How to check your Florida license suspension status online
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) lets you check your license status through their official website without paying a fee. Go to flhsmv.gov, find the "License Check" tool, and enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will tell you when ready whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or cancelled.
This online check takes about two minutes and works 24 hours a day. You do not need to create an account or provide a password. If the system shows your license is suspended, it will usually tell you the reason — for example, unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, or a medical suspension — though not always the exact amount owed or the date it will be lifted.
If the online tool does not work or you want more detail about why your license is suspended, call the DHSMV at 1-888-769-2778. Have your license number ready. Wait times are longest on Monday mornings and shortest on Wednesday afternoons.
Key Takeaways
- The DHSMV License Check tool at flhsmv.gov shows your suspension status when ready and costs nothing.
- A suspension means you cannot legally drive; a revocation is permanent unless you go through reinstatement steps.
- Common reasons for suspension include unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, and unpaid child support.
- If you are suspended, you will need to resolve the underlying issue — pay fines, appear in court, or clear the medical hold — before you can restore your license.
What the different license statuses mean
Suspended means your license is temporarily invalid. You cannot legally drive, and driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense in Florida. A suspension usually has an end date or a condition you must meet to lift it — paying a fine, completing a course, or clearing a medical issue. Once you meet that condition, your license becomes valid again automatically or after you request reinstatement.
Revoked means your license has been permanently cancelled by the state. You cannot drive legally, and you cannot straightforward wait for it to expire and renew. To drive again, you must go through a formal reinstatement process with the DHSMV, which often includes paying a reinstatement fee, passing a written test, and sometimes a driving test. Revocations are usually the result of serious violations like multiple DUI convictions or habitual traffic offender status.
Cancelled means the state has ended your license for administrative reasons — usually because you did not renew it on time or you moved out of state and did not update your address. A cancelled license is easier to restore than a revoked one; you can often renew it like a normal renewal, though you may pay a late fee.
Common reasons your Florida license might be suspended
Unpaid traffic fines and court costs are the most frequent cause. If you received a ticket, did not pay the fine by the due date, and did not request a payment plan, the court reports you to the DHSMV and your license is suspended automatically. Paying the fine or setting up a payment plan with the court usually lifts the suspension within one to three business days.
Failure to appear in court for a traffic ticket or criminal charge also triggers suspension. If you missed a court date, the judge issued a warrant for your arrest and reported you to the DHSMV. You must appear in court — either in person or through your attorney — to resolve the case before your license is restored.
Other common reasons include unpaid child support (reported by the Department of Revenue), a medical suspension (ordered by a doctor or the DHSMV if you have a condition that affects safe driving), and accumulating too many points on your driving record. Florida suspends your license if you get 12 points in 12 months, 18 points in 18 months, or 24 points in 36 months.
What to do if your license is suspended
First, find out the exact reason by calling the DHSMV at 1-888-769-2778 or checking your online status. The reason determines what you must do next. If it is unpaid fines, contact the court that issued the ticket and pay or set up a payment plan. If it is failure to appear, contact your local courthouse or hire an attorney to help you resolve the case.
If the suspension is due to unpaid child support, contact the Florida Department of Revenue's Child Support Enforcement office. If it is a medical suspension, you will need to provide the DHSMV with a letter from your doctor stating you are safe to drive, or complete a medical evaluation through the DHSMV's Medical Review Program.
Once you have resolved the underlying issue, the suspension is usually lifted automatically within a few business days. If it is not, call the DHSMV again to confirm the issue was reported to them. Some courts and agencies are slower to report than others, so allow up to two weeks before following up.
Driving on a suspended license in Florida
Driving while your license is suspended is a criminal offense. A first offense is a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. A second offense within five years is a first-degree misdemeanor, with up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. A third or subsequent offense within ten years is also a first-degree misdemeanor with the same penalties.
If you are stopped by police and your license is suspended, you will be arrested, your vehicle may be impounded, and you will face criminal charges in addition to whatever caused the suspension in the first place. Even if you are not stopped, driving on a suspended license can void your auto insurance coverage, leaving you personally liable for any accident you cause.
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. may be able to access depends on the reason for suspension and your circumstances. Call the DHSMV to ask whether you may have access to.
How suspension affects your auto insurance
Most auto insurance policies require that all drivers on the policy have a valid, unsuspended license. If your license is suspended and you do not tell your insurer, your policy may be cancelled without notice. If you are in an accident while suspended, your insurer may deny your claim entirely, leaving you to pay for all damages out of pocket.
Some insurers will not insure you at all while your license is suspended. Others will insure you but at a much higher rate, or will require you to add a non-owner policy if you are not the primary driver. Once your license is restored, you should contact your insurer to confirm your policy is active and ask whether your rate will decrease.
If you are suspended due to unpaid traffic fines or failure to appear, resolving the issue quickly is important not just for your driving privileges but for your insurance costs. The longer your license stays suspended, the more likely your insurer is to drop you or raise your rate significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a suspension usually last?
It depends on the reason. Suspensions for unpaid fines are usually lifted within one to three business days of payment. Suspensions for failure to appear last until you go to court. Medical suspensions can last weeks or months depending on your condition. Some suspensions have a set end date; others last until you meet a specific condition.
Can I get a hardship license while suspended?
You may be able to get a business purpose license if your suspension is for unpaid fines, failure to appear, or certain other reasons. You cannot get one if you are suspended for DUI, reckless driving, or habitual traffic offender status. Call the DHSMV at 1-888-769-2778 to ask whether you may have access to and what you need to bring to your local office.
Will my suspension show up on a background check?
A current suspension will show on a driving record check. Some employers, landlords, and lenders run these checks. A suspension may affect your job prospects, housing options, or ability to borrow money, depending on who is checking and why. Once your license is restored, the suspension stays on your record but is marked as resolved.
What if I moved out of Florida while suspended?
Your Florida suspension follows you. If you move to another state and try to get a license there, most states will see the Florida suspension and deny your process until it is lifted. You must resolve the suspension with Florida first, even if you no longer live there. Contact the DHSMV or the court that caused the suspension to find out how to resolve it remotely.
Can I check someone else's license status?
No. The DHSMV License Check tool requires the driver's license number and date of birth, and is meant only for the license holder to check their own status. You cannot check a family member's or employee's status without their permission and their information. If you need to verify someone's driving status for insurance or employment reasons, ask them directly or request they provide proof from the DHSMV.