Florida's reinstatement fee is $150 for most suspensions, but you must also resolve the underlying reason for the suspension before the fee will be accepted
When the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) suspends your license, paying the reinstatement fee alone will not restore your driving privileges. The $150 fee is a separate step that comes after you have addressed whatever caused the suspension in the first place — whether that was unpaid traffic fines, a failure to appear in court, a DUI conviction, or points accumulation. Until you clear the suspension reason, DHSMV will not process your reinstatement fee.
The fee itself does not vary based on the type of suspension. Whether your license was suspended for a missed court date, unpaid child support, or a medical condition, the reinstatement cost is the same $150. However, the steps you must take before you can pay that fee differ significantly depending on why your license was suspended.
Key Takeaways
- The reinstatement fee is $150 for nearly all Florida license suspensions, but you cannot pay it until you have resolved the reason for the suspension.
- Different suspension reasons require different actions: unpaid fines must be paid to the court, DUI suspensions require completion of a substance abuse course, and points suspensions may require a defensive driving course.
- You can check your suspension reason and status through the DHSMV website or by calling 850-617-3800 before you spend money on any corrective steps.
- Once you have cleared the suspension reason, you can pay the $150 fee online, by mail, or in person at a DHSMV office.
Common suspension reasons and what you must do first
Traffic violations and unpaid fines are the most frequent cause of license suspension in Florida. If your suspension is tied to unpaid court fines or a failure to appear in court, you must contact the court that issued the citation and pay the fine or resolve the failure-to-appear charge. The court will then notify DHSMV that the suspension reason has been cleared. You cannot bypass this step by paying the reinstatement fee to DHSMV instead.
DUI-related suspensions require completion of a substance abuse course before reinstatement becomes possible. The course must be taken through a provider approved by DHSMV, and you will receive a completion certificate that you must submit along with your reinstatement fee. The course length depends on whether it is your first offense and whether you refused a breath test; courses typically run from four to nine hours.
Suspensions for accumulating too many points on your driving record may be cleared by completing a defensive driving course, though this is not always required. Some point-based suspensions straightforward expire after a waiting period. Contact DHSMV to confirm whether a course is necessary for your specific suspension.
Child support arrears, medical conditions, and failure to maintain insurance each have their own resolution paths. If your suspension is related to child support, you must work with the Florida Department of Revenue to bring your account current. Medical suspensions require clearance from a physician or the DHSMV medical review office. Insurance-related suspensions require proof that you now carry the required coverage.
How to find out why your license is suspended
Before you take any corrective action, you need to know the exact reason for your suspension. DHSMV maintains this information and makes it available through multiple channels. The fastest method is to visit the DHSMV website and use the online license status check tool, which requires your driver's license number and date of birth. Results appear when ready.
If you prefer to speak with someone, call the DHSMV Customer Service line at 850-617-3800. Wait times vary, but you will reach a representative who can tell you the suspension reason and what steps are required to clear it. Some county tax collector offices also provide this information in person.
Do not assume you know why your license was suspended. Many drivers discover they have multiple suspension reasons stacked on their record, and clearing only one will not restore their driving privileges. Checking first prevents wasted time and money.
Paying the $150 reinstatement fee
Once you have resolved the underlying suspension reason, you can submit the $150 reinstatement fee through one of three methods. Online payment through the DHSMV website is the fastest option; the fee is processed when ready and your license status updates within hours. You will need your driver's license number and a valid credit or debit card.
By mail, send a check or money order for $150 payable to "DHSMV" along with a completed process for License Reinstatement (Form HSMV 42-2.009) to the DHSMV address listed on their website. Processing by mail typically takes two to three weeks. By phone, you can pay with a credit card by calling 850-617-3800, though a convenience fee applies to phone payments.
In person, visit any DHSMV office or county tax collector office that handles driver's license services. Bring a valid form of payment and your driver's license number. You will receive confirmation of payment on the spot.
Waiting periods for certain suspension types
Some suspensions include a mandatory waiting period that begins on the date of suspension, regardless of whether you have resolved the underlying reason. Administrative suspensions for refusing a breath test in a DUI case, for example, carry a mandatory suspension period of six months to one year depending on your driving history. You cannot pay the reinstatement fee until that period has elapsed.
Suspensions for accumulating points may also include a waiting period. A suspension for 12 points accumulates over a 12-month period, and you must wait until that period ends before reinstatement is possible. DHSMV will tell you the exact date your waiting period ends when you check your suspension status.
If your suspension includes a waiting period, paying the reinstatement fee before that period ends will be rejected. Confirm the end date of any waiting period before you submit payment.
What happens after you pay the reinstatement fee
Payment of the $150 fee does not when ready restore your license. If you paid online, your status typically updates within hours and you can print a temporary driving permit from the DHSMV website while you wait for your physical license to arrive by mail. If you paid by mail or in person, processing takes longer — usually five to ten business days for in-person payments and two to three weeks for mail payments.
You will receive a new physical license in the mail at the address on file with DHSMV. If you need to drive before it arrives, request a temporary permit at the time of payment or print one online if you paid through the website. A temporary permit is valid for 30 days.
If your reinstatement fee payment is rejected, DHSMV will notify you of the reason. The most common cause is that the underlying suspension reason has not actually been cleared, even though you believed it had been. Contact DHSMV when ready to determine what additional steps are needed.
Additional costs beyond the $150 fee
The $150 reinstatement fee covers only the administrative cost of restoring your license. Other expenses may explore depending on your suspension reason. Court fines for the traffic violation that triggered the suspension are separate from the reinstatement fee and must be paid to the court. Substance abuse courses for DUI suspensions cost between $150 and $400 depending on the provider and course length. Defensive driving courses typically cost $50 to $100.
If your suspension was related to unpaid child support or medical issues, those underlying costs are also separate. Budget for the full cost of resolution, not just the $150 DHSMV fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with a temporary permit while my reinstatement is being processed?
Yes. If you paid your reinstatement fee online, you can print a temporary permit when ready from the DHSMV website. If you paid in person or by mail, ask for a temporary permit at the time of payment. Temporary permits are valid for 30 days and allow you to drive while your physical license is in the mail.
What if I paid the reinstatement fee but my license is still showing as suspended?
Contact DHSMV to confirm that your payment was received and processed. If the underlying suspension reason was not actually cleared, your reinstatement fee will be held and your license will remain suspended. You must resolve the suspension reason before the fee will be applied. Call 850-617-3800 to determine what step is still missing.
Does the reinstatement fee get refunded if I don't need my license right away?
No. Once you pay the $150 reinstatement fee, it is not refundable. However, you can wait to pay it until you actually need to drive. There is no penalty for delaying payment as long as the underlying suspension reason has been cleared and any waiting period has ended.
Can I pay the reinstatement fee if I still owe court fines?
No. If your suspension is tied to unpaid court fines or a failure to appear, you must resolve that with the court first. DHSMV will not accept the reinstatement fee until the court notifies them that the fine has been paid or the failure to appear has been cleared.
Is there a fee to check my suspension status online?
No. Checking your suspension status through the DHSMV website or by phone is free. There is no charge to learn why your license is suspended or what steps are required to clear it.