The basic path to getting your license back
To reinstate your Florida driver's license after suspension, you must first find out why it was suspended, then complete whatever requirement caused the suspension, and finally pay a reinstatement fee to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). The suspension reason matters because different violations require different steps before you can pay the fee.
You cannot straightforward walk into an office and pay to get your license back. DHSMV will not process a reinstatement until the underlying reason for suspension is resolved. For example, if your license was suspended for unpaid traffic fines, you must pay those fines first. If it was suspended for failing a drug test, you must complete a substance abuse course. Once you have completed the required step, you can then pay the reinstatement fee and restore your driving privileges.
Key Takeaways
- Check your suspension reason first by calling DHSMV at 850-617-3800 or visiting the online license status tool at flhsmv.gov — you cannot reinstate without knowing why you were suspended.
- Complete the requirement tied to your suspension (pay fines, complete a course, provide proof of insurance, or resolve a medical issue) before paying any reinstatement fee.
- Pay the reinstatement fee, which is $150 for most suspensions, though some violations carry higher fees or require additional steps.
- Reinstatement can be done by mail, online, or in person at a DHSMV office, depending on your suspension reason.
- Processing takes one to two weeks by mail or online, or same-day if you go to an office in person.
Finding out why your license was suspended
Before you do anything else, you need to know the specific reason DHSMV suspended your license. Common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, driving with a suspended license, accumulating too many points from traffic violations, failing to maintain auto insurance, or not appearing in court for a traffic ticket.
Call DHSMV at 850-617-3800 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time) and have your driver's license number ready. A representative will tell you the suspension reason and what you must do to clear it. You can also check your license status online at flhsmv.gov by entering your driver's license number and date of birth. The online tool shows your suspension reason and any required actions, though it does not always show the most recent updates, so calling is more reliable if your suspension is recent.
What you must do before paying the reinstatement fee
The action required depends entirely on why you were suspended. If you were suspended for unpaid traffic fines, contact the court that issued the ticket and pay the fine in full. If you were suspended for failure to appear in court, you must resolve the case — usually by appearing in court or paying the fine. If you were suspended for accumulating too many points, you may need to complete a defensive driving course, which removes points from your record.
If your suspension was for failure to maintain auto insurance, you must provide proof of current insurance coverage. Contact your insurance company and ask them to send proof of coverage directly to DHSMV, or you can submit it yourself. If your suspension was for a drug-related offense, you must complete a substance abuse course approved by DHSMV. If it was for a medical reason (such as a vision problem or seizure), you may need to provide a medical evaluation or clearance from a doctor.
Some suspensions require multiple steps. For example, if you were suspended for driving with a suspended license, you must pay any underlying fines and may need to complete a course. Ask DHSMV specifically what applies to your case so you do not miss a step.
Paying the reinstatement fee
Once you have completed the requirement tied to your suspension, you can pay the reinstatement fee. For most suspensions, the fee is $150. However, some violations carry higher fees: suspensions for drug-related offenses cost $250, and suspensions for habitual traffic offender status cost $500. A few suspension types do not require a fee at all, such as suspensions for failure to pay child support (you only pay the child support itself).
You can pay the reinstatement fee online at flhsmv.gov, by mail, or in person at a DHSMV office. Online payment is the fastest option and takes effect when ready. If you pay by mail, send a check or money order to the address provided by DHSMV along with a completed form (your suspension notice will tell you which form to use). If you pay in person, bring a valid form of identification and payment to any DHSMV office.
How long reinstatement takes
If you pay online or in person at a DHSMV office, your reinstatement is processed the same day or within one business day. You will receive a confirmation email or receipt, and your license status will update in the DHSMV system when ready. You can then drive legally while you wait for your physical license to arrive by mail.
If you pay by mail, allow two to three weeks for processing. DHSMV must receive your payment, verify that you have completed the required action, and then mail you a new license. During this time, you cannot legally drive. If your suspension was recent and you need to drive before your license arrives, paying online or in person is much faster.
Reinstating your license in person versus by mail or online
Going to a DHSMV office in person is the fastest option if you have already completed the requirement for your suspension. You can pay the reinstatement fee, receive a temporary driving permit on the spot, and leave with legal driving privileges that day. Bring your identification, proof that you completed the required action (such as a receipt for paid fines or a course completion certificate), and payment for the reinstatement fee.
Paying online is faster than mail and does not require you to leave home. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and a credit or debit card. Your reinstatement takes effect within hours. Paying by mail is the slowest option and should only be used if you cannot pay online or visit an office in person.
What happens if your license was suspended multiple times
If your license was suspended more than once, you must resolve each suspension separately. DHSMV will not reinstate your license until all suspensions are cleared. Call DHSMV and ask for a list of every active suspension on your record. Some suspensions may have been lifted automatically after a certain time period, but others remain until you take action.
For example, you might have one suspension for unpaid fines and another for failure to maintain insurance. You would need to pay the fines, provide proof of insurance, and then pay a reinstatement fee for each suspension. The total cost could be $300 or more depending on how many times you were suspended and the reasons behind each one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement is being processed?
No, not unless you receive a temporary driving permit. If you pay in person at a DHSMV office, you can get a temporary permit when ready. If you pay online or by mail, you cannot legally drive until your reinstatement is complete and your new license arrives. Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense.
What if I cannot afford to pay the reinstatement fee right now?
DHSMV does not offer payment plans for reinstatement fees. However, if your suspension was for unpaid fines or child support, you may be able to set up a payment plan for those amounts through the court or child support agency. Once you have paid or arranged a plan for the underlying debt, you can still pay the reinstatement fee separately.
Do I need to take a new driving test to reinstate my license?
No. Reinstatement does not require you to retake the written or road test. You only need to complete whatever action caused the suspension and pay the fee. However, if your license expired while it was suspended, you may need to renew it, which could require a new photo and possibly a vision test.
What if I do not know why my license was suspended?
Call DHSMV at 850-617-3800 and provide your driver's license number. They will tell you the reason and what you must do. If you cannot reach them by phone, visit a DHSMV office in person and ask for a printout of your driving record, which will show all suspensions and their reasons.
Can I reinstate my license if I still owe money on traffic fines?
No. If your suspension was for unpaid fines, you must pay them in full before DHSMV will process your reinstatement. Contact the court that issued the ticket to find out the exact amount owed and your payment options.