How to reinstate your Texas driver's license
To reinstate a suspended Texas driver's license, you must contact the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), pay any required reinstatement fees, and resolve the reason your license was suspended in the first place. The specific steps depend on why your license was suspended — whether it was for unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, a medical condition, or another violation. DPS will not reinstate your license until the underlying issue is cleared.
The reinstatement process typically takes one to three weeks after you have resolved the suspension cause and submitted payment. You cannot legally drive until your license is reinstated, even if you have started the process.
Key Takeaways
- You must first find out why your license was suspended by checking your DPS record online or calling the DPS Customer Service line at 1-888-589-6556.
- Reinstatement fees in Texas range from $100 to $250 depending on the suspension reason, and you must pay this fee even after resolving the underlying issue.
- If your suspension was for unpaid traffic fines or court costs, you must pay those amounts to the court or collection agency before DPS will reinstate your license.
- You can submit your reinstatement request and fee by mail, in person at a DPS office, or online through the DPS website if your suspension reason qualifies for online reinstatement.
Find out why your license was suspended
Before you can reinstate your license, you need to know the specific reason DPS suspended it. Common suspension reasons include failure to pay traffic fines or court costs, failure to appear in court, accumulating too many points on your driving record, driving without insurance, or medical disqualification. Each reason has different resolution steps.
Check your suspension reason online through the DPS website by entering your driver's license number and date of birth. You can also call the DPS Customer Service line at 1-888-589-6556 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Have your driver's license number ready when you call. The representative will tell you the suspension reason and what you need to do to clear it.
Resolve the reason for your suspension
The steps to clear your suspension depend entirely on why it happened. If your license was suspended for unpaid traffic fines or court costs, you must pay the full amount owed to the court that issued the ticket or to the collection agency handling the debt. Contact the court directly to confirm the exact amount and payment methods accepted. Some courts accept payment by phone, online, or by mail.
If your suspension was for failure to appear in court, you must contact the court and resolve the case, which may involve appearing before a judge or paying a fine. If your suspension was for driving without insurance, you must obtain a Texas auto insurance policy and provide proof to DPS. If your suspension was for accumulating too many points, you may need to complete a defensive driving course, which removes points from your record. If your suspension was medical, you must obtain medical clearance from your doctor and submit it to DPS.
Keep documentation of everything you do to resolve the suspension — receipts for payments, court documents, insurance proof, or medical clearance letters. You will need to show this documentation when you request reinstatement.
Pay the reinstatement fee
Once you have resolved the suspension cause, you must pay a reinstatement fee to DPS. The fee ranges from $100 to $250 depending on the suspension reason. Administrative suspensions (such as for failure to pay fines) typically cost $100. Suspensions for driving without a license or driving with a suspended license cost $250. Medical suspensions cost $125.
You can pay the reinstatement fee by check, money order, or credit card. If you are paying by mail, send your payment to the DPS address provided on your suspension notice or on the DPS website. If you are paying in person, visit any DPS office. Some DPS offices accept payment by phone as well — call ahead to confirm.
Submit your reinstatement request
You have three ways to request reinstatement: by mail, in person at a DPS office, or online through the DPS website. The online option is available only for certain suspension reasons, so check the DPS website first to see if your situation qualifies.
To reinstate by mail, send a letter to DPS that includes your full name, date of birth, driver's license number, the reason your license was suspended, proof that you have resolved the suspension cause (such as a court receipt or insurance card), and your reinstatement fee. Mail this package to the address listed on your suspension notice. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want DPS to mail your reinstated license to you.
To reinstate in person, visit a DPS office with your driver's license, proof that you have resolved the suspension cause, and your reinstatement fee. Bring the original documents or certified copies — photocopies are usually not accepted. The DPS office can process your reinstatement on the spot, though you may need to wait for your new license to be printed or mailed.
What happens after you submit your reinstatement request
After DPS receives your reinstatement request and fee, they will review your documentation to confirm that the suspension cause has been resolved. This review typically takes one to three weeks. During this time, your license remains suspended and you cannot legally drive.
Once DPS approves your reinstatement, they will mail your reinstated license to the address on file. If you submitted your request in person at a DPS office, you may receive your license when ready or within a few days. If you submitted by mail, allow an additional week for mailing time.
If DPS denies your reinstatement request, they will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons for denial include incomplete documentation, unpaid fines that you thought were paid, or failure to resolve the underlying suspension cause. If this happens, contact DPS to find out what additional steps you need to take.
Reinstatement options if you cannot pay the full fee when ready
If you cannot pay the full reinstatement fee right away, you may be able to set up a payment plan with DPS. Call the DPS Customer Service line at 1-888-589-6556 to discuss your situation. DPS has some flexibility with payment arrangements, though this depends on your specific circumstances and the reason for your suspension.
If your suspension was caused by unpaid traffic fines or court costs, you may also be able to work out a payment plan directly with the court or collection agency. Some courts offer payment plans that allow you to pay fines over several months. Once you have a payment plan in place, contact DPS to see if they will reinstate your license while you are making payments, though this is not may provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with a suspended license if I have started the reinstatement process?
No. Your license remains suspended until DPS officially reinstates it, even if you have paid the fee and submitted all required documentation. Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Texas and can result in additional fines and jail time.
How long does reinstatement take if I submit my request online?
Online reinstatement typically takes three to five business days after you submit your request and payment. Your reinstated license will be mailed to you within one to two weeks. In-person reinstatement at a DPS office is faster — you may receive your license the same day or within a few days.
What if I cannot find the court that issued my traffic ticket to pay the fine?
Call the DPS Customer Service line at 1-888-589-6556 and provide your driver's license number. DPS can tell you which court has your case and provide contact information. You can also search for the court online using the ticket number or the city where you received the ticket.
Do I need to take a new written test or driving test to reinstate my license?
No. Reinstatement does not require a new written test or driving test. You only need to resolve the suspension cause, pay the reinstatement fee, and submit your request to DPS. Your original license will be reinstated once the process is complete.
What if my license was suspended for a medical reason and I have since recovered?
You must obtain written medical clearance from your doctor stating that you are medically fit to drive. Submit this letter to DPS along with your reinstatement fee and request. DPS may require you to see a DPS-approved medical examiner for a final evaluation before reinstating your license.