How to reinstate your Texas driver's license
To reinstate your Texas driver's license after suspension, you must first contact the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to find out why it was suspended and what steps you need to take. Most suspensions require you to pay a reinstatement fee, complete any required courses or programs, and sometimes provide proof that the underlying issue has been resolved. The process differs depending on whether your suspension was for unpaid traffic fines, a failed drug or alcohol test, points accumulation, or another reason.
You cannot straightforward walk into a DPS office and get your license back. DPS will not reinstate it until you have completed every requirement for your specific suspension type. This means you need to know your suspension reason first, then work through the requirements in order, and finally submit proof to DPS that you have finished.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the Texas DPS Driver License Division at 1-888-589-6900 or visit your local DPS office to learn the exact reason your license was suspended and what you must do to reinstate it.
- Most reinstatements require a fee (typically $100 to $200), payment of any outstanding traffic fines or court costs, and proof that you have completed required programs or courses.
- If your suspension was for DWI or drug-related offenses, you will need to complete an Alcohol Education Program or Drug Offender Education Program before DPS will consider reinstatement.
- After you complete all requirements, submit your proof to DPS by mail or in person, then wait for DPS to process your reinstatement before you can legally drive again.
- Some suspensions have a mandatory waiting period; you cannot shorten this period even if you complete other requirements early.
Find out why your license was suspended
Call the Texas DPS Driver License Division at 1-888-589-6900 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time). Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready. The representative will tell you the suspension reason, the date it took effect, and the date it is scheduled to end if no action is taken.
You can also check your suspension status online through the DPS website by entering your driver's license number and date of birth. This gives you the same basic information but does not always show all the steps you need to complete. A phone call is faster if you need detailed instructions about what comes next.
Write down everything the DPS representative tells you: the suspension reason, any fees owed, any programs you must complete, and the important date for completing them. This becomes your checklist for reinstatement.
Understand the common suspension reasons and their requirements
Unpaid traffic fines or court costs: You must pay the full amount owed to the court or traffic violations bureau that issued the ticket. DPS does not collect this money; you pay the court directly. Once the court reports payment to DPS, your suspension may be lifted automatically, though this can take several weeks. Call the court listed on your ticket to confirm the exact amount and payment methods accepted.
Accumulation of points: Texas suspends licenses when a driver accumulates 12 or more points within 12 months, 18 or more points within 24 months, or 24 or more points within 36 months. You cannot remove points, but you can take a Defensive Driving Course to reduce points by up to three. After completing the course, submit proof to DPS. Your suspension will end on the date DPS originally set, but the course helps prevent future suspensions.
DWI or drug-related offense: You must complete an Alcohol Education Program (AEP) or Drug Offender Education Program (DOEP) approved by DPS. These programs typically cost $100 to $300 and take 6 to 12 hours to complete. You must also pay any fines ordered by the court. After completing the program, submit your certificate of completion to DPS along with proof of payment.
Failure to maintain insurance: You must obtain a Texas auto insurance policy and file an SR-22 form (proof of financial responsibility) with DPS. Your insurance company can file this form for you. Once filed, DPS processes it and lifts the suspension, usually within one to two weeks.
Pay the reinstatement fee and any outstanding fines
The reinstatement fee in Texas ranges from $100 to $200, depending on the suspension reason. You pay this fee to DPS, not to a court. You can pay by mail, in person at a DPS office, or online through the DPS website if you have a credit or debit card.
If you owe traffic fines or court costs, you must pay those separately to the court that issued the citation. DPS will not process your reinstatement until the court reports that fines are paid. Call the court to confirm the exact amount and ask whether you can pay by phone, online, or by mail.
Keep receipts or confirmation numbers for all payments. You will need these as proof when you submit your reinstatement request to DPS.
Complete any required education or treatment programs
If your suspension was for DWI, drug offenses, or accumulation of points, you must complete an approved program before reinstatement. For DWI or drug offenses, DPS maintains a list of approved Alcohol Education Programs and Drug Offender Education Programs on its website. Search by county to find programs near you. Programs typically meet once or twice per week for 6 to 12 hours total.
For point accumulation, you can take any Defensive Driving Course approved by the Texas Education Agency. These courses are offered online and in person. Some insurance companies offer discounts if you complete a Defensive Driving Course, so ask about that when you register.
When you complete the program, you will receive a certificate. Keep the original or a certified copy; you will submit this to DPS as proof of completion.
Submit your reinstatement request to DPS
Once you have paid all fees and fines and completed any required programs, gather your documents: the reinstatement fee payment receipt, proof that court fines were paid, and certificates of program completion. You can submit these by mail to the Texas DPS Driver License Division, or bring them in person to your local DPS office.
If you mail your documents, send them to: Texas Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division, P.O. Box 4087, Austin, TX 78773-0001. Include a cover letter stating your name, driver's license number, and the reason for reinstatement. Mail takes one to two weeks to arrive, and DPS typically processes reinstatement requests within 5 to 10 business days after receiving your documents.
If you go in person, bring the original documents or certified copies. DPS staff will review them on the spot and tell you whether your reinstatement is approved. If approved, you can receive a temporary driving permit that day, though your official license will arrive by mail within one to two weeks.
Understand mandatory waiting periods
Some suspensions include a mandatory waiting period that you cannot shorten, even if you complete all other requirements early. For example, a suspension for DWI typically includes a waiting period of 90 days to one year, depending on whether it was your first offense. You must wait out this period before DPS will reinstate your license, regardless of whether you have paid fines and completed education programs.
If your suspension has a waiting period, DPS will tell you the exact date your license becomes may be able to access for reinstatement when you call. Mark this date on your calendar. You can complete other requirements (paying fines, taking courses) before this date, but DPS will not process your reinstatement until the waiting period has passed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with a suspended license if I have completed all the requirements?
No. Your license remains suspended until DPS officially processes your reinstatement. Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in Texas. Wait for DPS to confirm your reinstatement in writing before you drive. If you need to drive before your reinstatement is complete, you may be able to request a temporary driving permit from DPS for essential purposes like work or medical appointments.
How long does reinstatement take after I submit all my documents?
DPS typically processes reinstatement requests within 5 to 10 business days after receiving your documents by mail. If you submit documents in person at a DPS office, staff can often process your request the same day and issue a temporary permit. Your official license will arrive by mail within one to two weeks.
What if I cannot afford the reinstatement fee or fines?
Contact the court that issued your traffic citation and ask about payment plans or hardship waivers. Some courts allow you to pay fines in installments. For the DPS reinstatement fee, call 1-888-589-6900 and ask whether a payment plan is available. Do not ignore the suspension; it will not go away on its own and will affect your ability to register a vehicle or obtain insurance.
Do I need to retake my driving test to reinstate my license?
No. Reinstatement does not require a new written or driving test. You only need to complete the specific requirements for your suspension reason (paying fines, completing programs, waiting out the mandatory period). Your original license will be reinstated once all requirements are met.
What happens if I move out of state while my license is suspended?
Your Texas license suspension remains in effect even if you move. Most states share suspension information through the National Driver Register, so other states may refuse to issue you a license until your Texas suspension is resolved. You should complete the reinstatement process before moving or as soon as possible after moving.