What you need to do to get your Connecticut license back
A suspended Connecticut license means the state has temporarily taken away your driving privilege, but reinstatement is possible once you address whatever caused the suspension. The process depends on why your license was suspended — the most common reasons are unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, drug convictions, or accumulating too many points from traffic violations. Connecticut's DMV will not reinstate your license until you've resolved the underlying issue and paid a reinstatement fee.
The first step is always to find out the exact reason for your suspension. You cannot move forward without knowing this, because different suspension types require different actions. Once you know the reason, you'll contact the appropriate agency (usually the DMV, but sometimes the court or child support enforcement), resolve the issue, and then request reinstatement through the DMV.
Key Takeaways
- You must contact the Connecticut DMV to learn the specific reason your license was suspended before taking any other steps.
- Different suspension reasons require different resolutions — unpaid fines go through the court, child support issues go through the state enforcement agency, and drug convictions require a substance abuse program.
- You will need to pay a reinstatement fee to the DMV once the underlying issue is resolved.
- The DMV can reinstate your license the same day you resolve the issue and pay the fee, or you may need to wait for paperwork from another agency to reach the DMV first.
Find out why your license was suspended
Call the Connecticut DMV at 860-263-5700 and have your driver's license number ready. Tell them you need to know the reason for your suspension. The DMV representative will look up your record and tell you exactly what caused it. Write down the reason and any case or ticket numbers they give you — you'll need these to resolve the issue.
If the DMV tells you the suspension is related to a court case or child support, ask for the specific agency contact information. For traffic fines, ask which court issued the ticket. For child support, ask for the Connecticut Department of Social Services contact number. For drug convictions, ask what substance abuse program the state requires. Do not hang up until you have a clear next step and a phone number or agency name.
Resolve unpaid traffic fines or court-ordered fines
If your suspension is due to unpaid fines, you need to contact the court that issued the ticket or fine. The DMV will have given you the court name and case number. Call the court's traffic or criminal division and ask what you owe and whether you can pay over the phone, by mail, or in person.
Many Connecticut courts accept payment by phone or online through their website. Once you pay, ask the court clerk for written confirmation of payment — either a receipt number, a confirmation email, or a letter stating the fine is satisfied. Keep this proof. The court will notify the DMV that the fine is paid, but this can take several business days. You can call the DMV back after three business days to confirm the suspension has been lifted, or you can proceed directly to the reinstatement step below.
Resolve child support arrears
If your suspension is due to unpaid child support, contact the Connecticut Department of Social Services, Child Support Enforcement Unit, at 860-692-8037. Have your case number ready (the DMV will have given it to you). The agency will tell you the exact amount owed and your payment options.
You can often set up a payment plan rather than paying the full amount at once. Once you've made an arrangement or paid what is owed, ask the agency for written confirmation. They will send notice to the DMV that the arrears are resolved or that you're in compliance with a payment plan. This notification can take one to two weeks. After that time, you can contact the DMV to confirm the suspension has been lifted.
Complete a substance abuse program for drug-related suspensions
If your suspension resulted from a drug conviction or refusal to take a breath test, Connecticut requires you to complete a substance abuse program before reinstatement. The DMV will have told you this during your initial call. You need to find a program approved by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
Call the DMV back and ask for a list of approved programs in your area, or search the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services website. Once you enroll and complete the program, the provider will send proof of completion to the DMV. You cannot proceed to reinstatement until the DMV has received this documentation. After it arrives, contact the DMV to confirm your suspension has been lifted and to pay the reinstatement fee.
Pay the reinstatement fee and request reinstatement
Once the underlying issue is resolved and the DMV has been notified, you need to pay the reinstatement fee. As of the most recent update, Connecticut charges a reinstatement fee, though the exact amount varies depending on the reason for suspension. Call the DMV at 860-263-5700 to confirm the current fee amount and your payment options.
You can usually pay the reinstatement fee by phone, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. If you pay by phone or online, your license can be reinstated when ready once the payment is processed. If you pay by mail, allow five to seven business days for processing. After payment, the DMV will send you a new license or a notice confirming reinstatement. You can drive legally once the DMV confirms the suspension is lifted — you do not need to wait for a physical license to arrive in the mail.
What to do if reinstatement is delayed
If you've resolved the underlying issue and paid the reinstatement fee but the DMV has not yet lifted the suspension, call 860-263-5700 and ask for a status update. Sometimes paperwork from another agency (a court, child support enforcement, or a substance abuse program) takes longer than expected to reach the DMV. Ask the DMV representative to check whether they've received notification from the other agency.
If the other agency has not yet sent the notification, contact that agency directly and ask them to send it when ready. Provide them with the DMV's fax number or mailing address if they need it. Once the DMV receives the notification and you've paid the reinstatement fee, the suspension will be lifted. If there are any other holds on your license, the DMV will tell you about them at this point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement is being processed?
No. Driving with a suspended license is illegal in Connecticut and can result in additional fines, criminal charges, and a longer suspension. Wait until the DMV confirms your suspension has been lifted before driving.
What if I cannot afford to pay the full fine or reinstatement fee right now?
Contact the court or agency that issued the fine and ask about payment plans or hardship options. Many courts will work with you to set up installment payments. For child support, the Department of Social Services can establish a payment arrangement. Ask about these options before your reinstatement appointment.
Do I need to take a new driving test to get my license back?
No. Reinstatement does not require a new written or road test. You only need to resolve the underlying issue, pay the reinstatement fee, and request reinstatement from the DMV.
How long does reinstatement usually take?
If you resolve the issue in person and pay the reinstatement fee at a DMV office, your license can be reinstated the same day. If you pay by mail or if you're waiting for another agency to notify the DMV, allow five to ten business days. Drug-related suspensions take longer because the substance abuse program must send proof of completion first.
What if my license was suspended for multiple reasons?
You must resolve all of them before reinstatement. Call the DMV and ask for a complete list of every reason your license is suspended. Then work through each one. Once all issues are resolved and the DMV has been notified, you can pay the reinstatement fee and request reinstatement.