What you need to do to restore your Pennsylvania license
To get your Pennsylvania driver's license back after suspension, you must first find out why it was suspended — the reason determines what steps you take and in what order. Pennsylvania suspends licenses for different violations: unpaid traffic fines, DUI convictions, failure to pay child support, medical reasons, or accumulating too many points. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will not straightforward return your license when the suspension period ends; you have to request reinstatement, and you may need to complete other requirements first.
The fastest way to find out your suspension reason is to call PennDOT's Driver Services at 717-391-6190 or visit the PennDOT website and use the Driver License Status Check tool. Have your license number or Social Security number ready. Once you know the reason, you will know whether you need to pay fines, complete a DUI program, resolve a child support debt, or get medical clearance.
Key Takeaways
- Call PennDOT at 717-391-6190 or check your suspension reason online before taking any other step, because the reason determines what you must do.
- Most suspensions require you to pay outstanding fines or fees to PennDOT before reinstatement will be processed.
- DUI suspensions require completion of a certified alcohol education program and payment of a reinstatement fee before your license can be restored.
- You must request reinstatement in writing or in person at a PennDOT office; your suspension does not automatically end when the suspension period expires.
- Reinstatement typically takes two to four weeks after PennDOT receives your request and confirms all requirements are met.
Suspensions for unpaid fines or traffic violations
If your license was suspended because of unpaid fines, court costs, or failure to appear in court, you must pay what you owe before PennDOT will process reinstatement. Contact the court that issued the ticket or fine to confirm the exact amount owed. You can pay by phone, mail, or in person at the courthouse. Once you have paid, ask the court to notify PennDOT that the debt is cleared — some courts do this automatically, but it is worth confirming.
After the court confirms payment, you still need to request reinstatement from PennDOT. You can do this by mail, phone, or in person at a PennDOT Driver License Center. If you choose mail, send a written request to PennDOT along with proof of payment. The address is on the PennDOT website under "Contact Us." Include your name, date of birth, license number, and a brief explanation that you have paid the outstanding fines.
Suspensions for DUI or alcohol-related convictions
A DUI suspension in Pennsylvania requires more than paying a fee. You must complete a certified alcohol highway safety school before reinstatement is possible. This is a classroom program, usually one day long, that covers the dangers of impaired driving. PennDOT maintains a list of approved programs on its website; you can search by county. The program costs between $75 and $150 depending on the provider.
After you finish the program, you will receive a certificate of completion. Keep this document — you will need it when you request reinstatement. You must also pay PennDOT's reinstatement fee, which is $65 for a first DUI suspension. Submit your certificate of completion and proof of payment to PennDOT by mail or in person. Processing takes two to four weeks.
If your suspension is for a second or subsequent DUI within ten years, the requirements are stricter. You may need to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle, complete a longer education program, and pay a higher reinstatement fee. Call PennDOT to confirm what applies to your situation.
Suspensions for child support arrears
If your license was suspended because of unpaid child support, you cannot restore it until the child support agency confirms that your account is current or that you have entered a payment agreement. Contact the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Child Support Enforcement, at 1-800-932-0211. They will tell you the amount owed and your options for payment.
Once you have paid or arranged a payment plan, the child support agency will send a release to PennDOT. This process can take one to two weeks. You do not need to request reinstatement separately in this case — PennDOT will restore your license automatically once it receives the release. However, you can call PennDOT to confirm that the release has been received.
Suspensions for medical reasons
Medical suspensions happen when PennDOT believes a health condition may affect your ability to drive safely. Common reasons include seizure disorders, loss of consciousness, or certain medications. To restore your license, you must provide medical documentation from your doctor stating that the condition is controlled or no longer a concern.
Your doctor will need to complete a form called the Medical Evaluation Report, which PennDOT provides. You can read it from the PennDOT website or request it by mail. Your doctor submits the completed form directly to PennDOT's Medical Review Unit. Once PennDOT receives and approves the report, your license is typically restored without additional steps. This process usually takes four to six weeks.
How to request reinstatement from PennDOT
You have three ways to request reinstatement: by mail, by phone, or in person at a Driver License Center. By mail is the slowest but requires no travel. Send a letter to PennDOT that includes your full name, date of birth, license number, the reason for suspension, and proof that you have met all requirements (paid fines, completed programs, obtained medical clearance). Mail it to the address listed on PennDOT's website under "Contact Us."
By phone, call 717-391-6190 during business hours. Have your license number and information about completed requirements ready. The representative will confirm that your case is may be able to access for reinstatement and tell you what documents to mail or bring in.
In person is fastest if you have all documents ready. Visit any PennDOT Driver License Center with proof of payment, program completion certificates, or medical clearance. Bring your Social Security number or license number. Staff can often process reinstatement on the spot, though you will still need to wait for the new license to be printed and mailed to you, which takes one to two weeks.
What happens after you request reinstatement
After PennDOT receives your reinstatement request, staff will verify that all requirements have been met. This verification takes two to four weeks. If everything is in order, PennDOT will mail you a new license to the address on file. If documents are missing or incomplete, PennDOT will contact you by mail or phone to ask for what is needed.
During the reinstatement period, you cannot legally drive, even if your suspension period has technically ended. Driving on a suspended license is a separate offense and can result in additional fines, license extension, or criminal charges. If you need to drive before reinstatement is complete, you can request a temporary license from PennDOT in some cases, though this is rare and usually only granted for work or medical reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. Your license remains suspended until PennDOT officially restores it. Driving during this time is illegal and can result in additional penalties, fines, and criminal charges. If you have a genuine emergency need to drive, contact PennDOT to ask about a temporary license, though these are rarely granted.
What if I do not know why my license was suspended?
Call PennDOT at 717-391-6190 with your license number or Social Security number. They will tell you the reason and what you need to do. You can also check online using the Driver License Status Check tool on the PennDOT website.
Do I have to pay a reinstatement fee even if I have already paid my fines?
It depends on the reason for suspension. Traffic fine suspensions do not require a separate reinstatement fee — you only pay what you owe to the court. DUI suspensions require a $65 reinstatement fee to PennDOT in addition to any court fines. Child support suspensions do not require a separate fee. Call PennDOT to confirm what applies to your case.
How long does reinstatement take?
Processing usually takes two to four weeks after PennDOT receives your complete request. Mailing time adds one to two weeks on each end. In-person requests at a Driver License Center are faster for verification but still require one to two weeks for your new license to arrive by mail.
What if I moved and my address changed since the suspension?
Update your address with PennDOT before requesting reinstatement. You can do this online, by mail, or at a Driver License Center. This ensures your new license is mailed to the correct address and that PennDOT can contact you if documents are missing.