What you need to do to get your Arizona license back
To reinstate a suspended license in Arizona, you must first find out why it was suspended, then complete the specific requirement tied to that reason. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will not reinstate your license until that requirement is met. The most common reasons for suspension are unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, DUI conviction, accumulating too many points, or failure to maintain insurance. Each has a different path to reinstatement.
You cannot straightforward pay a fee and get your license back. ADOT will tell you exactly what you owe or what you must do, but you have to contact them first to find out. Once you complete the requirement — whether that is paying fines, completing a DUI course, or filing an SR22 form — you then submit proof to ADOT and pay the reinstatement fee, which is currently $50 for most suspensions.
Key Takeaways
- Contact ADOT's Driver Services Bureau to learn the specific reason your license was suspended and what you must do to clear it.
- Different suspension reasons require different actions: unpaid fines must be paid to the court, DUI suspensions require course completion, and insurance-related suspensions require an SR22 form filed with your insurer.
- After you complete the requirement, you must submit proof to ADOT along with the $50 reinstatement fee.
- You can reinstate online, by mail, or in person at an ADOT office, depending on the type of suspension.
- Reinstatement typically takes one to two weeks if you submit by mail or in person, or up to three business days if you use the online system.
How to find out why your license was suspended
Call ADOT's Driver Services Bureau at 602-255-0072 (Phoenix area) or 1-800-251-5866 (statewide). Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready. The representative will tell you the suspension reason and what you must do to clear it. You can also check your suspension status online through the ADOT website, though the online system does not always show the specific action required — a phone call is faster.
Write down everything the representative tells you: the suspension reason, the amount owed (if any), the important date, and the exact steps you need to take. Ask for the phone number or address of the agency you need to contact next — whether that is the court, your insurance company, or a DUI program. This prevents confusion later.
Suspension reasons and what each one requires
Unpaid traffic fines or failure to appear in court: Contact the court that issued the ticket. You must pay the fine in full or set up a payment plan. Once paid, the court sends notice to ADOT automatically, but this can take one to two weeks. You do not need to file anything with ADOT yourself — the court handles it.
DUI conviction: You must complete an alcohol or drug education program approved by ADOT. The length depends on whether it was a first, second, or third offense within seven years. A first offense typically requires a 16-hour course; a second or third requires 36 hours. You pay the program directly (costs vary, usually $300 to $600), and the program sends proof of completion to ADOT. You also must file an SR22 form with your insurance company, which your insurer then files with ADOT.
Too many points on your record: Arizona suspends licenses when a driver accumulates 8 points in 12 months, 12 points in 24 months, or 16 points in 36 months. You cannot remove these points yourself. Instead, you must wait out the suspension period (usually 30 days for a first suspension) and then submit the $50 reinstatement fee. No other action is required unless you also have unpaid fines.
Failure to maintain insurance: You must file an SR22 form with an insurance company licensed to do business in Arizona. The SR22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that proves you have liability insurance. Your insurer files it with ADOT on your behalf. You do not file it yourself. Once filed, ADOT lifts the suspension, though processing takes a few days.
Suspended for medical reasons: You must see a doctor approved by ADOT and pass a medical evaluation. ADOT will give you a list of approved physicians. The doctor sends the results directly to ADOT. If you pass, the suspension is lifted.
How to submit your reinstatement request
| Method | How it works | Processing time |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Go to the ADOT website, log into your account, and submit your reinstatement request with proof of completion (if required). Pay the $50 fee by credit or debit card. | Up to 3 business days |
| By mail | Send a letter to ADOT Driver Services, 1801 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85007. Include your name, license number, the reason for suspension, proof you completed the requirement, and a check for $50 payable to ADOT. | 1 to 2 weeks |
| In person | Visit an ADOT office with your proof of completion and $50 cash or card. Bring your ID. No appointment needed, but wait times vary. | Same day or next business day |
If your suspension was due to unpaid fines or failure to appear, you do not need to submit anything to ADOT yourself — the court notifies ADOT once you pay. However, you still need to pay the $50 reinstatement fee. You can do this online, by mail, or in person.
If your suspension was due to an insurance lapse, your insurer files the SR22 directly with ADOT. Once ADOT receives it, the suspension is lifted automatically. You do not pay a separate reinstatement fee for insurance-related suspensions in most cases, but confirm this with ADOT when you call.
What documents and proof you will need
The documents required depend on the suspension reason. For a DUI suspension, bring the completion certificate from the alcohol education program. For a medical suspension, bring the doctor's clearance letter. For an insurance suspension, your insurer handles the filing, so you do not need to bring anything — just confirm with ADOT that the SR22 was received.
For any suspension, have your driver's license number, Social Security number, and current address ready. If you are mailing your request, include a copy of your license or ID. If you are submitting online, you may need to upload a photo of your proof document. Ask ADOT what format they accept (PDF, JPG, etc.) before you submit.
Reinstatement fees and what they cover
The standard reinstatement fee in Arizona is $50. This fee is separate from any fines, court costs, or program fees you may owe. For example, if you were suspended for unpaid traffic fines, you pay the fine to the court and the $50 reinstatement fee to ADOT. If you were suspended for a DUI, you pay the education program fee and the $50 reinstatement fee.
Some suspensions do not require a reinstatement fee. If your suspension was lifted automatically (for example, after you waited out a point-based suspension period), you may not owe anything. Call ADOT to confirm whether a fee applies to your situation before you submit payment.
What happens after you submit your reinstatement request
Once ADOT receives your request and proof, they review it to make sure you completed the requirement. If everything is in order, your license is reinstated. You will receive a notice in the mail confirming the reinstatement, usually within the timeframe listed above (same day for in-person, 3 business days for online, 1 to 2 weeks for mail).
You can drive legally once your license is reinstated. You do not need to wait for a new physical license card to arrive in the mail — your reinstatement is effective when ready in the system. However, if you are stopped by police, they can verify your reinstatement status by running your license. If you want a replacement card, you can order one online or at an ADOT office for an additional fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. You cannot drive legally until ADOT officially reinstates your license. Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in Arizona and can result in additional fines, jail time, and a longer suspension. Wait for written confirmation from ADOT before you drive.
What if I cannot afford to pay my traffic fines all at once?
Contact the court that issued the ticket and ask about a payment plan. Most Arizona courts allow you to pay in installments. Once you set up the plan and make the first payment, the court may notify ADOT that you are in compliance, which can lift the suspension while you pay off the balance. Confirm this with the court before you assume the suspension is lifted.
Do I need to take a DUI course if my DUI charge was dismissed?
No. If the charge was dismissed or you were acquitted, you do not need to complete the course. However, your license may still be suspended for other reasons (unpaid fines, failure to appear, etc.). Call ADOT to confirm the current suspension reason.
How long does it take to reinstate a license suspended for too many points?
You must wait out the suspension period, which is usually 30 days for a first suspension. After 30 days, you can submit your $50 reinstatement fee. Processing takes an additional 1 to 3 business days depending on how you submit it. In total, plan for about 4 to 6 weeks from the suspension date.
What if ADOT denies my reinstatement request?
ADOT will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons include incomplete proof (for example, a DUI course certificate that is not signed by the program), unpaid fines still outstanding, or an SR22 that was not properly filed. Fix the issue and resubmit. You can also call ADOT to ask what is missing before you resubmit.