What You Need to Do to Get Your Texas License Back
To reinstate your Texas driver's license, you must first find out why it was suspended or revoked — the reason determines what you do next. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) suspends licenses for different violations: unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, DWI convictions, accumulating too many points, or not paying child support. Each path to reinstatement is different, and some require you to handle matters outside DPS before the agency will restore your license.
The general process is: identify the reason for suspension, resolve the underlying issue (pay fines, complete a course, serve a waiting period), then request reinstatement through DPS. Some people can do this online; others must visit a DPS office in person. You will pay a reinstatement fee, which varies by reason but typically ranges from $100 to $200.
Key Takeaways
- Your suspension reason determines what you must do before DPS will reinstate your license — unpaid fines, court appearances, and DWI convictions each have different requirements.
- You can check your suspension reason and status through the DPS website using your driver's license number and date of birth.
- Most reinstatement requests can be made online through the DPS website, but some situations require you to visit a DPS office or contact the court that suspended your license.
- Reinstatement fees range from about $100 to $200 depending on the reason for suspension, and you must pay this fee before your license is restored.
- If your suspension was for a DWI, you may need to complete an Alcohol Awareness Program or install an ignition interlock device before reinstatement is possible.
Check Your Suspension Reason Through DPS
Before you can fix the problem, you need to know what caused the suspension. Go to the Texas DPS website and use the License Status Check tool. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. This tool tells you whether your license is suspended, revoked, or valid, and it explains the reason.
Write down the exact reason and any case or citation numbers shown. If the website does not give you enough detail, or if you cannot access it, call the DPS at 1-888-589-6556. A representative can tell you the reason and what steps you must take. Keep this information — you will need it to move forward.
Resolve the Underlying Issue Before Requesting Reinstatement
The action you take depends on why your license was suspended. Here are the most common reasons and what each requires:
Unpaid traffic fines or court costs: Contact the court listed in your suspension notice and pay the full amount owed. Once the court confirms payment, they notify DPS. You can then request reinstatement online.
Failure to appear in court: Contact the court that issued the suspension and resolve the underlying case — this usually means appearing in court or paying the fine. The court will notify DPS once the matter is resolved.
DWI suspension: You must wait out a mandatory suspension period (typically 90 days to two years, depending on whether it is a first or repeat offense). You may also need to complete an Alcohol Awareness Program (also called DWI Education) and install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle. Some suspensions require all three.
Point accumulation: If you accumulated too many points from traffic violations, you must wait out a suspension period. There is no action to take other than waiting; after the period ends, you can request reinstatement.
Child support arrears: Contact the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division or the local child support office and bring your account current. Once they confirm payment, they notify DPS.
Request Reinstatement Online or In Person
Once you have resolved the underlying issue, you can request reinstatement. Most people do this through the DPS website. Go to the License Reinstatement section, enter your information, and pay the reinstatement fee using a credit or debit card. You will receive a confirmation number.
If you cannot use the online system — for example, if your suspension involves a complex court matter or if the website will not process your request — you must visit a DPS office in person. Bring your driver's license (if you have it), proof that you resolved the underlying issue (court receipt, proof of payment, completion certificate), and a valid form of ID. You will pay the reinstatement fee at the office.
Processing time varies. Online requests typically take 5 to 10 business days. In-person requests at a DPS office are usually processed the same day, though you will not receive your physical license when ready — it will be mailed to you.
DWI Suspensions and Additional Requirements
If your suspension was for DWI, reinstatement involves more steps than other suspensions. You must complete an Alcohol Awareness Program (a classroom or online course that takes 6 to 12 hours) before DPS will even consider your reinstatement request. Some DWI suspensions also require you to install an ignition interlock device — a breathalyzer connected to your vehicle's ignition that prevents the car from starting if alcohol is detected.
The ignition interlock requirement depends on your blood alcohol content at the time of arrest and whether you had a prior DWI. You can find approved providers on the DPS website. The device costs money to install and maintain (typically $60 to $100 per month), and you must keep it installed for the full period ordered by the court — usually 6 months to 2 years.
Once you have completed the Alcohol Awareness Program and installed the interlock device (if required), you can request reinstatement through DPS. Bring proof of course completion and, if applicable, proof that the interlock device is installed.
What Happens After You Request Reinstatement
After you submit your reinstatement request, DPS reviews it to confirm that you have resolved the underlying issue. If everything is in order, your license status changes from suspended to valid. You will receive a confirmation by mail or email (depending on how you submitted your request).
If you requested reinstatement online, your license will be mailed to you at the address on file. If you requested it in person at a DPS office, you will receive a temporary driving permit that day, and your permanent license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
If DPS denies your reinstatement request, they will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons include incomplete payment, failure to complete a required course, or an error in your submission. You can resubmit once you have corrected the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No, not unless you received a temporary driving permit from a DPS office. If you requested reinstatement online, you cannot drive until your license is restored. If you requested it in person, you receive a temporary permit that day, which is valid while you wait for your permanent license to arrive by mail.
What if I cannot pay the full fine or reinstatement fee right now?
Contact the court or agency that suspended your license and ask about payment plans. Many courts allow you to pay fines in installments. Once you have made a payment arrangement, ask the court to notify DPS. Some suspensions can be lifted while you are on a payment plan, though reinstatement may still require full payment of the reinstatement fee.
How long does reinstatement take if I request it online?
Processing typically takes 5 to 10 business days after you submit your request and pay the fee. Your license will be mailed to you after approval. If you need to drive sooner, visit a DPS office in person to request reinstatement and receive a temporary permit the same day.
Do I need to take a written test or road test to get my license back?
No. Reinstatement restores your existing license without requiring you to retake any tests. However, if your license has expired while it was suspended, you may need to renew it at the same time, which could require a vision test but not a written or road test.
What if my suspension was for multiple reasons?
You must resolve all of them before DPS will reinstate your license. For example, if you have both unpaid fines and a DWI suspension, you must pay the fines and complete the Alcohol Awareness Program. Contact DPS to confirm all the reasons listed against your license, then address each one.