Where to go and what documents you need
To reinstate your driver's license in Broward County, you must visit a Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) office in person. The main Broward County office is located at 1801 West Cypress Creek Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309. You cannot reinstate online or by mail — Florida law requires an in-person appearance at a DHSMV office.
Bring your current identification (passport, expired license, or state ID), proof of residence (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 90 days), and your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number. If your license was suspended for unpaid traffic fines or child support, bring proof of payment or a court document showing the obligation has been satisfied. If the suspension was for a medical reason, bring a letter from your physician stating you are fit to drive.
The reinstatement fee in Florida is $45 for a standard license. Some suspensions carry additional reinstatement fees — for example, a suspension tied to a DUI conviction may include a $500 reinstatement fee. Ask the DHSMV office clerk which fees explore to your specific suspension before you pay.
Key Takeaways
- You must appear in person at a DHSMV office in Broward County; online and mail reinstatement are not available in Florida.
- Bring identification, proof of residence, your Social Security card, and documentation showing the reason for suspension has been resolved.
- The base reinstatement fee is $45, but certain suspension types (DUI, habitual traffic offender) carry additional fees of $500 or more.
- If your suspension is still active, the DHSMV office will tell you the exact steps needed to clear it before reinstatement can occur.
- Processing takes one business day in most cases, and you will receive a temporary license to drive while your permanent license is mailed.
Why your license was suspended and what that means for reinstatement
Florida suspends licenses for specific reasons, and each reason has its own reinstatement path. The most common are unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, medical suspension (vision or seizure disorders), suspension for accumulating too many points, and suspension for DUI or refusal to take a breath test.
If your suspension is for unpaid fines, you must pay the fine in full or reach a payment plan with the court that issued the ticket. The DHSMV office cannot reinstate you until the court confirms payment. If the suspension is for child support, the Department of Revenue must receive proof that you are current on payments or have a court order modifying your obligation. For medical suspensions, your doctor must complete a form stating you are safe to drive, and you may be required to pass a vision or driving test.
You can check the reason for your suspension by visiting the DHSMV website and using the license status tool, or by calling the Broward County DHSMV office directly at (954) 765-4000. Knowing the exact reason before you go saves a wasted trip.
The reinstatement process step by step
When you arrive at the DHSMV office, take a number and wait to be called. Tell the clerk you are there to reinstate your license. The clerk will look up your record and confirm that the reason for suspension has been cleared. If it has not — for example, if a fine is still unpaid — the clerk will tell you what must happen before reinstatement can proceed.
If the suspension has been cleared, the clerk will ask you to sign a form confirming your address and other license information. You will then pay the reinstatement fee. The office will issue you a temporary license (a printed form valid for 30 days) that you can drive on when ready. Your permanent license will be mailed to your address within 7 to 10 business days.
Some offices offer a vision test on-site if your license has expired or if a vision test is required as part of reinstatement. If you fail the vision test, you will not be reinstated that day and will need to return after correcting the problem (usually with glasses or contacts).
Broward County DHSMV office locations and hours
The main Broward County DHSMV office at 1801 West Cypress Creek Road is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. There are also satellite offices in Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, and Dania Beach, each with slightly different hours. Call ahead or check the DHSMV website to confirm hours before you go, as holiday closures and staffing changes can affect availability.
Arrive early if possible. The Cypress Creek Road office is the busiest in the county and can have wait times of 45 minutes to two hours during peak hours (late morning and early afternoon). Going on a weekday morning or on Saturday often means shorter waits.
What to do if your suspension is still active
If you arrive at the DHSMV office and learn that your suspension has not been cleared, do not leave without asking the clerk for written documentation of what must be done. This might be a court case number for unpaid fines, a contact for the Department of Revenue if child support is involved, or a form your doctor must complete.
For unpaid fines, contact the court that issued the ticket. The court clerk can tell you the exact amount owed and whether you can set up a payment plan. For child support, call the Department of Revenue's Child Support Enforcement office at 1-800-622-5437. For medical suspensions, ask the DHSMV office which form your doctor must fill out and whether you need a vision test or driving evaluation.
Once you have resolved the underlying issue, return to the DHSMV office with proof (a receipt, a court document, a letter from your doctor). Reinstatement can then proceed the same day.
Reinstatement fees and what they cover
The standard reinstatement fee is $45 and covers the cost of processing your reinstatement and issuing a new license. This fee is non-refundable even if you are denied reinstatement for a reason discovered during the process (such as failing a vision test).
If your suspension was for DUI, habitual traffic offender status, or refusal to submit to a breath test, Florida law adds a $500 reinstatement fee on top of the standard $45. If you were suspended for accumulating 12 or more points in 12 months, there is no additional fee beyond the $45. Ask the DHSMV clerk which fees explore to your case before you pay, so you know the total amount to bring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement is being processed?
Yes. The DHSMV office issues a temporary license (a printed form) on the day you reinstate. This temporary license is valid for 30 days and allows you to drive legally while your permanent license is mailed. Your permanent license arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
What if I cannot go to the DHSMV office in person?
Florida does not allow reinstatement by mail or online. You must appear in person at a DHSMV office. If you are out of state or unable to travel, you can have someone with a power of attorney act on your behalf, but that person must still appear in person with the power of attorney document and your identification.
Do I need to retake the written or driving test to reinstate?
No, not in most cases. Reinstatement does not require a written or driving test unless your license has been expired for more than six months, or unless a vision test is required as part of clearing your suspension. The DHSMV office will tell you if a test is needed when you arrive.
How long does reinstatement take on the day I go?
The office visit itself takes 15 to 30 minutes once you are called. Wait times before being called range from 15 minutes to two hours depending on the time of day and day of the week. Plan for a total of one to three hours from arrival to temporary license in hand.
What if I lost my Social Security card?
Bring another document showing your Social Security number, such as a tax return, W-2, or bank statement. If you do not have a document with your number, you can explore for a replacement Social Security card through the Social Security Administration before you go to the DHSMV office.