What it costs to reinstate a suspended Utah license
Utah charges a reinstatement fee of $50 to restore a suspended driver's license. This fee is separate from any other fines, court costs, or restitution you may owe — it is the administrative cost the state charges specifically to process your reinstatement paperwork and return your driving privileges.
The $50 fee applies whether your license was suspended for unpaid traffic tickets, failure to appear in court, child support arrears, or other violations. You must pay this fee before the Utah Driver License Division will process your reinstatement request. If you cannot pay the full amount at once, contact the Driver License Division directly to ask about payment plans, though availability varies by case.
Beyond the reinstatement fee itself, you may owe additional money depending on why your license was suspended. If the suspension was tied to unpaid fines or court costs, you will need to settle those first. If it was related to child support, you will need to contact the Office of Recovery Services. The Driver License Division cannot lift the suspension until those underlying obligations are addressed.
Key Takeaways
- Utah's reinstatement fee is $50, and you must pay it before your license can be restored.
- The reinstatement fee is separate from any fines, court costs, or other money you owe related to the reason for suspension.
- You can pay the reinstatement fee in person at a Driver License Division office or by mail, depending on the type of suspension.
- Before paying to reinstate, confirm with the Driver License Division that all underlying violations have been resolved or that a payment plan is in place.
- Processing time for reinstatement is typically one to two weeks after payment is received.
How to pay the reinstatement fee
The method you use to pay depends on the reason your license was suspended. If the suspension is administrative (for example, failure to pay a traffic fine or failure to appear in court), you can pay the $50 reinstatement fee directly to the Driver License Division. You can do this in person at any Driver License Division office or by mail.
To pay in person, locate your nearest Driver License Division office using the office finder on the Utah Driver License Division website. Bring a valid form of identification and the $50 fee in cash or check. Staff will process your payment and provide a receipt. Ask them to confirm that all other obligations related to your suspension have been cleared before you leave.
To pay by mail, send a check or money order for $50 to the Driver License Division address listed on your suspension notice. Include a letter stating your name, date of birth, and driver's license number. Mail it to the address provided in your notice. Processing by mail typically takes longer than in-person payment — usually two to three weeks instead of one.
If your suspension is tied to child support arrears, you cannot pay the reinstatement fee to the Driver License Division directly. Instead, you must contact the Office of Recovery Services to arrange payment or a payment plan for the child support owed. Once that agency confirms the arrears are resolved or a plan is in place, they will notify the Driver License Division, and you can then pay the $50 reinstatement fee.
What to do if you have other debts tied to your suspension
Before you pay the reinstatement fee, find out exactly why your license was suspended. Call the Driver License Division at 801-538-3800 and provide your name and driver's license number. They will tell you the reason for suspension and whether any other debts or obligations must be resolved first.
If the suspension is due to unpaid traffic fines or court costs, you will need to pay those amounts to the court that issued the citation. The Driver License Division cannot reinstate your license until the court confirms payment. Contact the court listed on your citation or ticket to learn the exact amount owed and how to pay.
If the suspension is due to child support arrears, contact the Office of Recovery Services at 1-800-992-2319. They will tell you the amount owed and whether you can set up a payment plan. Once you have an arrangement in place, they will notify the Driver License Division. You can then pay the $50 reinstatement fee.
If you have multiple reasons for suspension — for example, unpaid fines and child support arrears — you must address all of them. The Driver License Division will not reinstate until every underlying obligation is resolved or a payment plan is documented.
Timeline for reinstatement after you pay
After you pay the $50 reinstatement fee, the Driver License Division typically processes your request within one to two weeks. If you paid in person at an office, processing is usually faster — sometimes the same day or within a few business days. If you paid by mail, allow two to three weeks for the check to arrive, be processed, and for your file to be updated.
You can check the status of your reinstatement by calling the Driver License Division at 801-538-3800. Have your driver's license number ready. They will tell you whether your payment has been received and processed, and when you can expect your license to be active again.
Once your license is reinstated, you do not need to take a new test or visit an office unless your license has also expired. Your driving privileges will straightforward be restored to their previous status. If your license expired while it was suspended, you will need to renew it separately, which involves an additional fee and may require a new photo and test depending on how long it has been expired.
Reinstating a license suspended for unpaid traffic fines
If your license was suspended because you did not pay a traffic ticket or citation, you must pay the fine to the court before the Driver License Division will reinstate your license. The court will then send confirmation to the Driver License Division that the debt is cleared.
Contact the court listed on your citation to find out the exact amount owed, including any late fees or court costs that may have been added. Ask whether you can pay by phone, online, or by mail. Many Utah courts accept online payment through their websites. Once you have paid, ask the court to confirm in writing that the fine is satisfied and that they will notify the Driver License Division.
After the court confirms payment to the Driver License Division, you can then pay the $50 reinstatement fee. This is the order that matters: fine first, then reinstatement fee. Paying the reinstatement fee before the fine is cleared will not restore your license.
Reinstating a license suspended for failure to appear in court
If your license was suspended because you missed a court date, you must resolve that failure to appear before reinstatement is possible. This usually means contacting the court, explaining your absence, and either rescheduling the hearing or resolving the underlying case.
Call the court listed on your original citation or summons. Tell them you missed your court date and ask what you need to do to clear the failure to appear. In some cases, you may be able to resolve the matter by phone or by appearing at a new date. In other cases, you may need to pay a fine for the failure to appear itself, in addition to any penalty for the original violation.
Once the court confirms that the failure to appear has been resolved, they will notify the Driver License Division. You can then pay the $50 reinstatement fee to restore your license. If there are also unpaid fines from the original citation, those must be paid as well.
Reinstating a license suspended for child support arrears
If your license was suspended because of unpaid child support, the Office of Recovery Services must confirm that your arrears are resolved or that you have a payment plan in place before the Driver License Division will reinstate your license. You cannot bypass this step by straightforward paying the $50 reinstatement fee.
Contact the Office of Recovery Services at 1-800-992-2319 or visit their website to find out how much child support you owe. Ask about payment plans or hardship waivers if you cannot pay the full amount at once. Once you have made a payment or agreed to a plan, ask them to send confirmation to the Driver License Division.
After the Office of Recovery Services notifies the Driver License Division that your case is resolved or in a payment plan, you can pay the $50 reinstatement fee. Processing typically takes one to two weeks after that payment is received.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement is being processed?
No. Your license remains suspended until the Driver License Division processes your reinstatement request and updates their system. Driving during this time is illegal, even if you have paid the fee. Wait for written confirmation that your license has been reinstated before you drive.
What if I cannot afford the $50 reinstatement fee right now?
Contact the Driver License Division at 801-538-3800 and ask whether a payment plan is available for your situation. Availability depends on the reason for suspension and the discretion of the office. Some cases may may have access to; others may not. It is worth asking directly.
Do I need to take a driving test to get my license reinstated?
No. Reinstatement restores your existing license without requiring a new test. However, if your license has expired while suspended, you will need to renew it separately, which may involve a test depending on how long it has been expired.
What if the court or Office of Recovery Services says my debt is paid, but the Driver License Division still shows my license as suspended?
There can be a delay of several days between when one agency reports payment and when the Driver License Division updates their records. Call the Driver License Division and provide them with the name and phone number of the court or Office of Recovery Services that processed your payment. Ask them to verify the information directly.
Can I reinstate my license online?
No. You must pay the $50 reinstatement fee in person at a Driver License Division office or by mail. The Driver License Division does not currently offer online reinstatement. After you pay, processing is handled by mail or in-office staff.