What you need to do to get your license back
A suspended license in Florida means you cannot legally drive until you resolve the reason for the suspension and complete the reinstatement process. The steps depend on why your license was suspended — the most common reasons are unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, driving with a suspended license, or not paying child support. You will need to clear the underlying issue first, then contact the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to request reinstatement.
The reinstatement process is not automatic. You must take action, and the timeline varies depending on what caused the suspension. Some suspensions lift when ready once you pay what you owe; others require you to wait a set period or complete a specific requirement like a defensive driving course.
Key Takeaways
- You must first resolve the reason for your suspension — paying fines, appearing in court, or settling child support — before DHSMV will reinstate your license.
- Contact DHSMV directly through their website, by phone at 850-617-2000, or in person at a local office to find out exactly why your license is suspended and what you need to do.
- Reinstatement fees in Florida range from $45 to $150 depending on the suspension reason, and you pay this fee when you request reinstatement.
- Once you have resolved the underlying issue and paid the reinstatement fee, your license is usually restored within one to five business days.
- If you cannot pay fines all at once, you can request a payment plan through the court that issued the suspension.
Find out why your license is suspended
Before you can fix the problem, you need to know what caused the suspension. DHSMV maintains the record, and you can check it yourself without waiting for a letter or notice. Call the DHSMV customer service line at 850-617-2000 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time), or visit the DHSMV website and use the "Check Driver License Status" tool. You will need your driver license number or Social Security number.
Common suspension reasons include: unpaid traffic citations, failure to pay a traffic fine by the court important date, failure to appear in court for a traffic charge, driving with a suspended license, not paying child support, not maintaining required insurance, or not paying a judgment from a traffic accident. Some suspensions are mandatory — meaning the court or DHSMV imposed them automatically — while others are discretionary.
Write down the exact reason and any case or citation number. If the suspension is tied to a court case, you will also need to know which court issued it (county court, traffic court, or circuit court). This information helps you know whether to contact the court, the DHSMV, or another agency.
Resolve the underlying issue
You cannot get your license back until the reason for the suspension is resolved. The steps depend on what caused it.
If you owe traffic fines: Contact the court that issued the citation. You can find the court's phone number on your citation or on the DHSMV website. Ask whether you can pay the fine in full, set up a payment plan, or request a hearing to contest the fine. If you cannot pay in full, most courts allow payment plans with monthly installments. Once you pay or arrange a plan, ask the court to notify DHSMV that the fine is resolved.
If you failed to appear in court: Contact the court when ready. Failure to appear is a separate charge, and you may face additional fines or penalties. The court can tell you what you owe and what steps to take. In some cases, you can resolve this by phone or mail; in others, you may need to appear in person.
If you were driving with a suspended license: This suspension is usually mandatory and lasts a set period — often 6 months to 1 year depending on how many times you have been caught. You cannot shorten this period; you must wait it out. Once the waiting period ends, you can request reinstatement.
If you owe child support: Contact the Florida Department of Revenue, Office of Child Support Enforcement, at 1-800-622-5437. They will tell you the amount owed and payment options. Once you pay or set up a payment plan, they will notify DHSMV.
If you did not maintain insurance: Obtain proof of current insurance from your insurance company and submit it to DHSMV. Some suspensions for lack of insurance lift automatically once DHSMV receives proof; others require you to request reinstatement.
Pay the reinstatement fee
Once you have resolved the underlying issue, DHSMV charges a reinstatement fee to restore your license. The fee ranges from $45 to $150 depending on the reason for the suspension. For example, a suspension for unpaid fines costs $45 to reinstate, while a suspension for driving with a suspended license costs $150.
You can pay the reinstatement fee when you request reinstatement. DHSMV accepts payment by mail, online through their website, by phone, or in person at a local DHSMV office. If you pay online or by phone, have your driver license number and a credit or debit card ready. If you mail a check, include your driver license number and the reason for reinstatement so DHSMV can match the payment to your record.
Some people are confused about whether they owe the original fine and the reinstatement fee. You do: the fine goes to the court or the agency that issued the suspension, and the reinstatement fee goes to DHSMV. Both must be paid.
Request reinstatement from DHSMV
After you have resolved the underlying issue and paid the reinstatement fee, contact DHSMV to formally request that your license be reinstated. You can do this online, by phone, by mail, or in person.
Online: Visit the DHSMV website and look for the reinstatement request form. You will need your driver license number, the reason for suspension, and a way to pay the fee (credit or debit card).
By phone: Call 850-617-2000 and tell the representative that you want to request reinstatement. Have your driver license number, the suspension reason, and payment information ready.
By mail: Send a letter to DHSMV that includes your name, driver license number, date of birth, the reason for suspension, and a check for the reinstatement fee. Mail it to the DHSMV address listed on their website. Include a copy of proof that you resolved the underlying issue (receipt for paid fines, court letter, child support payment confirmation, or insurance proof).
In person: Visit a local DHSMV office with your driver license, proof that you resolved the underlying issue, and payment for the reinstatement fee. An office staff member can process your request on the spot.
Timeline and what happens next
Once DHSMV receives your reinstatement request and payment, your license is usually restored within one to five business days. If you requested reinstatement online or in person, the process is faster — sometimes the same day. If you mailed your request, allow an extra week for mail delivery and processing.
You will receive a new driver license in the mail within 7 to 10 business days of reinstatement. Until it arrives, you can drive legally with a temporary license if DHSMV issued one at the time of reinstatement. Check your DHSMV account online or call to confirm your license status before you drive.
If your reinstatement request is denied, DHSMV will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons include incomplete payment, failure to resolve the underlying issue, or a clerical error in your request. Contact DHSMV to correct the problem and resubmit.
If you cannot pay fines all at once
Many people cannot pay traffic fines in full when ready. Florida courts understand this and allow payment plans. Contact the court that issued your citation and ask about a payment plan or installment agreement. Most courts will set up a monthly payment schedule that fits your budget.
Once you have a payment plan in place, your suspension may be lifted when ready, or the court may lift it once you make your first payment. Ask the court to clarify. Even while you are paying off the plan, you can request reinstatement from DHSMV — the plan counts as resolving the underlying issue.
If you are struggling financially, some courts also allow you to request a hearing to reduce the fine, convert it to community service, or contest the citation. Ask the court clerk what options are available in your county.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my license is suspended?
No. Driving with a suspended license is illegal in Florida and can result in additional fines, criminal charges, and a longer suspension. If you are stopped by police, your vehicle can be impounded. If you need to drive for work or medical reasons, ask the court that suspended your license about a hardship license, which allows limited driving for essential purposes.
What if I do not know which court suspended my license?
Call DHSMV at 850-617-2000 and provide your driver license number. They will tell you the court name and the case or citation number. You can then contact that court directly. If the suspension is for child support or lack of insurance, DHSMV can also tell you which agency to contact.
How long does a suspension last if I do not request reinstatement?
Suspensions do not expire on their own. Your license remains suspended indefinitely until you resolve the underlying issue and request reinstatement. The longer you wait, the more complications can pile up — additional fines, criminal charges, or civil judgments. Request reinstatement as soon as you can resolve the issue.
Do I need a lawyer to get my license reinstated?
No. The reinstatement process is straightforward and you can handle it yourself. However, if your suspension is tied to a criminal charge or a complex court case, a lawyer can help you understand your options and represent you in court if needed. Many legal aid organizations in Florida offer free or low-cost help to people who cannot afford a lawyer.
What if I moved out of Florida after my license was suspended?
Your Florida suspension follows you. If you now live in another state, you can still request reinstatement by mail or phone. However, you may not be able to get a license in your new state until your Florida suspension is resolved. Contact your new state's motor vehicle department to confirm their rules.