How to reinstate your Arizona driver's license
To reinstate your Arizona driver's license after suspension, you must contact the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Motor Vehicle Division, pay any required reinstatement fees, and meet the conditions that caused the suspension in the first place. The process differs depending on why your license was suspended — whether for unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, medical reasons, or administrative violations. Most people can start the reinstatement process online, by mail, or in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office.
The first step is always to find out the specific reason your license was suspended. ADOT will not reinstate it until that reason is resolved. For example, if your suspension was due to unpaid child support, you must contact the Department of Child Support Services. If it was due to unpaid traffic fines or court costs, you must pay those amounts to the court that issued the citation. Once the underlying issue is cleared, you can then proceed with reinstatement through ADOT.
Key Takeaways
- Your license suspension reason determines what you must do first — paying fines, resolving child support, or clearing a medical hold — before ADOT will reinstate it.
- ADOT charges a reinstatement fee that varies by suspension type, typically ranging from $50 to $100, plus any original fines or court costs you owe.
- You can begin the reinstatement process online through the ADOT website, by mail with a completed form, or in person at any Motor Vehicle Division office.
- Processing time is usually five to ten business days if you submit everything correctly, though court-related suspensions may take longer depending on the court's schedule.
Determine why your license was suspended
ADOT suspends licenses for specific reasons, and you cannot move forward until you know which one applies to you. The most common reasons are unpaid traffic citations or court fines, failure to appear for a court date, unpaid child support, medical disqualification, or administrative violations such as accumulating too many points on your driving record.
To find out why your license is suspended, visit the ADOT website and use the Driver License Status Check tool, or call the Motor Vehicle Division at 602-255-0072. Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready. The status check will tell you the exact reason and what you need to do to clear it. If the suspension is related to a court matter, the court clerk can also provide this information.
Resolve the underlying cause of suspension
Once you know the reason, take action to resolve it before contacting ADOT about reinstatement. If your suspension is due to unpaid traffic fines or court costs, contact the court listed on your citation and pay the full amount owed. The court will then notify ADOT that the fine is paid, though this notification can take several days.
If your suspension is related to child support, contact the Department of Child Support Services at 1-800-882-4151 or visit their website to arrange payment or a payment plan. If the suspension is medical — for example, because you did not respond to a medical evaluation request — contact ADOT's Medical Review Unit at 602-255-0072 to understand what medical documentation or evaluation is required.
If your suspension resulted from too many traffic violations or points on your record, you may be required to complete a defensive driving course. ADOT will specify this requirement when you check your status. Once all underlying issues are resolved, you are ready to request reinstatement.
Submit your reinstatement request to ADOT
After resolving the cause of suspension, you can request reinstatement through ADOT. You have three options: online, by mail, or in person. The online method is fastest. Visit the ADOT website, navigate to the reinstatement section, and follow the prompts. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and a payment method for the reinstatement fee.
If you prefer to submit by mail, read the appropriate reinstatement form from the ADOT website — the form depends on your suspension reason — and mail it to the address listed on the form along with a check or money order for the reinstatement fee. Include a copy of proof that you resolved the underlying issue, such as a court receipt showing paid fines or a letter from child support services confirming payment.
To reinstate in person, visit any Motor Vehicle Division office with your driver's license, proof of the underlying issue being resolved, and payment for the reinstatement fee. Bring a second form of identification as well. Office hours and locations are listed on the ADOT website.
Pay the reinstatement fee and any outstanding amounts
ADOT charges a reinstatement fee that varies by the type of suspension. Administrative suspensions typically cost $50 to $100. If your suspension was due to unpaid fines or court costs, you must pay those amounts separately to the court — ADOT's fee is in addition to what you owe the court. Child support-related suspensions may also require payment to the Department of Child Support Services before ADOT will process reinstatement.
Payment methods accepted by ADOT include credit card, debit card, and check or money order if submitting by mail. If you are paying in person, ADOT also accepts cash. Keep your payment receipt, as it serves as proof of reinstatement request if there are any delays in processing.
Wait for ADOT to process your reinstatement
After you submit your reinstatement request and payment, ADOT typically processes it within five to ten business days. You will receive written confirmation by mail once your license is reinstated. During this time, your license remains suspended, so you cannot legally drive.
If your suspension was related to a court matter, processing may take longer because ADOT must wait for the court to confirm that the underlying issue is resolved. If you do not receive confirmation within two weeks, contact the Motor Vehicle Division at 602-255-0072 to check the status of your request.
Understand what happens if reinstatement is denied
ADOT may deny your reinstatement request if the underlying cause of suspension has not been fully resolved, if you did not pay the correct amount, or if additional requirements were not met. For example, if your suspension was due to a medical issue, ADOT may deny reinstatement if the required medical evaluation was not completed or if the evaluation results do not support reinstatement.
If your reinstatement is denied, ADOT will send you a letter explaining the reason and what additional steps you must take. Address those issues and resubmit your request. You will not be charged another reinstatement fee if you are resubmitting due to an error on ADOT's part, but you may be charged again if you are submitting a new request after a waiting period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. Your license remains suspended until ADOT officially reinstates it and you receive written confirmation. Driving with a suspended license is illegal and can result in additional fines, criminal charges, and further suspension.
How much does reinstatement cost in Arizona?
ADOT's reinstatement fee ranges from $50 to $100 depending on the suspension type. This is separate from any fines, court costs, or child support payments you may owe. The exact amount will be shown when you check your license status or begin the reinstatement process.
What if I cannot pay the full amount right away?
Contact the entity that imposed the original penalty — the court for fines, or the Department of Child Support Services for child support — and ask about payment plans. Once a payment plan is in place, you can usually proceed with ADOT reinstatement. Call ADOT at 602-255-0072 to discuss your specific situation.
Do I need to take a new driving test to get my license back?
No. Reinstatement does not require a new written or driving test. However, if your suspension was due to medical reasons, you may need to pass a medical evaluation or provide updated medical documentation before reinstatement is granted.
How long does reinstatement take if I do it online?
Online reinstatement typically takes five to ten business days from the time you submit your request and payment. You will receive written confirmation by mail once the process is complete. Court-related suspensions may take longer depending on how quickly the court notifies ADOT.