many courts allow you to pay in installments rather than a lump sum.
If you cannot afford to pay when ready, ask about a hardship waiver or payment plan. Courts have discretion to reduce fines or allow extended payment in cases of genuine financial difficulty. Explain your situation clearly — job loss, medical emergency, or other documented hardship — and provide proof if you have it. Once you pay or reach an agreement, notify DHSMV or wait for the court to report the payment. Reinstatement is usually automatic within a few business days.
For a failure to appear, you must go to court or contact the court by phone to resolve it. Explain why you missed your date. Courts often accept late appearances or allow you to resolve the case by phone if it is a minor violation. Once the FTA is cleared and any fines are paid, the suspension is lifted.
If your suspension is due to accumulated points, you cannot straightforward pay a fee to remove it. Instead, you must wait out the suspension period (which varies) or take a defensive driving course to reduce your points. After the suspension period ends or your points drop below the threshold, you can request reinstatement through DHSMV.
For suspensions tied to child support or restitution, contact the agency handling your case — the Florida Department of Revenue for child support, or the court for restitution. Once you have made a payment or arranged a payment plan, that agency notifies DHSMV, and your license is reinstated.
The reinstatement process and fees
After you resolve the reason for your suspension, you do not automatically get your license back. You must formally request reinstatement from DHSMV. The easiest way is online at flhsmv.gov — look for the reinstatement option and follow the prompts. You will need to pay a reinstatement fee, which is typically $150 for a standard suspension, though some suspensions carry different fees.
You can also request reinstatement by mail or in person at an DHSMV office. If you go in person, bring proof that you have resolved the underlying issue — a receipt showing payment of fines, a court document clearing your FTA, or a letter from the child support agency confirming your payment plan. DHSMV staff will verify the information and process your reinstatement on the spot if everything is in order.
Processing usually takes a few business days if you request reinstatement online or by mail. If you go in person, you may be able to drive home with a temporary license the same day, though your official license will arrive by mail within one to two weeks.
Driving on a suspended license — what you need to know
Driving while your license is suspended is a criminal offense in Florida, not just a traffic violation. A first offense is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail, a fine of up to $500, or both. A second offense within five years increases the penalty to up to five days in jail and a $250 fine. A third or subsequent offense within ten years can result in up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.
Beyond criminal penalties, driving on a suspended license can result in additional suspension time, impoundment of your vehicle, and higher insurance rates if you are eventually caught and convicted. If you are stopped and your license is suspended, the officer will likely arrest you or issue a citation requiring a court appearance.
If your license is suspended and you need to drive for work or essential purposes, you may be able to request a hardship license or business purpose license from DHSMV. These are limited licenses that allow you to drive only for specific reasons — getting to work, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs — and only during certain hours. The process and may be able to access vary by the reason for your suspension, so contact DHSMV or your local office to ask whether you may have access to.
How to avoid suspension in the future
Most suspensions are preventable. Pay traffic fines by the due date shown on your citation. If you cannot pay in full, contact the court when ready to set up a payment plan rather than waiting for the important date to pass. Courts are more willing to work with you before a suspension happens than after.
Always appear in court on the date listed on your citation or summons. If you cannot make it, contact the court in advance to ask about rescheduling or appearing by phone. A failure to appear is one of the easiest suspensions to trigger and one of the hardest to explain later.
Monitor your driving record for points. You can request a copy from DHSMV at any time. If you are close to the point threshold, take a defensive driving course to reduce your points before you hit the limit. Keep your car insurance current — driving without insurance can also lead to suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a hardship license while my license is suspended?
It depends on why your license was suspended. Hardship licenses are available for some suspensions — such as those due to accumulated points — but not others, such as DUI-related suspensions or driving with a suspended license. Contact DHSMV or your local office to ask whether you may have access to for your specific suspension reason.
How long does a suspension last?
The length varies. A suspension for unpaid fines lasts until you pay. A suspension for accumulated points typically lasts 6 months to 1 year, depending on how many points you accumulated. A DUI suspension can last 6 months to 3 years. Once you resolve the underlying issue, you can request reinstatement when ready rather than waiting out the full period.
Will my suspension show up on a background check?
A suspended license will appear on your driving record, which employers, landlords, and insurance companies can see. It will not appear on a criminal background check unless the suspension was due to a criminal offense like DUI or driving with a suspended license.
What if I moved out of Florida — is my suspension still valid?
Yes. Florida suspensions are reported to the National Driver Register, and most states honor suspensions from other states. If you move and try to get a license in another state, that state will likely discover your Florida suspension and either suspend your new license or require you to clear the Florida suspension first.
Can I check someone else's license status?
No. The DHSMV online lookup tool requires your own license number or Social Security number. You cannot check another person's status unless you have their permission and their information. If you need to verify a driver's status for employment or legal reasons, contact DHSMV directly with details about your situation.