What You Need to Do to Reinstate Your Alabama License
To reinstate your Alabama driver's license, you must first contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) to find out why your license was suspended or revoked, then pay any required reinstatement fee, and submit the necessary documents to the DPS. The specific steps depend on whether your license was suspended for unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, medical reasons, or other violations. Alabama does not allow online reinstatement for most suspension reasons, so you will need to visit a DPS office in person or work through the mail for certain document submissions.
The reinstatement process typically takes two to four weeks once you have submitted all required documents and paid all fees. During this time, your license remains invalid, and driving is illegal. Some suspensions can be lifted when ready if you resolve the underlying issue the same day you visit the DPS office — for example, paying a reinstatement fee for a suspension related to unpaid fines.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the Alabama DPS before visiting an office to learn the exact reason for your suspension and what documents you must bring.
- Reinstatement fees in Alabama range from $20 to $100 depending on the reason for suspension, and you must pay this fee in addition to resolving the underlying issue.
- Most suspensions require an in-person visit to a DPS office, though some documents can be submitted by mail if you call ahead to confirm.
- If your license was suspended for unpaid child support or court fines, you may need to contact the court or child support enforcement office first to clear the debt.
- Medical suspensions require a letter from your doctor or a medical evaluation form completed by a licensed physician before the DPS will consider reinstatement.
How to Find Out Why Your License Was Suspended
Call the Alabama DPS Driver License Section at 334-242-4437 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time) and provide your driver's license number or Social Security number. The staff member will tell you the specific reason for the suspension — whether it is unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, a medical condition, or another violation. Write down the reason and ask what documents you need to bring to reinstate your license.
You can also visit the Alabama DPS website and use the online license status check tool if you have your license number and date of birth. This tool will show whether your license is suspended or revoked but may not provide detailed information about the reason. If the online tool does not give you enough detail, call the DPS directly.
Reinstatement Fees and Payment Methods
Alabama charges a reinstatement fee that varies by the reason for suspension. A suspension for unpaid traffic fines or failure to appear in court typically costs $20 to $50 to reinstate. A suspension for unpaid child support costs $100. A medical suspension costs $20 to reinstate once you have submitted medical clearance. You must pay this fee at the time of reinstatement; the DPS does not accept payment by mail for the reinstatement fee itself.
Payment methods at DPS offices include cash, check, debit card, and credit card. Some offices may have different payment options, so call ahead to confirm. If you are unable to visit an office in person, ask the DPS whether you can mail a check with your reinstatement documents; some offices will accept this arrangement if you call and request it beforehand.
Reinstatement for Unpaid Traffic Fines or Failure to Appear
If your license was suspended because of unpaid traffic fines or failure to appear in court, you must pay the outstanding fine or resolve the court case before the DPS will reinstate your license. Contact the court listed on your citation or suspension notice to find out the exact amount owed. You can often pay fines by phone, mail, or in person at the courthouse.
Once the fine is paid or the court case is resolved, visit any Alabama DPS office with proof of payment (a receipt or court document showing the case is closed) and pay the $20 to $50 reinstatement fee. Bring your driver's license or state ID. The DPS will process your reinstatement the same day in most cases, and you can drive legally once you leave the office.
Reinstatement for Unpaid Child Support
A suspension for unpaid child support requires you to contact the Alabama Department of Human Resources, Child Support Enforcement Section, at 334-242-9300 before visiting the DPS. The child support office will tell you the amount owed and your payment options. You do not have to pay the full amount to reinstate your license; you can set up a payment plan with the child support office.
Once you have made a payment or established a payment plan with the child support office, visit a DPS office with proof of the payment or payment plan agreement. Bring your driver's license or state ID and pay the $100 reinstatement fee. The DPS will reinstate your license the same day. If you are unable to pay when ready, ask the child support office whether a payment plan will satisfy the DPS requirement for reinstatement.
Reinstatement for Medical Reasons
If your license was suspended for medical reasons — such as a seizure disorder, loss of consciousness, or a condition that affects your ability to drive safely — you must obtain medical clearance before reinstatement. Contact your doctor or a licensed physician and ask them to complete the Alabama Medical Evaluation Form (Form DL-43), which documents that you are medically fit to drive. The form must be signed and dated by the physician.
Visit a DPS office with the completed medical form, your driver's license or state ID, and the $20 reinstatement fee. The DPS will review the form and reinstate your license if the physician's assessment is satisfactory. Some medical suspensions require periodic re-evaluation; ask the DPS whether you will need to submit medical clearance again in the future.
What to Bring to the DPS Office
| Document Type | Required For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Current driver's license or state ID | All reinstatements | If your license was suspended, bring it anyway; the DPS will need it to process reinstatement. |
| Proof of fine payment or court resolution | Unpaid fines or failure to appear | Receipt from court, cancelled check, or court document showing case closed. |
| Child support payment or payment plan agreement | Unpaid child support | Document from the child support office showing payment made or plan established. |
| Medical Evaluation Form (DL-43) | Medical suspension | Completed and signed by a licensed physician within the past 30 days. |
| Reinstatement fee ($20–$100) | All reinstatements | Cash, check, debit card, or credit card accepted at most offices. |
DPS Office Locations and Hours
Alabama has DPS driver license offices in most counties. The main office is located in Montgomery at 301 South Ripley Street, Montgomery, AL 36104. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time, and closed on state holidays. Some offices have reduced hours or are open only certain days of the week, so call ahead or check the DPS website to confirm the hours of your nearest office.
If you cannot visit an office during regular business hours, ask whether the DPS will accept documents by mail. Some offices will process reinstatement documents mailed in with a check for the reinstatement fee, though this takes longer than an in-person visit. Call the DPS at 334-242-4437 to ask whether your local office accepts mail-in reinstatement requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to reinstate my license after I submit all documents?
If you visit a DPS office in person and have all required documents and fees, reinstatement usually takes the same day or within two to four business days. If you mail in documents, allow two to three weeks for processing. Call the DPS to ask about the current processing time at your local office.
Can I drive while my reinstatement is being processed?
No. Your license remains suspended until the DPS officially reinstates it. Driving with a suspended license is illegal and can result in additional fines, jail time, and a longer suspension. Wait until you receive your reinstated license or confirmation from the DPS before driving.
What if I cannot pay the full reinstatement fee right away?
Call the DPS at 334-242-4437 and ask whether a payment plan is available. For child support suspensions, the child support office may allow a payment plan, which can satisfy the DPS requirement. For other suspension reasons, the DPS may require full payment of the reinstatement fee before processing.
Do I need to take a new written test or driving test to reinstate my license?
No. Reinstatement does not require a new written or driving test unless your license was suspended for medical reasons and the physician's evaluation raises concerns about your driving ability. In that case, the DPS may require a road test before reinstatement.
What if my license was suspended in another state but I live in Alabama?
Contact the DPS in the state where your license was suspended to resolve the issue there first. Once that state lifts the suspension, contact the Alabama DPS to request reinstatement of your Alabama license. Alabama may require proof that the out-of-state suspension has been resolved.