How to reinstate your Florida driver's license
To reinstate your Florida driver's license after suspension, you must contact the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), pay a reinstatement fee, and resolve the specific reason your license was suspended. The process differs depending on whether you were suspended for unpaid traffic tickets, a DUI conviction, points accumulation, failure to pay child support, or another reason. Most people start by calling the DHSMV at 850-617-3800 or visiting their website to find out exactly what they owe and what documents they need.
Your reinstatement fee depends on the reason for suspension — unpaid tickets, DUI convictions, and points accumulation each have different costs. Once you have paid the fee and resolved the underlying issue, the DHSMV will process your request and mail you a new license, which typically arrives within five to ten business days. You cannot legally drive until your new license arrives, even if the DHSMV confirms your reinstatement over the phone.
Key Takeaways
- Your reinstatement fee depends on the reason for suspension — unpaid tickets typically cost around $45 to $75, while DUI convictions can run $250 to $500 or more.
- You must resolve the underlying reason for suspension before the DHSMV will reinstate your license, whether that means paying tickets, completing a DUI course, or arranging child support payments.
- The DHSMV processes reinstatement requests by phone, mail, or in person at a local driver license office, and you can check your suspension status online through their website.
- Once reinstated, your license is mailed to you; you cannot drive legally until it arrives, even if the DHSMV confirms your reinstatement over the phone.
Why your Florida license was suspended
Florida suspends driver's licenses for several distinct reasons, and each one requires a different path to reinstatement. The most common causes are unpaid traffic citations, accumulation of too many points on your driving record, a DUI or drug-related conviction, failure to pay child support, and failure to maintain car insurance after an accident.
You can find out the exact reason your license was suspended by calling the DHSMV at 850-617-3800, visiting their website and using the license status lookup tool, or going in person to any driver license office. Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready. The DHSMV representative will tell you the suspension date, the reason, and what you must do to clear it.
Paying your reinstatement fee
Florida charges a reinstatement fee to process your request. The amount varies by reason: suspensions due to unpaid traffic tickets typically cost around $45 to $75, while suspensions tied to a DUI conviction or drug offense can run $250 to $500 or more. Points-based suspensions and other administrative suspensions have their own fee schedules. Contact the DHSMV directly to confirm the exact amount you owe, since fees can change and may vary based on your specific situation.
You can pay by phone, mail, or in person at a driver license office. If you pay by phone, call 850-617-3800 and have a credit or debit card ready. If you pay by mail, the DHSMV will provide you with a payment coupon and mailing address when you contact them. Payment must clear before your reinstatement is processed, so allow extra time if paying by check.
Resolving the underlying reason for suspension
Paying the reinstatement fee alone is not enough. You must also resolve whatever caused the suspension in the first place. If your license was suspended for unpaid traffic tickets, you must pay those tickets or arrange a payment plan with the court. If it was suspended for points accumulation, you may need to wait out a suspension period or take a defensive driving course to reduce points. If it was a DUI suspension, you must complete a DUI education course and possibly an ignition interlock requirement.
Contact the court that issued your tickets, the DHSMV directly, or the agency that reported the suspension to find out exactly what steps you need to take. Do not assume the reinstatement fee covers everything — the fee only covers the administrative cost of processing your reinstatement request. Once you have completed all required steps, you are ready to pay the fee and submit your reinstatement request.
Submitting your reinstatement request
Once you have resolved the underlying issue and are ready to pay the reinstatement fee, you can submit your request through three methods: by phone at 850-617-3800, by mail using a form provided by the DHSMV, or in person at any Florida driver license office.
By phone is usually the fastest option if you have a credit or debit card. The DHSMV representative will confirm your suspension details, verify that you have met all requirements, take your payment, and process your reinstatement on the spot. By mail, you will need to complete the reinstatement form, include your payment, and mail it to the address provided — this typically takes two to three weeks for processing. In person, you can walk in during business hours, though wait times vary by location.
What happens after you submit your request
After the DHSMV processes your reinstatement, your new driver's license will be mailed to the address on file. This usually takes five to ten business days, though it can take longer during busy periods. You cannot legally drive until your new license arrives in the mail, even if the DHSMV confirms your reinstatement over the phone or online.
If you need to drive before your license arrives, some people request a temporary driving permit, though availability and rules vary. Contact your local driver license office to ask whether a temporary permit is an option in your situation. Keep the envelope your new license comes in — it serves as proof of reinstatement if you are stopped by police before you receive the physical card.
Checking your suspension status online
The DHSMV website allows you to check whether your license is still suspended without calling. Visit the DHSMV website and use their license status lookup tool. You will need your driver's license number or Social Security number. This tool shows your current suspension status, the reason for suspension, and sometimes the steps required to clear it.
The online tool updates regularly but may lag by a day or two, so if you recently submitted a reinstatement request, the website may not reflect it when ready. If you see conflicting information between the website and a phone call to the DHSMV, trust the phone call — a representative has access to real-time records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with a suspended license if I have paid the reinstatement fee?
No. Paying the reinstatement fee does not when ready restore your driving privileges. You can only drive legally once your new license arrives in the mail. Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Florida and can result in arrest, fines, and additional suspension time.
What if I cannot afford the reinstatement fee right now?
Contact the DHSMV or the court that suspended your license to ask about payment plans. Some courts allow you to pay reinstatement fees in installments. You cannot legally drive until the fee is paid and your reinstatement is processed, but setting up a payment plan may be an option if you cannot pay in full when ready.
How long does reinstatement take if I do everything correctly?
If you submit your request by phone and have already resolved the underlying issue, the DHSMV can process it the same day. Your new license will then arrive by mail in five to ten business days. If you submit by mail, add two to three weeks for processing time plus mail delivery. Total time is usually two to four weeks from start to finish.
Do I need to take a new driver's license test to get reinstated?
No. Reinstatement does not require you to retake the written or driving test. You only need to resolve the reason for suspension, pay the reinstatement fee, and submit your request. The exception is if your license has expired while it was suspended — in that case, you may need to renew it as well.
What if my suspension was due to unpaid child support?
Contact the Florida Department of Revenue, which handles child support enforcement. They must clear the suspension before the DHSMV can reinstate your license. Once the Department of Revenue confirms that your child support is current or that you have arranged a payment plan, you can then pay the DHSMV reinstatement fee and submit your request.