What You Need to Do to Reinstate in Arizona
To reinstate a suspended Arizona driver's license, you must first resolve the reason for the suspension, then submit a reinstatement request to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Motor Vehicle Division. The process and cost depend on why your license was suspended — whether for unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, medical reasons, or another violation. Most suspensions require you to pay a reinstatement fee, clear any outstanding fines or court orders, and sometimes complete additional requirements like a defensive driving course or substance abuse program.
The reinstatement fee in Arizona is $50 for most suspensions, though some suspensions may have additional costs tied to the underlying violation. You cannot straightforward pay the fee and expect your license back; you must address the specific cause first. For example, if your license was suspended for unpaid traffic fines, you must pay those fines. If it was suspended for a DUI-related offense, you may need to install an ignition interlock device or complete a substance abuse program.
Key Takeaways
- Identify the reason for your suspension by contacting ADOT Motor Vehicle Division at 602-255-0072 or checking your suspension notice.
- Resolve the underlying cause — pay fines, appear in court, complete required programs, or satisfy medical requirements — before requesting reinstatement.
- Submit a reinstatement request in person at an ADOT office, by mail, or online through the ADOT website, along with the $50 reinstatement fee.
- Processing typically takes 5 to 10 business days after ADOT receives your complete request and confirms all requirements are met.
- Some suspensions require proof of completion of additional programs (defensive driving, substance abuse treatment) before reinstatement is granted.
Identify Why Your License Was Suspended
Your first step is to determine the exact reason for your suspension. ADOT will have issued a suspension notice that explains this, but if you no longer have that document, you can contact ADOT Motor Vehicle Division directly. Call 602-255-0072 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Arizona time) and provide your driver's license number. The representative will tell you the suspension reason and what you must do to clear it.
Common suspension reasons in Arizona include failure to pay traffic fines, failure to appear in court, suspension for medical reasons (vision or medical condition), suspension related to a DUI or reckless driving conviction, suspension for accumulating too many points, and suspension for failure to maintain auto insurance. Each reason has different reinstatement requirements. Write down the exact reason and any specific instructions the ADOT representative gives you, as this will guide your next steps.
Resolve the Underlying Cause of Suspension
Before ADOT will reinstate your license, you must satisfy whatever triggered the suspension in the first place. If your suspension was due to unpaid traffic fines, you must pay those fines in full. Contact the court listed on your citation or call the traffic court in the county where the violation occurred. If your suspension was for failure to appear in court, you must appear before the judge or resolve the case through the court (sometimes by phone or video if the court allows it).
For DUI-related suspensions, you may need to complete a substance abuse program, install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle, or both. The court order or suspension notice will specify which programs are required. For medical suspensions, you must provide a letter from your doctor or eye doctor stating that you are medically fit to drive, and submit this to ADOT. For suspensions due to too many points, you may need to complete a defensive driving course. The course must be approved by ADOT; check the ADOT website for a list of approved providers.
Keep all receipts, completion certificates, court documents, or letters proving you have resolved the suspension cause. You will need these when you submit your reinstatement request.
Submit Your Reinstatement Request to ADOT
Once you have resolved the underlying cause, you can request reinstatement. Arizona offers three ways to submit your request: in person at an ADOT office, by mail, or online through the ADOT website. The online option is the fastest if you have all documents ready and can upload them.
To reinstate online, visit the ADOT website and look for the reinstatement request form. You will need to provide your driver's license number, the reason your license was suspended, proof that you have resolved the cause (upload scans of court documents, payment receipts, completion certificates, or medical letters), and payment of the $50 reinstatement fee by credit or debit card. Submit the form and wait for ADOT to confirm receipt.
To reinstate by mail, read the reinstatement request form from the ADOT website or request one by phone. Fill it out completely, include copies (not originals) of all documents proving you have resolved the suspension cause, include a check or money order for $50 made out to ADOT, and mail the packet to the ADOT Motor Vehicle Division office address listed on the form. Mail processing takes longer than online or in-person submission.
To reinstate in person, visit any ADOT office with your driver's license, proof of resolution of the suspension cause, and $50 in cash, check, or card. An ADOT representative will review your documents on the spot and process your reinstatement when ready if everything is in order. Bring the originals of important documents (court orders, completion certificates) so ADOT can verify them.
Timeline and What Happens After You Submit
Processing time depends on how you submit. In-person reinstatement at an ADOT office is the fastest; if your documents are complete and correct, your license can be reinstated the same day or within one business day. Online submission typically takes 5 to 10 business days after ADOT receives your request, provided all documents are legible and complete. Mail submission can take 2 to 3 weeks because of postal delays plus processing time.
After you submit, ADOT will review your documents to confirm that you have truly resolved the suspension cause. If anything is missing or unclear, ADOT will contact you by phone or mail and ask you to provide additional information or documents. If you submitted by mail and ADOT needs more information, the delay can add another week or more. This is why in-person or online submission is preferable — you can address any issues when ready.
Once ADOT confirms that all requirements are met, your license will be reinstated. You will receive a new physical license in the mail within 7 to 10 business days if you submitted online or by mail. If you reinstated in person, you may receive a temporary paper license when ready and the physical license by mail later. You can drive legally once your license is reinstated, even if you have not yet received the new physical card.
Common Mistakes That Delay Reinstatement
The most frequent mistake is submitting a reinstatement request before the underlying cause is fully resolved. For example, if you owe traffic fines, ADOT will not reinstate your license until the court confirms payment. If you submit your request before paying, ADOT will reject it and you will have to resubmit. Always confirm with the relevant court or agency that your obligation is satisfied before you contact ADOT.
Another common error is submitting incomplete or illegible documents. If you scan a court order or completion certificate, make sure the image is clear and all text is readable. If ADOT cannot read a document, they will ask you to resubmit it, which adds days to processing. Do not submit original documents by mail; always send copies and keep the originals for your records.
A third mistake is paying the reinstatement fee but forgetting to include proof that you resolved the suspension cause. The $50 fee alone does not reinstate your license; it is only part of the process. You must also provide documentation that you have satisfied the court order, completed the required program, paid the fines, or met whatever other requirement triggered the suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. Your license remains suspended until ADOT officially reinstates it. Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense in Arizona and can result in additional fines, jail time, and a longer suspension. Wait for ADOT to confirm reinstatement before you drive.
What if I cannot afford to pay all my traffic fines at once?
Contact the court that issued the fines and ask about a payment plan. Many Arizona courts allow you to pay fines in installments. Once you have set up a payment plan and made at least the first payment, some courts will notify ADOT to lift the suspension temporarily while you complete the plan. Ask the court clerk whether this is an option in your case.
Do I need a new written test or driving test to reinstate my license?
No. Reinstatement does not require you to retake the written or driving test unless your suspension was specifically for a medical reason and the court or ADOT requires a medical retest. For most suspensions, you only need to resolve the underlying cause and pay the reinstatement fee.
How long does a reinstatement stay valid once I receive my new license?
Once your license is reinstated, it is valid for the remainder of your license term, just as if the suspension had never happened. Your license expiration date does not change because of a suspension or reinstatement. However, if you commit another violation that triggers a new suspension, your license can be suspended again.
What if ADOT denies my reinstatement request?
ADOT will deny a reinstatement request only if you have not fully resolved the suspension cause or if you submitted incomplete documents. If your request is denied, ADOT will send you a letter explaining why. Address the missing requirement or resubmit with complete documents. You can also call ADOT at 602-255-0072 to ask what is needed to approve your reinstatement.