What you need to do to get your license back
To reinstate a suspended Texas driver's license, you must first find out why it was suspended — the reason determines what you have to do and how much it costs. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) suspends licenses for different reasons: unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, medical conditions reported to DPS, or accumulating too many points from traffic violations. Each reason has its own reinstatement path.
Once you know the reason, you will need to resolve the underlying issue — pay the fine, appear in court, satisfy the child support obligation, or clear the medical hold — and then request reinstatement through DPS. You cannot straightforward pay a reinstatement fee and get your license back. The fee comes after you have fixed the problem that caused the suspension.
Key Takeaways
- Your suspension reason determines what you must do first; you can find it by checking your DPS record online or calling the DPS Customer Service Bureau at 1-888-589-6556.
- If suspended for unpaid traffic fines or court costs, you must pay the debt to the court or collection agency, then request reinstatement through DPS.
- If suspended for failure to appear in court, you must resolve the case with the court before DPS will reinstate your license.
- The reinstatement fee is typically $100, but you cannot pay it until the underlying issue is resolved.
- You can request reinstatement online through the DPS website, by mail, or in person at a DPS office.
Finding out why your license was suspended
DPS does not always send a notice before suspending your license, so you may not know it has happened until you are stopped by police or try to renew. The fastest way to find out the reason is to check your driving record online through the DPS website. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you cannot access the online system or need to speak with someone, call the DPS Customer Service Bureau at 1-888-589-6556. They can tell you the suspension reason, the amount owed (if money is involved), and what steps you need to take. Have your driver's license number ready when you call.
You can also visit a DPS office in person to request a copy of your driving record. Bring a photo ID and be prepared to wait. The office will print your record on the spot, and staff can explain what the suspension means and what you need to do next.
Suspensions for unpaid traffic fines or court costs
If your license was suspended because you did not pay a traffic fine or court costs, you must pay the full amount owed before DPS will reinstate you. The money goes to the court that issued the ticket, not to DPS. If you do not know which court or how much you owe, call the court listed on your ticket or contact the DPS Customer Service Bureau — they can tell you where to send payment.
You can pay by mail, in person at the court, or sometimes online through the court's website. Ask for a receipt or confirmation of payment. Once the court has received and processed your payment, it will notify DPS that the debt is cleared. This can take a few days to a few weeks depending on the court's processing time.
After the court confirms payment to DPS, you can request reinstatement. You do not have to wait for DPS to contact you — you can request it yourself online, by mail, or in person. The reinstatement fee is typically $100, payable to DPS.
Suspensions for failure to appear in court
If you missed a court date, your license was suspended as a way to compel you to appear. You must resolve the case with the court before reinstatement is possible. This usually means going to the court and explaining why you missed the date, or working with an attorney to resolve the underlying charge.
Contact the court listed on your ticket or citation and ask what you need to do. Some courts will allow you to appear by phone or video if you live far away. Once the court resolves the case — whether by dismissal, conviction, or plea — it will notify DPS. You can then request reinstatement and pay the reinstatement fee.
If you are unsure which court has your case, call the DPS Customer Service Bureau and they can direct you to the right courthouse and provide the case number.
Suspensions for child support arrears
If your license was suspended because of unpaid child support, the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division or a local child support office will have suspended it. You must bring your child support account current — meaning you must pay all back support owed plus any ongoing monthly obligation — before DPS will reinstate your license.
Contact the child support office that manages your case. You can find it through the Texas Attorney General's website or by calling 1-800-252-8014. They will tell you the exact amount owed and your options for payment, including payment plans if you cannot pay in full when ready.
Once your account is current, the child support office will notify DPS. You can then request reinstatement and pay the reinstatement fee. If you are having trouble paying, ask the child support office about payment arrangements — they may be willing to work with you rather than keep your license suspended.
Suspensions for medical reasons
If DPS suspended your license because of a medical condition — such as a seizure disorder, vision loss, or other condition that affects driving safety — you must obtain medical clearance before reinstatement. This usually means seeing a doctor, having them complete a form provided by DPS, and submitting it to DPS.
Contact the DPS Medical Advisory Board or call the DPS Customer Service Bureau to find out what form your doctor needs to complete and what medical tests or evaluations are required. Your doctor will submit the form directly to DPS. Once DPS receives and approves the medical clearance, you can request reinstatement.
The reinstatement fee still applies. If your medical condition is not resolved, DPS will not reinstate your license, and you may need to wait and reapply later once your condition has improved or been treated.
How to request reinstatement once the issue is resolved
After you have resolved the underlying reason for suspension — paid the fine, appeared in court, satisfied child support, or obtained medical clearance — you can request reinstatement. You have three options: online through the DPS website, by mail, or in person at a DPS office.
Online: Visit the DPS website and use the online reinstatement request system. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and a credit or debit card to pay the reinstatement fee. The system will confirm your request when ready, though processing can take a few days.
By mail: Send a written request to the DPS address listed on your driving record or on the DPS website. Include your driver's license number, date of birth, the reason your license was suspended, and proof that you have resolved the issue (such as a receipt showing payment or a letter from the court). Include a check or money order for the reinstatement fee payable to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Mail takes longer — typically two to four weeks.
In person: Visit a DPS office with your driver's license, proof that the issue is resolved, and payment for the reinstatement fee. Staff will process your request on the spot, and you may receive a temporary driving permit while your permanent license is being printed and mailed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does reinstatement take after I request it?
Online requests typically process within a few business days. In-person requests at a DPS office may be processed the same day, and you may receive a temporary permit when ready. Mail requests take two to four weeks. Processing time can vary depending on DPS workload and whether your underlying issue has been fully resolved and reported to DPS.
What if I cannot afford to pay the fine or child support all at once?
Contact the court or child support office and ask about payment plans. Many courts and child support offices will set up a schedule allowing you to pay over time. Once you have a payment plan in place, ask whether DPS will reinstate your license while you are making payments, or whether you must pay in full first. Policies vary by court and office.
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. Your license remains suspended until DPS officially reinstates it. Driving on a suspended license is illegal and can result in additional fines, criminal charges, and further suspension. If you received a temporary permit in person at a DPS office, that permit allows you to drive during the processing period.
What if I do not know which court issued my ticket?
Call the DPS Customer Service Bureau at 1-888-589-6556 with your driver's license number and the date of the ticket. They can tell you which court has your case and provide the court's phone number and address. You can also search for your case online through the Texas Justice Court Training Center website if you know the county where you received the ticket.
Do I have to pay the reinstatement fee even if the suspension was a mistake?
If DPS made an error and your license should not have been suspended, you may be able to dispute it. Contact the DPS Customer Service Bureau or visit a DPS office to explain the situation. If DPS agrees the suspension was an error, they may reinstate your license without the fee. If the error was made by a court or child support office, you may need to work with them to correct it before DPS will act.