Florida's reinstatement fee depends on why your license was suspended or revoked
Florida does not charge a single reinstatement fee. Instead, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) charges different amounts based on the reason for suspension or revocation. A suspension for unpaid traffic tickets costs less to clear than a revocation for a DUI conviction. You also pay the base reinstatement fee plus any court-ordered fines, restitution, or other financial penalties tied to the original violation.
Before you can reinstate your license, you must first resolve the underlying issue — paying tickets, completing a DUI program, serving a suspension period, or satisfying a court order. Only after that is resolved can you pay the reinstatement fee to DHSMV and get your driving privileges back.
Key Takeaways
- Florida's reinstatement fee ranges from $45 to $150 depending on whether the suspension was for unpaid tickets, points accumulation, DUI, or other violations.
- You must resolve the reason for suspension first — such as paying tickets or completing a DUI course — before DHSMV will accept a reinstatement fee.
- Court-ordered fines, restitution, and other penalties are separate from the reinstatement fee and must be paid to the court, not DHSMV.
- You can check your suspension status and the exact fee amount through the DHSMV website or by calling their customer service line.
Common reinstatement fees and what triggers them
A suspension for unpaid traffic citations typically costs $45 to reinstate once you pay the tickets. A suspension for accumulating too many points on your driving record costs $45 to $75 depending on the point total. A revocation for a DUI conviction costs $150 to reinstate, and you must also complete a DUI education program and an ignition interlock requirement before DHSMV will process your reinstatement.
Other reasons for suspension — such as failure to maintain insurance, failure to pay child support, or medical suspension — each carry their own fee structure. Some suspensions have no reinstatement fee at all; they straightforward expire after a set period. The DHSMV website lists the fee for each suspension type, or you can call their customer service line to confirm what you owe before you pay anything.
How to find out your exact reinstatement fee
The fastest way to learn what you owe is to check your driving record through the DHSMV website. You can order an official record online, which will show your current suspension status and the reason for it. The record does not automatically show the fee amount, but it gives you the suspension type, which you can then cross-reference with DHSMV's fee schedule.
You can also call DHSMV's customer service line at 1-888-486-4357 to speak with someone who can tell you the exact fee and what steps you need to complete before paying it. Have your driver's license number ready when you call. Some county tax collector offices also handle reinstatement transactions and can look up your fee in person.
What you must do before paying the reinstatement fee
Paying the reinstatement fee alone does not restore your license. You must first complete whatever action resolved your suspension. If your license was suspended for unpaid tickets, you must pay those tickets to the court. If it was suspended for a DUI, you must complete the required DUI education program and install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle.
If your suspension was for accumulating points, you may need to wait out a suspension period before you can reinstate. If it was for failure to maintain insurance, you must provide proof of current insurance to DHSMV. Once you have completed these steps, DHSMV will accept your reinstatement fee and process your request. The reinstatement itself usually takes a few business days.
Where to pay your reinstatement fee
You can pay your reinstatement fee online through the DHSMV website, by mail, or in person at a county tax collector's office. Online payment is the fastest option and typically processes within one business day. If you pay by mail, send a check or money order to the address listed on DHSMV's reinstatement instructions, along with a completed reinstatement form.
Some county tax collector offices accept reinstatement payments in person and can issue a temporary driving permit on the spot while you wait for your official license to arrive by mail. Call your local tax collector's office to confirm they handle reinstatements and what documents you need to bring.
Court fines and other costs separate from the reinstatement fee
The reinstatement fee is only one cost. If your suspension resulted from a traffic violation, you also owe court fines to the court that handled your case. If the violation involved an accident or injury, you may owe restitution to the other party. These payments go to the court or to the victim, not to DHSMV, and they are separate from the reinstatement fee.
Some violations also require you to complete a driver improvement course or a substance abuse program. These courses have their own fees, which you pay directly to the course provider. DHSMV will not reinstate your license until the court confirms that you have paid all fines and completed all required programs. Ask the court clerk or DHSMV which items you must complete and in what order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while waiting for my reinstatement to process?
No. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is illegal in Florida and can result in additional criminal charges. Some county tax collector offices issue a temporary permit that allows you to drive for a limited time while your official license is being mailed, but you must ask for this when you pay your fee in person.
What if I cannot afford the reinstatement fee right now?
DHSMV does not offer payment plans for reinstatement fees. However, if your suspension is due to unpaid court fines, the court that issued the fine may allow you to set up a payment plan. Contact the court clerk to ask about options. Until the underlying issue is resolved, your license will remain suspended.
Do I have to take a new driving test to reinstate my license?
Not for most suspensions. A standard reinstatement requires only payment of the fee and proof that you resolved the reason for suspension. However, if your license was revoked for a serious violation like a DUI, DHSMV may require you to pass a written test or driving test before reinstatement. Check your reinstatement paperwork or call DHSMV to confirm.
How long does reinstatement take after I pay the fee?
Online reinstatement typically processes within one business day, and your license should arrive by mail within one to two weeks. If you pay in person at a tax collector's office, they may issue a temporary permit when ready. Mail payments take longer — usually five to seven business days to process, plus mailing time.
What if my license was suspended in another state?
Florida can only reinstate a Florida license. If your suspension originated in another state, you must contact that state's motor vehicle department to resolve it. However, Florida will not reinstate your Florida license until the other state's suspension is lifted, because states share suspension information through a national database.