The restoration fee is $65 in Pennsylvania, paid to PennDOT when you submit your reinstatement request
When your license suspension ends and you're ready to drive again, Pennsylvania requires you to pay a $65 restoration fee to PennDOT (the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation). This is a separate charge from any fines, court costs, or other penalties you may owe — it exists solely to process your reinstatement paperwork and restore your driving privileges.
The fee applies whether your suspension was for a DUI conviction, accumulating too many points, failure to pay child support, or any other reason. You cannot get your license back without paying it, and there is no waiver or reduction available based on financial hardship.
You pay this fee when you submit your reinstatement request to PennDOT, either in person at a Driver License Center or by mail. The fee is non-refundable, even if your reinstatement is denied for another reason.
Key Takeaways
- Pennsylvania's restoration fee is $65, paid directly to PennDOT when you request reinstatement of your suspended license.
- The fee is required regardless of why your license was suspended and cannot be waived or reduced.
- You must pay the fee as part of your reinstatement request; you cannot pay it separately or in advance.
- The $65 fee covers only the reinstatement process itself and does not cover any court fines, restitution, or other penalties you may owe.
What the $65 covers and what it does not
The $65 restoration fee pays for PennDOT to process your reinstatement request, verify that your suspension period has ended, and issue a new license or restore your driving privileges in the system. It does not cover any other costs related to your suspension.
If you owe court fines, restitution, child support arrears, or other penalties that led to your suspension, those are separate debts you must settle independently. Some suspensions (such as those for unpaid child support) cannot be lifted until you have paid what you owe to the relevant agency — the $65 fee alone will not restore your license in those cases.
If your suspension was related to a DUI conviction, you may also need to pay for an alcohol evaluation, an interlock device installation, or a substance abuse program, depending on the court's order. These costs are in addition to the $65 restoration fee.
How to pay the restoration fee
You submit the $65 fee when you file your reinstatement request with PennDOT. You have two main options: visit a Driver License Center in person or submit your request by mail.
If you go in person, bring a check or money order made out to "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" or pay by debit or credit card. Cash is not accepted. The Driver License Center staff will process your payment when ready and give you a receipt.
If you mail your reinstatement request, include a check or money order for $65 with your process. Do not send cash through the mail. Include your name, date of birth, and driver's license number on the check so PennDOT can match the payment to your file. Mail your request to the address provided on PennDOT's reinstatement instructions.
Some suspensions require you to submit additional documents (such as proof that you completed a required program or paid outstanding fines). Make sure you have everything PennDOT requires before you submit your payment, because incomplete applications may be returned and you will need to resubmit with another $65 fee.
Timeline for processing after you pay
After PennDOT receives your $65 payment and your complete reinstatement request, processing typically takes 1 to 2 weeks. During that time, PennDOT verifies that your suspension period has ended and that you have met all other requirements (such as completing a DUI program or paying court-ordered fines).
If everything is in order, your license will be restored and you will receive a new physical license in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you need to drive before the new license arrives, you can request a temporary driving permit at a Driver License Center.
If PennDOT finds that you have not met all requirements, they will send you a letter explaining what is missing. You will then need to complete those requirements before resubmitting your reinstatement request — and you will have to pay the $65 fee again.
What happens if you cannot pay the fee right away
PennDOT does not offer a payment plan for the $65 restoration fee. The fee must be paid in full when you submit your reinstatement request. If you do not have the money at the time your suspension ends, you will not be able to restore your license until you can pay.
Your suspension will remain active and you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license carries serious penalties, including fines up to $500, possible jail time, and further license suspension. It is not worth the risk to drive before your license is officially restored.
If cost is a barrier, consider whether you can borrow the $65 from family or friends, or check whether a local community organization offers emergency information. Some nonprofits help people in transportation hardship, though availability varies by county.
Reinstating a license suspended for unpaid fines or child support
If your license was suspended because you owe court fines or child support, paying the $65 restoration fee alone will not restore your license. You must first settle the underlying debt with the court or the child support enforcement agency.
Once you have paid what you owe, contact the agency that imposed the suspension (the court, the Domestic Relations Section, or the Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement Program) and ask them to notify PennDOT that the suspension can be lifted. PennDOT will then remove the suspension from your record at no additional cost — the $65 fee applies only when you are requesting reinstatement after a suspension for other reasons, such as DUI or point accumulation.
If you are unsure whether your suspension has been cleared by the relevant agency, call PennDOT's Driver License Section at 717-787-2540 before submitting your reinstatement request. They can tell you whether the suspension is still active and what you need to do next.
Reinstating a license suspended for DUI
If your license was suspended following a DUI conviction, the $65 restoration fee is only one part of what you will need to pay and complete. You must also have completed a court-ordered alcohol evaluation and any required substance abuse treatment program before PennDOT will restore your license.
Additionally, if the court ordered an ignition interlock device (a breathalyzer installed in your vehicle), you must have it installed and maintained before your license can be restored. The cost of the device and its monthly monitoring fee are separate from the $65 restoration fee.
When you submit your $65 fee and reinstatement request, include proof that you have completed the evaluation and any required program. Without this documentation, PennDOT will deny your request and you will need to resubmit later — and pay the $65 fee again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay the $65 fee before my suspension ends?
No. PennDOT will not accept a reinstatement request or payment until your suspension period has actually ended. Paying early will not speed up the process. Wait until the suspension end date has passed, then submit your request and payment together.
What if I lose my receipt for the $65 payment?
If you paid in person at a Driver License Center, ask for a duplicate receipt before you leave. If you paid by mail and did not receive a confirmation, call PennDOT at 717-787-2540 with your check number or payment details and they can verify that your payment was received and processed.
Do I have to pay the $65 fee if my suspension was a mistake?
If PennDOT made an error and your license should never have been suspended, you may be able to have the suspension removed without paying the restoration fee. Contact PennDOT's Driver License Section to explain the error and request a review. If they agree the suspension was incorrect, they will clear it from your record at no cost.
Is the $65 fee the same for all types of suspensions?
Yes. The $65 restoration fee applies to all license suspensions in Pennsylvania, regardless of the reason. There is no variation based on the length of the suspension or the cause.
What if I cannot afford the $65 fee?
PennDOT does not waive or reduce the fee based on financial hardship. However, you may be able to borrow the money from family, friends, or a local community organization. Driving on a suspended license is illegal and carries serious penalties, so it is important to wait until you can pay and restore your license properly.