Nevada reinstatement fees depend on why your license was suspended

Nevada charges different reinstatement fees based on the reason for suspension. If you were suspended for unpaid traffic fines or child support, you'll pay a $100 reinstatement fee to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles. If your suspension was for a DUI conviction, the fee is $250. Administrative suspensions (like failing an ignition interlock test) also cost $100. Some suspensions have no reinstatement fee at all — for example, if your license was suspended because you didn't renew it on time, you straightforward pay the renewal fee.

The reinstatement fee is separate from any other costs you may owe. If you were suspended for unpaid fines, you must pay those fines first. If you were suspended for a DUI, you may also need to pay for an ignition interlock device installation and monitoring. The DMV will not process your reinstatement until all requirements are met and the fee is paid.

Key Takeaways

  • Traffic fine or child support suspension reinstatement costs $100; DUI suspension reinstatement costs $250.
  • You must pay all outstanding fines, child support, or other court-ordered amounts before the DMV will accept your reinstatement fee.
  • DUI reinstatement requires an ignition interlock device, which has separate installation and monthly monitoring costs beyond the $250 reinstatement fee.
  • Some suspension types, like expired license suspensions, have no reinstatement fee — you only pay the standard renewal fee.

How to find out what you owe before paying

Contact the Nevada DMV directly to confirm your suspension reason and total cost. You can call the DMV at 775-684-4DMV (775-684-4368) or visit a local DMV office in person. Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready. The DMV staff will tell you the suspension reason, the reinstatement fee amount, and whether you have outstanding fines or other requirements.

If your suspension is related to unpaid fines or child support, the DMV may direct you to the court that issued the suspension. Nevada courts maintain their own records, and you may need to contact them separately to confirm the exact amount owed. The Clark County District Court (Las Vegas area) and Washoe County District Court (Reno area) handle most suspensions, but smaller counties have their own courts.

Paying your reinstatement fee and other amounts owed

Once you've confirmed what you owe, you can pay through several methods. The Nevada DMV accepts payment in person at any DMV office, by mail, or online through the DMV website. If you have outstanding fines, you typically pay those directly to the court that issued them — not to the DMV. Some courts accept online payment; others require a check or money order mailed to the court address.

For child support arrears, contact the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Welfare and Supportive Services. They manage child support collections and can tell you the exact amount owed and payment options. Once child support is current, the DMV will receive notification and can process your reinstatement.

If you have an ignition interlock requirement, you must install the device before or at the time you submit your reinstatement request. Nevada-approved interlock providers charge for installation (typically $75 to $150) and monthly monitoring (typically $50 to $100). The device must remain installed for the period ordered by the court, which is usually 6 to 12 months for a first DUI.

Timeline for reinstatement after you pay

After you pay the reinstatement fee and meet all other requirements, the DMV typically processes your reinstatement within 1 to 3 business days if you pay in person or online. If you mail a check, allow 7 to 10 business days for processing. Your license will be reinstated once the DMV confirms payment and verifies that all suspension conditions have been met.

For DUI suspensions, the timeline depends on whether you're reinstating after an administrative suspension (which can happen when ready after paying) or after a criminal conviction suspension (which may have a mandatory waiting period set by the court). Check with the court that handled your DUI case to confirm whether a waiting period applies to you.

What happens if you drive on a suspended license

Driving on a suspended license in Nevada is a criminal offense. A first offense is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. A second offense within 7 years is also a misdemeanor but carries harsher penalties. If you're caught driving on a suspended license, your suspension period will be extended, and you may face additional fines and court costs on top of your original reinstatement fee.

If you need to drive before your license is reinstated, you may be able to request a temporary permit from the court or DMV, depending on your suspension reason. Contact the DMV or the court that suspended your license to ask whether a hardship permit is available.

Reinstating a license suspended for an unpaid traffic fine

If your license was suspended for an unpaid traffic fine, you must pay the fine to the court that issued the ticket before the DMV will reinstate you. The fine amount varies depending on the violation. Once the court receives payment, it sends a notice to the DMV, which then processes your $100 reinstatement fee. You can pay the fine in person at the court, by mail, or online if the court offers that option.

Some Nevada courts offer payment plans for traffic fines. If you cannot pay the full amount at once, contact the court listed on your ticket and ask whether a payment plan is available. Once you're on a payment plan and making regular payments, you may be able to request a temporary permit to drive while you complete the plan.

Reinstating a license suspended for a DUI

DUI suspensions in Nevada have two phases: an administrative suspension (handled by the DMV) and a criminal conviction suspension (handled by the court). The administrative suspension begins when ready after arrest and lasts 90 days for a first offense if you refused a breath test, or 60 days if you took the test and failed. You can reinstate after the administrative suspension ends by paying the $250 reinstatement fee and installing an ignition interlock device.

If you're convicted of DUI in court, the court imposes an additional criminal suspension on top of the administrative one. This suspension typically lasts 1 to 3 years depending on your record and the circumstances. You cannot reinstate during a criminal conviction suspension — you must wait until the court-ordered suspension period ends. Once it ends, you'll pay the $250 reinstatement fee and maintain the ignition interlock device for the period the court ordered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reinstate my license online in Nevada?

You can pay your reinstatement fee online through the Nevada DMV website, but you must still meet all other suspension requirements first. If you owe fines or child support, you must pay those separately through the court or child support agency. Once all requirements are met and the fee is paid online, the DMV will process your reinstatement within 1 to 3 business days.

What if I can't afford the reinstatement fee right now?

Contact the Nevada DMV to ask whether a payment plan is available for the reinstatement fee itself. For fines or child support that led to suspension, contact the court or child support agency — they often offer payment plans. Some courts may grant a temporary hardship permit while you're making payments, though this varies by county.

Do I need to take a new driving test to reinstate my license?

No. Reinstatement does not require a new written or driving test. You only need to pay the reinstatement fee and meet all other requirements (such as paying fines or installing an ignition interlock). Your original license will be reactivated once the DMV processes your reinstatement.

How long does a DUI suspension last in Nevada?

An administrative suspension lasts 90 days (if you refused a breath test) or 60 days (if you took and failed the test). A criminal conviction suspension imposed by the court typically lasts 1 to 3 years for a first offense. You can reinstate after the administrative suspension ends, but you cannot reinstate during a criminal conviction suspension — you must wait for that period to expire.

What if my license was suspended in another state and I now live in Nevada?

Nevada recognizes suspensions from other states through the Interstate Compact. You must resolve the suspension in the state that issued it before Nevada will reinstate your license. Contact the DMV in the state where you were suspended to find out what you owe and how to pay. Once that state lifts the suspension, notify the Nevada DMV, and they will process your reinstatement.