Florida Requires a Money Order for Most Reinstatement Fees
Florida's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) accepts money orders as payment for license reinstatement fees when you cannot pay in person or by credit card. You must send the money order by mail to the correct DHSMV office, along with your reinstatement process and supporting documents. The money order must be made payable to the State of Florida, and you should never send cash through the mail.
The reinstatement fee itself varies depending on why your license was suspended or revoked. A standard suspension reinstatement typically costs between $150 and $300, but fees are higher for certain violations like driving under the influence (DUI) or habitual traffic offender status. You can confirm your exact fee by calling the DHSMV at 1-844-DL-HELP1 (1-844-354-3571) or by checking your suspension notice, which lists the amount due.
Key Takeaways
- Money orders must be made payable to "State of Florida" and mailed with your complete reinstatement process to the correct DHSMV regional office.
- You can purchase a money order at most banks, credit unions, post offices, grocery stores, and check-cashing services for a small fee (typically $1 to $5).
- Include your driver's license number on the money order itself and on a cover letter so DHSMV can match the payment to your record.
- Mail times vary, so send your reinstatement package at least two to three weeks before you need your license restored to account for postal delays.
- Keep a copy of everything you send, including the money order receipt, in case DHSMV reports that payment was not received.
Where to Buy a Money Order in Florida
You can purchase a money order at nearly any financial institution or retail location in Florida. Banks and credit unions typically charge $1 to $3 per money order. The United States Postal Service (USPS) sells money orders at all post offices for a flat fee of around $1.45 for amounts up to $500. Grocery store chains like Publix, Winn-Dixie, and Walmart offer money orders at their customer service desks, usually for $1 to $2.
Check-cashing services and convenience stores also sell money orders, though fees may be slightly higher. When you purchase the money order, ask the seller to write it for the exact amount of your reinstatement fee. Do not round up or send extra money — DHSMV will not refund overpayments, and underpayment will delay your reinstatement.
How to Fill Out and Send Your Money Order
Write "State of Florida" on the "Pay to the Order of" line of the money order. On the memo or reference line, write your driver's license number so the payment can be matched to your account. Do not leave the memo line blank, as DHSMV processes thousands of reinstatement requests monthly and cannot match unmarked payments to driver records.
Include the money order in an envelope with your completed reinstatement process (Form HSMV 42-040), a cover letter stating your name, date of birth, and driver's license number, and any other documents required for your specific suspension reason. Mail the entire package to the DHSMV regional office that handles your county. The mailing address depends on your location — check the DHSMV website or your suspension notice for the correct office address.
Use first-class mail or a tracked service like Priority Mail Express if you are concerned about delivery time. Keep the money order receipt and a photocopy of everything you send. If DHSMV does not receive your payment within four to six weeks, you will have proof of what you sent.
DHSMV Regional Mailing Addresses by County
| Region | Counties Served | Mailing Address |
|---|---|---|
| North Florida | Duval, Nassau, Clay, St. Johns, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Putnam, Union | DHSMV, 2900 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32399 |
| Central Florida | Marion, Alachua, Levy, Citrus, Sumter, Lake, Volusia, Brevard, Seminole, Orange, Osceola | DHSMV, 2900 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32399 |
| South Florida | Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Okeechobee | DHSMV, 2900 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32399 |
| Southwest Florida | Collier, Lee, Hendry, Glades, Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands | DHSMV, 2900 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32399 |
| West Central Florida | Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Sarasota, Manatee, Hernando, Citrus | DHSMV, 2900 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32399 |
All reinstatement mail in Florida is processed through the central DHSMV office in Tallahassee, regardless of which county you live in. Do not send your money order to a local DMV office or tag agency — it will be delayed or returned.
What Happens After You Mail Your Money Order
DHSMV typically processes reinstatement requests within 10 to 15 business days after receiving your complete process and payment. You will receive a letter in the mail confirming that your license has been reinstated, or you will be notified if additional documents or information is needed. You can also check the status of your reinstatement online through the DHSMV website by entering your driver's license number.
Once your reinstatement is approved, you do not need to visit a DMV office unless your license was physically suspended and needs to be replaced. If your license was suspended only (not revoked), it becomes valid again automatically once reinstatement is processed. If it was revoked, you may need to take a written test or road test before driving legally again — your reinstatement letter will specify what is required.
Common Mistakes When Sending Money Orders for Reinstatement
The most frequent error is sending cash instead of a money order. DHSMV will not accept cash by mail, and cash sent through the postal service is not insured if it is lost or stolen. A second common mistake is making the money order payable to "DHSMV" or "Department of Motor Vehicles" instead of "State of Florida" — DHSMV cannot deposit checks or money orders made out to the department itself.
Another mistake is failing to write your driver's license number on the money order or in your cover letter. Without this information, DHSMV cannot match your payment to your suspension record, and your reinstatement will be delayed while staff attempt to locate your file. Sending an incomplete process with the money order is also common — if you are missing required documents, DHSMV will send your process back, and you will have to resubmit everything, including a new money order.
Do not send your money order to a local tag agency or DMV office. These offices do not process reinstatement payments and will either return your envelope or forward it to Tallahassee, adding weeks to processing time. Always mail directly to the central DHSMV office address in Tallahassee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my reinstatement fee with a personal check instead of a money order?
No. DHSMV only accepts money orders, cashier's checks, or credit card payments for reinstatement fees. Personal checks are not accepted by mail. If you want to pay by credit card, you must do so in person at a DHSMV office or through the online payment system if your suspension type allows it.
What if the post office loses my money order in the mail?
If you used USPS Priority Mail Express or another tracked service, you can file a claim with the postal service. Keep your money order receipt and the tracking number. DHSMV will not process a reinstatement without payment, so you will need to purchase and send a replacement money order. Some people choose to use Priority Mail Express specifically to avoid this risk.
How long does it take for DHSMV to receive my money order after I mail it?
Standard first-class mail typically takes three to five business days within Florida. If you mail from outside the state, allow five to seven business days. DHSMV processing begins only after the money order is received, so plan for at least two to three weeks total from mailing to reinstatement approval.
Do I need to include a cover letter with my money order?
Yes. Always include a brief cover letter with your name, date of birth, driver's license number, and the reason for reinstatement (for example, "reinstatement of suspended license"). This helps DHSMV staff match your payment to your record quickly and reduces the chance of processing delays.
What if I send too much money with my money order?
DHSMV will not refund overpayments. Send a money order for the exact amount of your reinstatement fee only. If you are unsure of the exact fee, call 1-844-354-3571 before purchasing the money order to confirm the amount.