What you need to do to get your license back
A suspended license in Texas means the state has temporarily taken away your driving privilege, but reinstatement is possible once you meet the requirements that caused the suspension. The process differs depending on why your license was suspended — whether it was for unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, child support arrears, or a conviction-related reason. Texas does not have a single reinstatement path; you must first identify the reason for suspension, resolve that specific issue, and then submit the reinstatement request to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Most suspensions require you to pay a reinstatement fee to DPS, which ranges from $100 to $200 depending on the suspension type. Some suspensions also require you to complete additional steps — such as paying outstanding fines, attending a defensive driving course, or obtaining an SR-22 insurance certificate — before DPS will process your reinstatement. The entire process typically takes two to four weeks after you have resolved the underlying issue and submitted your request.
Key Takeaways
- You must first determine why your license was suspended by checking your DPS record online or calling the DPS Customer Service at 1-888-589-6556.
- Each suspension reason requires different steps to resolve — unpaid fines need payment, child support suspensions need proof of payment arrangement, and DWI suspensions may require an SR-22 certificate.
- Texas charges a reinstatement fee of $100 to $200 that you must pay to DPS after resolving the underlying issue.
- You can submit your reinstatement request online through the DPS website, by mail, or in person at a DPS office once all requirements are met.
Find out why your license was suspended
Before you can reinstate your license, you need to know the specific reason DPS suspended it. Texas suspends licenses for multiple reasons, and each has its own resolution path. The most common reasons are unpaid traffic fines or court costs, failure to appear in court, child support arrears, conviction for driving under the influence (DWI), reckless driving, or accumulating too many points on your driving record.
Check your suspension reason by visiting the DPS website at dps.texas.gov and using the Driver License Status Check tool. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. Alternatively, call the DPS Customer Service line at 1-888-589-6556 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time). A representative can tell you the exact reason and what steps you need to take. Write down the suspension reason and any case or ticket numbers they provide — you will need these when you submit your reinstatement request.
Resolve the underlying issue that caused the suspension
Once you know why your license was suspended, you must address that specific problem before DPS will reinstate your driving privilege. The action you take depends entirely on the suspension reason.
For unpaid traffic fines or court costs: Contact the court listed on your ticket or suspension notice and pay the full amount owed. Some courts allow payment by phone, online, or by mail; others require you to appear in person. Ask the court clerk for a receipt or written confirmation of payment, as you may need to provide this to DPS.
For failure to appear in court: Contact the court that issued the warrant and resolve the case. This may mean appearing in court, paying a fine, or both. The court will notify DPS once the case is resolved, but this can take several weeks. You can also ask the court to send you written confirmation that the case is closed.
For child support arrears: Contact the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division or the local child support office handling your case. You will typically need to set up a payment plan or bring your account current. Once you have made an arrangement or paid what is owed, request written proof from the child support office that you are in compliance.
For DWI or reckless driving convictions: You may need to obtain an SR-22 insurance certificate from your insurance company. This is a form that proves you carry the minimum required liability insurance. Contact your insurance agent and request an SR-22; they will file it directly with DPS. Some DWI suspensions also require you to complete a DWI education program before reinstatement is possible.
For point accumulation: You cannot remove points from your record, but your suspension will automatically lift after a waiting period (usually 30 to 90 days from the suspension date). Once that period has passed, you can proceed directly to submitting your reinstatement request.
Pay the DPS reinstatement fee
After you have resolved the underlying issue, you must pay a reinstatement fee to DPS. The fee is $100 for most suspensions, though some suspension types (such as those related to drug convictions or multiple DWI offenses) carry a higher fee of up to $200. This fee is separate from any fines or costs you paid to the court or other agency.
You can pay the reinstatement fee when you submit your reinstatement request. DPS accepts payment by credit card, debit card, or check. If you are submitting your request online, you will pay by card during the submission process. If you are mailing your request, include a check or money order made payable to the Texas Department of Public Safety. If you are submitting in person at a DPS office, you can pay by card or check at the time of submission.
Submit your reinstatement request to DPS
You have three options for submitting your reinstatement request: online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office. The online method is fastest and typically processes within two weeks.
Online reinstatement: Visit dps.texas.gov and navigate to the Driver License section. Look for the Reinstatement of Suspended License option. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and a valid credit or debit card to pay the reinstatement fee. After you submit, you will receive a confirmation number. DPS will mail your reinstated license to the address on file within two to three weeks.
Mail reinstatement: read the appropriate reinstatement form from the DPS website or request one by calling 1-888-589-6556. The form you need depends on your suspension reason — DPS staff can tell you which one to use. Complete the form, include a check or money order for the reinstatement fee, and mail it to the address listed on the form. Processing by mail typically takes three to four weeks.
In-person reinstatement: Visit a DPS Driver License office in your county. Bring your driver's license (or state ID), proof that you have resolved the suspension issue (such as a court receipt or child support compliance letter), and payment for the reinstatement fee. You can pay by check or card. The office will process your request on the spot, and you will receive a temporary driving permit that is valid when ready while your new license is mailed to you.
What happens after you submit your request
Once DPS receives your reinstatement request and payment, they will verify that you have resolved the underlying issue. If everything is in order, your license will be reinstated and a new license card will be mailed to you. If DPS finds that the issue has not been fully resolved — for example, if the court has not yet notified them that you paid your fine — they will contact you to let you know what additional steps are needed.
During the processing period, you cannot legally drive. If you submitted in person and received a temporary permit, that permit allows you to drive while your new license card is being printed and mailed. If you submitted online or by mail, you will not be able to drive until your new license arrives. Check your DPS record online periodically to see if your reinstatement status has changed.
Once your new license arrives in the mail, it is valid when ready. You do not need to take a test or visit an office again unless DPS specifically asks you to do so. Keep your old suspended license and the new one until you are certain the reinstatement is complete, then destroy the old one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No, not unless you received a temporary driving permit in person at a DPS office. If you submitted your request online or by mail, you cannot legally drive until your new license arrives. Driving on a suspended license carries criminal penalties and additional fines.
What if DPS denies my reinstatement request?
DPS will send you a letter explaining why your request was denied. Common reasons include incomplete payment, failure to resolve the underlying issue, or missing documentation. Follow the instructions in the denial letter to correct the problem and resubmit your request.
Do I need to take a written test or driving test to get my license back?
No. Reinstatement does not require a test. You only need to resolve the issue that caused the suspension and pay the reinstatement fee. The only exception is if your suspension was due to a medical condition; in that case, DPS may require a medical evaluation.
How long does reinstatement take?
Online and in-person submissions typically process within two to three weeks. Mail submissions take three to four weeks. The timeline can be longer if DPS needs to verify that you have resolved the underlying issue, particularly if the court or child support office is slow to notify DPS of your payment.
What if I cannot afford the reinstatement fee?
DPS does not waive reinstatement fees. However, some courts allow you to request a fee waiver or payment plan if you are experiencing financial hardship. Contact the court that handled your case to ask about these options. You must still resolve the underlying issue before you can reinstate your license.