Texas Reinstatement Fees and Total Cost

The cost to reinstate a Texas driver's license depends on why it was suspended or revoked and how long it has been inactive. Texas charges a reinstatement fee of $100 for most suspensions, plus the cost of a new license if yours has expired. If your suspension was for unpaid traffic fines or child support, you will also owe those underlying debts before the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will process your reinstatement.

A standard replacement license costs $25 if you are renewing at the same time. If your license expired while suspended, you must renew it as part of reinstatement — you cannot reinstate an expired license and keep it expired. The total out-of-pocket cost for a straightforward reinstatement with a new license is therefore $125, but this assumes no outstanding fines, child support, or other financial holds.

If your suspension was triggered by an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) requirement — common after DWI convictions — you will also pay for the device installation and monthly monitoring, which typically runs $60 to $150 per month depending on the vendor. This is separate from the reinstatement fee itself.

Key Takeaways

  • The base reinstatement fee in Texas is $100, plus $25 for a replacement license, totaling $125 for most cases.
  • If your suspension was for unpaid traffic fines or child support, you must pay those debts in full before DPS will reinstate your license.
  • An Ignition Interlock Device, required for some DWI-related suspensions, costs $60 to $150 per month in addition to reinstatement fees.
  • You cannot reinstate an expired license; if your license expired during suspension, renewal costs are included in the reinstatement process.
  • Payment must be made to the Texas DPS or an authorized county tax assessor-collector office; fees vary slightly by location.

Breakdown of Fees by Suspension Type

The reinstatement fee itself is $100 across all suspension types in Texas, but what you owe beyond that fee varies. For a suspension due to accumulating too many traffic violations (points), you pay only the $100 reinstatement fee plus $25 for the license. For a suspension tied to unpaid traffic fines, you must pay the fines first — DPS will not process reinstatement until the court confirms payment.

Child support-related suspensions require proof that you are current on payments or have entered a payment plan with the Texas Attorney General's office. The reinstatement fee itself does not change, but you cannot move forward without resolving the child support debt. Similarly, if your suspension was for failure to pay court costs or restitution, those amounts must be settled before reinstatement is processed.

DWI-related suspensions carry the $100 reinstatement fee plus the cost of an Ignition Interlock Device if required by your conviction. Some DWI suspensions do not require an IID; this depends on your blood alcohol content at arrest and whether it was a first or repeat offense. Check your court documents or contact the DPS to confirm whether an IID is mandatory for your case.

Where to Pay and Payment Methods

You can pay reinstatement fees at any Texas county tax assessor-collector office or online through the DPS website if you are renewing your license at the same time. Payment by check, money order, or debit/credit card is accepted at most offices; cash is accepted at some locations but not all. If you pay online, you must use a credit or debit card.

If you have outstanding fines or child support, those payments must go to the court or the Texas Attorney General's office, not to DPS. DPS will not accept the reinstatement fee until proof of payment on those debts is in the system. This typically takes one to three business days after you pay the court or attorney general, so plan accordingly if you need your license quickly.

Some county offices charge a small processing fee on top of the state reinstatement fee — usually $2 to $5. This is set by the county, not the state, so the total you pay may be slightly higher than $100 depending on where you go. Call your local tax assessor-collector office to confirm the exact amount before you arrive.

Timeline and When Fees Are Due

The $100 reinstatement fee must be paid before DPS will process your reinstatement. You cannot pay it after the fact or on a payment plan. If you have outstanding fines or child support, those must also be resolved before you pay the reinstatement fee — DPS checks for these holds before accepting payment.

Once you pay the reinstatement fee and any underlying debts are cleared, DPS typically processes the reinstatement within one to two business days. Your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. If you need to drive before the physical license arrives, you can request a temporary driving permit at the tax assessor-collector office for an additional $10 to $15.

If your suspension was for an unpaid ticket and you have a court date scheduled, paying the fine before that date does not automatically reinstate your license — you still must pay the $100 reinstatement fee separately. The court will not do this for you. Plan to visit the tax assessor-collector office after the court confirms your fine payment.

Ignition Interlock Device Costs

If your DWI conviction requires an Ignition Interlock Device, the installation fee is typically $75 to $150, and monthly monitoring costs $60 to $150 depending on the vendor and whether you have a camera-equipped device. Texas does not set these prices; they are set by the private companies that install and monitor the devices. You must use a vendor on the Texas DPS Ignition Interlock Device Vendor List.

The device must be installed before you can reinstate your license. Some vendors offer payment plans, but this is not may provide. Contact your assigned vendor directly to discuss costs and payment options. The total cost of an IID over a 12-month period can range from $1,000 to $2,500 depending on the vendor and device type.

If your suspension is for a second or subsequent DWI within 10 years, an IID is mandatory. For a first DWI, an IID is required only if your blood alcohol content was 0.15 or higher, or if you refused a breath or blood test. Check your court order to confirm whether an IID is required for your case.

How to Avoid Paying Twice

A common mistake is paying a traffic fine to the court, then later discovering DPS has not lifted the suspension because the court did not report the payment to DPS in time. Always request a written receipt from the court showing the fine is paid, and keep it until DPS confirms the suspension is lifted. Do not assume the court and DPS communicate automatically — they do, but it can take several days.

Another mistake is paying the reinstatement fee before confirming that all underlying debts are cleared. If you pay the $100 fee and DPS then discovers an unpaid fine or child support hold, you will not get a refund. DPS will straightforward hold your reinstatement until the debt is resolved. Call DPS or visit the tax assessor-collector office to confirm your record is clear before paying anything.

If you have multiple suspensions on your record, you may need to resolve all of them before reinstatement is possible. For example, if you have both a points suspension and an unpaid fine suspension, both must be cleared. Ask DPS for a full list of all holds on your license before you start the reinstatement process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay the reinstatement fee online?

You can pay online if you are renewing your license at the same time through the DPS website. However, if you have outstanding fines or child support, you must resolve those first — the online system will not let you proceed until DPS confirms those debts are cleared. For fines and child support, you must pay the court or attorney general directly, not DPS.

What if I cannot afford the $100 reinstatement fee right now?

Texas DPS does not offer payment plans for the reinstatement fee itself. You must pay the full $100 before reinstatement is processed. If you have outstanding fines or child support, some courts or the attorney general's office may offer payment plans for those debts, but you should contact them directly. Once those debts are resolved, you still must pay the full $100 reinstatement fee to DPS.

Do I have to get a new license photo when I reinstate?

Yes. Reinstatement requires a new license, which means a new photo and a new license number. You cannot straightforward reactivate your old license. The $25 license fee covers the new photo and card. You will take a new photo at the tax assessor-collector office when you pay the reinstatement fee.

Will I get a refund if my reinstatement is denied?

No. If you pay the reinstatement fee and DPS later discovers a reason your license cannot be reinstated — such as a hold you were not aware of — the fee is not refunded. This is why it is critical to confirm your record is clear before paying. Contact DPS or the tax assessor-collector office to request a full printout of any holds or suspensions before you pay anything.

How much does a temporary driving permit cost?

A temporary driving permit costs $10 to $15 depending on the county. It is valid for 45 days and allows you to drive while your new license is being mailed. You can request one at the tax assessor-collector office when you pay the reinstatement fee, but it is not automatic — you must ask for it.