What You Need to Do to Get Your License Back
Reinstating a suspended Florida driver's license requires you to resolve the reason for the suspension, pay a reinstatement fee to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), and then request reinstatement through the DHSMV. The specific steps depend on why your license was suspended — whether it was for unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, a DUI conviction, points accumulation, or another violation. You cannot straightforward wait out the suspension period; you must take action to clear the underlying issue before the DHSMV will restore your driving privileges.
The process typically takes one to two weeks if you submit your request by mail or online, or can be completed the same day if you go in person to a DHSMV office. The reinstatement fee is $150 for most suspensions, though some violations carry additional fees. Once your underlying issue is resolved and your fee is paid, the DHSMV will issue a new license and mail it to you, or issue a temporary permit if you handle everything in person.
Key Takeaways
- Your license suspension has a specific cause — unpaid fines, failure to appear, DUI, points, or child support — and you must resolve that cause before reinstatement is possible.
- The reinstatement fee is $150 for most suspensions, though some suspensions carry additional fees or requirements depending on the violation type.
- You can check your suspension reason and status through the DHSMV website using your driver's license number, or by calling the DHSMV at 850-617-2000.
- Once you have resolved the underlying issue and paid the reinstatement fee, you submit a reinstatement request to the DHSMV by mail, online, or in person at a local office.
- Processing typically takes one to two weeks after the DHSMV receives your request, though you may be able to drive when ready if you pay the fee in person at an office.
Finding Out Why Your License Is Suspended
Before you can reinstate your license, you need to know the exact reason for the suspension. The DHSMV maintains a record of every suspension, and you can look it up yourself without waiting for a letter or phone call. Go to the DHSMV website at flhsmv.gov, select "Check Driver License Status," and enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will show your suspension reason and the date it took effect.
If you prefer not to use the online system, you can call the DHSMV Customer Service Center at 850-617-2000 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time. Have your driver's license number ready. The representative will tell you the suspension reason, any associated fines or court dates, and what you need to do to clear it. This phone call takes about five minutes and gives you a clear picture of what comes next.
Common Suspension Reasons and How to Resolve Each One
Unpaid traffic fines or court costs: If your license was suspended for failing to pay a fine or court cost, you must pay the full amount owed. You can pay online through the DHSMV website, by mail to the address listed on your citation, or in person at a county courthouse or DHSMV office. Once payment is received and processed, the DHSMV is notified automatically and your suspension is lifted — you do not need to file a separate reinstatement request in this case.
Failure to appear in court: If you missed a court date, you must appear in court or contact the court to resolve the failure to appear charge. This typically means paying a fine for the failure to appear itself, in addition to resolving the original traffic charge. Once the court notifies the DHSMV that the matter is resolved, your suspension is lifted. Contact the clerk of the court in the county where the charge was filed to find out what you owe and how to pay.
DUI conviction: A DUI suspension is more complex and involves a mandatory waiting period. You must complete a DUI education course (a 12-hour program in Florida), pay the reinstatement fee, and wait out any court-ordered suspension period. Once the waiting period ends, you submit your reinstatement request along with proof of course completion. Some DUI suspensions also require an ignition interlock device to be installed in your vehicle before reinstatement.
Accumulation of points: If you accumulated too many points on your driving record, your license was suspended automatically. You cannot remove points, but the suspension is lifted after a certain period — usually six months to one year depending on your record. You must still pay the reinstatement fee and submit a request to the DHSMV once the waiting period has passed.
Child support arrears: If your license was suspended because of unpaid child support, you must contact the Florida Department of Revenue's Child Support Enforcement program or the local child support office in your county. You will need to make a payment arrangement or pay the full amount owed. Once the child support agency notifies the DHSMV that the matter is resolved, your suspension is lifted.
Paying the Reinstatement Fee
The standard reinstatement fee in Florida is $150. This fee applies to most suspension types, including points accumulation, unpaid fines, and failure to appear. Some suspension reasons carry additional fees — for example, a DUI-related suspension may include a $250 fee in addition to the $150 reinstatement fee, depending on whether it is a first or subsequent offense.
You can pay the reinstatement fee online through the DHSMV website, by mail, or in person at any DHSMV office. If you pay online or by mail, include your driver's license number and the reason for your suspension so the payment is applied to the correct record. Payment by check or money order should be mailed to the address provided on the DHSMV website. If you pay in person at an office, bring your driver's license and a valid form of payment — cash, check, debit card, or credit card.
Submitting Your Reinstatement Request
Once you have resolved the underlying suspension reason and paid the reinstatement fee, you submit a formal reinstatement request to the DHSMV. You have three options: online, by mail, or in person. Each route has different timing and different requirements for what documents you need to bring or send.
Online reinstatement: Visit flhsmv.gov and select "Reinstate Your Driver License." You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will confirm that your suspension reason has been cleared and allow you to pay the reinstatement fee if you have not already done so. Once submitted, processing typically takes one to two weeks, and you will receive a new license by mail.
Reinstatement by mail: Complete Form HSMV 42030 (process for Reinstatement of Driver License) and mail it to the DHSMV address listed on the form, along with proof that you have resolved the suspension reason (such as a court document or payment receipt) and the reinstatement fee. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the DHSMV receives your request.
Reinstatement in person: Visit any DHSMV office with your driver's license, proof of resolution, and payment for the reinstatement fee. An office representative will process your request when ready, and in many cases you can receive a temporary driving permit on the spot that is valid for 30 days while your new license is printed and mailed to you.
What Happens After You Submit Your Request
After the DHSMV receives your reinstatement request, staff will verify that the suspension reason has been cleared and that all fees have been paid. This verification step typically takes one to two weeks. Once verified, the DHSMV will issue a new driver's license and mail it to the address on file. You should receive it within 7 to 10 business days of approval.
If you submitted your request in person at a DHSMV office, you may be issued a temporary permit that allows you to drive when ready while your permanent license is being printed. This temporary permit is usually valid for 30 days. Keep it with you while driving, as it serves as proof of your reinstatement until your new license arrives. If there is a problem with your request — for example, if the suspension reason was not fully resolved or if a fee was not processed correctly — the DHSMV will contact you by mail or phone. Check your mail regularly and answer any calls from the DHSMV so you can address issues quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
Not unless you received a temporary permit in person at a DHSMV office. If you submitted your request online or by mail, you must wait for your new license to arrive before driving. Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in Florida and can result in additional fines and jail time.
What if I cannot pay the reinstatement fee right now?
Contact the DHSMV at 850-617-2000 to ask about payment plans or hardship options. Some offices may work with you on timing, but you cannot reinstate your license without paying the full fee. If your suspension is due to unpaid fines, paying those fines may automatically lift the suspension without requiring a separate reinstatement fee.
How long does reinstatement take if I do it in person?
If you visit a DHSMV office in person with all required documents and payment, your request is processed when ready. You will receive a temporary permit valid for 30 days, and your permanent license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. This is the fastest option available.
Do I need a new license photo, or can I use my old one?
You will receive a new license with a new photo. When you reinstate in person at a DHSMV office, a new photo is taken as part of the process. If you reinstate online or by mail, the DHSMV will use the photo from your previous license unless you request otherwise.
What if my suspension reason was resolved but the DHSMV website still shows my license as suspended?
The DHSMV database can take a few days to update after a suspension reason is cleared. Wait three to five business days and check again. If the suspension still shows after that time, call 850-617-2000 to confirm the status and ask whether you can proceed with your reinstatement request.