Where to go and what to bring in Broward County
To reinstate your driver's license in Broward County, you must visit a Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) office in person. The county has multiple locations, but the main office is at 6800 West Sunrise Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. You can also use the office in Pompano Beach or Deerfield Beach, depending on which is closest to you.
Before you go, gather these documents: your current ID (passport, expired license, or state ID), proof of residence (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days), your Social Security number, and proof that you have met the reason your license was suspended. The proof you need depends on why your license was suspended — this might be an SR22 form, a paid traffic fine receipt, proof of insurance, or a letter from the Florida Department of Revenue showing you have resolved a child support issue.
You can find the exact address and hours of your nearest DHSMV office by visiting the Florida DHSMV website or calling 1-850-617-3800. Some offices take walk-ins, but many now use an appointment system. Calling ahead or checking online before you go saves you a trip.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a DHSMV office in Broward County in person; reinstatement cannot be done by mail or online.
- Bring your current ID, proof of residence, Social Security number, and proof that you have resolved the reason for your suspension.
- The reason your license was suspended determines what proof you need — an SR22 for a DUI, a paid fine receipt for unpaid tickets, or a letter from the Department of Revenue for child support arrears.
- Call the DHSMV office ahead of time to confirm hours and whether you need an appointment, as policies vary by location.
- Reinstatement fees in Florida range from $75 to $150 depending on the reason for suspension, and you must pay in cash, check, or card at the office.
What the reinstatement fee covers and how much it costs
Florida charges a reinstatement fee when you restore your license. The amount depends on why your license was suspended. A suspension for unpaid traffic fines costs $75 to reinstate. A suspension for a DUI or other serious violation costs $150. A suspension for failure to pay child support or failure to appear in court also costs $150.
This fee is separate from any fines, restitution, or insurance payments you may already owe. For example, if your license was suspended because you did not pay a traffic ticket, you must pay both the original fine and the $75 reinstatement fee. The DHSMV office will not process your reinstatement until both are paid.
The office accepts cash, debit cards, and credit cards. Some locations also accept checks, but call ahead to confirm. You cannot pay the fee online or by mail — payment must happen at the office when you submit your reinstatement request.
SR22 insurance and why you need it for some suspensions
If your license was suspended because of a DUI conviction, a serious traffic violation, or a crash where you were at fault and uninsured, Florida requires you to carry SR22 insurance before you can reinstate. An SR22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that proves to the state you have liability insurance that meets Florida's minimum limits.
You do not buy an SR22 as a separate product. Instead, you contact an insurance company, ask them to add an SR22 filing to your existing policy or to a new policy, and they file the form directly with the DHSMV on your behalf. The filing usually takes one to three business days. You must bring proof that the SR22 has been filed — either a letter from your insurance company or a copy of the SR22 form itself — when you go to the DHSMV office to reinstate.
SR22 insurance costs more than standard insurance. The increase depends on your driving record and the reason for the suspension, but you should expect to pay 50 to 100 percent more per month than you would for a standard policy. You must keep the SR22 in force for three years from the date of the violation or suspension, or the DHSMV will suspend your license again.
How long reinstatement takes after you submit your request
Once you submit your reinstatement request at the DHSMV office and all your documents are approved, you receive your reinstated license on the spot in most cases. The office prints a temporary license that day, and your permanent license arrives by mail within one to two weeks.
The only reason reinstatement would take longer is if the office finds that your documents are incomplete or that you have not fully resolved the reason for your suspension. For example, if you claim you paid a traffic fine but the office's records show the fine is still outstanding, they will ask you to provide a receipt or contact the court. This can add days or weeks to the process.
To avoid delays, call the DHSMV office or the court or agency that suspended your license before you go in person. Ask them to confirm that your suspension is ready to be lifted and what documents they need to see. This one phone call often prevents a wasted trip.
Suspensions related to unpaid fines and traffic court
If your license was suspended because you did not pay a traffic fine or did not appear in court, you must resolve the ticket before the DHSMV will reinstate. This means either paying the fine in full or appearing in court to resolve the case.
To find out whether you have unpaid fines, contact the traffic court in the county where you received the ticket. In Broward County, that is the Broward County Court. You can search for your case online through the Broward County Clerk of Courts website or call the court directly. Once you know what you owe, you can pay online, by phone, or in person at the courthouse.
If you cannot afford to pay the fine, you can ask the court for a payment plan or a hearing to reduce the fine. Bring proof of your income and expenses to the court. Some judges will lower the fine or allow you to pay over time. Once the fine is paid or the case is resolved, bring your receipt to the DHSMV office along with your other documents.
Child support arrears and Department of Revenue suspensions
Florida suspends driver's licenses for people who owe child support or alimony. If this is the reason your license was suspended, you must contact the Florida Department of Revenue, which handles child support enforcement, to find out what you owe and how to resolve it.
You can reach the Department of Revenue's child support program by calling 1-800-622-5437 or visiting their website. They will tell you the total amount owed and whether you can set up a payment plan. In many cases, the Department of Revenue will work with you to create a plan that fits your budget, especially if you are now employed or your circumstances have changed.
Once you have made a payment or agreed to a payment plan, ask the Department of Revenue for a letter stating that your suspension is cleared or that you are in compliance with a payment agreement. Bring this letter to the DHSMV office. Some suspensions are lifted automatically once a payment is made, but it can take a few days for the system to update, so having the letter speeds up the process.
What happens if you drive with a suspended license in Broward County
Driving with a suspended license in Florida is a criminal offense. A first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. A second offense within five years is a felony, with penalties of up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Police in Broward County enforce this law actively. If you are stopped and your license is suspended, you will be arrested, your vehicle may be impounded, and you will face criminal charges in addition to the original reason for your suspension. The cost of impound fees, bail, and legal fees far exceeds the cost of reinstatement.
If your suspension is temporary — for example, you are waiting for an SR22 to be filed or a fine to be processed — ask the DHSMV about a temporary driving permit. Some suspensions allow you to request a limited permit that lets you drive to work or to medical appointments while your reinstatement is pending. Call the DHSMV office to ask whether your situation qualifies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reinstate my license online or by mail in Florida?
No. You must appear in person at a DHSMV office in Broward County. The office staff must verify your identity and documents before they can process your reinstatement. There is no online or mail-in option.
What if I moved out of Broward County — can I reinstate at a different DHSMV office?
Yes. You can reinstate your license at any DHSMV office in Florida, not just in Broward County. The process and fees are the same statewide. If you have moved, you may want to reinstate at your new location for convenience.
Do I have to pay the reinstatement fee if I was suspended by mistake?
If the DHSMV made an error and your suspension was not valid, you may be able to have the fee waived. You will need to provide evidence of the error — for example, proof that you paid a fine that the system shows as unpaid. Contact the DHSMV office or the agency that suspended your license to request a fee waiver and explain your situation.
How long does an SR22 stay on my record after I reinstate my license?
You must carry SR22 insurance for three years from the date of the violation or suspension. After three years, you can contact your insurance company and ask them to remove the SR22 filing. Your license will not be suspended again as long as you maintain continuous insurance coverage during those three years.
What if I cannot afford the reinstatement fee right now?
The DHSMV does not offer payment plans for reinstatement fees. However, some local nonprofits and legal aid organizations in Broward County may help with fees in hardship cases. Contact the Broward County Bar Association or a local legal aid office to ask whether they know of any programs that might help.