What you need to do to reinstate a suspended license in Arizona
To reinstate a suspended Arizona driver's license, you must first find out why your license was suspended — the reason determines what you have to do and how much it costs. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will have sent you a notice in the mail explaining the suspension and what steps are required. Common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, medical suspension, or driving with a suspended license. Once you know the reason, you address that specific issue — pay the fine, appear in court, resolve the child support debt — and then submit a reinstatement request to ADOT with proof that you have resolved it.
The reinstatement process itself is straightforward: you submit the required documents to ADOT, pay the reinstatement fee (which varies depending on the reason for suspension), and wait for ADOT to process your request. Most reinstatements take one to two weeks once ADOT receives your complete paperwork. You cannot drive legally until ADOT notifies you that your license has been reinstated — driving on a suspended license carries serious penalties, including additional fines and possible jail time.
Key Takeaways
- You must first resolve the underlying reason for your suspension — whether that is paying a fine, appearing in court, or settling child support — before ADOT will reinstate your license.
- ADOT charges a reinstatement fee that varies by suspension reason, typically ranging from $50 to $100, and you must include proof of payment with your reinstatement request.
- You can submit your reinstatement request by mail, in person at an ADOT office, or through the ADOT website if your suspension reason qualifies for online reinstatement.
- Reinstatement usually takes one to two weeks after ADOT receives your complete paperwork, and you must wait for written confirmation before you drive.
Finding out why your license was suspended
ADOT mailed you a suspension notice that explains the reason and the steps required to reinstate. If you cannot find that notice, you can check your suspension status directly through the ADOT website or by calling the ADOT Driver Services Bureau at 602-255-0072. Have your driver's license number or date of birth ready when you call. The notice will tell you the suspension effective date, the reason, and whether there are any conditions you must meet before reinstatement is possible.
The most common suspension reasons in Arizona are: unpaid traffic citations or fines; failure to appear in court; unpaid child support or family support obligations; medical suspension (usually for a seizure disorder or other condition affecting safe driving); and administrative suspension (often related to a DUI arrest). Each reason has different reinstatement requirements. For example, if your suspension is due to an unpaid fine, you must pay that fine. If it is due to failure to appear, you must appear in court or resolve the case. If it is medical, you may need a doctor's clearance.
Resolving the reason for suspension before you explore
You cannot reinstate your license until you have resolved the underlying issue. This step happens before you contact ADOT. If your suspension is due to unpaid fines, contact the court or traffic violations bureau that issued the citation and pay the full amount owed, including any late fees or collection costs. Ask for written confirmation of payment — you will need this for your reinstatement request.
If your suspension is due to failure to appear in court, contact the court listed on your suspension notice and either appear in person or work with the court to resolve the case. If your suspension is related to child support or family support, contact the Arizona Department of Child Support Services or the court that issued the support order and bring your account current. If your suspension is medical, you will need to obtain a letter from your doctor stating that the medical condition no longer prevents safe driving, or that you have completed required treatment.
Keep all documentation showing that you have resolved the issue — paid receipts, court documents, letters from medical providers, or written confirmation from the agency involved. You will submit these documents along with your reinstatement request.
Submitting your reinstatement request to ADOT
Once you have resolved the reason for suspension, you can submit your reinstatement request. Arizona offers three ways to do this: online through the ADOT website, by mail, or in person at an ADOT office. Not all suspension reasons are may be able to access for online reinstatement — medical suspensions and some court-ordered suspensions must be handled by mail or in person. Check the ADOT website to see if your suspension type qualifies for online processing.
If you are submitting by mail, send your request to the ADOT Driver Services Bureau at the address listed on your suspension notice. Include your completed reinstatement form (available on the ADOT website), a copy of your driver's license, proof that you have resolved the suspension reason, and payment of the reinstatement fee. If you are submitting in person, bring the same documents to your nearest ADOT office. You can find office locations and hours on the ADOT website.
The reinstatement fee varies depending on the reason for suspension. Most reinstatement fees range from $50 to $100. ADOT accepts payment by check, money order, or credit card (online only). Do not send cash by mail. If you are unsure about the exact fee for your suspension reason, call the ADOT Driver Services Bureau before submitting your request.
What happens after you submit your request
After ADOT receives your complete reinstatement request, processing typically takes one to two weeks. ADOT will review your documents to confirm that you have resolved the suspension reason and that your fee payment has been received. If your paperwork is incomplete or if ADOT needs more information, they will contact you by mail or phone. Respond promptly to any requests for additional documents.
Once ADOT approves your reinstatement, they will mail you a written notice confirming that your license has been reinstated. This notice is your proof that you are legally permitted to drive again. Do not drive until you receive this confirmation — driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Arizona and can result in additional fines, jail time, and a longer suspension.
Reinstating a license suspended for unpaid fines or failure to appear
If your license was suspended because of unpaid traffic fines, contact the court or traffic violations bureau that issued the citation. You can find the correct agency by looking at your citation or calling the court in the county where you received the ticket. Pay the full amount owed, including any late fees or collection costs. Request a written receipt or letter confirming that your account is paid in full. This document is required for your reinstatement request.
If your suspension is due to failure to appear in court, contact the court when ready. Explain your situation and ask whether you can appear by phone or video, or whether the court will accept a written request to resolve the case. Some courts will dismiss the case or allow you to plead guilty and pay a fine without appearing in person. Once the case is resolved, request written confirmation from the court and include this with your reinstatement request to ADOT.
Reinstating a license suspended for medical reasons
A medical suspension means ADOT determined that a medical condition — such as a seizure disorder, loss of consciousness, or severe vision loss — may affect your ability to drive safely. To reinstate, you must obtain a letter from your doctor stating that the condition no longer prevents safe driving, or that you have completed required treatment and are medically cleared to drive. The letter should be specific about the condition and the doctor's conclusion that you are safe to operate a vehicle.
Some medical suspensions require you to pass a medical examination administered by ADOT's Medical Review Unit before reinstatement is possible. If this applies to your case, ADOT will notify you and provide instructions for scheduling the exam. Once you have the doctor's letter or have passed the medical exam, submit it to ADOT along with your reinstatement request and the reinstatement fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to work while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. You cannot drive legally on a suspended license under any circumstances, even to work or for essential errands. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Arizona. Wait until you receive written confirmation from ADOT that your license has been reinstated before you drive.
What if I cannot afford the reinstatement fee?
ADOT does not waive reinstatement fees, but some courts will allow you to set up a payment plan for unpaid fines if that is the reason for your suspension. Contact the court or traffic violations bureau handling your case and ask about payment plan options. Once you have resolved the underlying issue, you still must pay the reinstatement fee to ADOT.
How long does reinstatement take if I submit online?
Online reinstatement typically takes five to seven business days after ADOT receives and processes your request. Mail and in-person submissions may take one to two weeks. If ADOT needs additional information, processing will take longer. You will receive written confirmation by mail once your license is reinstated.
What if my suspension was due to a DUI arrest?
DUI-related suspensions are handled differently and often require completion of specific requirements such as an alcohol education program or installation of an ignition interlock device. Contact the court handling your DUI case or call the ADOT Driver Services Bureau to find out what steps are required for your reinstatement.
Can I get a temporary driving permit while waiting for reinstatement?
Arizona does not issue temporary permits for suspended licenses. You must wait for ADOT to complete the reinstatement process and send you written confirmation. Plan your transportation accordingly during the one to two weeks that processing takes.