What You Need to Do to Reinstate Your License
To reinstate a suspended Florida driver's license, you must first contact the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to find out why your license was suspended and what specific steps are required. The reinstatement process depends entirely on the reason for suspension — whether it was for unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, medical reasons, or another cause. Once you know the reason, you will need to resolve that underlying issue (pay fines, appear in court, or satisfy whatever condition caused the suspension) and then submit a reinstatement request to DHSMV, either in person, by mail, or online.
The reinstatement fee is $45 in most cases, though some suspensions carry additional fees depending on the cause. After DHSMV processes your request and confirms the underlying issue has been resolved, your license will be reinstated and you can legally drive again. The entire process typically takes one to three weeks if you handle everything correctly the first time.
Key Takeaways
- Call the DHSMV at 850-617-3000 or check your suspension notice to learn the exact reason your license was suspended, because each reason requires a different resolution step.
- You must resolve the underlying issue — pay court fines, appear in court, satisfy child support obligations, or complete a required medical evaluation — before DHSMV will reinstate your license.
- Submit your reinstatement request online through the DHSMV website, by mail to the address on your suspension notice, or in person at a local DHSMV office.
- The reinstatement fee is $45 for most suspensions, though some reasons (like suspension for unpaid child support) may require additional fees or proof of payment.
Find Out Why Your License Was Suspended
Your suspension notice should state the reason, but if you no longer have it or need clarification, contact DHSMV directly. Call 850-617-3000 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time) and have your driver's license number ready. The representative will tell you the exact reason and what you must do to resolve it.
Common suspension reasons include unpaid traffic citations, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, failure to pay court-ordered restitution, medical suspension (usually for failing a vision or medical exam), or suspension due to accumulating too many points on your driving record. Each reason has a different resolution path, so getting this detail right saves you time and money.
Resolve the Underlying Issue
Once you know why your license was suspended, you must address that specific problem before reinstatement is possible. If your suspension was for unpaid traffic fines, you will need to pay the full amount owed. Contact the court listed on your citation or call the county clerk's office to confirm the exact amount and payment methods accepted (most courts accept payment by phone, online, or in person).
If you failed to appear in court, you must appear before the judge or contact the court to reschedule your hearing. If your suspension is related to unpaid child support, contact the Florida Department of Revenue's Child Support Enforcement program at 1-800-622-5437 to arrange payment or a payment plan. If your suspension is medical-related, you will need to complete the required medical evaluation or vision test and submit the results to DHSMV.
Do not skip this step. DHSMV will verify that the underlying issue has been resolved before processing your reinstatement request, and submitting a reinstatement request before resolving the issue will delay your case and may result in rejection.
Submit Your Reinstatement Request
You have three ways to submit your reinstatement request: online, by mail, or in person. The online method is fastest — visit the DHSMV website at flhsmv.gov, navigate to the "Driver Licenses" section, and look for the reinstatement option. You will need to enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the reason for suspension, then pay the $45 reinstatement fee by credit or debit card.
If you prefer to submit by mail, send a letter to the DHSMV address listed on your suspension notice. Include your full name, date of birth, driver's license number, the reason for suspension, proof that you have resolved the underlying issue (such as a receipt showing payment of fines or a court document showing your appearance), and a check or money order for $45 made payable to "DHSMV". Mail it to the address on your notice and allow two to three weeks for processing.
To submit in person, visit your local DHSMV office with your identification, proof that the underlying issue has been resolved, and $45 in cash or card payment. You can find your nearest office at flhsmv.gov or by calling 850-617-3000. In-person submission often results in faster processing because staff can verify your information when ready.
What Happens After You Submit Your Request
After DHSMV receives your reinstatement request, they will verify that the underlying issue has been resolved. This verification step typically takes one to two weeks. If everything is in order, DHSMV will process your reinstatement and send you a confirmation letter or email (depending on how you submitted your request). Your license will be reinstated as of the date DHSMV processes your request, and you can legally drive when ready upon receiving confirmation.
If DHSMV cannot verify that the underlying issue has been resolved, they will send you a notice explaining what additional information or action is needed. This is why it is critical to keep receipts, court documents, or other proof of resolution — you may need to submit these documents to DHSMV if they request them.
Handle Multiple Suspensions or Holds
If your license has been suspended for more than one reason, you must resolve all of them before reinstatement is possible. For example, if your license is suspended for both unpaid traffic fines and unpaid child support, you will need to pay the fines and satisfy the child support obligation before submitting your reinstatement request. When you call DHSMV at 850-617-3000, ask the representative to list all active suspensions on your record so you know everything that must be addressed.
Some suspensions may also have holds placed on them by other agencies — for example, a hold by the Florida Department of Revenue or a court. DHSMV will inform you of any holds when you call, and you will need to contact the agency that placed the hold to have it removed before your license can be reinstated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. Your license remains suspended until DHSMV officially reinstates it. Driving with a suspended license is illegal and can result in additional fines, criminal charges, and further suspension. Wait for written confirmation from DHSMV before driving.
What if I cannot pay the full amount owed right away?
Contact the court or agency that imposed the suspension and ask about payment plans or hardship options. Many courts allow you to pay fines in installments. Once you have arranged a payment plan and made the first payment, contact DHSMV to ask whether you can submit a reinstatement request while the plan is in progress — policies vary by suspension reason.
How long does reinstatement take?
Online and in-person submissions typically take one to two weeks. Mail submissions take two to three weeks. The timeline assumes you have already resolved the underlying issue; if DHSMV must verify resolution or if you have multiple suspensions, processing may take longer.
Do I need to take a new driving test to reinstate my license?
No, unless your suspension was specifically for medical reasons and you were required to pass a medical or vision exam. In that case, you must complete the exam and submit the results to DHSMV before reinstatement. For all other suspension reasons, you do not need to retake any test.
What if I lost my suspension notice and do not know the reason?
Call DHSMV at 850-617-3000 with your driver's license number and date of birth. They will tell you the reason for suspension and what you need to do to resolve it. You can also request a replacement suspension notice by mail if you need written documentation.