What You Need to Do to Restore Your License
To get your suspended Alabama driver's license back, you must first find out why it was suspended, then complete the specific steps that reason requires. The Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) will not restore your license until you have satisfied every requirement tied to that suspension. The process is not the same for everyone — a suspension for unpaid traffic fines requires different action than a suspension for failing a drug test or not paying child support.
Start by contacting the Alabama DPS Driver License Division at 334-242-4437 or visiting their office in Montgomery to get a written statement of why your license was suspended and what you must do to restore it. You can also request this information in writing by mail. Do not assume you know the reason — many drivers have multiple suspensions stacked on their record, and you must clear all of them before the license is restored.
Once you know the reason, follow the steps in the section below that matches your situation. After you complete those steps, you will need to file a formal request for reinstatement with the DPS and pay a reinstatement fee.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the Alabama DPS Driver License Division to get a written statement of why your license was suspended and what you must do to restore it.
- Different suspension reasons require different actions — unpaid fines, drug test failures, child support arrears, and medical suspensions each have their own process.
- You must complete every requirement tied to your suspension before filing for reinstatement; the DPS will not restore your license until all conditions are met.
- After completing the required steps, you must file a reinstatement request with the DPS and pay a reinstatement fee, which varies by suspension type.
- Some suspensions require you to file proof of completion (such as a certificate from a substance abuse program) before reinstatement will be processed.
Suspensions for Unpaid Traffic Fines or Court Costs
If your license was suspended because you did not pay a traffic fine or court costs, you must pay the full amount owed to the court that issued the citation. Contact the court listed on your traffic ticket or suspension notice to find out the exact amount due, including any late fees or collection costs that have been added.
Once you have paid the court, ask for a receipt or written confirmation that the debt is satisfied. Keep this document — you will need to show it when you request reinstatement. The court will notify the DPS that the fine has been paid, but this process can take one to two weeks. After the DPS receives notice, you can file your reinstatement request.
The reinstatement fee for this type of suspension is $20. You will pay this fee when you file your reinstatement request with the DPS, either by mail or in person at a DPS office.
Suspensions for Failure to Appear in Court
If your license was suspended because you failed to appear (FTA) for a court date, you must resolve the underlying case before your license can be restored. This means you must either appear in court on a new date, resolve the case by paying a fine or entering a plea, or have the case dismissed.
Contact the court that issued the FTA suspension to find out what you need to do. In many cases, you can call the court clerk's office and ask to reschedule your appearance. Some courts allow you to resolve minor traffic cases by phone or mail. Bring or send proof of your court action — a receipt, court order, or letter from the clerk confirming the case is resolved — to the DPS along with your reinstatement request.
The reinstatement fee for an FTA suspension is $20. The DPS will not process your reinstatement until the court has notified them that your case is closed.
Suspensions for Drug or Alcohol Violations
If your license was suspended because of a positive drug test, DUI conviction, or refusal to take a breath test, you must complete a substance abuse program before reinstatement. Alabama requires you to finish a program approved by the Alabama Department of Mental Health and the DPS.
You can find a list of approved programs by contacting the DPS or searching the Alabama Department of Mental Health website. Programs vary in length — most take between 8 and 16 weeks — and cost between $300 and $800. You will pay the program directly. After you finish, the program will send a certificate of completion to you and to the DPS.
Once the DPS receives your certificate of completion, you can file your reinstatement request. The reinstatement fee for a drug or alcohol suspension is $50. If you had a DUI conviction, you may also be required to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle before you can drive again; the DPS will tell you if this applies to you.
Suspensions for Child Support Arrears
If your license was suspended because you owe child support, you must contact the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) Child Support Enforcement office. They will tell you the exact amount you owe and set up a payment plan if you cannot pay in full when ready.
You can reach the DHR Child Support office at 334-242-9300 or find your local office through the DHR website. Once you have paid the amount owed or entered into a payment agreement, DHR will send a release notice to the DPS. The DPS will then restore your license without requiring a separate reinstatement request or fee.
If you are unable to pay the full amount, ask DHR about payment plans or hardship waivers. Some situations — such as job loss or medical emergency — may may have access to you for a temporary modification of your payment obligation.
Suspensions for Medical or Vision Reasons
If your license was suspended because of a medical condition, vision problem, or failure to renew your medical certification, you must obtain a new medical evaluation or vision test from a licensed physician or optometrist. The DPS will specify what type of evaluation you need.
Schedule an appointment with your doctor or eye care provider and bring the DPS medical form (Form DL-43 or the form specified in your suspension notice). After the evaluation, your doctor will sign and return the form to you. You will then submit this form to the DPS along with your reinstatement request.
The reinstatement fee for a medical suspension is $20. The DPS may require you to pass a vision test or written test at a DPS office before your license is fully restored, depending on the reason for the suspension.
How to File Your Reinstatement Request
After you have completed all the requirements for your suspension, you must file a formal reinstatement request with the Alabama DPS. You can do this in person at any DPS Driver License office, by mail, or online through the DPS website if your suspension type allows online reinstatement.
To reinstate by mail, send the following to the Alabama DPS Driver License Division, P.O. Box 1471, Montgomery, AL 36102: a completed DL-44 form (Reinstatement process), your reinstatement fee (check or money order), and proof that you have completed all requirements (such as a court receipt, program certificate, or medical form). Include a copy of your driver's license or ID card if possible.
Processing time is typically two to four weeks by mail. If you reinstate in person at a DPS office, you may receive a temporary driving permit on the same day, though your official license will be mailed to you. Bring the same documents and payment in person.
Common Mistakes That Delay Reinstatement
Many drivers delay their own reinstatement by not completing all requirements before filing. If you have multiple suspensions, you must satisfy every one of them. The DPS will reject your reinstatement request if even one condition remains unmet.
Another common mistake is paying the wrong court or paying a fine but not asking for written proof. Always get a receipt or letter from the court confirming payment. Do not assume the court will notify the DPS automatically — follow up after one week to confirm the DPS has received notice.
Drivers also sometimes submit incomplete paperwork. Make sure your reinstatement process is fully filled out, your fee is included, and all supporting documents are copies (not originals). If you are missing any document, the DPS will return your request without processing it, adding another two to four weeks to your timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. Your license remains suspended until the DPS officially restores it. If you reinstate in person at a DPS office, you may receive a temporary permit valid for a few days, but you cannot legally drive on a suspended license. Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Alabama.
What if I have multiple suspensions for different reasons?
You must complete the requirements for every suspension before reinstatement. If you have a suspension for unpaid fines and another for a failed drug test, you must pay the fine and complete the substance abuse program. The DPS will not restore your license until all conditions are satisfied.
How much does reinstatement cost?
The reinstatement fee ranges from $20 to $50 depending on the reason for suspension. Unpaid fines, FTA, and medical suspensions cost $20. Drug and alcohol suspensions cost $50. Child support suspensions have no reinstatement fee — DHR notifies the DPS directly once the debt is resolved.
What if I cannot afford to pay a fine or complete a program?
Contact the court (for fines) or DHR (for child support) to ask about payment plans. For substance abuse programs, some approved providers offer sliding-scale fees based on income. The DPS cannot waive requirements, but the agencies that imposed them may be able to work with you on timing or cost.
How long does reinstatement take?
Processing time is typically two to four weeks by mail and one to three business days in person at a DPS office. The timeline depends on how quickly the DPS receives proof that you completed your requirements. If you submit incomplete paperwork, the process restarts when you resubmit.