What you need to do to get your Arizona license back

A suspended Arizona license means you cannot legally drive until the suspension is lifted. The state will not reinstate your license automatically — you must take specific steps with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to have the suspension removed. The exact steps depend on why your license was suspended, but all reinstatement routes require you to resolve the underlying issue first, then submit a reinstatement request to ADOT with proof that the problem is fixed.

You cannot drive during a suspension, even with a restricted or hardship license, unless ADOT has specifically issued one. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Arizona and carries its own penalties.

Key Takeaways

  • You must first resolve the reason for suspension — paying fines, completing a DUI program, paying child support arrears, or clearing a medical hold — before ADOT will consider reinstatement.
  • Contact ADOT's Driver Services Bureau directly to confirm what documents and fees you need for your specific suspension reason.
  • Submit your reinstatement request and supporting documents to ADOT by mail, in person, or through their online portal if your suspension type allows it.
  • ADOT typically processes reinstatement requests within two to four weeks, but some suspension types take longer depending on court or agency involvement.
  • A reinstatement fee of $50 applies to most suspensions, though some suspension types have additional costs.

Common reasons for Arizona license suspension and what each requires

Arizona suspends licenses for many reasons, and the reinstatement path differs for each. The most common are unpaid traffic fines or court costs, DUI or implied consent violations, failure to pay child support, failure to appear in court, and medical holds placed by a physician or the state.

If your suspension is for unpaid fines or court costs, you must pay the full amount owed before ADOT will reinstate. Contact the court that issued the fine to confirm the exact balance, because partial payment will not lift the suspension. If your suspension is tied to a DUI or refusal to take a breath test, you must complete a certified DUI education program (usually a 16-hour or 36-hour course depending on your record) and provide proof of completion to ADOT. Child support suspensions require the Arizona Department of Child Support Services to certify that you are current on payments or have entered a payment agreement. Failure-to-appear suspensions require the court to recall the suspension, which usually happens once you resolve the underlying case or appear as ordered.

How to contact ADOT and find out what documents you need

Call ADOT's Driver Services Bureau at 602-255-0072 to speak with someone who can tell you exactly what your suspension requires. Have your driver's license number and date of birth ready. The staff can confirm the suspension reason, tell you what documents to submit, and explain whether you can reinstate by mail or must appear in person.

You can also visit an ADOT office in person to get the same information and submit documents on the spot. ADOT has offices in Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, Peoria, Tempe, and Flagstaff. Bring your identification and any documents related to the suspension — court papers, proof of payment, program completion certificates, or child support clearance letters.

Some suspension types allow online reinstatement through the ADOT website, though you will still need to mail or deliver original documents. Check the ADOT website or call to confirm whether your suspension type can be handled online.

Steps to resolve the underlying issue before requesting reinstatement

The first step is always to fix what caused the suspension. If fines are owed, contact the court and pay in full. If a DUI program is required, enroll in a certified program — ADOT maintains a list of approved providers on its website. If child support is the issue, contact the Arizona Department of Child Support Services at 1-800-882-4151 to arrange payment or a payment plan. If you failed to appear in court, contact the court directly to reschedule or resolve the case.

Keep all receipts and completion certificates. You will need to show ADOT proof that the issue is resolved — a court receipt showing payment, a certificate of completion from a DUI program, a letter from child support services confirming current status, or a court order recalling the suspension. Without this proof, ADOT cannot process your reinstatement.

Submitting your reinstatement request to ADOT

Once you have resolved the underlying issue, you can request reinstatement. You have three options: mail, in-person delivery, or online (if available for your suspension type). By mail, send your reinstatement request form, proof that the issue is resolved, and the $50 reinstatement fee to ADOT Driver Services, 1801 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007. Include a copy of your driver's license or identification card.

In person, visit any ADOT office with the same documents and fee. Processing is usually faster in person because staff can verify documents when ready and tell you if anything is missing. Online reinstatement is available for some suspension types through the ADOT website — follow the prompts to upload documents and pay the fee electronically.

ADOT will send you a confirmation letter once your reinstatement is approved. You can then pick up your reinstated license at an ADOT office or have it mailed to you. Some suspensions require a new photo and will be mailed; others straightforward lift the suspension on your existing license.

Reinstatement fees and what they cover

The standard reinstatement fee is $50 for most suspension types. Some suspensions carry additional costs — for example, if your license was suspended for a medical reason, you may need to pay for a medical evaluation or clearance letter from a physician before ADOT will reinstate. DUI-related suspensions do not have an additional fee beyond the $50 reinstatement, but you must pay for the DUI education program separately.

The $50 fee covers ADOT's processing of your reinstatement request and the administrative cost of lifting the suspension. It does not cover any fines, court costs, child support arrears, or program fees — those are separate obligations you must resolve before requesting reinstatement.

How long reinstatement takes and what to expect

ADOT typically processes reinstatement requests within two to four weeks from the date they receive all required documents. If you submit by mail, add three to five business days for delivery. If documents are missing or incomplete, ADOT will contact you and processing will pause until you provide what is needed.

Some suspension types take longer because they require court or agency sign-off. For example, if your suspension is tied to an active criminal case, the court must resolve the case before ADOT can reinstate. If your suspension is for child support, the Department of Child Support Services must send ADOT written confirmation that you are current. During this time, you cannot legally drive.

Once ADOT approves your reinstatement, you will receive a letter confirming it. If you requested a mailed license, it will arrive within one to two weeks. If you need to drive before the license arrives, you can request a temporary driving permit from ADOT, though not all suspension types allow this — ask when you submit your reinstatement request.

What to do if your reinstatement request is denied

ADOT will deny a reinstatement request if the underlying issue is not fully resolved or if required documents are missing. If your request is denied, ADOT will send you a letter explaining why. Read it carefully — it will tell you exactly what still needs to be done.

Common reasons for denial include incomplete payment of fines, failure to complete a required program, or missing documentation. Contact ADOT or the relevant agency (court, child support services, DUI program) to fix the problem, then resubmit your request with the corrected or additional documents. There is no additional fee for resubmission if you are correcting the same request, but if the underlying issue has changed, new fees may explore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a hardship or restricted license while my license is suspended?

Arizona does not issue hardship licenses for most suspension types. If your suspension is for unpaid fines, child support, or failure to appear, you cannot drive for any reason during the suspension. For DUI-related suspensions, you may be able to request a restricted license that allows driving to work or school, but you must request this separately from ADOT and meet specific requirements — contact ADOT to learn if your situation qualifies.

What happens if I drive on a suspended license?

Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Arizona. A first offense is a class 1 misdemeanor, which can result in jail time, fines, and an additional license suspension. The penalties increase for repeat offenses. Even if you are close to getting your license reinstated, do not drive during the suspension.

Do I have to go to an ADOT office in person, or can I handle everything by mail?

Most suspension types can be handled by mail or online. However, some require an in-person appearance — for example, if a medical evaluation is needed or if ADOT needs to take a new photo for your license. Call ADOT at 602-255-0072 to confirm whether your suspension type requires an in-person visit.

How much does it cost to reinstate my license?

The reinstatement fee is $50 for most suspension types. However, you must also pay any fines, court costs, child support arrears, or program fees that caused the suspension in the first place. These costs are separate from the reinstatement fee and must be paid before ADOT will process your request.

Can I reinstate my license online?

Some suspension types allow online reinstatement through the ADOT website, but not all. Check the ADOT website or call 602-255-0072 to confirm whether your suspension type can be handled online. Even if online reinstatement is available, you will still need to mail or deliver original documents proving the underlying issue is resolved.