How to learn about your Florida license is actually suspended
Your license is suspended in Florida if the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) has revoked your driving privileges, usually because of unpaid traffic fines, a DUI conviction, accumulating too many points, or failure to pay child support. The only way to know for certain is to check the DHSMV website or call them directly — you cannot assume based on not receiving a notice, because suspension notices sometimes get lost in the mail.
Go to flhsmv.gov and use the "Check Driver License Status" tool. You will need your driver license number and date of birth. The system will tell you when ready whether your license is suspended, the reason, and what you must do to restore it. If you do not have internet access, call the DHSMV at 1-888-769-2338 during business hours. Have your license number ready.
If the system shows your license is suspended, write down the reason code and the date it took effect. Different reasons require different steps to fix it, and you cannot restore your license until you address the underlying issue.
Key Takeaways
- Check your suspension status on flhsmv.gov using your license number and date of birth, or call 1-888-769-2338 to confirm.
- The reason for suspension determines what you must do next — unpaid fines, points, DUI, and child support arrears each have different restoration paths.
- You cannot legally drive in Florida while suspended, and driving on a suspended license carries criminal penalties and higher insurance costs.
- Once you resolve the underlying issue, you must formally request license restoration through DHSMV; the suspension does not automatically lift.
- If you need to drive before your license is restored, you may be able to get a hardship permit, but only for specific purposes like work or medical treatment.
Why your license was suspended in the first place
Florida suspends licenses for several reasons, and the cause matters because it determines how you fix it. The most common reasons are accumulating 12 or more points within 12 months (a point system based on traffic violations), failing to pay a traffic fine or court-ordered restitution, a DUI or refusal to take a breath test, and owing unpaid child support that the state has flagged to DHSMV.
Less common but serious reasons include being declared a habitual traffic offender (three major violations within five years), driving with a suspended or revoked license, and failing to maintain required insurance after an accident. Some suspensions are temporary — for example, a suspension for unpaid fines lifts once you pay — while others, like a DUI suspension, have a fixed term you must wait out.
The DHSMV notice you received (or should have received) listed the reason. If you cannot find it, the online status check will show the reason code. Write it down exactly as it appears, because you will need it when you contact DHSMV or a traffic attorney to understand your next step.
Restoring your license after a points suspension
If you accumulated 12 or more points in 12 months, your license was suspended for six months. To restore it, you must wait out the suspension period and then complete a driver improvement course approved by DHSMV. This is a classroom or online course that takes four to eight hours and costs between $20 and $50, depending on the provider.
After you finish the course, you will receive a completion certificate. Bring that certificate to a Florida DMV office (called a Driver License Office) along with your identification and the restoration fee, which is $75. You can also mail the certificate and fee to DHSMV, but going in person is faster. Your license will be restored on the spot if you are in person, or within a few days if you mail it.
You cannot drive legally during the suspension period, even with a completion certificate. The certificate only becomes useful after the suspension term ends. If you need to drive before then, you can request a hardship permit, which is described in a later section.
Paying fines and court costs to lift a suspension
If your license was suspended because you did not pay a traffic fine, court costs, or restitution ordered by a judge, you must pay the full amount owed. The DHSMV status check will show the amount and the court that issued the fine. You can pay online through the court's website, by phone, by mail, or in person at the courthouse.
Once the court receives your payment, it takes one to three business days for the court to notify DHSMV that you have paid. Your suspension will lift automatically after DHSMV receives the notice. You do not need to file any additional paperwork or pay a restoration fee — the suspension straightforward ends.
If you cannot pay the full amount at once, contact the court listed on your suspension notice and ask about a payment plan. Many courts allow you to pay in installments. Your license will remain suspended until the full amount is paid, but setting up a plan shows the court you are working toward compliance.
DUI suspension and the path to restoration
A DUI suspension in Florida lasts a minimum of six months for a first offense, one year for a second offense within five years, and longer for subsequent offenses or if you refused a breath test. Unlike a points suspension, you cannot shorten a DUI suspension by taking a course — you must wait out the full term.
After the suspension period ends, you must request license restoration from DHSMV. You will need to pay a $75 restoration fee and provide proof that you have completed a DUI education program (a 12-hour course) and, if ordered by the court, an alcohol treatment program. The court that handled your DUI case will have told you which programs are required.
If you were ordered to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle, you must have it installed before your license is restored. An ignition interlock prevents your car from starting if it detects alcohol on your breath. The device costs $60 to $100 to install and $50 to $100 per month to maintain, and you must keep it for the duration ordered by the court.
Getting a hardship permit while your license is suspended
A hardship permit (also called a restricted license) allows you to drive for specific purposes — usually work, school, medical treatment, or court-ordered programs — while your license is suspended. You cannot use it for personal errands, socializing, or any other reason.
To request a hardship permit, you must show DHSMV that you have a genuine need to drive and that the suspension causes you serious hardship. Go to a Driver License Office with your identification, proof of the hardship (such as a letter from your employer stating you need to drive for work, or a medical appointment letter), and the hardship permit process fee of $25. You can also mail the process, but processing takes longer.
DHSMV does not grant hardship permits for all suspension reasons. You cannot get one for a DUI suspension during the first 30 days, and you cannot get one at all if you are a habitual traffic offender. For other suspensions, approval depends on whether DHSMV believes your hardship is genuine and serious. Approval is not may provide.
Driving on a suspended license and the consequences
Driving in Florida 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 one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. A third offense within ten years is a felony.
Beyond criminal penalties, driving on a suspended license will cause your insurance rates to spike dramatically — if an insurer will cover you at all. Many insurers will not renew a policy after a suspended-license conviction, and those that do may charge two to three times your normal premium. You may also be required to file an SR22 form, which is a certificate of financial responsibility that proves you carry the minimum required insurance.
If you are stopped and your license is suspended, the officer will likely impound your vehicle. You will have to pay towing and storage fees to get it back, on top of any fines or jail time. The safest choice is to wait out the suspension, pay what you owe, or request a hardship permit if you have a genuine need to drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to restore my license after I pay a fine?
Once the court receives your payment, it takes one to three business days for the court to notify DHSMV. Your suspension will lift automatically after that notification, so you should be able to drive within three to five business days of paying. Call DHSMV to confirm your status before you drive.
Can I get a hardship permit if I was suspended for points?
Yes, you can request a hardship permit for a points suspension if you can show genuine hardship — usually work, school, or medical treatment. You must go to a Driver License Office with proof of the hardship and pay a $25 fee. Approval is not may provide, but you have the right to request one.
What happens if I get caught driving on a suspended license?
You will face criminal charges (a misdemeanor for a first offense), possible jail time, a fine, and vehicle impoundment. Your insurance rates will increase sharply, and you may be required to file an SR22 form. A second offense within five years is a felony.
Do I have to take a driver improvement course to restore my license?
Only if you were suspended for accumulating points. If you were suspended for unpaid fines, DUI, or child support, a course is not required. For a DUI suspension, you must complete a DUI education program, but that is different from a standard driver improvement course.
Can I restore my license online?
You can check your status and pay some fines online through flhsmv.gov or the court's website, but you must go to a Driver License Office in person or mail documents to DHSMV to formally restore your license. Mailing takes longer, so visiting an office is faster if you have one nearby.