What you need to do to get your Arizona license back
To reinstate your Arizona driver's license after suspension, you must first find out why it was suspended, then complete whatever requirement caused the suspension, and finally pay a reinstatement fee to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). The reason for suspension determines what you do next — a suspension for unpaid traffic fines requires payment, a suspension for unpaid child support requires a court order showing you've resolved it, and a suspension for a DUI conviction requires an SR22 insurance form plus other steps.
You cannot straightforward walk into an ADOT office and ask for your license back. ADOT will not reinstate it until the underlying reason is cleared. Once it is, you submit proof to ADOT, pay the reinstatement fee (currently $50 for most suspensions, though this can change), and your license becomes valid again.
Key Takeaways
- You must resolve the reason for suspension before ADOT will reinstate your license — paying a fine, obtaining a court order, or filing an SR22 form, depending on why it was suspended.
- Contact ADOT's Driver Services Bureau or check your suspension notice to learn the exact reason and what document or payment ADOT needs from you.
- The reinstatement fee is $50 for most suspensions, though some suspensions (like those tied to serious violations) may have additional requirements.
- You can submit your reinstatement request by mail, in person at an ADOT office, or online through ADOT's website if your suspension type allows it.
- Processing typically takes one to two weeks after ADOT receives your completed request and fee, though mail delivery adds time.
Finding out why your license was suspended
Your suspension notice should state the reason. If you no longer have it, call ADOT's Driver Services Bureau at 602-255-0072 (Phoenix area) or 1-888-683-4636 (statewide). Have your driver's license number or date of birth ready. ADOT staff will tell you the suspension code and what you must do to clear it.
Common suspension reasons in Arizona include unpaid traffic fines or court costs, failure to pay child support, failure to maintain auto insurance (usually after a DUI or serious violation), failure to appear in court, or conviction of a DUI or reckless driving. Each has a different path to reinstatement.
Clearing the suspension based on its cause
Unpaid fines or court costs: Pay the full amount owed to the court or collection agency listed on your notice. Once paid, request a letter or receipt showing the debt is satisfied. You will need this to prove to ADOT that the suspension reason is gone.
Unpaid child support: Contact the Arizona Department of Child Support Services or the court that ordered support. You must either pay the full arrearage or obtain a court order showing you have a payment plan in place. ADOT will not reinstate until the court confirms the arrangement.
Failure to maintain insurance (usually after DUI): You must file an SR22 form with ADOT. This is a certificate from your insurance company proving you carry the minimum required coverage. Your insurer files it directly with ADOT; you do not file it yourself. Once ADOT receives it, the insurance-related suspension is cleared (though other conditions of a DUI sentence may still explore).
Failure to appear in court: Contact the court listed on your notice and resolve the case — either appear for the scheduled hearing, pay any fine, or work out a new court date. Get written confirmation from the court that the failure-to-appear issue is resolved.
DUI or reckless driving conviction: You must complete a DUI education program (if required by the court), maintain SR22 insurance, and pay any fines or restitution ordered. The court will notify ADOT when these conditions are met, but you should also keep copies of completion certificates and insurance proof for your records.
Submitting your reinstatement request to ADOT
Once you have cleared the suspension reason, contact ADOT to submit your reinstatement request. You have three options: mail, in person, or online.
By mail: Send a letter to ADOT Driver Services, P.O. Box 2100, Phoenix, AZ 85001. Include your full name, date of birth, driver's license number, the reason your license was suspended, proof that you have resolved it (payment receipt, court order, SR22 form, or completion certificate), and a check or money order for $50 made payable to ADOT. Mail takes one to two weeks to arrive, plus one to two weeks for ADOT to process.
In person: Visit any ADOT office with the same documents and fee. ADOT will process your request on the spot or within a few days. Find office locations and hours at azdot.gov. Bring the original documents or certified copies; photocopies are usually not accepted.
Online: ADOT's website allows online reinstatement requests for some suspension types. Visit azdot.gov and look for the Driver Services section. Not all suspensions can be handled online — if yours cannot, you will be directed to mail or visit in person.
What happens after you submit your request
ADOT will review your request and the documents you provided. If everything is in order, your license will be reinstated and you will receive written confirmation by mail. Processing usually takes one to two weeks from the date ADOT receives your request.
If ADOT finds that your suspension reason has not been fully cleared — for example, if the court order you submitted does not match ADOT's records, or if your SR22 form has a gap in coverage — ADOT will contact you by mail or phone to explain what is missing. You will have a set time (usually 30 days) to provide the correct document or information.
Once your license is reinstated, you can drive legally again. Your reinstatement is permanent unless you commit another violation that triggers a new suspension.
Costs and timeline
The reinstatement fee is $50 for most suspensions. Some suspensions tied to serious violations (such as habitual traffic offender status) may have higher fees; ADOT will tell you the exact amount when you contact them.
Timeline varies by method. In-person reinstatement is fastest — usually same day or within a few days. Mail takes three to four weeks total (one to two weeks for delivery each way, plus one to two weeks for processing). Online requests, where available, typically process within one to two weeks.
If your reinstatement is denied
ADOT may deny your reinstatement request if the suspension reason has not been fully cleared, if you submitted incomplete documents, or if a new suspension was issued while your request was being processed. ADOT will explain the reason in writing.
If you believe the denial is an error, you can request an administrative hearing. Contact ADOT Driver Services to ask about the hearing process and important date. You will have the chance to present documents and explain your situation to a hearing officer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. Your license remains suspended until ADOT officially reinstates it. Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Arizona and can result in additional fines, jail time, and a longer suspension. Wait for written confirmation from ADOT before driving.
What if I cannot afford the $50 reinstatement fee right now?
Contact ADOT Driver Services to ask whether a payment plan is available. Some offices may allow you to pay in installments, though this varies. If you also owe fines or child support, those must be paid or resolved before reinstatement, regardless of the reinstatement fee.
Do I need a new photo or written test to get my license back?
No. Reinstatement restores your existing license. You do not retake the written or driving test unless your license has also expired during the suspension period. If it has expired, you will need to renew it at the same time, which requires a new photo and may require a new written test depending on how long it has been expired.
What if my suspension was for a DUI and I need to drive for work?
Arizona does not issue a restricted or work-only license during a DUI suspension. You must wait for full reinstatement. However, if the court ordered a DUI education program or treatment, completing it early may allow you to petition the court for early reinstatement — this is separate from ADOT's process and requires a lawyer or the court's help.
How long does a reinstatement stay on my record?
The reinstatement itself is not a mark against you. However, the original suspension reason (DUI, unpaid fines, failure to appear) remains on your driving record. This can affect your insurance rates and your ability to obtain certain jobs. The suspension reason typically stays on your record for three to ten years depending on what it was.