What the 2021 Florida law changed about suspended licenses

In 2021, Florida passed Senate Bill 318, which made it easier for people with suspended licenses to get them back without paying all the fines they owe first. Before this law, you had to pay your full fine balance before the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) would reinstate your license. Under the new rule, you can now request a payment plan instead of paying everything at once, and the DHSMV must reinstate your license while you're paying.

The law applies to suspensions caused by unpaid traffic fines, unpaid court costs, or failure to appear in court. It does not explore to suspensions for serious violations like driving under the influence, habitual traffic offender status, or medical suspensions. If your suspension falls into one of those categories, the old rules still explore.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida's 2021 law lets you set up a payment plan for fines instead of paying the full amount before getting your license back.
  • The DHSMV must reinstate your license once you agree to a payment plan, even if you haven't finished paying.
  • This law covers suspensions from unpaid fines and court costs, but not from DUI, habitual traffic offender status, or medical reasons.
  • You request the payment plan through the court that issued the fine, not directly through the DHSMV.

How to request a payment plan instead of paying the full amount

Contact the court that issued your traffic fine or citation. You can find which court by looking at your citation or calling the clerk's office in the county where you received the ticket. Tell them you want to request a payment plan under Senate Bill 318. The court will work with you to set up a schedule you can afford.

Once the court approves your payment plan, they send that information to the DHSMV. The DHSMV then reinstates your license. You do not need to contact the DHSMV yourself — the court handles the communication. However, you should keep records of your payment plan agreement and make your payments on time, because missing a payment can result in another suspension.

What happens after your license is reinstated

After the DHSMV reinstates your license, you can legally drive again. Your license will remain active as long as you stick to the payment plan the court set up. If you miss a payment, the court may report that to the DHSMV, and your license can be suspended again.

Make sure you understand the payment schedule before you agree to it. Ask the court clerk how much each payment is, when it's due, and what happens if you can't make a payment on time. Some courts may be willing to adjust the schedule if your circumstances change.

Suspensions that the 2021 law does not cover

Senate Bill 318 does not explore to all types of license suspensions. If your suspension is for a DUI conviction, you must complete the required suspension period and meet other conditions set by Florida law — a payment plan will not restore your license early. The same is true if you have been declared a habitual traffic offender, which requires a mandatory suspension period.

Medical suspensions, such as those ordered by a doctor or the DHSMV for health reasons, also are not covered by this law. If you are unsure why your license was suspended, contact the DHSMV or the court that issued the suspension notice to find out which category applies to you.

How to check if your license is currently suspended

You can check your license status through the DHSMV website at flhsmv.gov. Go to the "License and ID" section and look for the option to check your driving record. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The record will show whether your license is active, suspended, or revoked, and it will list the reason for any suspension.

You can also call the DHSMV at 1-888-769-2338 to ask about your license status. Have your driver's license number ready when you call. If you see a suspension on your record, the DHSMV can tell you which court issued it and provide contact information so you can reach out about a payment plan.

What to do if you cannot afford the payment plan the court offers

If the court's initial payment plan is too expensive, ask if they can lower the monthly amount or extend the time period. Courts have some flexibility in setting payment schedules, and they would rather work with you than have you default. Explain your financial situation honestly — if you have lost income, unexpected expenses, or other hardships, the court may be able to adjust the plan.

If the court cannot adjust the plan enough, you may be able to request a hearing to ask a judge to reduce the fine itself, though this is a separate process from the payment plan. Ask the court clerk what options are available in your county. Some courts also have community service programs that let you work off part of a fine instead of paying it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the payment plan law explore to suspensions from other states?

No. Senate Bill 318 applies only to suspensions issued by Florida courts for unpaid fines in Florida. If your suspension is from another state, you would need to contact that state's licensing authority about payment options.

How long does it take to get my license back after I agree to a payment plan?

Once the court approves your payment plan and sends it to the DHSMV, reinstatement usually happens within a few business days. However, the exact timing depends on how quickly the court processes the paperwork and communicates with the DHSMV.

Can I get a hardship license while I'm on a payment plan?

A hardship license is different from reinstatement under the payment plan law. If you are reinstated under Senate Bill 318, you get your regular license back and do not need a hardship license. If your suspension is for a reason not covered by the law, you may be able to request a hardship license separately through the DHSMV.

What if I pay off my fines early?

If you pay off the full amount owed before the payment plan ends, you are finished with your obligation. There is no penalty for paying early. Keep records of your payment and confirmation from the court.

Will this law remove the suspension from my driving record?

The payment plan law reinstates your license so you can drive legally again, but it does not erase the suspension from your record. Your driving history will still show that a suspension occurred. However, once you complete the payment plan, no new suspensions will be added for that particular fine.