How to learn about your Florida license is suspended right now
You can check your Florida driver's license status in three ways: online through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) website, by phone, or in person at a local DMV office. The fastest method is the online check, which takes about two minutes and requires your driver's license number and date of birth.
Go to flhsmv.gov, select "Check Driver License Status," and enter your information. The system will tell you when ready whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or cancelled. If you do not have internet access, call the DHSMV at 1-850-617-2000 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time). You can also visit any Florida DMV office in person with your ID to request a status check.
A suspension means you cannot legally drive in Florida or any other state until the suspension is lifted. The reason for the suspension appears in your record — common causes include unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, medical suspension, or accumulation of too many points on your driving record. Understanding why your license is suspended is the first step toward getting it reinstated.
Key Takeaways
- Check your license status online at flhsmv.gov, by phone at 1-850-617-2000, or at any DMV office using your license number and date of birth.
- A suspension is temporary and can be lifted once you resolve the underlying issue — such as paying fines, settling child support arrears, or completing a required course.
- Driving on a suspended license in Florida is a criminal offense that can result in arrest, additional fines, and a longer suspension period.
- The reason for your suspension determines what steps you must take to reinstate your license, and different reasons have different timelines and costs.
Common reasons Florida suspends driver's licenses
The DHSMV suspends licenses for specific violations and failures. The most frequent cause is accumulation of points — Florida assigns points for traffic violations like speeding, reckless driving, and at-fault accidents. Accumulate 12 points within 12 months, 18 points within 18 months, or 24 points within 36 months, and your license is automatically suspended.
Other common suspension reasons include failure to pay traffic fines or court costs, failure to appear in court for a traffic citation, suspension ordered by the court as part of a sentence, failure to pay child support (ordered by the Department of Revenue), medical suspension (if a doctor reports you as unsafe to drive), and failure to maintain required auto insurance. Some suspensions also result from out-of-state convictions or violations reported to Florida through the Interstate Compact.
A few suspensions are administrative rather than penalty-based. For example, if you fail to renew your license before it expires, your status changes to "expired" rather than "suspended" — but you cannot drive legally until you renew. If you fail to respond to a notice of suspension, the DHSMV may extend the suspension period.
What to do if your license is suspended for unpaid fines or court costs
If your suspension is due to unpaid traffic fines or court costs, you must pay the full amount owed to the court that issued the citation. Contact the court directly — the citation or any notice you received should list the court's phone number and the amount due. You can usually pay by phone, online through the court's website, or in person at the courthouse.
Once you pay, the court sends a clearance to the DHSMV. This process typically takes 5 to 10 business days. After the DHSMV receives the clearance, your suspension is lifted automatically — you do not need to file a separate reinstatement request. Check your status online after 10 business days to confirm the suspension has been removed.
If you cannot pay the full amount when ready, contact the court about a payment plan. Many Florida courts allow you to pay fines in installments. Once you are on a payment plan and making regular payments, you can request that the court ask the DHSMV to lift the suspension while you continue paying — this is called a "hardship reinstatement" in some counties. Ask the court clerk whether this option is available in your jurisdiction.
Reinstatement after suspension for points or traffic violations
If your license is suspended because you accumulated too many points, you must wait out the suspension period and then request reinstatement. The length of the suspension depends on how many points you accumulated: 12 points in 12 months results in a 30-day suspension, 18 points in 18 months results in a 3-month suspension, and 24 points in 36 months results in a 12-month suspension.
Before you can reinstate your license, you must complete a driver improvement course (also called a traffic school course). This is a state-approved educational program that teaches safe driving practices. You can take the course online or in person at approved providers throughout Florida. The course costs between $20 and $50 depending on the provider, and you receive a completion certificate that you submit to the DHSMV.
After you complete the course and your suspension period has ended, submit your reinstatement request to the DHSMV. You can do this online at flhsmv.gov, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. The reinstatement fee is $45. Once the DHSMV processes your request and receives your course completion certificate, your license is reinstated — usually within 5 to 10 business days.
Medical suspension and how to challenge it
A medical suspension occurs when a physician, optometrist, or other healthcare provider reports to the DHSMV that you may be medically unfit to drive. This can happen after a stroke, seizure, serious vision loss, or other conditions that affect your ability to operate a vehicle safely. The DHSMV does not require a court order for a medical suspension — the report from the healthcare provider is enough to trigger it.
If you receive notice of a medical suspension, you have the right to request a hearing before the DHSMV. You can also submit a letter from your own physician stating that you are medically safe to drive. The DHSMV will review the medical evidence and decide whether to lift the suspension, maintain it, or require you to pass a driving test or medical examination before reinstatement.
To challenge a medical suspension, contact the DHSMV's Medical Review Board at 1-850-617-2000 and request a hearing. You will need to provide medical documentation supporting your ability to drive safely. The process typically takes 30 to 60 days. If the Medical Review Board agrees that you are safe to drive, the suspension is lifted when ready.
Child support suspension and reinstatement
If the Department of Revenue has suspended your license because of unpaid child support, you must bring your child support account current or enter into a payment agreement with the Department of Revenue. You cannot reinstate your license through the DHSMV alone — the Department of Revenue must first notify the DHSMV that your child support obligation is satisfied or that you are in compliance with a payment plan.
Contact the Department of Revenue's Child Support Enforcement office at 1-800-622-5437 to discuss your account and payment options. Once you have resolved the arrears or established a payment plan, the Department of Revenue sends a clearance to the DHSMV. The suspension is then lifted automatically within 5 to 10 business days. Check your status online to confirm.
Consequences of driving on a suspended license in Florida
Driving with a suspended license in Florida is a criminal offense. A first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. A second offense within five years is a felony, with penalties including up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Additionally, driving on a suspended license results in an automatic six-month extension of your suspension period.
If you are stopped by law enforcement while your license is suspended, you will be cited and may be arrested on the spot. Your vehicle may be impounded, and you will face court costs in addition to fines. The criminal record from a suspended license conviction can affect employment, housing, and insurance rates for years.
If your license is suspended and you need to drive for work or medical reasons, you may be able to request a hardship license (also called a business purpose license) from the DHSMV. This allows limited driving for specific purposes only. Contact your local DMV office to learn whether you may have access to and what documentation you need to provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a suspension to be removed after I pay my fines?
After you pay fines to the court, the court sends a clearance to the DHSMV, which typically takes 5 to 10 business days. Check your status online after 10 business days to confirm the suspension has been lifted. If it has not been removed after 10 days, contact the court to verify they sent the clearance.
Can I get a hardship license while my license is suspended?
Yes, you may be able to get a hardship license for limited driving purposes such as work, school, or medical treatment. You must request this from the DHSMV and provide documentation of your need. Not all suspension reasons may have access to for a hardship license — for example, suspensions for unpaid child support typically do not. Contact your local DMV office to find out whether you may have access to.
What happens if I move out of Florida while my license is suspended?
Your Florida suspension remains in effect in all 50 states through the Interstate Compact. You cannot legally drive in any state until your Florida suspension is lifted. If you move to another state, you must resolve your Florida suspension before you can obtain a license in your new state.
Do I have to retake the written and driving tests to reinstate my license?
No. For most suspensions, you only need to complete a driver improvement course and pay the reinstatement fee. You do not retake the written or road test unless your suspension was for a medical reason and the DHSMV requires a driving evaluation as part of reinstatement.
Can I check someone else's license status?
No. The DHSMV only releases license status information to the license holder or their attorney. You cannot check another person's status online or by phone. If you need to verify someone's driving status for employment or insurance purposes, that person must provide the information directly or authorize you in writing.