Virginia lets you reinstate a suspended or revoked license through its online portal, but only if your suspension was for specific reasons — and you must pay the reinstatement fee before your license becomes valid again.
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) operates an online reinstatement system at dmvnow.com for drivers whose licenses were suspended for unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, or failure to pay child support. If your suspension was for a different reason — such as a DUI conviction, medical disqualification, or accumulating too many points — you cannot reinstate online and must visit a DMV office in person or contact them by phone.
The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes if you have the right information ready. You will need your driver's license number, Social Security number, and a payment method (debit or credit card). Once you complete the online transaction and pay the reinstatement fee, your license status updates in the system within a few hours, though physical mail delivery of a replacement card takes 7 to 10 business days.
Key Takeaways
- Online reinstatement through dmvnow.com works only for suspensions tied to unpaid fines, failure to appear, or child support — not for DUI, medical issues, or point accumulation.
- You must pay the reinstatement fee (currently $145 for most suspensions, though this varies by reason) before your license becomes active again.
- Your license status updates in the DMV system within hours of payment, but a replacement physical card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
- If you are unsure why your license was suspended, call the DMV at 804-367-0538 before attempting to reinstate online.
Check Your Suspension Reason Before You Start
The DMV website will not let you reinstate if your suspension falls outside the categories they handle online. Before you log in, you need to know exactly why your license was suspended. The most common reasons that can be handled online are unpaid traffic citations, failure to appear for a court date, and failure to pay child support. Suspensions for DUI convictions, medical conditions, accumulating 12 or more points in 12 months, or habitual traffic offender status require an in-person visit or phone call.
If you do not know the reason, call the DMV customer service line at 804-367-0538. Have your driver's license number ready. The representative will tell you the suspension reason and whether you can reinstate online. This call takes about 5 minutes and saves you from starting an online process that will not work for your situation.
What You Need to Gather Before Going Online
Collect these items before you open dmvnow.com: your Virginia driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a valid debit or credit card. The system will not accept prepaid cards or gift cards. You should also have the phone number or email address associated with your DMV account, if you have created one previously — though you can create a new account during the reinstatement process if you have not.
If you have lost your physical license and do not remember your license number, you can look it up on dmvnow.com by entering your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. The system will display your number so you can write it down before starting the reinstatement transaction.
Steps to Reinstate Your License Online
- Go to dmvnow.com and select "Reinstate License" from the main menu. You will see a list of reinstatement types — choose the one that matches your suspension reason.
- Log in or create an account. If you already have a dmvnow.com account, enter your username and password. If not, select "Create Account" and follow the prompts to set up a new one using your email address.
- Enter your driver's license number and Social Security number when prompted. The system will pull up your record and display the suspension details, including the reason and the reinstatement fee amount.
- Review the fee. Reinstatement fees vary by suspension reason. Most are $145, but some may be higher. The system will show you the exact amount before you pay.
- Enter your payment information. Provide your debit or credit card number, expiration date, and CVV. The system processes the payment when ready.
- Confirm your mailing address. The DMV will mail a replacement license to the address on file. If you have moved, update it now so the card goes to the correct location.
- Complete the transaction. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and via email. Save or print this number for your records.
- Wait for status update. Your license status changes from suspended to valid in the DMV system within a few hours. A replacement physical card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
What Happens After You Pay the Reinstatement Fee
Once your payment processes, your driving privilege is restored in the Virginia DMV database. You can legally drive when ready, even though you do not have a new physical card yet. If a police officer runs your license, the system will show it as valid and reinstated. You do not need to carry the confirmation email or receipt, but keeping it for your records is a good idea.
The replacement license card arrives by standard mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you need to drive before the card arrives and are concerned about being stopped, you can print the confirmation page from your dmvnow.com account and carry it with you — though it is not a legal substitute for a license, it documents that you have reinstated.
If Your Reinstatement Does Not Go Through Online
If the system rejects your reinstatement attempt, it usually means your suspension reason is not may be able to access for online processing. The error message will typically direct you to call the DMV or visit an office. Write down the exact error message and call 804-367-0538 with it — the representative can explain what step you need to take next.
If you prefer not to call, you can visit any DMV office in Virginia during business hours. Bring your driver's license (or state ID if you do not have your license), proof of your address (utility bill or lease), and your payment method. Office wait times vary by location and time of day; checking dmvnow.com for your local office's current wait time before you go can help you plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive before my replacement license arrives in the mail?
Yes. Your driving privilege is restored as soon as your payment processes, which happens within hours. You do not need the physical card to drive legally. If you are stopped by police, their system will show your license as valid and reinstated.
What if I paid the reinstatement fee but my license still shows suspended?
Wait at least a few hours for the system to update. If it still shows suspended after 24 hours, call the DMV at 804-367-0538 with your confirmation number. They can verify the payment went through and manually update your status if there was a processing delay.
Do I need to take a new photo or pass a test to reinstate online?
No. Online reinstatement uses your existing photo and does not require a written or driving test. You are straightforward paying the fee to restore your driving privilege. If your license was expired before the suspension, you will need to renew it separately after reinstatement.
What if I cannot pay the full reinstatement fee right now?
The online system requires full payment before reinstatement. If you cannot pay when ready, contact the DMV at 804-367-0538 to ask about payment plans or hardship options — some suspension reasons may may have access to for a reduced fee or extended payment arrangement, though this varies by case.
Will reinstating my license remove points from my driving record?
No. Reinstatement restores your driving privilege but does not erase traffic violations or points from your record. Points remain on your record according to Virginia's point system and gradually fall off over time.