What you need to do to get your license back
Reinstating a suspended Arizona driver's license requires you to contact the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Motor Vehicle Division, resolve the reason for the suspension, and pay a reinstatement fee. The exact steps depend on why your license was suspended — whether for unpaid traffic tickets, unpaid child support, medical reasons, or a DUI conviction — because each category has different requirements before ADOT will restore your driving privileges.
You cannot straightforward wait out a suspension or pay a fee without addressing the underlying issue. ADOT will not reinstate your license until the cause is resolved and documented. For example, if your license was suspended for unpaid child support, you must provide proof from the Department of Child Support Services that your account is current. If it was suspended for unpaid traffic fines, you must pay those fines or arrange a payment plan with the court.
Key Takeaways
- The reason for your suspension determines what you must do before ADOT will reinstate your license — unpaid fines, child support, medical holds, and DUI convictions each have different paths.
- You must contact ADOT Motor Vehicle Division directly to learn the specific requirement tied to your suspension and to confirm when you have met it.
- After resolving the underlying issue, you pay a reinstatement fee to ADOT (the amount varies by suspension type) and submit proof that the issue is resolved.
- Reinstatement typically takes one to two weeks after ADOT receives your fee and documentation, though you should verify the current timeline when you contact them.
- Driving with a suspended license in Arizona is a criminal offense, so do not operate a vehicle until ADOT confirms your license is active again.
Finding out why your license was suspended
ADOT sends a notice of suspension by mail to the address on file with your driver's license. If you did not receive the notice or have lost it, you can contact ADOT Motor Vehicle Division at 602-255-0072 (Phoenix area) or 1-888-DOT-ARIZ (1-888-368-2749) from anywhere in Arizona. Have your driver's license number ready when you call.
You can also check your suspension status online through the ADOT website by entering your driver's license number and date of birth. This will show you whether your license is currently suspended and, in some cases, the reason. However, the online system does not always provide complete details about what you must do to resolve it, so a phone call to ADOT is usually necessary to get clear instructions.
Common reasons for suspension in Arizona include unpaid traffic citations, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, failure to pay court-ordered restitution, medical suspension (usually after a seizure or loss of consciousness), suspension for DUI or reckless driving convictions, and suspension for accumulating too many points on your driving record. Each reason has its own resolution process.
Resolving unpaid traffic fines and court citations
If your license was suspended for unpaid traffic tickets or failure to appear in court, you must contact the court that issued the citation. The notice of suspension will list which court. You can pay the fine in full, set up a payment plan, or request a hearing to contest the ticket. Once the fine is paid or a payment plan is in place, the court sends a clearance to ADOT, which then removes the suspension.
Some Arizona courts allow online payment through their websites. Others require payment by phone, mail, or in person. If you cannot afford to pay the full amount when ready, ask the court clerk about payment plans — most courts will work with you rather than keep your license suspended indefinitely. A payment plan does not need to be paid in full before reinstatement; once the plan is approved and documented, ADOT can reinstate your license.
If you failed to appear for a court date, you may need to appear in person or have an attorney appear on your behalf to clear the failure-to-appear charge before the fine can be resolved. Contact the court clerk to ask what is required in your specific case.
Clearing child support arrears
Arizona suspends driver's licenses for unpaid child support as a collection tool. If this is the reason for your suspension, you must contact the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) or the court that ordered the support. DCSS can tell you the exact amount owed and whether you can set up a payment plan.
Like traffic fines, you do not necessarily need to pay the entire balance to have your license reinstated. If you arrange a payment plan with DCSS or the court and make the first payment, DCSS will send a clearance to ADOT. Once ADOT receives that clearance, your license can be reinstated. The key is documenting that you have taken action to resolve the debt.
If you believe the child support amount is incorrect or you have a legitimate reason you cannot pay, you can request a hearing with the court. Bring documentation of your income, expenses, and any changes in your circumstances. A judge can modify the support order if warranted.
Medical suspension and reinstatement
Arizona suspends licenses for medical reasons when a driver reports a seizure, loss of consciousness, or other condition that may affect safe driving. The suspension is automatic and is meant to protect public safety until a physician clears the driver to resume driving.
To reinstate after a medical suspension, you must obtain a letter from your physician stating that you are medically safe to drive and that your condition is controlled or resolved. Some conditions require a letter from a specialist (for example, a neurologist for seizure disorders). Submit this letter to ADOT Motor Vehicle Division along with a reinstatement request. ADOT will review the medical documentation and, if satisfied, reinstate your license.
The timeline for medical reinstatement depends on how quickly you can see your physician and obtain the letter. There is no fee for medical reinstatement, only for the reinstatement of other suspension types.
DUI suspension and reinstatement requirements
A DUI conviction in Arizona results in a mandatory license suspension. The length of the suspension depends on whether it is a first, second, or subsequent offense and whether the arrest involved a high blood alcohol content (BAC). A first DUI typically results in a 90-day suspension; a second DUI within seven years results in a one-year suspension.
Before ADOT will reinstate your license after a DUI suspension, you must complete a DUI education or treatment program (depending on the court's order), pay all fines and court costs, and meet any other conditions imposed by the court. Some courts also require an ignition interlock device to be installed in your vehicle before reinstatement. The court will specify all requirements in your sentencing documents.
Once you have completed all court-ordered requirements, submit proof to ADOT along with the reinstatement fee. ADOT will verify that the requirements are met and reinstate your license. If the court ordered an ignition interlock device, your license will be reinstated with a restriction requiring the device for a specified period.
Paying the reinstatement fee and submitting documentation
After you have resolved the underlying reason for your suspension, you must pay ADOT's reinstatement fee. The fee varies depending on the type of suspension: it is typically $100 to $200 for most suspensions, though medical suspensions have no fee. Contact ADOT to confirm the exact amount for your situation.
You can pay the reinstatement fee online through the ADOT website, by phone, by mail, or in person at an ADOT office. When you pay, you will need to provide your driver's license number and the reason for reinstatement. At the same time, you must submit documentation proving that the underlying issue is resolved — for example, a court clearance for unpaid fines, a DCSS clearance for child support, or a physician's letter for medical suspension.
Keep copies of all documentation you submit. ADOT typically processes reinstatement requests within one to two weeks of receiving your fee and complete documentation. You can call ADOT to confirm that your reinstatement has been processed and your license is active.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with a suspended license if I have paid the reinstatement fee but ADOT has not processed it yet?
No. Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in Arizona, regardless of whether you have paid the fee or are in the process of reinstatement. You must wait for ADOT to confirm that your license is active before you drive. If you are stopped by police, having a receipt for the reinstatement fee will not protect you from arrest.
What if I cannot afford to pay the reinstatement fee right now?
Contact ADOT to ask whether a payment plan is available for the reinstatement fee itself. Some offices may work with you, though this varies. If the suspension is due to unpaid fines or child support, resolving those through a payment plan (rather than paying in full) may be your priority, since that is what ADOT requires before reinstatement anyway.
How long does reinstatement usually take after I submit everything?
ADOT typically processes reinstatement requests within one to two weeks of receiving your fee and complete documentation. However, this timeline can vary depending on how busy the office is and whether your documentation is complete. Call ADOT to confirm the current processing time and to verify that your request has been received.
Do I need to take a driving test or written test to get my license reinstated?
No. Reinstatement does not require a new written or driving test. You straightforward need to resolve the underlying reason for suspension, pay the fee, and submit documentation. Your license will be reinstated with the same class and restrictions it had before suspension (unless the court imposed new restrictions, such as an ignition interlock requirement).
What if ADOT says I still owe money or have not met the requirement for reinstatement?
Ask ADOT to provide specific details about what is still outstanding. If the issue is unpaid fines or child support, contact the court or DCSS directly to confirm the balance and whether a payment plan can be arranged. If you believe ADOT's information is incorrect, request a hearing or ask to speak with a supervisor. Keep all documentation of your payments and communications.