What happens when your Florida license is suspended
A suspended license means the state has temporarily taken away your driving privilege, but the license itself still exists — you can get it back once you meet the conditions the state set. Florida suspends licenses for specific reasons: unpaid traffic tickets, unpaid child support, a DUI conviction, accumulating too many points from violations, or failing to pay court fines. The suspension stays in effect until you handle the underlying problem, not just until a certain date passes.
You cannot legally drive during a suspension, even if you have a valid license card in your wallet. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal charge in Florida, and the penalties increase if you have been suspended multiple times. The state tracks your suspension status in the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) database, so police can see it when ready if they pull you over.
Key Takeaways
- Find out why your license was suspended by checking your DHSMV record online or calling the DHSMV customer service line at 850-617-2000.
- Resolve the underlying issue — pay the ticket, pay the court fine, pay child support arrears, or complete a DUI education course — before the state will restore your license.
- Request reinstatement through the DHSMV once the suspension reason is cleared; you may need to pay a reinstatement fee of $45 to $150 depending on the suspension type.
- Expect the reinstatement process to take one to two weeks after you submit your request and any required fee.
Finding out why your license is suspended
You need to know the specific reason before you can fix it. The fastest way is to check your driving record online through the DHSMV website at flhsmv.gov. You can order your official driving record, which lists any active suspensions and the reason for each one. The record costs $7.50 and arrives by mail in about a week, or you can view it when ready online for the same price if you have a credit card.
If you do not want to order a record, call the DHSMV customer service line at 850-617-2000 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time). A representative can tell you the suspension reason over the phone without ordering a full record. You will need your driver's license number or Social Security number to look up your account.
Write down the exact reason and any case or ticket number the representative gives you. This information is what you will need to resolve the suspension.
Resolving the suspension based on the reason
Unpaid traffic ticket or court fine: Contact the court that issued the ticket — the citation itself or your DHSMV record will show which court. Call the court clerk's office and ask the balance owed. Pay the full amount by phone, online through the court's website, or in person at the courthouse. Once the court records the payment, the suspension reason is cleared. Ask the clerk how long it takes for the court to report the payment to DHSMV, which is usually one to three business days.
Unpaid child support: Contact the Florida Department of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement office, at 1-800-622-5437. They will tell you the amount owed and payment options. You can pay online, by phone, or by mail. The suspension will not lift until the arrears are paid in full or you enter a payment agreement with the office. Once you have paid or agreed to a plan, ask for written confirmation that you are in compliance, because you will need this to request reinstatement.
DUI conviction: You must complete a DUI education course approved by the Florida DHSMV. The course is typically eight hours long and costs between $150 and $300. Search for approved providers on the DHSMV website or ask your DUI attorney for a recommendation. Once you finish the course, the provider sends proof of completion directly to DHSMV. You will also need to pay a reinstatement fee (see below) to get your license back.
Too many points from traffic violations: Points accumulate on your record when you receive traffic citations. If you reach 12 points in 12 months, 18 points in 18 months, or 24 points in 36 months, DHSMV suspends your license. The only way to clear a points suspension is to wait out the suspension period — typically 30 days for a first suspension — and then request reinstatement. You cannot remove the points themselves, but they do age off your record over time.
Requesting reinstatement from DHSMV
Once you have resolved the underlying issue, you request reinstatement through DHSMV. You can do this online, by mail, or in person at a DHSMV office. The online method is fastest: go to flhsmv.gov, find the reinstatement request form, and submit it with proof that the suspension reason is cleared (a court receipt, child support compliance letter, DUI course completion certificate, or a screenshot of your paid fine).
If you prefer to mail your request, send the reinstatement form and supporting documents to the DHSMV address listed on the form. Processing by mail takes longer — typically two to three weeks — than online submission.
You will need to pay a reinstatement fee unless your suspension was for points only. The fee ranges from $45 to $150 depending on the suspension type: unpaid tickets or fines cost $45, child support suspension costs $45, and DUI suspension costs $150. Pay the fee online when you submit your reinstatement request, or include a check with your mailed form.
What to expect during reinstatement processing
After you submit your reinstatement request and fee, DHSMV typically processes it within one to two weeks. You will receive a letter confirming that your license has been reinstated. Your driving privilege is restored as soon as DHSMV updates its system, which usually happens the same day the letter is sent.
You do not need to visit an office or take a new photo for reinstatement — your existing license card remains valid once the suspension is lifted. If your license has expired during the suspension, you will need to renew it separately, but reinstatement and renewal are two different transactions.
If you do not receive a reinstatement confirmation letter within three weeks, call DHSMV at 850-617-2000 to check the status of your request. Have your driver's license number ready.
Driving legally while your suspension is pending
You cannot legally drive during a suspension, even if your reinstatement request is in progress. If you need to drive before your reinstatement is complete, you have limited options. Some people obtain a hardship license, which allows limited driving for work or medical reasons, but Florida's hardship license rules are strict and not available for all suspension types. A hardship license for a points suspension, for example, is not available — you must wait out the suspension period.
For suspensions due to unpaid fines or child support, you may be able to request a hardship license while your reinstatement is pending, but you must show the court or DHSMV that you have a genuine need to drive for employment or medical care. Contact the court (for fine-related suspensions) or the child support office (for support-related suspensions) to ask whether a hardship license is an option in your situation.
Avoiding another suspension
Once your license is reinstated, pay traffic tickets and court fines promptly — do not wait for a collection notice. Set a calendar reminder for your court date so you do not miss it, because a failure to appear can trigger a separate suspension. If you receive a ticket, you can often pay it online through the court's website without going to court.
Keep your child support payments current if you have an order. If your circumstances change and you cannot pay the full amount, contact the child support office to request a modification rather than letting arrears build up.
If you accumulate traffic violations, consider taking a defensive driving course, which can remove up to four points from your record in Florida. You can take the course once every 12 months, and it costs around $50 to $100 depending on the provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a temporary license while my suspension is being processed?
A temporary license is not issued during reinstatement processing. However, if your suspension is for unpaid fines or child support and you have a documented need to drive for work or medical reasons, you may request a hardship license from the court or child support office. Hardship licenses are not available for all suspension types, so contact the relevant office to ask whether you may have access to.
What happens if I drive on a suspended license?
Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense in Florida. A first offense is a second-degree misdemeanor, which can result in a fine up to $500, jail time up to 60 days, or both. A second offense within five years is a first-degree misdemeanor with penalties up to $1,000 and 12 months in jail. The penalties increase further if you have multiple suspensions.
How long does reinstatement take if I pay everything I owe?
Once you submit your reinstatement request and fee, DHSMV typically processes it within one to two weeks. Online submissions are faster than mailed forms. You will receive a letter confirming reinstatement, and your driving privilege is restored as soon as the system is updated, usually the same day the letter is sent.
Do I have to renew my license after reinstatement?
Reinstatement and renewal are separate. If your license expired during the suspension, you will need to renew it after reinstatement, but you do not need to do both at the same time. You can renew online, by mail, or at a DHSMV office once your suspension is lifted.
What if I cannot afford to pay the full amount owed?
For court fines, contact the court clerk and ask about payment plans or hardship waivers. For child support arrears, contact the Department of Revenue child support office at 1-800-622-5437 to discuss payment arrangements. Many courts and the child support office will work with you on a payment schedule rather than keeping your license suspended indefinitely.