What You Pay to Reinstate Your Arizona License

The cost to reinstate your Arizona driver's license depends on why it was suspended or revoked and how long it has been suspended. Arizona charges a reinstatement fee of $100 for most suspensions, but you may also owe additional penalties, fines from the original violation, and court costs. If your license was suspended for unpaid traffic fines or child support, you must pay those amounts in full before the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will process your reinstatement.

The total amount you owe is not always just the reinstatement fee. A suspension for a DUI conviction, for example, includes the $100 reinstatement fee plus any fines imposed by the court, which typically range from $250 to $2,500 depending on whether it was a first or repeat offense. If your suspension came from unpaid traffic tickets, you pay the reinstatement fee plus the full amount of each ticket and any collection fees that have accumulated.

You cannot pay the reinstatement fee and then pay fines later — ADOT will not process your reinstatement until all outstanding amounts are cleared. This means you need to know the complete bill before you can move forward.

Key Takeaways

  • The base reinstatement fee in Arizona is $100, but you must also pay any fines, court costs, or unpaid traffic tickets before ADOT will reinstate your license.
  • DUI suspensions carry court-imposed fines ranging from $250 to $2,500 on top of the reinstatement fee, depending on whether it is a first or repeat offense.
  • Suspensions for unpaid child support or traffic fines require you to pay the full amount owed to the court or collection agency before reinstatement is processed.
  • You can check what you owe by contacting ADOT's Driver Services Bureau or by visiting an ADOT office in person with your driver's license number.

How to Find Out Your Total Reinstatement Cost

Before you pay anything, you need to know the exact amount ADOT is asking for. Contact the ADOT Driver Services Bureau at 602-255-0072 or visit an ADOT office with your driver's license number or name and date of birth. They will tell you the reinstatement fee, any outstanding fines, and whether there are additional penalties or holds on your record.

If your suspension involved a court case — such as a DUI, reckless driving, or criminal traffic violation — you may also need to contact the court that handled your case to confirm what fines or restitution you owe. The court's website or clerk's office can provide a case summary showing all amounts due. Do not assume ADOT has the complete picture; courts and ADOT sometimes maintain separate records.

If your suspension is tied to unpaid child support, contact the Arizona Department of Child Support Services or the county child support enforcement office. They will tell you the exact amount needed to lift the suspension. Similarly, if your license was suspended for unpaid taxes, the Arizona Department of Revenue will have that information.

Payment Methods and Where to Pay

You can pay your reinstatement fee and any outstanding fines through several channels. ADOT accepts payment in person at any ADOT office, by mail, online through the ADOT website, or by phone. If you pay by mail, send a check or money order to the ADOT Driver Services Bureau address listed on your suspension notice. Include your driver's license number and a note explaining what the payment is for.

Online payment through the ADOT website is the fastest option if you have a credit or debit card. You will need your driver's license number and the amount you owe. Payment is processed when ready, though reinstatement itself may take a few business days to appear in the system.

If you owe fines to a court, you may need to pay the court directly rather than through ADOT. The court will then notify ADOT that the fine has been paid, and ADOT will process your reinstatement. Ask the court whether they accept online payment, phone payment, or mail-in checks.

Suspensions for Unpaid Traffic Fines and Citations

Arizona suspends licenses for unpaid traffic tickets through an automated system. The amount you owe includes the original ticket fine plus any collection fees or late penalties that have accumulated. These fees vary by county and can add $50 to $200 or more to your original fine.

You can pay the ticket directly to the court that issued it, or in some cases to a collection agency if the ticket has been sent to collections. Once the ticket is paid in full, the court notifies ADOT, which lifts the suspension. This process usually takes 3 to 5 business days after payment is received.

If you dispute the ticket or believe it was issued in error, you can request a hearing before paying. However, your license will remain suspended during the dispute process. Contact the court listed on your ticket to ask about your options.

DUI and Criminal Traffic Suspensions

A suspension for DUI or other criminal traffic violations includes court fines, a reinstatement fee, and sometimes restitution if someone was injured. The court fine for a first DUI is typically $250 to $2,500; for a second DUI within seven years, it is $500 to $2,500; and for a third or subsequent DUI, it is $750 to $2,500. These amounts are set by the court, not by ADOT.

You must pay the court fine through the court that handled your case, not through ADOT. Once the court confirms payment, it sends notice to ADOT. You then pay the $100 reinstatement fee to ADOT. Both payments must be completed before your license is reinstated.

Some DUI suspensions also require you to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle before reinstatement is approved. This is a separate cost — typically $100 to $300 for installation plus $60 to $100 per month for monitoring — and must be completed before ADOT will reinstate your license.

Child Support and Administrative Suspensions

If your license was suspended for unpaid child support, you must pay the full amount owed to the Arizona Department of Child Support Services or your county's child support enforcement office. The suspension will not be lifted until the amount is paid in full or a payment plan is established and approved.

Once child support is paid or a plan is in place, the child support office notifies ADOT. You then pay the $100 reinstatement fee to ADOT. The reinstatement is processed after both the child support office and ADOT confirm that the requirements have been met.

If you cannot pay the full amount at once, contact your child support office to discuss payment plan options. Some offices will agree to a plan and notify ADOT that the suspension can be lifted while you make payments, though this varies by case.

Timeline for Reinstatement After Payment

After you pay all amounts owed, reinstatement is not automatic. ADOT typically processes reinstatement within 3 to 5 business days if you pay in person or online. If you pay by mail, add 5 to 7 business days for the check to arrive and be processed.

If your suspension involved a court case or child support, the timeline may be longer because ADOT must wait for the court or child support office to notify them that the fine or support has been paid. This can add 5 to 10 business days to the process.

You can check the status of your reinstatement by contacting ADOT or by logging into your ADOT account online if you have one. Do not assume your license is reinstated until you receive confirmation from ADOT or can verify it through their system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my license back the same day I pay the reinstatement fee?

Not the same day, but if you pay in person at an ADOT office with cash or a debit card, reinstatement is usually processed within 1 to 3 business days. Online payment is also fast, though it may take up to 5 business days. Mail payments take longer — typically 7 to 10 business days from the time ADOT receives your check.

What if I owe money to multiple places — the court, child support, and ADOT?

You must pay each entity separately. Pay the court fine to the court, child support to the child support office, and the reinstatement fee to ADOT. Each entity must confirm payment before ADOT will reinstate your license. Contact each one to confirm the exact amount and payment method they accept.

Do I have to pay the full amount at once, or can I set up a payment plan?

This depends on who you owe. Courts may offer payment plans for fines; child support offices often do. ADOT does not offer payment plans for the reinstatement fee — it must be paid in full. Contact the court or child support office to ask about plan options before paying.

What happens if I drive with a suspended license while waiting for reinstatement?

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 ADOT to confirm that your license has been reinstated before you drive.

Is there a way to get the reinstatement fee waived or reduced?

ADOT does not waive the $100 reinstatement fee. However, if you believe the suspension was issued in error, you can request a hearing with ADOT to challenge it. Contact the Driver Services Bureau to ask about the hearing process.