Yes, you can reschedule most suspended license court dates, but you must act before the date arrives

If you have a court date related to your suspended license and cannot attend, contact the court that issued the notice when ready — do not skip the hearing. Courts allow rescheduling in most cases, but the process and your options depend on why your license was suspended and which court has jurisdiction. Missing a scheduled hearing without rescheduling typically results in a default judgment against you, which can extend your suspension, add fines, or lead to a warrant for your arrest.

The court listed on your notice is the only body that can reschedule your hearing. Calling the DMV, your insurance company, or the police will not move your date. You need to contact the court clerk's office directly, explain why you cannot attend, and request a continuance — the legal term for postponing a hearing.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact the court clerk's office listed on your suspension notice as soon as you know you cannot attend; do not wait until the day before.
  • Courts usually allow at least one continuance without requiring a reason, though some jurisdictions require written notice or a formal motion.
  • If you cannot reach the court or miss the rescheduled date, a default judgment may be entered, which can worsen your suspension status and add penalties.
  • Some courts allow you to appear by phone or video for certain suspension hearings, which may eliminate the need to reschedule.
  • If you are represented by a lawyer, your attorney can request the continuance on your behalf and may appear without you.

How to contact the court and request a continuance

Your suspension notice includes the court name, address, and usually a phone number for the clerk's office. Call during business hours — typically 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays — and tell the clerk you have a hearing scheduled and need to reschedule. Have your case number or citation number ready; the clerk will ask for it to pull your file.

Be direct about why you cannot attend. Courts understand legitimate conflicts: work travel, medical appointments, childcare emergencies, or lack of transportation. You do not need a doctor's note or proof for most first requests. The clerk will tell you whether the judge allows continuances without appearing in person, what the next available date is, and whether you need to submit anything in writing.

Some courts require you to file a written motion for continuance, especially if you are requesting more than one postponement. Ask the clerk whether you can email, mail, or fax the request, or whether you must file it in person. If the court requires a motion, the clerk can often provide a template or tell you the exact wording needed.

What happens if the court denies your request

Most courts grant at least one continuance without question. If a judge denies your request — which is rare — you have two options: appear on the scheduled date or request a continuance from the judge in writing before the hearing, explaining your hardship. Some judges will reconsider if you provide documentation, such as a letter from your employer stating you cannot leave work or proof of a medical appointment.

If you cannot reschedule and cannot attend, appearing by phone or video is sometimes possible. Ask the clerk whether remote appearance is an option for your type of hearing. Administrative license suspension hearings (common for DUI or refusal cases) often allow phone appearances, while criminal or traffic court hearings may not. The clerk will tell you whether this is available and how to request it.

Missing a rescheduled date or the original hearing

If you miss the rescheduled hearing without notifying the court, a default judgment is typically entered against you. This means the court rules in favor of the state or the prosecution without hearing your side. The result is usually an extension of your suspension, additional fines, and sometimes a warrant for your arrest.

If you miss a hearing because of a genuine emergency — a car accident, a family death, a sudden hospitalization — contact the court when ready and explain. Courts can sometimes vacate a default judgment if you can show good cause for the absence and request relief within a short window, usually 10 to 30 days depending on the state. The sooner you contact the court, the better your chances.

Different suspension types and rescheduling rules

Administrative license suspensions (issued by the DMV for DUI, refusal to take a breath test, or accumulating points) often have their own hearing process separate from criminal court. These hearings are usually scheduled within 10 to 30 days of the suspension notice. Contact the DMV's administrative hearing office, not the criminal court, to reschedule an administrative hearing. The phone number is on the suspension notice.

Criminal court suspensions (for convictions or pending charges) are rescheduled through the criminal court clerk. Traffic court suspensions (for unpaid tickets or traffic violations) go through traffic court. The notice you received will specify which court issued the suspension. If you are unsure, call the main courthouse number and ask which department handles license suspension hearings.

When you have a lawyer

If you are represented by a public defender or have hired a private attorney, your lawyer can request the continuance without you. Tell your attorney as soon as you know you cannot attend. Lawyers routinely request continuances and often do not need to appear in person to do so; they can file a motion or call the court on your behalf.

Your attorney may also be able to appear on your behalf at the rescheduled hearing, depending on the type of suspension and the court's rules. Administrative hearings sometimes require your personal presence, while criminal or traffic court hearings may allow your lawyer to represent you. Discuss this with your attorney before the hearing date.

Preparing for the rescheduled hearing

Once you have rescheduled, treat the new date as firm. Mark it on your calendar, set a reminder, and plan to arrive 15 minutes early. Bring the original suspension notice, any documents the court asked you to provide, and any evidence supporting your case — such as proof that you paid a fine, completed a required course, or resolved the underlying violation.

If you are contesting the suspension (for example, arguing that the traffic stop was unlawful or that you were not the driver), gather any evidence before the hearing: dashcam footage, witness contact information, medical records, or documentation of your whereabouts. The hearing is your opportunity to present your side; the court will not reschedule again if you miss it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance do I need to call the court to reschedule?

Contact the court as soon as you know you cannot attend — ideally at least one week before the hearing. Courts are more likely to accommodate requests with advance notice. If you have less than a week, call anyway; the clerk can tell you whether rescheduling is still possible.

What if I cannot find the court phone number on my notice?

Search online for the court name and county, or call the main courthouse number listed on your notice. The operator can transfer you to the clerk's office that handles license suspension cases. If you have a case number, that will speed up the process.

Can the court reschedule my hearing more than once?

Most courts allow one or two continuances without requiring a reason. Additional requests usually require written justification or a motion. If you need multiple reschedulings, explain the situation to the clerk and ask what documentation the judge will need to approve another delay.

What if I reschedule and then something else comes up?

Contact the court again and request another continuance. However, judges become less sympathetic with repeated requests. If you have already rescheduled once, be prepared to explain why the new conflict could not have been anticipated, and consider whether you can rearrange your schedule to attend instead.

Do I need a lawyer to reschedule my hearing?

No. You can call the court clerk and request a continuance yourself. However, if you are contesting the suspension or facing criminal charges, having a lawyer present at the hearing strengthens your case. A lawyer can also handle the rescheduling request on your behalf if you prefer.