Check your Florida license status through the DHSMV website or by phone

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) runs a free online tool where you can see whether your license is suspended, revoked, or valid. You do not need to visit an office in person. The fastest way is the DHSMV website at flhsmv.gov — go to the "License Check" section and enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The system tells you your status when ready.

If you do not want to use the website, you can call the DHSMV at 1-850-617-3800 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time). Have your driver's license number ready. A representative will look up your status and explain why your license was suspended if that is the case.

A suspension means you cannot legally drive in Florida or any other state until you clear the reason for the suspension and pay any required fees. It is different from a revocation, which is permanent unless you go through a formal reinstatement process. Knowing which one applies to you changes what you have to do next.

Key Takeaways

  • The DHSMV License Check tool at flhsmv.gov shows your status in seconds using your license number and date of birth.
  • You can also call 1-850-617-3800 during business hours to have a representative check your status over the phone.
  • A suspension is temporary and can be cleared by paying fines, completing required programs, or resolving the underlying issue.
  • If your license is suspended, you will need to resolve the reason before you can drive legally or renew your license.

Common reasons your Florida license gets suspended

The most frequent cause is unpaid traffic fines or court costs. If you do not pay a fine by the due date, the court reports it to DHSMV and your license is suspended automatically. Another common reason is accumulating too many points on your driving record — Florida suspends licenses when drivers reach 12 points in 12 months, 18 points in 18 months, or 24 points in 36 months.

Driving with a suspended license, failing a drug test, or refusing a breath test also triggers suspension. If you were convicted of a DUI or drug-related offense, DHSMV suspends your license as part of the sentence. Medical reasons — such as a doctor reporting that you are unfit to drive — can also result in suspension, though this is less common.

Child support arrears is another reason. If you fall behind on court-ordered child support payments, the state can suspend your license to pressure payment. Finally, if you were involved in an accident without insurance or did not report it to your insurance company within the required time, your license may be suspended under Florida's financial responsibility law.

What to do if your license is suspended

Your first step is to find out the exact reason. The DHSMV website or phone line will tell you. Once you know why, you can take the specific action needed to clear the suspension. For unpaid fines, you pay the court. For points violations, you may need to wait out part of the suspension period or take a defensive driving course to reduce points. For DUI-related suspensions, you typically need to complete a substance abuse course and pay a reinstatement fee.

If your suspension is due to child support arrears, you must bring your account current with the Department of Revenue. If it is due to an accident and lack of insurance, you may need to file an SR-22 form with your insurance company, which proves you now have coverage. The insurance company then files the SR-22 with DHSMV on your behalf.

After you complete the required steps, you must pay a reinstatement fee to DHSMV. This fee varies depending on the reason for suspension but typically ranges from $25 to $150. You can pay online through the DHSMV website, by mail, or in person at a driver's license office. Once DHSMV processes your payment and confirms you have met all requirements, your license is reinstated and you can drive again.

How long a suspension lasts in Florida

The length of a suspension depends on the reason. For unpaid traffic fines, your license stays suspended until you pay. For point accumulation, the suspension lasts a minimum of 30 days, but you cannot drive during that time. For a first DUI conviction, the suspension is typically 6 months to 1 year. A second DUI within 5 years results in a 5-year suspension.

If your suspension is due to refusing a breath test, it lasts 12 months for a first refusal. Child support suspensions remain in place until your account is current. Some suspensions are indefinite until you take action — for example, if you were convicted of a drug offense, your license stays suspended until you complete a drug education course and pay the reinstatement fee.

The DHSMV website or phone representative can tell you the exact end date of your suspension, if one exists. If no end date is listed, it means you must take a specific action to clear it rather than straightforward waiting.

Driving with a suspended license in Florida carries serious penalties

Driving while your license is suspended is a criminal offense in Florida. A first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail, a $500 fine, or both. A second offense within 5 years is also a misdemeanor but carries up to 5 days in jail and a $500 fine. A third or subsequent offense within 10 years is a felony, which can result in up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Beyond criminal penalties, driving on a suspended license will extend your suspension. DHSMV adds additional time to your suspension period each time you are caught driving illegally. Your insurance company may also drop your coverage if you are convicted of driving with a suspended license, making it harder and more expensive to get coverage later.

If you are stopped by police and your license is suspended, be honest about it. Attempting to hide the suspension or providing false information makes the situation worse. Tell the officer your license is suspended and explain what steps you are taking to clear it.

Getting your license reinstated after suspension

Reinstatement is not automatic — you must take action. Start by confirming you have completed all requirements tied to your suspension. If it was a fine, get proof of payment from the court. If it was a DUI, get proof of course completion from the provider. If it was points, confirm the suspension period has ended. Gather these documents because you will need them.

Next, pay the reinstatement fee through the DHSMV website, by mail, or at a driver's license office. The fee is non-refundable. After DHSMV receives and processes your payment, they will send you a notice confirming your license is reinstated. This usually takes 5 to 10 business days. You can then drive legally again.

If you need to drive before your license is officially reinstated, you cannot. Driving during the reinstatement process is still driving with a suspended license and carries the same criminal penalties. Wait for the official notice from DHSMV before getting behind the wheel.

Insurance and a suspended license

If your license was suspended due to an accident without insurance or failure to maintain coverage, you will need to file an SR-22 form before you can reinstate your license. An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that proves you have auto insurance. Your insurance company files it with DHSMV on your behalf — you do not file it yourself.

Getting insurance while your license is suspended is possible but more expensive. Insurers view suspended licenses as high-risk, so premiums are higher. Some insurers will not cover you at all until your license is reinstated. Once your license is reinstated and you have maintained continuous coverage for the required period (usually 3 years in Florida), you can request that your insurance company remove the SR-22 filing, and your rates may drop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive to work if my license is suspended?

No. Florida does not issue restricted licenses that allow you to drive to work or for essential purposes while suspended. Driving for any reason while suspended is illegal and can result in criminal charges, jail time, and fines. Your only legal option is to use public transportation, ride-sharing, or ask someone else to drive.

How long does it take to reinstate a suspended license?

Once you pay the reinstatement fee and meet all requirements, DHSMV typically processes your reinstatement within 5 to 10 business days. You will receive a notice in the mail confirming your license is active. Do not drive until you receive this notice.

What if I do not know why my license is suspended?

Use the DHSMV License Check tool or call 1-850-617-3800 to find out. The system will tell you the reason and what you need to do to clear it. If the reason is unclear, ask the DHSMV representative to explain it in detail.

Can I get a hardship license while suspended?

Florida does not issue hardship or restricted licenses for most suspensions. The only exception is for certain DUI suspensions, where you may be able to get a limited license to drive to work, school, or court after meeting specific requirements. Ask the DHSMV or a DUI attorney whether this applies to your situation.

Do I have to pay the reinstatement fee even if I was not at fault for the suspension?

Yes. The reinstatement fee is required regardless of the reason for suspension. It is a state fee, not a fine, and must be paid before your license is reinstated. The fee typically ranges from $25 to $150 depending on the cause of suspension.