What You Need to Do to Get Your License Back in Texas
To reinstate your Texas driver's license, you must first find out why it was suspended or revoked — the reason determines what you do next. Texas suspends licenses for different violations: unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, DWI convictions, accumulating too many points, or not paying child support. Each reason has its own reinstatement path, and you cannot move forward until you have resolved the underlying issue.
Once you have cleared the reason for suspension, you will file a reinstatement request with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), pay a reinstatement fee, and pass any required tests. The whole process typically takes two to four weeks, though it can be faster if everything is in order.
Key Takeaways
- You must resolve the reason your license was suspended — paying fines, clearing a court case, completing a DWI program, or settling child support — before DPS will reinstate it.
- Contact the Texas DPS or the court or agency that suspended your license to confirm what you owe and what steps you must take.
- The reinstatement fee in Texas is $100, plus any court costs or program fees related to your specific suspension reason.
- You may need to pass a written test, vision test, or both, depending on why your license was suspended.
- You can request reinstatement online through the DPS website, by mail, or in person at a DPS office.
Find Out Why Your License Was Suspended
Before you can reinstate your license, you need to know the exact reason it was suspended. Call the Texas DPS at 1-888-589-6556 or visit a DPS office in person with your ID. They will tell you whether your suspension is active, what caused it, and what you must do to clear it. Write down everything they tell you — the suspension code, the date it took effect, and any important date.
If your license was suspended for a court-related reason (failure to appear, unpaid fines, or a DWI), the court that issued the suspension may also contact you. Do not ignore court mail. If you are unsure which court handled your case, the DPS can tell you which county court suspended your license.
Resolve the Reason for Suspension
The steps you take depend entirely on why your license was suspended. Here are the most common reasons and what you must do:
Unpaid traffic fines or court costs: Pay the full amount owed to the court that issued the ticket. You can usually pay by phone, online, or in person at the courthouse. Ask for a receipt or confirmation number — you will need proof of payment when you request reinstatement.
Failure to appear in court: Contact the court when ready and ask to reschedule your appearance or resolve the case. The court will not clear the suspension until you have appeared or the case is dismissed or resolved.
DWI conviction: You must complete a DWI education program (also called a DUI class) approved by the state. This is a classroom course, usually four to eight hours long, and costs between $75 and $300. After you finish, the program will send proof of completion to DPS and the court.
Too many points on your driving record: Points accumulate when you receive traffic tickets. If you have accumulated 12 or more points within 12 months, your license is suspended. You cannot remove points, but the suspension will lift automatically after a waiting period (usually 90 days for a first suspension). You still need to request reinstatement and pay the fee.
Child support arrears: Contact the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division or the local child support office. You must bring your account current or set up a payment plan. Once the arrears are resolved, the office will notify DPS to lift the suspension.
Request Reinstatement From the Texas DPS
Once you have resolved the reason for suspension, you can request reinstatement. You have three options: online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office.
Online: Visit the Texas DPS website and use the Online Services portal. You will need your driver's license number and a valid payment method (credit or debit card). The fee is $100. This is the fastest method and usually takes three to five business days.
By mail: Send a letter to the Texas DPS with your name, date of birth, driver's license number, the reason your license was suspended, and proof that you have resolved it (receipt for paid fines, DWI program completion certificate, court order, etc.). Include a check or money order for $100 payable to "Texas DPS". Mail it to the address listed on the DPS website. This method takes two to three weeks.
In person: Visit a DPS office with your ID, proof of resolution, and payment. Bring the original documents or certified copies — photocopies are usually not accepted. You can pay by cash, check, or card. This method is fastest if you have all documents ready.
Pass Any Required Tests
Depending on why your license was suspended, you may need to pass a written test, a vision test, or both before reinstatement is approved.
Written test: If your suspension was for accumulating too many points or for a serious violation, DPS may require you to pass a written knowledge test. This is the same test new drivers take — it covers traffic laws and safe driving. You can study using the Texas Driver's Handbook, available free on the DPS website. You take the test at a DPS office, and it costs $20.
Vision test: If your license was suspended because of a vision-related issue or if it has been more than a certain time since your last vision screening, you will need to pass a vision test at a DPS office. This is quick and costs $5.
The DPS will tell you which tests you need when you request reinstatement. If you fail a test, you can retake it, but you will need to pay the test fee again.
What Happens After You Request Reinstatement
After you submit your reinstatement request, the DPS will review it and contact you if they need more information. If everything is in order, your license will be reinstated and you will receive a new license in the mail within one to two weeks. Your old license will no longer be valid.
If you requested reinstatement online or in person, you may be able to drive when ready with a temporary permit while you wait for your new license to arrive. Ask the DPS office whether a temporary permit is available for your situation.
If your reinstatement request is denied, the DPS will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons include incomplete payment, missing documents, or failure to pass a required test. You can reapply once you have addressed the issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to reinstate a suspended license in Texas?
If you request reinstatement online and have all required documents and payment ready, it typically takes three to five business days. By mail, it takes two to three weeks. In person at a DPS office, it can be same-day if you pass any required tests and have all documents. The timeline depends on whether you have fully resolved the reason for suspension.
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
Not legally. Your license remains suspended until DPS approves your reinstatement. However, if you request reinstatement in person at a DPS office and pass any required tests, you may receive a temporary permit to drive while you wait for your new license to arrive. Ask the DPS officer whether this is available for your suspension type.
What if I cannot afford to pay the reinstatement fee right now?
The DPS does not offer payment plans for the reinstatement fee itself. However, if your suspension was due to unpaid fines or court costs, the court may offer a payment plan. Contact the court that issued your fine and ask about installment options. Once you have a payment plan in place, you can request reinstatement and provide proof of the plan to DPS.
Do I need a lawyer to reinstate my license?
You do not need a lawyer for most reinstatement cases. The process is straightforward: resolve the underlying issue, pay the fee, and submit your request. However, if your suspension is related to a criminal case or if you are unsure about your legal obligations, speaking with a lawyer may help clarify your options.
What if my license was suspended in another state but I now live in Texas?
Texas will not reinstate a license suspended in another state. You must contact the state that suspended your license and follow their reinstatement process. Once that state reinstates your license, you can then transfer it to Texas by visiting a DPS office with your out-of-state license and proof of residency in Texas.