What you need to do to reinstate your license
To reinstate a suspended Alabama driver's license, you must first contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) to find out why your license was suspended and what specific steps are required. The reinstatement process varies depending on the reason for suspension — whether it was for unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, medical reasons, or a suspended sentence from a DUI conviction. Once you know the reason, you will need to resolve the underlying issue (pay fines, appear in court, provide medical clearance, or complete required programs) and then submit a reinstatement request to DPS along with the required fee.
The reinstatement fee in Alabama is $20 for most suspensions, though some suspensions may require additional fees depending on the cause. You can submit your reinstatement request by mail, in person at a DPS office, or through the Alabama DPS website if your suspension qualifies for online reinstatement. Processing typically takes one to two weeks after DPS receives your completed request and payment.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety first to learn the specific reason your license was suspended and what you must do to resolve it.
- Most reinstatements require you to pay a $20 fee to DPS, plus any outstanding fines or court costs related to the suspension.
- The reinstatement process differs by suspension type — traffic violations, court failures, medical suspensions, and DUI-related suspensions each have different requirements.
- You can request reinstatement by mail, in person at a DPS office, or online through the Alabama DPS website for certain suspension types.
How to find out why your license was suspended
The Alabama Department of Public Safety maintains records of all active suspensions. You can contact DPS by phone at 334-242-4417 to speak with a representative who can look up your suspension record and explain the reason. Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready when you call. DPS can also tell you whether your suspension is still active or has already expired, since some suspensions are temporary and lift automatically after a set period.
If you prefer not to call, you can visit a local DPS office in person with your identification. DPS has driver's license offices throughout Alabama, and staff can print out your suspension record on the spot. You can also check the Alabama DPS website to find the office nearest you and their hours of operation.
Resolving the underlying reason for suspension
Traffic fines and court costs are the most common reason for suspension in Alabama. If your license was suspended for unpaid fines, you must pay the full amount owed to the court or traffic violations bureau that issued the citation. Contact the court listed on your citation or ticket to confirm the exact amount due and the payment methods they accept. Some courts allow payment by phone, mail, or online; others require you to pay in person.
If your suspension resulted from failure to appear in court, you must appear before the judge to resolve the case. Contact the court that issued the warrant or failure-to-appear notice to reschedule your appearance. Once the case is resolved (whether by paying a fine, pleading guilty, or having the charge dismissed), notify DPS that the underlying issue has been cleared.
Medical suspensions occur when DPS receives a report from a physician or the Alabama Board of Health that you are medically unfit to drive. To clear a medical suspension, you must obtain a medical clearance from a licensed physician and submit it to DPS. The physician will complete a form confirming that you are now safe to drive. DPS will then lift the suspension once the clearance is received and processed.
DUI-related suspensions often require completion of a substance abuse program or DUI school before reinstatement is possible. The court or DPS will specify which program you must complete. Once you finish the program, you will receive a certificate of completion that you must submit to DPS along with your reinstatement request.
Submitting your reinstatement request
After you have resolved the underlying reason for suspension, you can submit your reinstatement request to the Alabama Department of Public Safety. You have three options: mail, in-person visit, or online (if your suspension type qualifies).
To reinstate by mail, send a letter to the Alabama Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division, P.O. Box 1471, Montgomery, AL 36102-1471. Include your full name, date of birth, driver's license number, the reason your license was suspended, proof that you have resolved the underlying issue (such as a court receipt or medical clearance), and a check or money order for $20 payable to the State of Alabama. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want DPS to mail your reinstated license to you.
To reinstate in person, visit any Alabama DPS driver's license office with your identification, proof that the suspension reason has been resolved, and $20 in cash or check. Staff will process your request on the spot, and you may receive a temporary driving permit when ready while your permanent license is printed and mailed.
Online reinstatement is available through the Alabama DPS website for certain suspension types, particularly those related to unpaid fines. The website will guide you through payment and document submission. Not all suspension types can be handled online, so check the DPS website or call ahead to confirm whether your suspension qualifies.
Timeline and what to expect after you submit
Once DPS receives your reinstatement request and payment, processing typically takes one to two weeks. During this time, DPS staff will verify that the underlying reason for suspension has been resolved and that all required fees and fines have been paid. If any information is missing or incorrect, DPS will contact you to request clarification or additional documents.
If you submitted your request by mail and did not include a self-addressed stamped envelope, your reinstated license will be mailed to the address on file with DPS. If you submitted in person, you may receive a temporary permit to drive while your permanent license is being printed. Some DPS offices can issue a permanent license on the same day if all documents are in order.
If your reinstatement is denied, DPS will send you a written explanation of why the request was not approved. Common reasons include incomplete documentation, unpaid fines that were not actually paid, or a suspension reason that has not yet been fully resolved. You can resubmit your request once you have addressed the issue.
Suspension types and their specific requirements
Alabama suspends licenses for different reasons, and each type has slightly different reinstatement rules. Understanding which type applies to you will help you know what documents to gather.
| Suspension Type | Common Cause | What You Must Do |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative | Unpaid traffic fines or court costs | Pay the full amount owed to the court; submit proof of payment with reinstatement request |
| Court-ordered | Failure to appear in court or court judgment | Appear in court to resolve the case; obtain court clearance; submit to DPS |
| Medical | Physician report of medical unfitness to drive | Obtain medical clearance from a licensed physician; submit clearance form to DPS |
| DUI-related | DUI conviction or refusal to take breath test | Complete required substance abuse program; submit certificate of completion; pay reinstatement fee |
| Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO) | Multiple traffic violations within a set period | Wait for suspension period to end; pay reinstatement fee; may require substance abuse evaluation |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No, you cannot legally drive while your license is suspended, even if you have submitted a reinstatement request. Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense in Alabama and can result in additional fines and jail time. If you submitted your request in person at a DPS office, you may receive a temporary permit that allows you to drive for a limited time while your permanent license is being printed.
What if I cannot pay my traffic fines all at once?
Contact the court that issued the citation and ask about payment plan options. Many Alabama courts allow you to pay fines in installments over time. Once you have arranged a payment plan and made at least the first payment, contact DPS to see if they will lift the suspension while you continue paying, or ask the court to request a temporary lifting of the suspension.
How long does a suspension stay on my record?
Once your license is reinstated, the suspension is cleared from your active record. However, the suspension will remain part of your driving history for insurance and background check purposes. The length of time it appears on your record depends on the type of suspension and Alabama's record retention policies.
Do I need a lawyer to reinstate my license?
You do not need a lawyer for most reinstatements. The process is straightforward — resolve the underlying issue, pay the reinstatement fee, and submit your request to DPS. However, if your suspension is related to a court case or criminal charge, you may want to consult a lawyer to understand your options and may support the case is resolved correctly.
What if my license was suspended in another state but I live in Alabama?
Alabama participates in the Driver License Compact, which means suspensions from other states are recognized in Alabama. You will need to resolve the suspension in the state where it was issued, then contact the Alabama DPS to confirm that the suspension has been lifted. DPS can then reinstate your Alabama license if there are no other suspensions on your record.