Reinstatement after a DUI conviction in Florida requires you to complete specific steps with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), not online. You must serve a suspension period, complete a DUI course, pay reinstatement fees, and submit proof to DHSMV in person or by mail before your license becomes valid again.
The reinstatement process is not a single online form. Instead, it is a sequence of actions that happen in a set order, and skipping a step or doing them out of order will delay your reinstatement. The length of your suspension, the courses you must take, and the fees you owe depend on whether this is your first DUI offense and whether anyone was injured.
Key Takeaways
- Your license suspension begins on the date of your arrest, not the date of conviction, and lasts 6 months to 3 years depending on your offense history.
- You must complete a DUI course approved by DHSMV and a substance abuse evaluation before you can reinstate, even if you completed them for court.
- Reinstatement requires submitting an SR-44 form (proof of insurance) and paying a reinstatement fee of $100 to $250 to DHSMV by mail or in person.
- DHSMV will not reinstate your license until your suspension period has fully ended and all required documents are received and processed.
- You can check your suspension status and required documents on the DHSMV website or by calling your local DHSMV office.
How long your license stays suspended
Your suspension period starts on the date you were arrested, not the date you were convicted or pleaded guilty. This matters because time already served counts toward your total suspension length. If you were arrested six months ago and your suspension is one year, you have six months left to wait.
A first DUI offense carries a six-month suspension. A second DUI within five years carries a five-year suspension. A third or subsequent DUI within ten years carries a ten-year suspension. If your DUI involved an accident that injured or killed someone, your suspension is longer and reinstatement is more complex — you may need to work with an attorney or a DUI specialist to understand your specific requirements.
You can find your exact suspension end date by logging into your DHSMV account at flhsmv.gov or by calling your county's DHSMV office. Have your driver's license number ready.
The DUI course you must complete
Florida requires you to complete a DUI course approved by DHSMV before reinstatement. This is separate from any court-ordered course you may have already taken. If you completed a course for your criminal case, you still need to complete the DHSMV-approved course — they do not count as the same thing.
The course is typically 12 hours long and covers alcohol and drug awareness, impaired driving risks, and substance abuse. You take it in person at a provider approved by DHSMV. You can find approved providers by searching "DUI course" plus your county name, or by calling your local DHSMV office for a list.
The course costs between $150 and $300 depending on the provider. When you finish, the provider gives you a completion certificate. Keep this certificate — you will need to submit it to DHSMV as proof.
The substance abuse evaluation
You must also complete a substance abuse evaluation before reinstatement. This is a one-on-one or group assessment conducted by a licensed evaluator, not the same as the DUI course. The evaluator will ask about your drinking or drug use history and may recommend treatment.
If the evaluator recommends treatment, you must complete it before DHSMV will reinstate your license. Treatment can range from outpatient counseling to residential programs, depending on the recommendation. If no treatment is recommended, you only need the evaluation report.
You can find evaluators through your county's substance abuse treatment provider network or by asking your DUI course provider for a referral. The evaluation typically costs $100 to $300. Request a written report when you complete it — you will submit this to DHSMV.
Gathering your reinstatement documents
Before you contact DHSMV, collect the following documents in one place: your DUI course completion certificate, your substance abuse evaluation report, proof of any treatment completion (if required), and your SR-44 form.
The SR-44 is a proof-of-insurance form that shows DHSMV you have valid auto insurance. You get this from your insurance company — call them and ask for an SR-44 or an "insurance certificate for license reinstatement." They will mail it to you or send it directly to DHSMV. Some insurance companies charge a small fee for this form, usually $10 to $25.
You will also need to pay a reinstatement fee. For a first offense, the fee is $100. For a second offense within five years, it is $250. For a third or subsequent offense, it is $250. This fee is separate from any court fines you owe.
Submitting your reinstatement request to DHSMV
Once your suspension period has ended and you have all required documents, you can submit them to DHSMV. You have two options: mail them or go in person to a DHSMV office.
To mail your documents, send them to the DHSMV address for your county. Include your DUI course certificate, substance abuse evaluation report, SR-44 form, reinstatement fee (by check or money order), and a cover letter with your name, date of birth, and driver's license number. Mail everything to your county's DHSMV office — you can find the address on the DHSMV website.
To submit in person, bring the same documents and fee to your local DHSMV office. Bring your ID and be prepared to wait. Processing takes one to two weeks after DHSMV receives your documents. You will receive a new license in the mail once your reinstatement is approved.
What to do if your reinstatement is delayed
If more than two weeks have passed since you submitted your documents and you have not heard from DHSMV, call your county's DHSMV office to check the status. Have your driver's license number and the date you submitted your documents ready.
Common reasons for delays include missing documents, an incomplete SR-44 form, or a fee that did not process. DHSMV will contact you if something is missing, but sometimes the letter gets delayed. Calling ahead saves time.
If your suspension period has ended but DHSMV has not yet processed your reinstatement, your license is still suspended. Do not drive — you can be charged with driving with a suspended license, which carries separate criminal penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive before my reinstatement is approved?
No. Your license remains suspended until DHSMV officially reinstates it. Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Florida. Wait for your new license to arrive in the mail before driving.
Do I have to take the DUI course if I already took one for court?
Yes. The court-ordered course and the DHSMV-required course are different requirements. You must complete both, even if they cover similar material. Some providers offer combined courses that satisfy both requirements — ask when you register.
What if I cannot afford the DUI course or evaluation?
Some community health centers and nonprofit organizations offer reduced-cost or sliding-scale DUI courses and evaluations. Call your county's substance abuse treatment hotline or 211 to find low-cost providers in your area. You still must complete the course and evaluation to reinstate.
Can I get a hardship license while my suspension is active?
Florida does not issue hardship licenses for DUI suspensions. You must wait out the full suspension period. If you need to drive for work or medical reasons, talk to an attorney about whether your case qualifies for any exceptions — this is rare and depends on your specific circumstances.
What happens if I move to another state before my reinstatement?
Your Florida suspension follows you. You cannot get a license in another state while your Florida license is suspended. You must complete Florida's reinstatement process before you can obtain a license elsewhere.