Check your suspension status directly through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) maintains a public lookup tool where you can see whether your license is currently suspended, revoked, or disqualified. You do not need to visit an office or call a phone line — you can check your status online in minutes using your driver's license number and date of birth.
Go to the DHSMV website at flhsmv.gov and look for the "License Status" or "Driver License Check" option in the main navigation. The exact link location changes occasionally, but it is always listed under services for drivers. Enter your license number and your date of birth exactly as they appear on your license, then submit. The system will display your current status when ready.
If your license shows as suspended, the same tool usually displays the reason — whether it is for unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, a medical suspension, or another cause. Knowing the reason is the first step toward understanding what you need to do next.
Key Takeaways
- The DHSMV website has a free public tool where you enter your license number and birth date to see your current suspension status.
- The lookup shows not just whether you are suspended, but the specific reason — unpaid fines, child support, medical issues, or other causes.
- A suspension means you cannot legally drive; a revocation is permanent until you meet specific conditions to restore your license.
- If you find a suspension, contact the agency listed as the reason (court, child support office, medical review board) to learn what steps restore your driving rights.
Understand the difference between suspension and revocation
Florida uses two different terms, and they mean different things. A suspension is temporary — your license is taken away for a set period or until you meet a condition, after which you can restore it. A revocation is more serious and typically permanent, though you may be able to petition for reinstatement after a waiting period.
The lookup tool will tell you which one applies to you. If it says "suspended," note the date or condition listed. If it says "revoked," the tool should also show whether you are may be able to access to petition for reinstatement and when. These details matter because the steps to fix each one are different.
Common reasons for Florida license suspension
Florida suspends licenses for many reasons, and the cause determines who you contact to resolve it. The most common are unpaid traffic fines or court costs (contact the court that issued the ticket), failure to pay child support (contact your local child support enforcement office), and failure to appear in court on a traffic charge (contact the court directly).
Medical suspensions happen when the DHSMV receives a report that you may be medically unfit to drive — usually from a doctor, hospital, or family member. If your suspension is medical, you will need to contact the DHSMV's Medical Review Board and may need to provide a doctor's statement before your license is restored.
Other reasons include driving with a suspended or revoked license (which creates a new suspension), accumulating too many points on your driving record, or failing to maintain required insurance. The lookup tool shows the reason, so you know exactly which agency to contact.
What to do if your license is suspended
Once you know the reason, contact the agency responsible. If it is unpaid fines, call or visit the court listed on the suspension notice. If it is child support, contact your local child support enforcement office — you can find the number through the Florida Department of Revenue website. If it is a medical suspension, contact the DHSMV directly at 1-850-617-3800 and ask for the Medical Review Board.
Ask what specific action restores your license. For fines, you may need to pay in full or set up a payment plan. For child support, you may need to make a payment or prove you are current. For medical suspensions, you may need a doctor's clearance or a statement from a specialist. Do not assume — ask the agency what they require, because requirements vary by case.
Once you have completed the required action, contact the same agency again and ask them to notify the DHSMV that the suspension should be lifted. Some agencies do this automatically; others require you to request it. Ask how long the process takes — it is usually a few business days, but can be longer if records have to be updated across multiple systems.
Restore your license after suspension is lifted
After the suspending agency notifies the DHSMV that the suspension is cleared, you still need to formally restore your license. You cannot straightforward start driving again. Visit any DHSMV office with a valid form of identification and proof that the suspension has been cleared (a letter from the court, child support office, or medical board). Some suspensions require you to pay a reinstatement fee — currently $150 in Florida, though this amount can change.
You can also restore your license by mail if you have the required documents. Contact the DHSMV to ask whether your specific suspension type allows mail restoration, and what documents to send. Processing by mail takes longer than in person, usually two to three weeks.
Check your driving record for other issues
While you are checking your license status, also request a copy of your driving record. This shows all traffic violations, points, and suspensions on file. You can order this through the DHSMV website or in person at any office. The record costs a few dollars and is useful if you need to dispute information or understand why you were suspended.
Sometimes records contain errors — a ticket attributed to you that you did not receive, points that were not properly removed after a course, or a suspension that should have been lifted. If you spot an error, contact the DHSMV with documentation and ask them to correct it. Errors can delay your restoration, so catching them early matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my license is suspended?
No. Driving with a suspended license is illegal in Florida and carries serious penalties, including fines, jail time, and an additional suspension. If you are stopped, you will be cited. If you need to drive for work or medical reasons while your suspension is being resolved, ask the court or suspending agency whether a hardship license is available.
How long does it take to restore a suspended license?
It depends on the reason and how quickly you resolve it. If you pay fines when ready, restoration can happen within days. If you need medical clearance or are waiting for child support records to update, it may take weeks. Once the suspending agency notifies the DHSMV, allow three to five business days for the system to update, then visit an office to complete the formal restoration.
What if I cannot find my license number?
If you have lost your license or do not have it with you, you can still check your status using your full name and date of birth on the DHSMV website. Some versions of the lookup tool accept either the license number or name and birth date. If the website does not accept your name, call the DHSMV at 1-850-617-3800 and provide your information over the phone.
Will a suspension show up on a background check?
A current suspension will show on a driving record check, which employers and others may request. Once your suspension is lifted and your license is restored, it no longer appears as active, though the historical record that it occurred may remain. This is why restoring your license as soon as possible matters if you need to drive for work.
Can I dispute a suspension if I think it is wrong?
Yes. If you believe the suspension was issued in error, contact the agency that imposed it with documentation supporting your position. For court-ordered suspensions, you may need to file a motion with the court. For child support suspensions, contact the child support enforcement office. For medical suspensions, you can request a hearing with the Medical Review Board. Ask the agency what their dispute process is and what evidence they need.