How to reinstate your Pennsylvania license after suspension
To get your Pennsylvania driver's license back after suspension, you must first find out why it was suspended — the reason determines what you have to do and how much it costs. Pennsylvania suspends licenses for unpaid traffic fines, unpaid child support, drug convictions, accumulating too many points, or failing to pay the reinstatement fee itself. You can check your suspension reason by calling PennDOT at 717-391-6190 or visiting the PennDOT website and logging into your account through the PA Licensing Center. Once you know the reason, you address that specific issue — pay what you owe, complete a required program, or wait out a mandatory suspension period — then submit a reinstatement request and pay the reinstatement fee.
The reinstatement fee is $65 for most suspensions. Some suspensions are automatic once you resolve the underlying problem; others require you to request reinstatement in writing. The whole process typically takes two to four weeks after you submit your request, though it can be faster if you handle everything online.
Key Takeaways
- Check your suspension reason first by calling PennDOT at 717-391-6190 or through the PA Licensing Center website — the reason tells you what you must fix.
- Most suspensions require you to pay money owed (fines, child support, reinstatement fee) or complete a program before reinstatement is possible.
- The reinstatement fee is $65, and you can pay it online through PennDOT or by mail once your underlying issue is resolved.
- Some suspensions lift automatically once you pay; others require you to submit a written reinstatement request to PennDOT.
Finding out why your license was suspended
PennDOT does not always send a notice in the mail before suspending a license, so many people discover the suspension when they try to renew or when they are stopped by police. The fastest way to find out the reason is to call PennDOT's Customer Service Center at 717-391-6190, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready. They will tell you the suspension reason and what you need to do to fix it.
You can also check online through the PA Licensing Center at www.dmv.pa.gov. Create an account or log in, and your suspension status and reason will appear in your account dashboard. This method works 24 hours a day and gives you a written record you can save or print.
Common suspension reasons and how to resolve each one
Unpaid traffic fines or court costs: Contact the court that issued the ticket — the court name is on your ticket or citation. Ask how much you owe and whether you can pay by phone, online, or in person. Once the court confirms payment, they notify PennDOT automatically, usually within one to two weeks. You then pay the $65 reinstatement fee.
Unpaid child support: Contact the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Child Support Enforcement, at 1-800-932-0211. They will tell you the amount owed and payment options. After you pay or set up a payment plan, they send notice to PennDOT. The reinstatement fee still applies once the child support issue is resolved.
Drug conviction suspension: Pennsylvania suspends licenses for six months to one year following a drug conviction. You cannot shorten this period. Once the suspension time has passed, you must request reinstatement in writing and pay the $65 fee. Some people must also complete a substance abuse evaluation or treatment program — PennDOT will tell you if this applies to you.
Point accumulation (too many traffic violations): If you accumulated 6 or more points within 12 months, your license is suspended for three months. After three months pass, you can request reinstatement and pay the $65 fee. If you accumulated 11 or more points within 24 months, the suspension is longer — PennDOT will specify the length when you call.
Failure to pay the reinstatement fee itself: If your license was suspended because you did not pay a previous reinstatement fee, straightforward pay the $65 fee now. You may also owe the original fee from the earlier suspension, so ask PennDOT for the total amount due.
Paying the reinstatement fee and submitting your request
Once you have resolved the underlying issue — paid fines, completed a program, or waited out the suspension period — you pay the $65 reinstatement fee. You can do this online through the PA Licensing Center, by mail, or in person at a PennDOT office.
Online: Log into the PA Licensing Center at www.dmv.pa.gov, navigate to "Reinstatement," and pay by debit or credit card. This is the fastest method and gives you when ready confirmation.
By mail: Write a check or money order for $65 payable to "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania." Include a letter stating your name, date of birth, driver's license number, and the reason your license was suspended. Mail it to PennDOT, Bureau of Driver Licensing, P.O. Box 68467, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8467. Allow two to three weeks for processing.
In person: Visit a PennDOT Driver License Center with your ID and payment. You can find the nearest office at www.dmv.pa.gov under "Locations." Processing takes a few minutes, and you receive confirmation on the spot.
What happens after you submit your reinstatement request
After you pay the reinstatement fee, PennDOT processes your request. For most suspensions, reinstatement is automatic once payment is received — you do not need to do anything else. Your license status updates in the PA Licensing Center within two to four business days, and you can drive legally once the system shows you are reinstated.
If you submitted payment by mail, allow extra time for the check to arrive and be processed. If you paid online or in person, reinstatement typically happens within one to two business days. You can check your status anytime by logging into the PA Licensing Center or calling PennDOT.
If your suspension was due to a drug conviction, you may need to provide proof that you completed any required substance abuse program before reinstatement is final. PennDOT will tell you this when you call, and you submit the proof along with your reinstatement request.
If you cannot pay the full amount right away
If you owe unpaid fines or child support and cannot pay the full amount when ready, contact the court or the Bureau of Child Support Enforcement to ask about payment plans. Many courts allow you to pay in installments, and child support enforcement has formal payment plan options. Once you are on a payment plan, you can often request license reinstatement even though you have not paid the full amount — ask the court or agency whether this is possible in your case.
If you cannot afford the $65 reinstatement fee itself, there is no waiver or reduction program. However, some community legal aid organizations may help you understand your options. Contact your county's legal aid office or call 211 to find local resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. Driving with a suspended license is illegal in Pennsylvania, even if you have submitted your reinstatement request and paid the fee. Wait until PennDOT confirms your reinstatement before driving. You can check your status online or by calling 717-391-6190.
What if I was suspended for a reason I disagree with?
If you believe the suspension was an error, call PennDOT at 717-391-6190 to explain. They will review your record. If the suspension was issued by a court (for unpaid fines) or by child support enforcement, you may need to contact that agency directly to dispute the amount owed or the suspension itself.
Do I need to retake the written or road test to get my license back?
No. Reinstatement restores your existing license. You do not retake any test unless your license has also expired during the suspension period, in which case you renew it normally at the same time.
How long does reinstatement take if I pay online?
If you pay the reinstatement fee online through the PA Licensing Center, your license status usually updates within one to two business days. You can check your status when ready after payment by logging back into your account.
What if I move out of state before my suspension ends?
Your Pennsylvania suspension remains in effect. If you want to get a license in another state, that state may recognize the Pennsylvania suspension and refuse to issue you a license. Resolve the suspension in Pennsylvania first, then you can pursue licensing in another state.