Alabama requires you to pay all fines and fees, resolve the reason for suspension, and file a reinstatement request with the Department of Public Safety
A suspended license in Alabama means you cannot legally drive until the suspension is lifted. The state suspends licenses for unpaid traffic fines, child support arrears, drug convictions, accumulating too many points, or failing to appear in court. To reinstate your license, you must first address the underlying reason — paying what you owe, completing a required program, or waiting out a mandatory suspension period — then submit a reinstatement request and pay a reinstatement fee to the Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS).
The process is not automatic. Even after you resolve the reason for suspension, your license stays suspended until you take action. The DPS does not notify you when you are may be able to access to reinstate; you must contact them or check your status yourself.
Key Takeaways
- You must identify why your license was suspended — unpaid fines, child support, court failure, drug conviction, or point accumulation — because each reason has different requirements before reinstatement is possible.
- Contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety at 334-242-4400 or visit their office in Montgomery to confirm what you owe and what steps you must complete.
- Reinstatement requires paying all outstanding fines, fees, and the reinstatement fee itself, which varies depending on the reason for suspension.
- After you resolve the underlying issue and pay fees, you must file a formal reinstatement request with the DPS; your license does not automatically restore.
Finding out why your license was suspended
Alabama suspends licenses for specific reasons, and you need to know yours before you can fix it. The most common reasons are unpaid traffic fines or court costs, accumulating 12 or more points within a two-year period, failing to appear for a court date, child support arrears reported by the Department of Human Resources, or a drug-related conviction.
Call the Alabama Department of Public Safety at 334-242-4400 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and provide your driver's license number. They will tell you the suspension reason and what you must do to resolve it. If you were suspended for unpaid fines, ask which court or agency holds the debt. If it is child support, the DPS will direct you to the Department of Human Resources. If it is points, ask whether the suspension is mandatory or whether you have options.
You can also visit the DPS office in person at 301 South Ripley Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104. Bring your driver's license or state ID. This is often faster than calling if you need when ready answers or have documents to show.
Paying fines, fees, and court costs
If your suspension is due to unpaid traffic fines or court costs, you must pay the full amount before reinstatement is possible. Contact the court that issued the ticket or citation — the DPS can tell you which court — and ask for the total amount owed, including any collection fees or late charges that have accumulated.
Most Alabama courts accept payment by phone, online, or in person. Some courts use a third-party payment processor; ask whether there is a convenience fee. Pay the court directly, not the DPS. Keep your receipt or confirmation number.
If you cannot pay the full amount at once, some courts offer payment plans. Call the court clerk and ask whether they will accept installments. Courts are not required to offer this, but many do. A payment plan does not reinstate your license when ready — you must complete the plan before you can request reinstatement — but it may be your only option if you lack the funds upfront.
Resolving child support arrears
If the Department of Human Resources reported child support arrears to the DPS, your license remains suspended until you bring your account current or reach an agreement with the child support enforcement office. Contact the Department of Human Resources, Child Support Enforcement Division, at 334-242-9300 or visit their website to find your local office.
Ask for your account balance and whether you can set up a payment plan. The state may suspend your license again if you fall behind after reinstatement, so understand the full obligation before you commit. If you are unemployed or your income has changed, explain this to the enforcement office — they may adjust your obligation or allow a temporary pause.
Once you have paid what is owed or signed a payment agreement, ask the Department of Human Resources for written confirmation that your account is in compliance. Bring this to the DPS when you request reinstatement.
Waiting out mandatory suspension periods
Some suspensions are mandatory and cannot be shortened. A suspension for a drug-related conviction, for example, lasts a minimum of six months from the date of conviction. A suspension for accumulating 12 points in two years lasts a minimum of three months. You cannot pay your way out of these — you must wait.
Mark the date your suspension began and count forward to determine when you become may be able to access. The DPS can tell you the exact date. Once that date passes, you can request reinstatement, but the suspension does not lift automatically. You still must file a reinstatement request and pay the reinstatement fee.
If you were suspended for failing to appear in court, you must resolve the underlying case before you can reinstate. Contact the court that issued the warrant and ask what is required — usually appearing in person or having an attorney appear on your behalf. Once the case is resolved, the suspension reason is cleared and you can proceed with reinstatement.
Filing a reinstatement request and paying the fee
After you have resolved the reason for suspension — paid fines, cleared child support arrears, completed a required program, or waited out a mandatory period — you must file a formal reinstatement request with the Alabama Department of Public Safety. You can do this by mail, phone, or in person.
By mail: Send a letter to the Alabama Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division, 301 South Ripley Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104. Include your full name, date of birth, driver's license number, and a statement that you have resolved the suspension reason. Attach copies of proof — a court receipt, child support compliance letter, or completion certificate. Include a check or money order for the reinstatement fee, made payable to the State of Alabama. The reinstatement fee is typically $20 to $50 depending on the suspension reason; ask the DPS for the exact amount when you call.
By phone: Call 334-242-4400 and tell them you are ready to reinstate. They will confirm that the suspension reason has been cleared in their system, provide the reinstatement fee amount, and explain payment options. Some offices accept credit card payments over the phone.
In person: Visit the DPS office at 301 South Ripley Street, Montgomery, with proof that you have resolved the suspension reason and payment for the reinstatement fee. Bring your driver's license or state ID. Processing usually takes a few minutes if everything is in order.
What happens after you file for reinstatement
After you submit your reinstatement request, the DPS processes it and updates their system. If you applied by mail, allow 5 to 10 business days for processing. If you applied in person or by phone, your license may be reinstated the same day or within one business day.
You do not receive a new physical license card automatically. Your existing license becomes valid again once the suspension is lifted. If your license has expired for other reasons, you will need to renew it separately through the normal renewal process.
Check your status by calling the DPS at 334-242-4400 or visiting their office. They can confirm whether your reinstatement has been processed and your license is active. Do not drive until you have confirmed that the suspension has been lifted — driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense in Alabama and can result in arrest, additional fines, and license suspension extension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. Your license remains suspended until the DPS officially lifts the suspension. Driving during this period is illegal and can result in arrest and additional penalties. Wait for confirmation that your reinstatement has been completed before you drive.
What if I cannot pay the full reinstatement fee right now?
Contact the DPS and ask whether they offer payment plans for the reinstatement fee itself. Some offices do; others do not. If they do not, you may need to wait until you can pay the full amount. The fee is typically $20 to $50, so saving for it may be faster than waiting for a payment plan.
Do I need a lawyer to reinstate my license?
No. Reinstatement is an administrative process that you can handle yourself by contacting the DPS, paying what you owe, and submitting your request. A lawyer is not required unless your suspension is tied to a criminal case or court matter that needs legal representation.
What if my suspension was due to a mistake or I disagree with it?
Contact the DPS and explain the issue. If the suspension was entered in error, they can correct it. If you disagree with the reason — for example, you believe the points were miscounted — ask the DPS how to file a formal dispute. You may need to contact the court or the agency that reported the violation.
Will my insurance rates go up after reinstatement?
Your insurance company may have already increased your rates when your license was suspended. After reinstatement, rates typically do not change further unless you have additional violations. Contact your insurance agent to discuss your specific situation.