Where to reinstate your license in Miami-Dade County
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts handles license reinstatement for suspensions tied to traffic court cases — specifically cases where a judge ordered your license suspended or where you owe court fines related to a traffic violation. This is different from suspensions issued directly by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) for reasons like unpaid tolls, child support arrears, or medical reasons.
If your suspension came from a Miami-Dade traffic court case, the Clerk's office is where you resolve it. You cannot reinstate through DHSMV until the Clerk confirms the court matter is cleared. The Clerk's main office is located at 73 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130, and they also operate satellite locations in Doral and Homestead.
Before you visit, confirm that your suspension actually originated in Miami-Dade traffic court. You can call the Clerk's Criminal and Traffic Division at 305-375-2500 to verify this and learn what specific documents you need to bring.
Key Takeaways
- The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts handles reinstatement only for suspensions ordered by a traffic court judge or tied to unpaid court fines in Miami-Dade cases.
- You must resolve the underlying court matter — usually by paying fines, completing traffic school, or satisfying other court-ordered conditions — before the Clerk can clear your suspension.
- Once the Clerk confirms the court case is resolved, you still need to explore for reinstatement through DHSMV, either online, by mail, or in person at a Florida DMV office.
- The Clerk's office does not charge a reinstatement fee, but DHSMV charges a reinstatement fee that varies depending on the reason for your suspension.
- Bring proof of identity, your driver's license number, and documentation showing you have met all court requirements when you contact or visit the Clerk.
What the court must clear before reinstatement can happen
A traffic court suspension typically stays in place until you satisfy the condition that triggered it. The most common reasons are unpaid fines, failure to appear in court, or failure to complete a required traffic school course. The Clerk's office will not clear your suspension until that condition is met.
If you owe fines, you can pay them at the Clerk's office in person, by phone at 305-375-2500, or online through the Clerk's website. Ask which payment method is fastest for your situation. If you were ordered to complete traffic school, you must finish the course and provide proof of completion to the court — the Clerk can tell you whether the school has already reported it or whether you need to submit documentation yourself.
If you failed to appear in court, you may need to resolve that separately before the Clerk can process reinstatement. Call the Criminal and Traffic Division to learn whether you can handle this by phone or whether you must appear in person.
Steps to take after the court matter is resolved
Once the Clerk confirms your court case is closed and all conditions are met, ask them to submit a clearance to DHSMV. This is not automatic — you may need to request it explicitly. The Clerk will provide you with documentation showing the suspension has been cleared on their end.
After the Clerk clears the suspension, you must then explore for reinstatement through DHSMV. You have three options: explore online at the DHSMV website, mail an process to DHSMV, or visit a Florida DMV office in person. Online is usually the fastest route if your suspension reason is court-related.
When you explore to DHSMV, you will need to pay a reinstatement fee. The amount varies — it is typically between $45 and $150 depending on the original reason for suspension and whether this is your first reinstatement. DHSMV will tell you the exact fee when you begin your process.
Documents and information to have ready
Before you contact the Clerk, gather your Florida driver's license number, your date of birth, and the case number from your traffic court case if you have it. If you do not have the case number, the Clerk can look it up using your name and driver's license number, but having it speeds the process.
If you paid fines, bring a receipt or confirmation number. If you completed traffic school, bring the certificate of completion or the name and contact information of the school so the Clerk can verify it. If you were ordered to do anything else — community service, defensive driving, etc. — bring proof of completion.
When you later explore to DHSMV for reinstatement, you will need a valid form of identification (passport, state ID, or another government-issued ID) and your Social Security number. DHSMV will also ask whether you want to renew your license at the same time, which costs extra but saves you a trip later.
Timeline and what to expect
Clearing the court matter usually takes one to three business days if you pay fines in person or online. If you need to appear in court or if documentation from traffic school is delayed, it can take longer. Once the Clerk clears the suspension, ask them how long it typically takes for that clearance to reach DHSMV — this varies but is usually one to five business days.
After you explore to DHSMV for reinstatement, processing time depends on your method. Online applications are usually processed within one to three business days. Mail applications take one to two weeks. In-person applications at a DMV office are often processed the same day, though you may wait in line.
Your new license will be mailed to you if you applied online or by mail. If you applied in person at a DMV office, you can usually pick it up when ready or have it mailed, depending on the office's policy.
If your suspension is not from Miami-Dade traffic court
Some driver's license suspensions are issued by DHSMV directly, not by a court. These include suspensions for unpaid tolls, child support arrears, medical reasons, or accumulation of points. The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts cannot clear these suspensions — you must work directly with DHSMV or the agency that triggered the suspension.
If you are unsure whether your suspension came from a court or from DHSMV, call the Clerk's Criminal and Traffic Division at 305-375-2500. They can tell you in minutes. You can also check your suspension status online through the DHSMV website, which will indicate the reason and the issuing agency.
Contact information and office hours
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts Criminal and Traffic Division can be reached at 305-375-2500. The main office at 73 West Flagler Street is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Doral and Homestead satellite locations have different hours, so call ahead if you plan to visit one of those offices.
You can also visit the Clerk's website to pay fines online, look up your case, or find additional contact information. Having your case number or driver's license number ready will speed up any phone call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my suspension is being cleared?
No. Driving with a suspended license is illegal in Florida and can result in additional charges. You must wait until DHSMV confirms your reinstatement is complete before you drive. Check your reinstatement status online through the DHSMV website or call them to confirm.
What if I cannot pay my fines all at once?
Call the Clerk's Criminal and Traffic Division at 305-375-2500 to ask about payment plans. Many courts allow you to set up a schedule to pay fines over time. A payment plan does not clear your suspension when ready, but it shows the court you are working to resolve it.
Do I have to visit the Clerk's office in person?
No. You can pay fines by phone or online, and you can ask about your case status by phone. You only need to visit in person if the Clerk tells you that you must appear in court or if you prefer to handle everything face-to-face.
How much does reinstatement cost?
The Miami-Dade Clerk does not charge a reinstatement fee. However, DHSMV charges a reinstatement fee that typically ranges from $45 to $150, depending on the reason for your suspension. You pay this fee when you explore to DHSMV, not to the Clerk.
What if the Clerk says my case is cleared but DHSMV still shows my license as suspended?
There can be a delay of several days between when the Clerk clears the suspension and when DHSMV's system updates. If more than a week has passed, call DHSMV at 850-617-2000 to confirm they received the clearance from the Clerk. Have your driver's license number ready.