What You Need to Do to Get Your Texas License Back
To reinstate a suspended or revoked Texas driver's license, you must first clear the reason for the suspension, then submit a reinstatement request to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) along with the required fee. The process and documents you need depend on why your license was suspended — whether it was for unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, child support arrears, or a conviction-related suspension.
Texas does not automatically restore your license once the suspension period ends. You must take action. The DPS will not process your reinstatement until you have resolved the underlying issue and paid the reinstatement fee, which is $100 for most suspension types.
Key Takeaways
- You must resolve the reason for suspension before the DPS will reinstate your license — paying fines, clearing child support arrears, or completing a required program.
- The reinstatement fee is $100 for most suspension types, and you must pay it at the time you request reinstatement.
- You can request reinstatement online through the DPS website, by mail, or in person at a DPS office, but online is the fastest route.
- Processing takes 5 to 10 business days after the DPS receives your request and payment, though some suspensions require additional verification from other agencies.
- If your suspension was for a conviction-related reason, you may need to complete a defensive driving course or an alcohol education program before reinstatement is possible.
Identify Why Your License Was Suspended
The reason your license was suspended determines what you must do before you can request reinstatement. Texas suspends licenses for several distinct reasons, and each has its own resolution path. You can find out why your license was suspended by checking your DPS record online or by calling the DPS at 1-888-589-6556.
The most common suspension reasons are: unpaid traffic fines or court costs; failure to appear in court; child support arrears reported by the Texas Attorney General's office; a conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI); failure to maintain auto insurance; or failure to pay a toll or citation issued by a toll authority. Some suspensions are also issued for medical reasons or for accumulating too many points on your driving record.
Write down the specific reason listed on your suspension notice or DPS record. You will need this information when you request reinstatement, and it will tell you exactly what step comes next.
Resolve the Underlying Issue Before Requesting Reinstatement
You cannot request reinstatement until the reason for suspension is cleared. The steps you take depend on the suspension type.
For unpaid fines or court costs: Pay the full amount owed to the court that issued the citation. Contact the court directly or use the Texas Justice Court Training Center's online payment portal to locate your case and pay online. Once payment is processed, the court will notify the DPS, and your suspension will be lifted. This can take 3 to 5 business days.
For failure to appear in court: Contact the court that issued the warrant and resolve the case. This may mean appearing in person, paying a fine, or working out a payment plan. The court will notify the DPS once the matter is resolved.
For child support arrears: Contact the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division or your local child support office. You will need to bring your arrears current or set up a payment plan. Once the Attorney General's office confirms you are in compliance, they will notify the DPS.
For DUI or DWI convictions: You may be required to complete an Alcohol Awareness Program (also called DWI Education) or a Victim Impact Panel before reinstatement. The court will specify which program is required. You must complete the program and provide proof to the DPS.
For failure to maintain insurance: Obtain a current auto insurance policy and request an SR-22 form from your insurer. File the SR-22 with the DPS. Your insurer will submit it electronically, and your suspension will be lifted once the DPS receives it.
For toll or citation violations: Pay the outstanding toll or citation amount to the toll authority or the issuing agency. Contact the toll authority directly for payment options.
Submit Your Reinstatement Request
Once you have resolved the underlying issue, you can request reinstatement. You have three options: online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office.
Online reinstatement (fastest): Visit the DPS website at dps.texas.gov and use the Online Services portal. Log in or create an account, select "License Reinstatement," enter your driver's license number and personal information, confirm the reason for suspension has been resolved, and pay the $100 reinstatement fee by credit or debit card. You will receive a confirmation number when ready. Processing typically takes 5 to 10 business days.
By mail: Complete Form DL-44 (process for Texas Driver License) or a reinstatement request letter that includes your name, driver's license number, date of birth, the reason for suspension, and confirmation that the issue has been resolved. Include a check or money order for $100 made payable to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Mail to: Texas Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division, P.O. Box 15888, Austin, TX 78761-5888. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days from receipt.
In person at a DPS office: Bring your driver's license (if you still have it), proof of resolution of the suspension reason, and $100 in cash, check, or card. Visit any DPS Driver License office. Processing is usually completed the same day, though you will receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
What Documents to Bring or Submit
The documents you need depend on the reason for suspension. Below is what the DPS typically requires for each type.
| Suspension Reason | Documents to Submit |
|---|---|
| Unpaid fines or court costs | Proof of payment from the court; receipt or court confirmation |
| Failure to appear | Court documentation showing the case has been resolved |
| Child support arrears | Letter from Texas Attorney General or child support office confirming compliance or payment plan |
| DUI/DWI conviction | Certificate of completion from the required Alcohol Awareness Program or Victim Impact Panel |
| Failure to maintain insurance | SR-22 form filed with DPS (submitted by your insurance company) |
| Toll or citation violation | Proof of payment from the toll authority or issuing agency |
If you are requesting reinstatement online, you will not need to upload documents — the DPS will verify resolution directly with the issuing agency. If you are requesting by mail or in person, include copies of proof documents with your request.
Timeline and What to Expect After You Submit
After you submit your reinstatement request, the DPS will verify that the suspension reason has been cleared. This verification step can take 5 to 10 business days for online requests and 10 to 15 business days for mail requests. Some suspension types require the DPS to confirm resolution with another agency — for example, child support suspensions require confirmation from the Attorney General's office, which can add 3 to 5 days.
Once verification is complete and your reinstatement fee has been processed, your license will be reinstated. If you requested reinstatement in person, you will receive a temporary driving permit on the spot and your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you requested online or by mail, you will receive your new license by mail only.
You can check the status of your reinstatement request online through the DPS portal using your confirmation number, or by calling 1-888-589-6556. Do not drive until your license has been officially reinstated — driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Texas.
Common Mistakes That Delay Reinstatement
Many people submit reinstatement requests before the underlying issue is fully resolved. For example, paying a fine to the court is not the same as the court notifying the DPS — there is a processing delay. If you submit your reinstatement request too early, the DPS will reject it and you will have to resubmit. Always confirm with the issuing agency that they have notified the DPS before you request reinstatement.
Another common mistake is submitting incomplete information. If your name, date of birth, or driver's license number does not match exactly what the DPS has on file, your request may be delayed or rejected. Double-check all personal information before submitting.
For child support suspensions, some people assume that setting up a payment plan is enough. It is not — you must be current on payments or have a written agreement from the Attorney General's office before requesting reinstatement. Contact the child support office to confirm your status before you submit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. Your license remains suspended until the DPS officially reinstates it. Driving during this time is a separate criminal offense. If you requested reinstatement in person at a DPS office, you will receive a temporary permit that day, which allows you to drive. If you requested online or by mail, you must wait for your new license to arrive by mail.
What if the DPS rejects my reinstatement request?
The DPS will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons are incomplete information, the underlying issue not yet resolved, or a mismatch in your personal data. Contact the DPS at 1-888-589-6556 to clarify what is needed, fix the problem, and resubmit.
Do I have to pay the $100 reinstatement fee even if the suspension was a mistake?
Yes. The reinstatement fee is required regardless of the reason for suspension. If you believe the suspension was issued in error, you can file a dispute with the DPS, but you will still owe the fee to reinstate once the dispute is resolved in your favor.
How long does a reinstatement stay on my record?
Once your license is reinstated, the suspension is cleared from your active record. However, the suspension history remains part of your driving record for insurance and legal purposes. It does not prevent you from renewing your license in the future.
What if I have multiple suspensions?
You must resolve all suspension reasons before the DPS will reinstate your license. If you have suspensions for unpaid fines and child support arrears, for example, you must clear both before requesting reinstatement. Contact the DPS to confirm all reasons for suspension.