You can start your reinstatement online through the Arizona Department of Transportation, but you'll need to complete the full process before your license is actually restored
Arizona lets you begin a license reinstatement through the ADOT website, but "online" doesn't mean your license shows up in your email. You'll submit information, pay fees, and handle some steps digitally — but you'll also need to visit a location in person or by mail to finish. The online part saves you a trip to start, not to complete the whole thing.
The exact steps depend on why your license was suspended. Arizona suspends licenses for unpaid traffic fines, unpaid child support, medical reasons, DUI convictions, and other violations. Each reason has different requirements before ADOT will even consider reinstatement. You need to know your suspension reason first, because you can't move forward without addressing it.
Key Takeaways
- You must resolve the reason for your suspension — pay fines, clear child support arrears, complete DUI requirements, or provide medical clearance — before ADOT will reinstate your license.
- The ADOT website lets you check your suspension status and start the reinstatement request online, but you will need to submit documents and pay fees through their system or in person.
- A reinstatement fee of $50 is required in most cases, plus any outstanding fines or restitution tied to your suspension.
- After you submit everything, ADOT typically processes reinstatement requests within 5 to 10 business days if all documents are correct and complete.
Check your suspension status on the ADOT website first
Before you start the reinstatement process, you need to know exactly why your license was suspended. Go to the ADOT website and use their driver license status lookup tool. You'll enter your license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will tell you whether your license is suspended, the reason, and what you must do to clear it.
Write down the suspension reason and any case or citation numbers that appear. You'll need this information for the next steps. If the lookup tool doesn't show a suspension, your license may have already been reinstated, or the suspension may have been issued by a court rather than ADOT — in that case, contact the court that issued the suspension.
Resolve the underlying reason before you can reinstate
ADOT will not reinstate your license until the reason for suspension is cleared. The steps differ by suspension type:
Traffic fines and restitution: Pay the full amount owed to the court or collection agency listed in your suspension notice. You can often pay online through the court's website, by phone, or in person. Get a receipt or confirmation number showing the debt is paid.
Child support arrears: Contact the Arizona Department of Child Support Services or the county child support office. You must either pay the full amount owed or set up a payment plan and make at least one payment. ADCS will notify ADOT once you're in compliance.
DUI suspension: Complete all court-ordered requirements, including alcohol education classes, counseling, community service, and probation. You may also need an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle. Only after the court confirms completion will ADOT consider reinstatement.
Medical suspension: Obtain medical clearance from your doctor and submit it to ADOT. The form is available on the ADOT website. Your doctor must confirm you are medically safe to drive.
Submit your reinstatement request through ADOT's online system
Once you've resolved the suspension reason, go to the ADOT website and locate the reinstatement request form. You can submit it online or print it and mail it in. If you submit online, you'll need to upload proof that the suspension reason has been cleared — a receipt showing fines paid, a letter from child support services, a court completion document, or a medical clearance form.
The online form asks for your driver license number, date of birth, current address, and contact information. Be accurate with every field. If ADOT needs to contact you about missing documents, a wrong phone number or address means you won't get the message.
After you submit the form, the system will show you the $50 reinstatement fee. You can pay this fee online using a debit or credit card. Keep the confirmation number that appears after payment — you'll need it to track your request.
Mail documents if you cannot submit them online
If the online system won't let you upload your clearance documents, or if you prefer to mail everything, send the completed reinstatement form and all proof documents to the ADOT address listed on their website. Include a copy of your driver license and a check or money order for the $50 reinstatement fee, made payable to ADOT.
Mail everything to the address on the form and keep a copy for your records. ADOT processes mailed requests in the order they arrive, which usually takes 5 to 10 business days longer than online submissions. If you need your license faster, the online route is quicker.
Track your reinstatement status and receive your restored license
After you submit your request and pay the fee, ADOT will process it. You can check the status on the ADOT website using the same lookup tool where you checked your suspension. The status will change from "suspended" to "active" once reinstatement is approved.
Your restored license will be mailed to the address on file. If you need to update your address before reinstatement is complete, do it through the ADOT website or at a local office. A license arrives within 7 to 10 business days after approval. If you don't receive it within that time, contact ADOT to confirm the mailing address.
If your license was suspended for DUI, you may have restrictions on your new license — such as an ignition interlock requirement or a notation that you can only drive for work. These restrictions appear on your license itself and are enforced by law enforcement.
What to do if your reinstatement request is denied
ADOT denies reinstatement requests when required documents are missing, incomplete, or don't prove the suspension reason was cleared. If your request is denied, ADOT will send you a letter explaining why. The most common reasons are an outdated medical clearance, proof that fines were only partially paid, or a child support payment plan that wasn't actually set up.
Read the denial letter carefully and fix the specific problem it lists. Then resubmit your request with the corrected documents. You don't pay the $50 fee again — it applies to the entire reinstatement process, not each submission. If you disagree with the denial, you can request a hearing through ADOT's administrative appeal process, but this takes longer than fixing the documents and resubmitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. Your license remains suspended until ADOT approves your request and the status changes to active. Driving on a suspended license is a crime in Arizona and can result in arrest, additional fines, and jail time. Wait for approval before you drive.
Do I have to go to an ADOT office in person?
Not necessarily. You can submit your reinstatement request and documents entirely online or by mail. However, if you need a new photo or your license was lost, you may need to visit an office to get a replacement license after reinstatement is approved.
What if I can't pay the full fine or child support amount right now?
For traffic fines, contact the court and ask about a payment plan. For child support, contact the Arizona Department of Child Support Services — they can set up a plan. You must make at least one payment and be in compliance with the plan before ADOT will reinstate. A promise to pay later is not enough.
How long does reinstatement actually take?
If you submit online with all correct documents and pay the fee, ADOT typically approves reinstatement within 5 to 10 business days. Mailed requests take 10 to 15 business days. Your physical license arrives 7 to 10 days after approval. Total time is usually 2 to 4 weeks from submission to having a license in hand.
What if my suspension was issued by a court, not ADOT?
Contact the court that issued the suspension. Some court suspensions must be cleared through the court before ADOT can reinstate. The court will tell you what steps are required and will notify ADOT once you've completed them.