Check your Florida license status through the DHSMV website or by phone
Florida's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) lets you check your driver's license status online in minutes. You can visit the DHSMV website, enter your driver's license number and date of birth, and see whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired. If you prefer not to use the website, you can call the DHSMV at 850-617-2000 during business hours and speak to a representative who will look up your status for you.
Knowing your license status matters because driving on a suspended or revoked license carries serious penalties — fines, jail time, and additional license suspension. If you've received a notice about your license or suspect something is wrong, checking your status is the first step to understanding what happened and what you need to do next.
Key Takeaways
- The DHSMV website at flhsmv.gov lets you check your license status when ready using your license number and date of birth.
- You can also call 850-617-2000 during business hours to have a representative look up your status by phone.
- A suspended license means you cannot legally drive; a revoked license means your driving privileges have been permanently taken away and you must reapply.
- Common reasons for suspension include unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, DUI convictions, and accumulating too many points on your driving record.
- If your license is suspended or revoked, you will need to resolve the underlying issue before you can restore your driving privileges.
What the DHSMV online lookup tool shows you
When you search your license status on the DHSMV website, the system returns one of several possible statuses. A valid license means you can legally drive. An expired license means your license has passed its renewal date and you need to renew it before driving. A suspended license means your driving privileges are temporarily taken away — you cannot drive, but you may be able to restore your license once you resolve the reason for the suspension. A revoked license means your driving privileges have been permanently cancelled, and you must reapply for a new license after a waiting period.
The lookup tool also shows you your license expiration date if your license is still valid. If your license is suspended or revoked, the tool may not always display the specific reason on the website — you may need to call the DHSMV or visit a local office to learn why your license was suspended or revoked.
Steps to check your status on the DHSMV website
Go to flhsmv.gov and look for the "Check Driver License Status" tool. You will need your Florida driver's license number and your date of birth. Enter both pieces of information into the search fields and click the button to search. The system will return your current status within seconds.
If you do not have your license number handy, you can find it on your physical license card or on any renewal notice you received in the mail. If you have lost your license number and cannot find it, calling the DHSMV at 850-617-2000 is faster than trying to locate it — the representative can pull up your information using your name and date of birth instead.
Why your license might be suspended in Florida
Florida suspends driver's licenses for many reasons. The most common are unpaid traffic fines or court costs, failure to pay child support, conviction of a DUI or reckless driving charge, accumulating 12 or more points on your driving record within 12 months, and failure to maintain car insurance after an accident. Some suspensions are also issued for medical reasons — for example, if you fail a vision or medical exam required by the DHSMV.
Each reason for suspension has different steps to restore your license. If your suspension is due to unpaid fines, you must pay the fines and court costs. If it is due to a DUI conviction, you may need to complete a substance abuse course and install an ignition interlock device. If it is due to points on your record, you may need to wait for points to age off or take a defensive driving course to reduce points. The DHSMV website or a phone call to the department can tell you which steps explore to your situation.
The difference between suspension and revocation
A suspension is temporary. Once you resolve the underlying issue — pay the fine, complete the required course, or satisfy the court — you can restore your license. The DHSMV will reinstate your driving privileges, and you can drive again. A suspension can last anywhere from a few months to several years depending on the reason.
A revocation is permanent. The DHSMV has cancelled your license entirely, and you cannot straightforward resolve an issue to get it back. Instead, you must wait out a mandatory waiting period (which varies by reason — typically one to ten years) and then reapply for a new license from scratch. You will need to pass the written test, vision test, and road test again. Revocations are issued for serious violations like multiple DUI convictions or habitual traffic offender status.
What to do if your license is suspended or revoked
First, call the DHSMV at 850-617-2000 or visit a local DHSMV office to find out the exact reason for the suspension or revocation. The online tool may not show you the reason, so a phone call or in-person visit is often necessary. Once you know the reason, you can take the steps needed to resolve it.
If your license is suspended, contact the agency or court responsible for the suspension. If it is a fine, pay it. If it is child support, contact the Florida Department of Revenue. If it is a DUI, enroll in the required substance abuse course. Keep documentation of everything you do — receipts, course completion certificates, court orders — because you will need to show proof when you request reinstatement. After you have resolved the issue, you can request reinstatement through the DHSMV website or by visiting a local office.
If your license is revoked, you cannot restore it until the waiting period ends. Check with the DHSMV about when you become may be able to access to reapply. Once the waiting period is over, you will need to reapply for a new license, which means taking the written test, vision test, and road test again.
Checking your status by phone or in person
If you do not want to use the online tool, you can call the DHSMV at 850-617-2000. Have your driver's license number and date of birth ready. A representative will look up your status and tell you whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired. They can also tell you the reason for a suspension or revocation and what steps you need to take to restore your license.
You can also visit a local DHSMV office in person. Find the office nearest you on the DHSMV website. Bring your identification and any documents related to your license status. An office representative can check your status, explain the reason for any suspension or revocation, and help you understand what you need to do next. Office hours vary by location, so check the website before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive if my license is suspended?
No. Driving on a suspended license is illegal in Florida and carries penalties including fines up to $500, jail time up to 60 days, and additional license suspension. If you are caught driving on a suspended license, you will face criminal charges on top of the original reason your license was suspended.
How long does a suspension usually last?
The length of a suspension depends on the reason. Some suspensions last a few months, while others last several years. Once you resolve the underlying issue — pay a fine, complete a course, or satisfy a court order — you can request reinstatement. The DHSMV can tell you the specific length of your suspension when you check your status.
What if the online tool says my license is valid but I received a suspension notice?
Call the DHSMV at 850-617-2000 right away. There may be a delay between when a suspension is issued and when it appears in the online system. A representative can confirm whether a suspension has been processed and when it will take effect. Do not drive until you have confirmed your status by phone.
Can I get a hardship license if my license is suspended?
Florida offers a hardship license (also called a business purposes license) in some cases, which allows you to drive to work, school, or medical appointments while your license is suspended. You must request this through the DHSMV and meet specific requirements. Call 850-617-2000 to ask whether you are may be able to access for a hardship license.