What you need to do to reinstate a suspended Virginia license
To reinstate a suspended Virginia driver's license, you must first find out why it was suspended — the reason determines what you have to do and how much it costs. Virginia suspends licenses for different reasons: unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, DUI convictions, accumulating too many points, or not paying child support. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will not reinstate your license until you have resolved the underlying issue.
Once you have taken care of the reason for suspension — paid the fine, appeared in court, completed a DUI program, or made a child support payment — you can request reinstatement. Most people do this online through the Virginia DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. There is a reinstatement fee, which varies depending on the reason for suspension. The process typically takes one to two weeks if you explore online or by mail, or same-day if you go in person.
Key Takeaways
- You must resolve the reason for suspension before the DMV will reinstate your license — paying a fine, appearing in court, completing a program, or satisfying a child support obligation.
- Contact the Virginia DMV to confirm what you owe and what action is required; you can call 804-367-0538 or check your suspension notice.
- Reinstatement fees range from $100 to $250 depending on the suspension reason, and you must pay this fee in addition to resolving the underlying issue.
- You can reinstate online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office; online and mail requests take one to two weeks, while in-person reinstatement is usually same-day.
Finding out why your license was suspended
Your suspension notice should state the reason, but if you no longer have it, contact the Virginia DMV directly. Call 804-367-0538 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and have your driver's license number ready. You can also check your suspension status online through the Virginia DMV website by entering your license number and date of birth.
Write down the exact reason and any case or ticket number mentioned. This information tells you what you must do before reinstatement is possible. For example, if your suspension is due to an unpaid fine, you need the ticket number and the amount owed. If it is due to a DUI conviction, you need to know whether you have completed the required alcohol safety program. If it is due to accumulating points, you straightforward need to wait out the suspension period or take a driver improvement course to reduce points.
Resolving the reason for suspension
Unpaid traffic fines: Pay the fine in full to the court that issued the ticket. You can usually pay online through the Virginia court system, by phone, by mail, or in person. Contact the court listed on your ticket for payment options. Once the court confirms payment, notify the DMV that the fine is paid.
Failure to appear in court: Contact the court when ready and ask to reschedule your appearance or resolve the case. Explain that your license has been suspended. The court may allow you to appear by phone or video. Once you have appeared or the case is resolved, the court will notify the DMV.
DUI or alcohol-related suspension: Complete the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP) or the program required by your conviction. This is a mandatory education and counseling program. Once you finish, the program provider sends proof of completion to the DMV. You must also pay any fines and court costs.
Point accumulation: If you have accumulated too many points, you may be able to take a driver improvement course to reduce points and shorten the suspension. The Virginia DMV approves certain courses. Alternatively, you can wait out the suspension period, which is typically 30 to 12 months depending on how many points you had.
Child support arrears: Make a payment toward your child support obligation or set up a payment plan with the Virginia Department of Social Services. Once a payment is made or a plan is in place, the agency notifies the DMV.
Paying the reinstatement fee
The reinstatement fee is separate from any fine, court cost, or program fee you owe for the underlying reason. Virginia charges between $100 and $250 depending on why your license was suspended. A suspension for unpaid fines costs $100 to reinstate. A DUI-related suspension costs $250. A suspension for failure to appear costs $100.
You pay the reinstatement fee when you request reinstatement, not before. If you are reinvesting in person at a DMV office, you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. If you are reinvesting online or by mail, you will pay by credit or debit card.
Requesting reinstatement online
Visit the Virginia DMV website and select "Reinstate Your License" under the Driver Services section. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Answer the questions about your suspension and confirm that you have resolved the underlying issue. Pay the reinstatement fee by credit or debit card.
The DMV will process your request and send you a confirmation email. Your license will be reinstated within one to two business days. You do not need to take a new photo or pass a new test unless your license has expired or the DMV specifically requires it.
Requesting reinstatement by mail or in person
To reinstate by mail, print the Virginia DMV Reinstatement Request form (Form DL-44) from the DMV website or request it by calling 804-367-0538. Fill it out completely, including your driver's license number, the reason your license was suspended, and proof that you have resolved the issue (a receipt, court document, or program completion letter). Include a check or money order for the reinstatement fee made payable to the Virginia DMV. Mail the form and payment to the address listed on the form.
Processing by mail takes one to two weeks. To reinstate in person, visit any Virginia DMV office with your driver's license, proof that you have resolved the suspension reason, and payment for the reinstatement fee. Bring the original documents or certified copies — a receipt for a paid fine, a court order, a program completion letter, or a child support payment confirmation. Your license will be reinstated the same day.
What happens after reinstatement
Once your license is reinstated, you can drive legally again. Your driving record will show that your license was suspended and then reinstated, but this does not affect your ability to drive or your insurance rates going forward — only the reason for suspension (such as a DUI conviction) affects insurance.
If your license has expired while it was suspended, you will need to renew it. The DMV will tell you whether renewal is required when you request reinstatement. If you are reinstating in person, you can renew at the same time. If you are reinstating online or by mail, you may need to renew separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. You cannot drive until your license is officially reinstated. If you are caught driving with a suspended license, you face additional fines and criminal charges. Wait for confirmation from the DMV before you drive.
What if I cannot afford to pay the fine or reinstatement fee right now?
Contact the court or agency that issued the fine and ask about payment plans. Many courts allow you to pay in installments. Once you have a payment plan in place, some courts will notify the DMV to lift the suspension temporarily. Ask whether this option is available in your case.
Do I need to take a driving test to get my license back?
No, you do not need to take a written or road test to reinstate a suspended license. You only need to resolve the reason for suspension and pay the reinstatement fee. However, if your license has expired, you will need to renew it, which may require a new photo and vision test.
How long does reinstatement take if I go in person?
If you visit a DMV office in person with all required documents and payment, your license is usually reinstated the same day. You will receive a temporary driving permit to use while your new license is mailed to you, which takes about two weeks.
What if my suspension was due to a mistake or I disagree with it?
Contact the Virginia DMV or the court that issued the suspension and explain the error. You may be able to request a hearing or appeal. The DMV can tell you the process for your specific situation. In the meantime, you cannot drive legally.