What a suspended license means in Broward County
A suspended license in Broward County means the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) has temporarily taken away your right to drive. You cannot legally operate a vehicle during the suspension period. The suspension is not permanent — it ends on a specific date or when you complete certain requirements — but until then, driving is illegal and can result in additional fines, arrest, or jail time.
The reason for your suspension determines how long it lasts and what you must do to get your license back. Common reasons include unpaid traffic tickets, failure to pay child support, accumulating too many points from traffic violations, driving under the influence (DUI), or not maintaining car insurance. Broward County courts and the DHSMV work together to enforce suspensions, so you may need to deal with both.
Your suspension notice should state the reason and the date it began. If you cannot find this notice, you can check your suspension status online through the DHSMV website or by calling their customer service line.
Key Takeaways
- A suspended license is temporary and ends on a specific date or when you meet certain conditions, but driving during suspension is illegal and carries serious penalties.
- The reason for your suspension — unpaid tickets, child support debt, DUI, or insurance lapses — determines what steps you must take to restore it.
- You can check your suspension status and reason through the DHSMV website or by phone before taking any action.
- Most suspensions require you to resolve the underlying issue (pay fines, complete a DUI course, prove insurance) before the DHSMV will lift the suspension.
- Broward County traffic courts and the DHSMV handle different parts of the process, so you may need to contact both.
How to find out why your license is suspended
Before you can fix the problem, you need to know what caused the suspension. The DHSMV maintains a record of every active suspension and the reason behind it. You have two main ways to find this information.
The fastest way is to visit the DHSMV website at flhsmv.gov and use their "License and Permit Status" tool. You will need your driver's license number or Social Security number. The tool will show your suspension status, the reason, and the date it began. If the suspension has an end date, it will appear here too.
If you prefer to speak with someone, call the DHSMV Customer Service Center at 1-888-769-2338. Have your driver's license number ready. They can tell you the reason for your suspension and what you need to do next. Wait times can be long, so calling early in the morning or mid-week often means shorter holds.
Suspensions caused by unpaid traffic tickets or fines
If your license is suspended because of unpaid traffic tickets or court fines, you must pay what you owe to the Broward County court system. The court will not lift the suspension until payment is received and processed.
Contact the Broward County Clerk of Courts at 954-831-8700 to find out exactly how much you owe and which court issued the ticket. You can pay online through the Clerk's website, by phone, by mail, or in person at one of their offices. Online payment is the fastest — the system processes it when ready, and the court notifies the DHSMV within one to three business days.
If you cannot pay the full amount at once, ask the Clerk about a payment plan. Many courts allow you to pay in installments, which keeps your suspension in place until the final payment clears, but at least you have a path forward. Some courts also offer traffic school or community service as an alternative to paying fines for certain violations — ask when you call.
Suspensions related to child support or other court orders
The Florida Department of Revenue suspends licenses for people who fall behind on child support payments. If this is your reason, you cannot restore your license until you bring your account current or set up a court-approved payment arrangement.
Contact the Florida Department of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement office, at 1-800-622-5437. They will tell you the exact amount owed and your options. You can pay online, by phone, or through an automatic payment plan. Once a payment plan is in place and your first payment is made, you can request a limited license that allows you to drive to work or for essential purposes while you catch up on payments.
Other court orders — such as failure to pay criminal fines or restitution — follow a similar path. Contact the court that issued the order to learn what you owe and whether a payment plan is available.
Suspensions from DUI convictions or refusal to take a breath test
A DUI suspension in Florida is handled differently than other suspensions. If you were convicted of driving under the influence or refused a breath or blood test, the DHSMV imposed an administrative suspension separate from any court penalty. This suspension typically lasts six months for a first refusal or DUI, but can be longer if you have prior convictions.
To restore your license after a DUI suspension, you must complete a DUI education course approved by the DHSMV. In Broward County, many providers offer these courses both in-person and online. The course usually takes four to eight hours and costs between $150 and $300. Once you finish, the provider sends proof of completion to the DHSMV.
You must also pay a license reinstatement fee to the DHSMV, which is $150 for a first DUI suspension. Submit this fee along with your course completion certificate. The DHSMV will then restore your license, usually within one to two weeks.
If you were also convicted in court (not just the administrative suspension), you may face additional requirements such as installing an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. The court will explain these requirements at your hearing.
Suspensions from too many traffic violations or points
Florida uses a points system for traffic violations. If you accumulate 12 or more points within 12 months, your license is suspended for 30 days. If you reach 18 points within 18 months, the suspension is 90 days. Reaching 24 points within 36 months results in a one-year suspension.
To restore your license after a points suspension, you must wait out the suspension period and then pay the reinstatement fee ($25 to $75, depending on the length of suspension). You can also reduce your points by completing a traffic school course approved by the DHSMV. This course removes up to four points from your record and costs around $50 to $100. Completing traffic school does not shorten the suspension itself, but it can prevent future suspensions if you are close to the threshold.
Check the DHSMV website to find approved traffic school providers in Broward County. Many offer online courses that you can complete in a few hours.
Suspensions from lapsed or no insurance
If you drove without proof of insurance or your insurance lapsed, Florida law requires a license suspension. This suspension stays in place until you obtain insurance and file an SR-22 form with the DHSMV. An SR-22 is a certificate from your insurance company proving you have coverage.
Contact an insurance agent and purchase a policy that meets Florida's minimum requirements: $10,000 bodily injury per person, $20,000 bodily injury per accident, and $10,000 property damage. Once your policy is active, ask your insurance company to file the SR-22 with the DHSMV on your behalf. This usually happens within one to three business days. You must also pay a $150 reinstatement fee to the DHSMV.
You will need to maintain the SR-22 for three years from the date of the suspension. If your insurance lapses during this time, your license will be suspended again automatically.
Steps to restore your license after meeting requirements
Once you have resolved the underlying issue — paid fines, completed a course, obtained insurance, or arranged a payment plan — you can request reinstatement. The process depends on the type of suspension.
For most suspensions, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the DHSMV. This fee ranges from $25 to $150 depending on the reason. You can pay online at flhsmv.gov, by mail, or in person at a DHSMV office in Broward County. Include proof that you have met all requirements (course completion certificate, insurance SR-22, payment receipt, etc.). The DHSMV will process your request and restore your license within one to three weeks.
If your suspension was due to unpaid fines or child support, the court or collection agency notifies the DHSMV automatically once payment is received. You still must pay the reinstatement fee, but you do not need to submit additional paperwork. Check your status on the DHSMV website a few days after payment to confirm the suspension has been lifted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with a suspended license if I have a hardship or work reason?
In some cases, yes. You can request a limited license that allows you to drive to work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs. You must petition the Broward County court that issued or is handling your suspension. The court decides whether to grant a limited license based on your circumstances. This option is most common for child support suspensions and some DUI cases.
What happens if I get caught driving on a suspended license?
Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in Florida. A first offense can result in a fine up to $500, jail time up to 60 days, or both. A second offense within five years carries a fine up to $1,000 and up to five days in jail. Your vehicle can be impounded, and additional charges may be filed. It is not worth the risk.
How long does it take to get my license back after I pay everything I owe?
Processing time varies. If you pay fines or fees online, the DHSMV usually processes your reinstatement within one to three weeks. If you submit documents by mail, add five to seven business days for delivery and processing. Check your status on the DHSMV website to see if the suspension has been lifted. If it has been more than three weeks and you have proof of payment, call the DHSMV at 1-888-769-2338.
Do I need a lawyer to restore my suspended license?
For most suspensions, you do not need a lawyer. You can handle payment, course completion, and reinstatement on your own. However, if your suspension is tied to a criminal case, a DUI conviction, or a dispute about what you owe, speaking with a lawyer may help. Broward County offers free legal aid through the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County if your income is low enough.
Can my suspension be lifted before the end date if I meet the requirements early?
Yes. If your suspension has a set end date but you complete all requirements (pay fines, finish a course, obtain insurance) before that date, you can request early reinstatement by paying the reinstatement fee and submitting proof of completion. The DHSMV will lift the suspension when ready upon approval.