Start with the Texas Department of Public Safety
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the state agency that suspends licenses and the one that can tell you why yours was suspended and what you need to do. Call their Driver License Division at 512-424-2000 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time). Have your driver's license number ready when you call.
DPS will tell you the specific reason for the suspension — whether it's unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, an unpaid child support obligation, a medical condition report, or something else. The reason matters because it determines who else you need to contact and what paperwork you'll need to gather. DPS cannot lift the suspension themselves in most cases; they can only explain what caused it and what steps resolve it.
If you prefer not to call, you can also check your suspension status online through the DPS website at www.dps.texas.gov. Look for the Driver License section and select "Check License Status." You'll need your license number and date of birth. The online system will show you the suspension reason but may not give you as much detail about next steps as a phone call would.
Key Takeaways
- Call the Texas DPS Driver License Division at 512-424-2000 to learn the exact reason your license was suspended.
- The suspension reason determines who you contact next — the court, a child support office, a medical examiner, or a collections agency.
- DPS does not lift suspensions; they only explain them and confirm when the suspension is resolved by the responsible agency.
- Once the underlying issue is resolved (fine paid, court appearance made, support obligation met), you must request reinstatement from DPS, which usually costs a fee.
Contact the Court if the Suspension Is from a Traffic Ticket or Failure to Appear
If DPS tells you the suspension is due to an unpaid traffic fine or a failure to appear in court, you need to contact the court that issued the ticket. The ticket itself should show the court name and location. If you don't have the ticket, call the non-emergency police line for the city or county where you received it and ask for the court's phone number.
When you call the court, give them your name, date of birth, and the ticket number if you have it. Ask what the current balance is and whether you can pay by phone. Many courts accept payment over the phone with a credit or debit card. Some also allow online payment through their website. If you cannot pay the full amount, ask whether the court offers a payment plan or a court date to discuss your options.
If the suspension is from a failure to appear, you may need to appear in court in person or request a continuance by phone before you can resolve it. Do not ignore this — the longer you wait, the higher the fines and court costs become. Once the fine is paid or the court appearance is completed, the court notifies DPS, but the notification can take one to two weeks.
Contact the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division if the Suspension Is from Unpaid Support
If DPS tells you the suspension is due to unpaid child support, contact the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division at 1-800-252-8014. This line handles enforcement cases across the state. Have your case number ready if you have it, or be prepared to give your name and date of birth so they can locate your file.
The Child Support Division will tell you the exact amount owed and whether you can set up a payment plan. Many cases can be resolved by phone with a payment arrangement. If you are unable to pay the full amount, explain your situation — the division sometimes negotiates reduced payments or extended timelines. Once you make a payment or reach an agreement, the division notifies DPS, but again, the notification takes time.
If you are facing hardship, ask about the division's modification process. You may be able to request a lower support amount if your income has changed. This requires a court hearing, but it can prevent future suspensions and reduce what you owe going forward.
Contact Your Doctor or the Medical Examiner if the Suspension Is Medical
If DPS tells you the suspension is due to a medical condition — such as a seizure disorder, vision loss, or a report from a healthcare provider — you need to work with a doctor or the DPS Medical Advisory Board. Call DPS at 512-424-2000 and ask for the Medical Advisory Board section. They will explain what medical documentation is needed to clear the suspension.
In most cases, you'll need a letter from your treating physician stating that the condition is controlled or resolved and that you are safe to drive. The letter must be on the doctor's letterhead and include their license number. Once you have the letter, submit it to the Medical Advisory Board at the address DPS provides. The board reviews it and notifies DPS whether the suspension can be lifted.
This process typically takes two to four weeks from the time DPS receives the medical documentation. Do not drive while your license is suspended for medical reasons, even if you feel fine — the suspension exists because a healthcare provider reported a safety concern.
Handle Suspensions from Unpaid Tolls or Traffic Cameras Through the Toll Operator
If the suspension is from unpaid tolls on Texas toll roads or unpaid traffic camera violations, contact the toll operator directly. The most common operators are Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) for Houston-area roads and North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) for Dallas-area roads. Each has its own payment line and website.
When you call, have your license plate number ready. The toll operator will tell you which violations are unpaid and the total amount owed. Most operators accept payment by phone or online. Some offer payment plans if the amount is large. Once you pay, the operator notifies DPS, but the notification can take one to three weeks.
If you believe a toll or camera violation was issued in error, ask the operator about their dispute process. You may be able to submit photos or documentation to contest the violation before paying.
Request Reinstatement from DPS Once the Underlying Issue Is Resolved
After you've resolved the issue that caused the suspension — paid the fine, appeared in court, paid child support, submitted medical documentation, or paid the toll — you must formally request reinstatement from DPS. The responsible agency (court, child support office, toll operator, or medical board) notifies DPS that the issue is resolved, but you still need to submit a reinstatement request and pay a reinstatement fee.
The reinstatement fee is currently $100 for most suspensions, though some suspensions may have different fees. You can request reinstatement online through the DPS website, by mail, or in person at a DPS Driver License office. Online reinstatement is the fastest option and usually takes three to five business days. By mail or in person, allow one to two weeks.
To reinstate online, go to www.dps.texas.gov, find the Driver License section, and look for "Reinstatement." You'll need your license number, date of birth, and a payment method. Once your reinstatement is processed, you can drive legally again. Your physical license will still show the old expiration date until you renew it, but your driving record will be clear.
What to Do If You Cannot Reach the Right Agency
If you call DPS and they cannot tell you the suspension reason, or if you reach a court or agency and they have no record of your case, ask for a supervisor or a case manager. Suspension records sometimes take time to enter the system, or your case may be in a different jurisdiction than you expect.
If you are having trouble locating the correct court, try the Texas Justice Court Training Center website at www.tjctc.org, which has a directory of justice courts by county. For child support cases, the state Attorney General's website at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov has a case lookup tool.
If you believe the suspension is a mistake or if you have already resolved the issue but DPS still shows it as active, request a hearing. DPS will provide information about the hearing process when you call. A hearing allows you to present evidence that the suspension should be lifted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get my license back after I resolve the issue?
Once the underlying issue is resolved, the responsible agency notifies DPS, which usually takes one to three weeks. Then you must request reinstatement and pay the fee, which takes another three to five business days online or one to two weeks by mail. Total time is typically four to six weeks from the date you resolve the issue.
Can I drive to work while my license is suspended if I have a hardship?
Texas does not issue hardship or occupational licenses for most suspensions. You cannot drive legally while suspended, even for work. The only exception is a suspension for failure to pay child support, which may allow a limited license to drive to work or court. Contact the child support office to ask about this option.
What if I moved out of Texas after my license was suspended?
Your Texas suspension remains active in the national driver license database. If you move to another state and try to get a license there, the new state will see the suspension and may refuse to issue one. You must resolve the Texas suspension first, even if you no longer live there. Contact the responsible agency by phone or mail and request reinstatement once the issue is resolved.
Do I have to pay the reinstatement fee if I already paid the fine or toll?
Yes. The reinstatement fee is separate from the original fine, toll, or child support amount. It is a fee charged by DPS to process the reinstatement request. The current fee is $100 for most suspensions.
What if the court or agency says they never received my payment?
If you paid by phone or online, ask for a confirmation number and keep it. If the agency claims they did not receive it, provide the confirmation number and ask them to research the payment. If you paid in person, ask for a receipt. If there is a dispute, request a supervisor and ask for the payment to be traced. Do not assume the payment went through without written confirmation.