What causes a license suspension in Broward County

In Broward County, your Florida driver's license can be suspended for reasons that fall into a few main categories: unpaid traffic fines or court costs, failure to appear in court for a traffic violation, accumulating too many points on your driving record, driving without insurance, or child support arrears. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) issues the suspension order, but the reason behind it determines what you must do to get your license back.

The most common suspension in Broward County is a Financial Responsibility suspension, which happens when you're convicted of a traffic violation and don't pay the fine or court costs by the important date. A Failure to Appear suspension occurs when you miss a court date for a traffic ticket. Both are handled through the Broward County Clerk of Court or the specific court that issued the citation.

If your suspension is due to points — Florida suspends licenses when a driver accumulates 12 or more points within 12 months, 18 points within 18 months, or 24 points within 36 months — you'll need to contact DHSMV directly. Child support suspensions are handled by the Florida Department of Revenue, and insurance-related suspensions require proof of coverage sent to DHSMV.

Key Takeaways

  • Broward County suspensions are issued by DHSMV but often stem from unpaid fines, missed court dates, or points on your record, each requiring a different resolution step.
  • You must resolve the underlying cause — pay the fine, appear in court, obtain insurance, or satisfy child support — before DHSMV will lift the suspension.
  • The Broward County Clerk of Court website shows your case status and payment options for traffic-related suspensions.
  • Reinstating your license costs $150 in reinstatement fees to DHSMV, plus any fines, court costs, or other amounts owed to the county or court.
  • You cannot legally drive in Florida or most other states while suspended; doing so can result in criminal charges and additional fines.

Identifying the reason for your Broward County suspension

Before you can fix the problem, you need to know exactly why your license was suspended. DHSMV sends a suspension notice by mail to the address on your driver's license, but mail can be delayed or missed. The fastest way to find out is to check your status directly through the DHSMV website at flhsmv.gov or call the DHSMV Customer Service Center at 1-888-486-4357.

When you call or visit the website, have your driver's license number and date of birth ready. DHSMV will tell you the suspension code — for example, "FIN" for Financial Responsibility, "FTA" for Failure to Appear, or "PTS" for points-related suspension. They will also tell you what must be done to clear it. Write down the exact code and the instructions; you'll need this information when you contact the court or other agency responsible.

If the suspension is related to a traffic case in Broward County, you can also check the Broward County Clerk of Court website at browardclerk.org and search for your case by name or case number. The clerk's system shows whether fines are paid, whether you have an outstanding court date, and what your balance is.

Resolving a Financial Responsibility or Failure to Appear suspension

If your suspension is due to an unpaid fine, court costs, or a missed court appearance, the Broward County Clerk of Court is your first stop. You can pay fines online through the clerk's website, by phone at 954-831-6000, or in person at any Broward County courthouse. Payment by credit card, debit card, or electronic check is available online and by phone; cash and check payments must be made in person.

If you missed a court date, you must contact the court that issued the ticket and reschedule your appearance or resolve the case. You can do this by phone, online, or in person. Once the court date is handled — either by appearing and resolving the case or by paying the fine if the court allows it — the clerk notifies DHSMV. However, DHSMV does not automatically lift the suspension; you must then pay the $150 reinstatement fee to DHSMV to restore your license.

The timeline varies. If you pay online or by phone, the payment is usually processed within one to two business days. If you pay in person, it can be processed the same day. After the clerk confirms payment to DHSMV, allow an additional three to five business days for DHSMV to update your record and lift the suspension. During this waiting period, you still cannot legally drive.

Handling a points-based suspension

If your suspension is due to accumulating too many points on your driving record, the resolution is different. You cannot straightforward pay a fee to clear points; instead, you must wait for points to age off your record or take a defensive driving course to reduce them. Florida removes points at a rate of one point per year, but only if you have no new violations during that year.

You can reduce up to four points by completing an approved Basic Driver Improvement course (also called a traffic school course). This course is four hours long and can be taken online or in person at approved providers throughout Broward County. The course costs between $15 and $50 depending on the provider. After you complete it, the provider sends proof of completion to DHSMV, which then reduces your points and lifts the suspension.

To reinstate your license after a points suspension, you must still pay the $150 reinstatement fee to DHSMV, even after completing the driver improvement course or waiting for points to age. You can pay this fee online at flhsmv.gov, by mail, or in person at a DHSMV office. Broward County has DHSMV offices in Fort Lauderdale, Deerfield Beach, and Pompano Beach.

Paying reinstatement fees and restoring your license

Once you have resolved the underlying cause of your suspension — paid the fine, appeared in court, obtained insurance, or reduced your points — you must pay DHSMV's $150 reinstatement fee. This fee is separate from any fines or court costs you owe to the county. You cannot drive legally until this fee is paid and DHSMV processes your reinstatement.

You can pay the reinstatement fee online at flhsmv.gov using a credit or debit card, by mail with a check or money order, or in person at any DHSMV office. Online payment is the fastest; your reinstatement is usually processed within one to three business days. By mail, allow seven to ten business days. In person, you may be able to complete the reinstatement the same day, but call ahead to confirm wait times.

After you pay the reinstatement fee, DHSMV will mail you a new driver's license if your current one was suspended. If your license was not physically suspended (meaning you still have the card but cannot legally drive), you do not need a new license card; your driving privileges are straightforward restored in the system. You can verify your reinstatement status by checking DHSMV's website or calling 1-888-486-4357.

What you cannot do while suspended in Broward County

Driving with a suspended license in Florida is a criminal offense. A first offense is a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. A second offense within five years is a first-degree misdemeanor, with penalties up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Broward County law enforcement actively enforces this law, and a traffic stop for any reason can result in a license check.

Beyond criminal penalties, driving while suspended can result in additional fines, the suspension being extended, your vehicle being impounded, and your insurance rates increasing significantly if you ever regain coverage. If you are involved in an accident while driving with a suspended license, your insurance will likely deny your claim, leaving you personally liable for all damages.

If you need to drive during the suspension period — for work, medical appointments, or other essential reasons — you may be able to request a Hardship License from DHSMV. A Hardship License allows limited driving for specific purposes. You must explore in person at a DHSMV office in Broward County and provide documentation of your hardship. Not all suspension types may have access to for a Hardship License; points-based and certain financial suspensions do not.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get my license back after I pay the reinstatement fee?

If you pay online, DHSMV typically processes your reinstatement within one to three business days. By mail, allow seven to ten business days. In person at a DHSMV office, you may complete it the same day, but processing times vary. Your driving privileges are restored once DHSMV updates your record; you do not have to wait for a new license card to arrive in the mail.

Can I get a Hardship License while my license is suspended in Broward County?

It depends on the reason for your suspension. Financial Responsibility and Failure to Appear suspensions may may have access to for a Hardship License, but points-based and insurance-related suspensions typically do not. You must explore in person at a Broward County DHSMV office with proof of your hardship, such as a letter from your employer or medical documentation. Call DHSMV at 1-888-486-4357 to confirm whether your suspension type qualifies.

What if I cannot pay the fine or reinstatement fee right away?

The Broward County Clerk of Court offers payment plans for fines and court costs. Contact the clerk at 954-831-6000 to request a payment arrangement. However, your license remains suspended until the full amount is paid and the reinstatement fee is submitted to DHSMV. Payment plans do not lift the suspension; they only allow you to pay over time.

Do I need to take a new driving test after my license is reinstated?

No. Reinstatement restores your existing license; you do not have to retake the written or road test. However, if your license has expired during the suspension period, you will need to renew it separately, which may require a new photo and vision test but not a driving test.

Will a suspended license in Broward County affect my license in other states?

Yes. Florida reports suspensions to the National Driver Register, and most states honor Florida suspensions. You cannot legally drive in most other states while your Florida license is suspended. Some states may issue their own suspension on top of Florida's. You must resolve the suspension in Florida before your driving privileges are restored nationwide.