How to confirm your license is actually suspended
California suspends licenses for specific reasons — unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, DUI convictions, medical conditions, or accumulating too many points. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will mail you a notice, but mail gets lost or arrives late. The fastest way to know for certain is to check the DMV website directly using your driver's license number and date of birth, or call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133.
When you check, you will see either an active status or a suspension code. The code tells you why — for example, "FTA" means failure to appear, and "DUI" means a DUI-related suspension. Knowing the code is essential because the steps to restore your license depend entirely on the reason.
If the DMV website shows a suspension but you believe it is a mistake — for instance, you paid a fine but the payment did not post — write down the suspension code and the date it started. You will need this information when you contact the DMV to dispute it.
Key Takeaways
- Check your suspension status on the DMV website or by phone before taking any action, because the reason for suspension determines what you must do to restore your license.
- Traffic fine suspensions require payment plus a $55 reissuance fee; failure-to-appear suspensions require you to resolve the court case first.
- DUI suspensions involve both DMV and court processes and typically last six months to three years depending on your record and whether you install an ignition interlock device.
- Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense in California and can result in arrest, fines up to $1,000, and jail time.
- Some suspensions can be lifted when ready once you complete the required action; others require the DMV to process paperwork, which takes one to three weeks.
Suspensions for unpaid traffic fines or fees
If your license is suspended because of an unpaid traffic fine, the DMV will have sent you a notice at least 30 days before the suspension took effect. The suspension code will be "FIN" or similar. To restore your license, you must pay the outstanding fine in full, plus a $55 reissuance fee to the DMV.
You can pay the fine through the court that issued the ticket — find the court's website using the county name and "traffic court" — or through the DMV directly if you are paying the reissuance fee. Once payment clears, the DMV typically lifts the suspension within one to three business days, though you may need to request reinstatement if the system does not update automatically.
If you cannot afford the full amount, some courts offer payment plans or traffic school options that reduce or eliminate the fine. Contact the court listed on your ticket to ask about these options before the suspension takes effect.
Suspensions for failure to appear in court
A failure-to-appear suspension (code "FTA") means you missed a court date for a traffic ticket or other charge. The DMV cannot lift this suspension — only the court can. You must contact the court that issued the ticket, explain why you missed the date, and ask to reschedule or resolve the case.
Bring your ticket, your DMV suspension notice, and any documentation of why you missed the date — a hospital record, work schedule conflict, or proof you did not receive the notice. The judge may dismiss the case, allow you to plead guilty or no contest, or reschedule your hearing. Once the court resolves the case, it will notify the DMV, and your suspension will be lifted within one to three weeks.
Do not ignore an FTA suspension. The longer you wait, the more likely the court will issue a warrant for your arrest, and you can be stopped and arrested during any traffic stop.
DUI-related suspensions and ignition interlock requirements
A DUI suspension involves both the DMV and the court. The DMV imposes an administrative suspension based on the arrest alone, while the court imposes a separate suspension as part of sentencing. You must handle both to fully restore your license.
For a first DUI, the DMV suspension typically lasts six months. You can request a restricted license (also called a "work permit") after 30 days if you install an ignition interlock device (IID) — a breathalyzer that prevents the car from starting if it detects alcohol. The IID costs $50 to $100 to install and $60 to $80 per month to maintain. You must keep it installed for at least five months for a first offense.
The court suspension runs separately and may be longer than the DMV suspension. You must complete DUI school (a 30-hour program costing $300 to $1,000), pay court fines, and sometimes serve jail time or probation. Only after the court suspends your license can you request reinstatement from the DMV.
If you have a prior DUI within 10 years, the suspension is longer — one year for the DMV and up to three years for the court — and the IID requirement extends to at least one year.
Medical and point-based suspensions
The DMV can suspend your license if a doctor reports a medical condition that affects your ability to drive safely, or if you accumulate 12 or more points on your driving record within 12 months. These suspensions are different from fine or court-related ones.
For a medical suspension, you must see a doctor, get a medical evaluation form from the DMV, have the doctor complete it, and submit it back to the DMV. The DMV will review it and decide whether to lift the suspension. This process takes two to four weeks.
For a point-based suspension, you have the right to a hearing before the DMV. Request the hearing within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice. At the hearing, you can argue that the points should not have been assigned or that circumstances warrant keeping your license. If you lose the hearing, the suspension typically lasts six months, and you must complete a defensive driving course to have it reduced to 30 days.
What you cannot do while suspended
Driving on a suspended license in California is a criminal offense. A first violation is an infraction (like a traffic ticket) with a fine of $100 to $250. A second violation within five years becomes a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and fines up to $1,000. A third or subsequent violation is also a misdemeanor with the same penalties.
Police can arrest you during any traffic stop if they discover your license is suspended. Your car can be impounded, and you will face additional towing and storage fees. If you are caught driving on a suspended license, the court will likely extend your suspension period.
If you need to drive during a suspension, your only legal option is to obtain a restricted license (work permit) if you are may be able to access. may be able to access depends on the reason for suspension — you cannot get a restricted license for a DUI suspension without an IID, and you cannot get one for an FTA suspension at all.
Steps to restore your license after the suspension ends
Once you have completed the required action — paid the fine, resolved the court case, installed the IID, or completed the medical evaluation — you must formally request reinstatement from the DMV. Some suspensions lift automatically, but most require you to take action.
Visit the DMV website, call 1-800-777-0133, or go to a DMV office in person. Have your driver's license number, date of birth, and proof that you have completed the requirement (receipt of payment, court order, IID installation confirmation, or medical clearance). The DMV will process your reinstatement request, and your license will be restored within one to three business days if everything is in order.
When you receive your reinstated license, check that it shows an active status. If you are still seeing a suspension code after two weeks, contact the DMV again — sometimes paperwork does not transfer between systems correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a restricted license while my license is suspended?
It depends on the reason for suspension. For DUI suspensions, you can get a restricted license after 30 days if you install an ignition interlock device. For fine-related suspensions, you cannot — you must pay the fine to restore full driving privileges. For failure-to-appear suspensions, you cannot get a restricted license at all; you must resolve the court case first.
How long does it take for the DMV to lift a suspension after I pay a fine?
If you pay online or at a DMV office, the suspension typically lifts within one to three business days. If you pay through the court, it may take longer because the court must notify the DMV. Call the DMV after three business days to confirm the suspension has been lifted.
What happens if I move out of California while my license is suspended?
Your California suspension remains active even if you move. If you obtain a license in another state, California will likely place a hold on it, and you will not be able to reinstate it in California until you resolve the suspension. It is better to resolve the suspension before moving.
Can I dispute a suspension if I think it is wrong?
Yes. For fine-related suspensions, contact the court that issued the ticket and provide proof of payment if you believe you already paid. For court-related suspensions, contact the court directly. For point-based or medical suspensions, you have the right to request a hearing within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice.
Do I need a lawyer to restore my suspended license?
For most suspensions, you do not need a lawyer — you can handle reinstatement yourself by paying fines, resolving court cases, or completing requirements. For DUI suspensions or if you are fighting a point-based suspension at a hearing, a lawyer can help, but it is not required.