What you'll pay to reinstate your Utah license
Utah charges a flat $50 reinstatement fee to restore a suspended or revoked license. This is the base cost every driver pays, regardless of why the license was suspended. You pay this fee to the Driver License Division when you submit your reinstatement request.
The $50 covers the administrative work of lifting the suspension and reissuing your license. It does not cover any other costs you may owe — court fines, restitution, insurance requirements, or fees tied to the reason your license was suspended in the first place.
If your license was suspended for unpaid traffic fines or child support, you must resolve those debts before the Division will reinstate you. Those payments go to the court or the state agency collecting the debt, not to the Division. The $50 reinstatement fee is separate and comes after you have cleared the underlying reason for suspension.
Key Takeaways
- Utah's reinstatement fee is a flat $50, paid directly to the Driver License Division.
- You must resolve the reason for suspension — unpaid fines, child support, or insurance violations — before paying the reinstatement fee.
- If your suspension was for a DUI or reckless driving conviction, you may also need to pay for an SR22 insurance filing, which costs $15 to $25 per year depending on your insurer.
- Some suspensions require you to pass a written test or vision test before reinstatement, but these tests themselves have no separate fee.
- The total cost to reinstate depends on what caused the suspension; the $50 fee is only the Division's portion.
Additional costs tied to the reason for suspension
The $50 reinstatement fee is often not your only expense. What else you pay depends on why your license was suspended.
If your license was suspended for a DUI conviction, you will need to file an SR22 form with the Division before reinstatement. An SR22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that proves you carry the minimum liability insurance required by Utah law. Your insurance company files this for you, and they typically charge $15 to $25 to process and file it. This fee is annual, so you will pay it each year you are required to carry SR22 coverage — usually three years after a DUI conviction.
If your suspension was for unpaid traffic fines, you must pay the full fine amount to the court before the Division will reinstate you. The court sets this amount, not the Division. Similarly, if your suspension was for unpaid child support, you must bring your account current with the Office of Recovery Services before reinstatement.
If your suspension was for driving without insurance, you will need to obtain a policy and file proof of insurance with the Division. The insurance policy itself costs whatever your insurer charges — this varies widely based on your age, driving record, and the coverage you choose.
How to pay the $50 reinstatement fee
You can pay the $50 reinstatement fee in person at any Driver License Division office, by mail, or online through the Division's website. Payment methods include cash, check, debit card, and credit card. If you pay by mail, send a check or money order payable to the Utah Driver License Division along with your reinstatement request form.
Before you pay, confirm that you have resolved the underlying reason for suspension. The Division will not process your reinstatement if you still owe fines, child support, or have an active insurance violation. You can check your suspension status online through the Division's website or by calling their office.
Once the Division receives your $50 payment and confirms that all suspension conditions are met, they will issue a new license. If you are picking it up in person, you will receive it the same day. If you are having it mailed, allow 5 to 7 business days for delivery.
Reinstatement costs for specific suspension types
| Reason for Suspension | Division Fee | Additional Costs You May Owe |
|---|---|---|
| Unpaid traffic fines | $50 | Full fine amount to the court |
| DUI or reckless driving conviction | $50 | SR22 filing ($15–$25/year); insurance policy cost |
| Driving without insurance | $50 | Insurance policy cost; proof of insurance filing |
| Unpaid child support | $50 | Arrears owed to Office of Recovery Services |
| Medical or vision failure | $50 | None (if you pass the required test) |
| Too many points on your record | $50 | None (if suspension period has ended) |
What happens if you cannot pay the $50 fee right away
Utah does not offer a payment plan for the $50 reinstatement fee itself. You must pay the full amount before the Division will process your reinstatement. However, if the reason for your suspension is unpaid fines or child support, you may be able to work out a payment arrangement with the court or the Office of Recovery Services.
If you are facing financial hardship, contact the Driver License Division directly to discuss your situation. While they cannot waive the fee, they can explain your options and may be able to direct you to resources that could help. Some courts also offer fine reduction or community service options in place of payment.
Reinstatement fees for commercial driver licenses
If your commercial driver license (CDL) was suspended, the reinstatement fee is still $50. However, CDL suspensions often carry additional requirements — such as passing a medical examination or retaking the CDL knowledge test — before the Division will reinstate you. These tests themselves have no separate fee, but if you fail a test, you will need to pay for a retest, which costs $10.
CDL suspensions are also more likely to be tied to federal regulations, particularly if the suspension was for a hazmat or safety violation. In those cases, you may need to contact the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in addition to the Utah Division to clear the suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement is being processed?
No. Your license remains suspended until the Division officially reinstates it. Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Utah and can result in additional fines and jail time. Wait for written confirmation from the Division before driving.
Do I have to pay the $50 fee if my suspension was a mistake?
If the Division made an error and your suspension should never have happened, contact them when ready with documentation. They may waive the fee if they confirm the error. However, if the suspension was valid but has now expired, you still pay the $50 to have it officially lifted from your record.
What if I owe money to the court but cannot pay the full amount?
Contact the court that issued the fine and ask about payment plans or fine reduction options. Some courts allow you to pay in installments or perform community service instead. Once you have an agreement with the court, the Division can reinstate your license even if you are still paying down the debt.
Does the $50 fee cover a new physical license card?
Yes. The $50 reinstatement fee includes issuing a new license card. You do not pay extra for the card itself. If you want it mailed to you, it will arrive within 5 to 7 business days at no additional cost.
Will my insurance rates go up after I reinstate my license?
That depends on why your license was suspended. If it was suspended for a DUI, reckless driving, or unpaid insurance violations, your insurer will likely charge higher rates when you reinstate. The $50 reinstatement fee does not affect your insurance rates — your driving record and the reason for suspension do.