Arizona reinstatement fees depend on why your license was suspended

Arizona charges different reinstatement fees based on the reason your license was suspended. If you were suspended for unpaid traffic fines or child support, you pay one fee. If you were suspended for a DUI conviction, you pay a different fee. If your license expired while suspended, you may owe both a reinstatement fee and a renewal fee. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Motor Vehicle Division sets these amounts and does not waive them.

You cannot reinstate your license until you have resolved the underlying reason for the suspension — paid the fines, completed a DUI program, or satisfied the child support obligation. Once that is done, you submit payment to ADOT and your license becomes active again, usually within one business day if you pay in person or by phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard reinstatement fees in Arizona range from $50 to $100 depending on the suspension reason, with DUI-related suspensions costing more.
  • You must resolve the underlying cause of suspension — such as paying traffic fines or completing a DUI program — before ADOT will process reinstatement.
  • If your license expired while suspended, you owe both a reinstatement fee and a renewal fee, which together can total $150 or more.
  • You can pay reinstatement fees in person at an ADOT office, by phone, by mail, or through the ADOT website, and reinstatement usually takes one business day.

Reinstatement fees by suspension type

ADOT charges a $50 reinstatement fee for suspensions related to unpaid traffic citations, child support arrears, or failure to pay court-ordered fines. This is the most common reinstatement scenario. You pay the $50 fee once you have paid the underlying debt or made a payment arrangement with the court or the Arizona Department of Child Support Enforcement.

DUI-related suspensions carry a higher reinstatement fee of $100. This applies whether your suspension was for a first DUI conviction, a refusal to take a breath test, or a suspension imposed by the court as part of sentencing. You must also have completed any required DUI education or treatment program before ADOT will process the reinstatement.

Administrative suspensions — those imposed by ADOT itself for reasons such as medical conditions or failure to respond to a notice — typically carry a $50 reinstatement fee, though the specific amount depends on the reason ADOT issued the suspension. Contact ADOT directly to confirm the fee for your suspension type.

What happens if your license expired while suspended

If your license was suspended and the expiration date passed before you resolved the suspension, you owe both a reinstatement fee and a renewal fee. The reinstatement fee covers lifting the suspension; the renewal fee covers issuing a new license card with a new expiration date. Together, these fees typically total $100 to $150, depending on the suspension reason and the type of license you hold.

You cannot renew your license while it is under suspension. ADOT will not process a renewal until the suspension is lifted. Once you resolve the suspension and pay the reinstatement fee, you can then pay the renewal fee and receive a new license card in the mail within one to two weeks.

How to pay your reinstatement fee

You can pay your reinstatement fee in four ways: in person at any ADOT office, by phone at 602-255-0072, by mail, or through the ADOT website at azdot.gov. If you pay in person or by phone with a debit or credit card, your reinstatement is usually processed the same day. If you pay by mail, allow 7 to 10 business days for processing after ADOT receives your payment.

When you pay, you will need your driver's license number or date of birth and the reason for your suspension. If you are unsure of the exact fee or whether your suspension has been cleared, call ADOT before paying. Paying the wrong amount or paying before the suspension is lifted will delay reinstatement.

If you pay online through the ADOT website, you can check the status of your reinstatement when ready after payment. The system will tell you whether your license is active or if additional steps are needed.

Confirming your suspension has been resolved

Before you pay the reinstatement fee, confirm that the reason for your suspension has been resolved. If your suspension was for unpaid fines, check with the court that issued the citation to verify payment was received. If it was for child support, contact the Arizona Department of Child Support Enforcement at 602-252-0236. If it was for a DUI, confirm with the court that you have completed any required program.

ADOT will not lift your suspension until the underlying obligation is satisfied. If you pay the reinstatement fee before the obligation is resolved, ADOT will refund your fee and your license will remain suspended. You can also call ADOT at 602-255-0072 to ask whether your suspension is still active and what steps remain before you can reinstate.

Reinstating a commercial driver's license

Commercial driver's license (CDL) reinstatement fees are the same as for regular licenses — $50 for most suspensions, $100 for DUI-related suspensions. However, CDL suspensions often involve additional requirements. For example, if your CDL was suspended for a DUI or serious traffic violation, you may need to pass a medical examination or retake the CDL written test before reinstatement.

Contact ADOT's Commercial Driver's License section at 602-255-0072 to learn what additional steps explore to your CDL suspension. The reinstatement process takes longer for commercial licenses because of these extra requirements, so plan for two to four weeks from the time you resolve the suspension to the time your license is active again.

What to do if you cannot pay the reinstatement fee right away

Arizona does not offer a payment plan for reinstatement fees. The fee must be paid in full before ADOT will reinstate your license. However, if your suspension was for unpaid traffic fines or child support, you may be able to set up a payment plan for the underlying debt with the court or the child support agency. Once you have made progress on that plan, you can then pay the reinstatement fee to ADOT.

Some courts will reduce or waive fines if you show financial hardship, though this is not may provide. If you are struggling to pay, contact the court that issued your citation or the child support agency to ask about your options. ADOT cannot reduce or waive the reinstatement fee itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive while my reinstatement is being processed?

No. Your license remains suspended until ADOT processes your reinstatement. If you pay in person or by phone, reinstatement usually takes one business day. If you pay by mail, allow 7 to 10 business days. Do not drive until you receive confirmation that your license is active.

What if I paid the reinstatement fee but my license is still suspended?

This usually means the underlying reason for suspension has not been resolved. Call ADOT at 602-255-0072 with your payment confirmation number. ADOT will tell you what additional steps are needed before your license can be reinstated, and will refund your fee if it was paid prematurely.

Do I need to take a new photo or written test to reinstate my license?

No, not for a standard reinstatement. You do not need to retake the written test or provide a new photo unless your license has expired and you are also renewing it. CDL holders may need to pass a medical exam or retake the CDL test depending on the suspension reason.

How long does it take to get my license card in the mail after reinstatement?

If your license was not expired, reinstatement is when ready and you can use your license right away. If your license expired while suspended, you must also pay the renewal fee, and your new card arrives by mail in one to two weeks after ADOT processes the renewal.

Can I reinstate my license if I still owe court fines but have a payment plan?

Yes. Once you have set up a payment plan with the court and made at least one payment, most courts will notify ADOT that the suspension can be lifted. Confirm with the court that the suspension has been cleared before paying ADOT's reinstatement fee.