What you need to do to get your license back
To reinstate a suspended Florida driver's license, you must first find out why it was suspended, then pay the reinstatement fee to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). The reason for suspension determines what else you need to do — some suspensions require you to pay fines or court costs, others require proof of insurance or completion of a course. You cannot straightforward pay a fee and have your license returned; the DHSMV will not process reinstatement until every requirement for that specific suspension is met.
The reinstatement fee itself is $45 for most suspensions, though some carry higher fees. You pay this fee along with any other money owed, then submit proof that you have paid. The DHSMV processes the reinstatement and mails you a new license, or you can pick one up in person at a local DHSMV office.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the DHSMV or check your suspension notice to learn the exact reason your license was suspended, because different reasons have different payment requirements.
- The reinstatement fee is $45 for most suspensions, but you may also owe court fines, traffic citations, or other money before the DHSMV will process your reinstatement.
- You can check your suspension status and what you owe through the DHSMV website, by phone at 850-617-2000, or by visiting a local DHSMV office in person.
- After you pay all required fees and fines, submit proof of payment to the DHSMV, which will then process your reinstatement and mail your new license within one to two weeks.
Finding out why your license was suspended
Your suspension notice should state the reason, but if you no longer have it or need to confirm the details, contact the DHSMV directly. Call 850-617-2000 during business hours, or visit the DHSMV website at flhsmv.gov and use the "Check Driver License Status" tool. You will need your driver's license number or Social Security number. The DHSMV will tell you the suspension reason and what you must pay or complete.
Common suspension reasons in Florida include unpaid traffic citations, failure to pay court costs, driving with a suspended license, failure to maintain car insurance, and failure to appear in court. Each reason may require different actions beyond paying the reinstatement fee. For example, if your license was suspended for failure to maintain insurance, you must show proof of current insurance before reinstatement. If it was suspended for an unpaid citation, you must pay that citation first.
Understanding what money you owe
The $45 reinstatement fee is separate from any other money the state is collecting. You may owe traffic fines, court costs, or restitution ordered by a court. These amounts vary widely depending on the violation and the court that handled your case. The DHSMV cannot reinstate your license until all of these debts are paid.
When you contact the DHSMV or visit in person, ask for an itemized list of everything you owe. This list will show the reinstatement fee, any fines, court costs, and the total amount due. Some people owe only the $45 reinstatement fee; others owe hundreds of dollars in fines and court costs on top of that. Knowing the exact total before you attempt to pay prevents confusion and delays.
How to pay the reinstatement fee and other debts
You can pay through several methods. The DHSMV accepts payment online through flhsmv.gov, by phone at 850-617-2000, by mail, or in person at any DHSMV office. Online and phone payments are fastest — you can complete them in minutes. Mail takes one to two weeks to reach the DHSMV and be processed. In-person payment at an office is when ready.
If you owe traffic fines or court costs in addition to the reinstatement fee, you may need to pay those through a different channel. Court fines go to the court that issued the citation, not to the DHSMV. When you call the DHSMV, ask whether you should pay court fines directly to the court or whether the DHSMV can collect them. Some counties allow the DHSMV to collect on behalf of the court; others do not. Paying to the wrong place delays your reinstatement.
Keep a record of your payment — a confirmation number, receipt, or bank statement showing the transaction. You will need this proof when you submit your reinstatement request to the DHSMV.
Special requirements beyond payment
Depending on why your license was suspended, you may need to meet requirements other than paying money. If your suspension was for failure to maintain insurance, you must show proof of current Florida auto insurance before reinstatement. If it was for a drug-related offense, you may need to complete a substance abuse course. If it was for accumulating too many points, you may need to take a driver improvement course.
The DHSMV will tell you what these requirements are when you check your suspension status. Some courses can be taken online and completed in a few hours; others must be taken in person at a testing center. Completing the requirement and obtaining a certificate is usually faster than waiting for payment to process, so do this step first if it applies to you.
Submitting your reinstatement request
After you have paid all money owed and completed any required courses or obtained required documents, submit your reinstatement request to the DHSMV. You can do this online through flhsmv.gov, by mail, or in person. Online submission is fastest — you upload your proof of payment and any certificates, and the DHSMV processes it within one to two business days. By mail, allow one to two weeks for delivery, processing, and return of your new license.
When you submit, include your driver's license number, the reason for suspension, proof of payment (confirmation number or receipt), and any other documents the DHSMV requested. If you are missing any document, the DHSMV will contact you and ask you to resubmit. This delays reinstatement by another week or more, so double-check that you have everything before you submit.
After the DHSMV approves your reinstatement, they will mail your new license to the address on file. If you need your license sooner, you can pick it up in person at a local DHSMV office, usually within one business day of approval.
What to do if you cannot pay right away
If you cannot pay the full amount when ready, contact the court or the DHSMV to ask about payment plans. Some courts allow you to pay fines in installments over several months. The DHSMV reinstatement fee itself does not have a payment plan option, but if court fines are the main debt, a payment plan on those fines may allow you to begin reinstatement sooner.
While you wait to pay, you cannot legally drive. Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Florida and carries its own fines and potential jail time. If you need to drive for work or essential purposes, ask the court about a hardship license, which allows limited driving while your suspension is pending. Hardship licenses are not automatic — the court must approve your request and determine that you have a genuine need.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get my license back after I pay?
If you submit your reinstatement request online with all required documents, the DHSMV typically processes it within one to two business days. Your new license then arrives by mail within one to two weeks. If you pick it up in person at a DHSMV office, you can receive it the same day or next business day after approval.
Can I drive while my reinstatement is being processed?
No. Your license remains suspended until the DHSMV officially reinstates it. Driving during this time is a separate criminal offense. If you need to drive for work or medical reasons, you can request a hardship license from the court that suspended your license, but this requires a separate approval process.
What if I paid the money but the DHSMV says I still owe something?
This usually means a payment did not process correctly or you paid one debt but not all of them. Contact the DHSMV when ready with your payment confirmation number. They can verify whether the payment was received and applied. If it was not received, you may need to resubmit payment through a different method.
Do I need a lawyer to reinstate my license?
No. Reinstatement is an administrative process that you can handle yourself by contacting the DHSMV, paying what you owe, and submitting your request. However, if you dispute the suspension or believe it was issued in error, you may want to consult a lawyer about contesting it through the court system.
What happens if I ignore the suspension and keep driving?
Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in Florida. You can be arrested, fined up to $500 for a first offense, and face jail time. Your vehicle can be impounded. The longer you wait to reinstate, the more legal and financial problems you create for yourself.