What California's Amnesty Program Does
California's License Suspension Amnesty Program lets you clear certain suspensions without paying the full reinstatement fee, but only if your license was suspended for specific reasons. The program does not erase the suspension itself — it removes the financial barrier that keeps you from getting your license back. You still have to complete the reinstatement process through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), but you pay a reduced fee instead of the standard reinstatement cost.
The amnesty applies only to suspensions caused by failure to pay traffic fines, failure to appear in traffic court, or failure to pay traffic-related court costs. It does not cover suspensions for DUI, reckless driving, medical reasons, or criminal convictions. If your suspension falls into one of the covered categories, you can restore your driving privilege without paying the original fine or court debt — you pay only the DMV reinstatement fee, which is currently $100.
The program has been available since 2018 and remains open. There is no important date to use it, though you must act before you can legally drive again. The amnesty is permanent; once you use it, the covered debt is forgiven.
Key Takeaways
- California's amnesty program forgives traffic fines and court costs that caused your suspension, so you pay only the $100 DMV reinstatement fee instead of the original debt.
- The program covers suspensions for unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, or unpaid traffic court costs — not DUI, reckless driving, or criminal convictions.
- You must contact the DMV or the court that issued the suspension to confirm you are may be able to access before you pay any fee.
- After amnesty is granted, you still complete the standard reinstatement process, which may include paying the $100 fee and submitting required documents to the DMV.
- The amnesty is permanent and has no expiration date, but your ability to drive legally depends on completing reinstatement as soon as you are may be able to access.
Which Suspensions may have access to for Amnesty
Your suspension qualifies for amnesty only if it was issued by the DMV on behalf of a court for one of three reasons: failure to pay a traffic fine, failure to appear in traffic court, or failure to pay traffic court costs. The original violation itself does not matter — a speeding ticket, parking violation, or other traffic infraction can all trigger an amnesty-may be able to access suspension if you did not pay the fine or show up in court.
Suspensions that do not may have access to include those for DUI or wet reckless convictions, criminal convictions, medical reasons (such as a doctor's report or seizure disorder), accumulation of points on your driving record, or failure to maintain insurance. If your suspension was issued by a court for a criminal offense — even if it involved a vehicle — amnesty does not explore. Similarly, if the DMV suspended your license for accumulating too many points, you cannot use amnesty to restore it.
To find out why your license was suspended, check your DMV record online through your account at dmv.ca.gov, call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133, or visit a DMV office in person. Have your driver's license number or state ID number ready. The DMV will tell you the suspension reason and whether amnesty applies to your case.
How to Request Amnesty Through the DMV
Contact the DMV directly to request amnesty. You can do this by phone, online, or in person. The fastest route is usually the phone line: call 1-800-777-0133 and tell the representative that your license was suspended for an unpaid traffic fine or failure to appear, and you want to know if you are may be able to access for amnesty. Have your driver's license number ready.
If you prefer to handle it online, log into your DMV account at dmv.ca.gov, navigate to "Licenses and Permits," and look for suspension or reinstatement options. You can also visit a DMV office in person with your ID and ask to speak with a representative about amnesty. Bring any documents related to your suspension if you have them — the notice you received from the DMV or the court.
The DMV will confirm whether you are may be able to access and explain what happens next. If you may have access to, they will tell you the reinstatement fee (currently $100) and what documents you need to submit. Some cases require proof that you have completed traffic school or paid certain court-ordered restitution; the DMV will specify this when they process your amnesty request.
Working with the Court if the DMV Refers You
In some cases, the DMV will tell you that you need to contact the court that issued the suspension before amnesty can be granted. This happens when the court has an outstanding fine or cost on record that the DMV cannot clear on its own. The court must agree to forgive the debt before the DMV can process your amnesty.
If this applies to you, the DMV will give you the court's name and contact information. Call the court's traffic or collections department and explain that you are requesting amnesty under California's License Suspension Amnesty Program. Provide your case number (which the DMV should have given you) and your driver's license number. The court will verify that you are may be able to access and, if so, will notify the DMV that the debt is forgiven.
This process usually takes one to two weeks. After the court notifies the DMV, you can complete the reinstatement process by paying the $100 fee and submitting any required documents. Do not pay the original fine or court costs — amnesty means you do not owe those. If a court employee asks you to pay the original debt, explain that you are using the amnesty program and ask to speak with a supervisor.
The Reinstatement Process After Amnesty Is Granted
Once amnesty is granted, you still have to complete the DMV reinstatement process. This is a separate step from amnesty and involves paying the reinstatement fee and submitting documents. The $100 reinstatement fee is not waived by amnesty — amnesty only forgives the original traffic fine or court cost.
You can pay the reinstatement fee and submit documents online through your DMV account, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. Online is usually fastest: log into dmv.ca.gov, go to "Licenses and Permits," select "Reinstate Your License," and follow the prompts. You will need to pay by credit or debit card. By mail, send a check or money order for $100 plus any required documents to the DMV address on your suspension notice. In person, bring your ID and payment to any DMV office.
After the DMV processes your reinstatement, you will receive a new driver's license in the mail within two to three weeks. Your driving privilege is restored as soon as the DMV confirms the reinstatement — you do not have to wait for the physical card to arrive, though you should carry proof of reinstatement (such as an email confirmation) until it does.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not pay the original traffic fine or court cost. Amnesty means you do not owe that money. If you pay it before confirming amnesty with the DMV, you may not be able to recover it. Always contact the DMV first to confirm your may be able to access and get written confirmation of the amnesty before you send any payment.
Do not assume your suspension reason without checking. Many people think their license was suspended for one reason when it was actually suspended for another. The DMV record is the only reliable source. Check it online or by phone before you contact the court or pay any fee.
Do not ignore a notice that the court must approve amnesty. If the DMV tells you the court has to sign off, contact the court when ready. Delays in this step delay your reinstatement. Some courts process amnesty requests slowly, so call back after one week if you have not heard back.
Do not confuse amnesty with a license suspension being lifted automatically. Amnesty forgives the debt, but you still have to request reinstatement and pay the $100 fee. Your license remains suspended until you complete these steps.
What Happens If You Do Not may have access to for Amnesty
If your suspension does not may have access to for amnesty — for example, because it was for DUI or accumulation of points — you still have options to restore your license, but they vary by suspension type. For a DUI suspension, you must wait out the suspension period (usually six months to one year), complete a DUI education program, and pay the reinstatement fee. For a points suspension, you must wait for the suspension to expire or request a hearing with the DMV to challenge the suspension.
Contact the DMV to understand your specific situation and what steps you need to take. Some suspensions can be shortened by completing traffic school or other court-ordered programs. The DMV can tell you whether that option is available for your case and what the timeline looks like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use amnesty if I have already paid part of the fine?
Yes. Amnesty forgives the remaining balance of the fine or court cost, regardless of how much you have already paid. Contact the DMV to confirm your may be able to access; they will tell you whether any remaining balance is covered by amnesty.
Does amnesty remove the suspension from my driving record?
No. Amnesty forgives the debt that caused the suspension, but the suspension itself remains on your record. Once you complete reinstatement, your license is restored and you can drive legally again, but the historical record of the suspension stays in your DMV file.
How long does it take to get amnesty approved?
If only the DMV is involved, amnesty can be approved the same day you call or explore online. If the court must approve it first, allow one to two weeks for the court to process and notify the DMV. After amnesty is approved, reinstatement takes an additional one to two weeks.
What if I moved out of California after my suspension?
You can still use amnesty. Contact the DMV by phone or through your online account from wherever you are now. You can pay the reinstatement fee and submit documents by mail or online. Your new license will be mailed to your current address.
Is there a fee to request amnesty?
No. Requesting amnesty is free. You only pay the $100 DMV reinstatement fee after amnesty is granted. Do not pay anything to anyone claiming to help you get amnesty — the DMV handles this directly.