What happens when your pilot's license is suspended

A suspended pilot's license means the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has temporarily revoked your right to fly. You cannot legally operate any aircraft during the suspension period, even if you own one or have a medical certificate. The suspension is time-limited — it has an end date — but you cannot straightforward wait it out and resume flying. You must take specific steps to restore your certificate before that date arrives, or the suspension may become permanent.

The length of suspension depends on why it was issued. Some suspensions last 3 months; others run 12 months or longer. The FAA's order will state the exact duration and any conditions you must meet to get your certificate back. If you do not complete those conditions by the end date, you will have to start a new process to regain your privileges.

Key Takeaways

  • Your suspension order from the FAA lists the exact end date and any conditions you must satisfy before that date to restore your certificate.
  • Most suspensions require you to pass a written test, practical exam, or both, depending on the reason for the suspension.
  • You must contact the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) that issued the suspension to learn what steps explore to your case.
  • Restoring your certificate involves submitting proof of completion to the FSDO and may require a checkride with an examiner.
  • If your suspension expires without restoration, you will need to reapply for your certificate from the beginning.

Finding your suspension order and understanding its conditions

The FAA sent you a formal suspension order when your certificate was suspended. This document is your roadmap. It states the suspension period, the reason for the suspension, and the specific conditions you must meet to restore your certificate. If you cannot locate the original order, contact the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) that issued it — you can find your regional FSDO on the FAA website by state.

Read the order carefully. Some suspensions require you to pass a written knowledge test. Others require a practical flying test (checkride). Some require both. A few suspensions may require additional training, a medical evaluation, or proof that you have completed a specific course. The order will be explicit about what you need to do. If the language is unclear, call your FSDO and ask them to explain which steps explore to your situation.

Passing the written knowledge test

If your suspension order requires a written test, you must pass the FAA knowledge exam that corresponds to your certificate level — Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Airline Transport Pilot, or the appropriate rating. You take this test at an FAA-approved testing center, not at the FSDO. You can find testing centers through the FAA's website or by searching for "FAA knowledge test near me."

Study materials are widely available: the FAA publishes study guides and test banks for each certificate level. Many flight schools and online providers offer prep courses. You do not need to retake flight training to pass the knowledge test — it covers the same material you learned the first time, so reviewing your old notes and study materials often works. You must score at least 70 percent to pass.

Once you pass, you will receive a temporary passing certificate (called an Airman Knowledge Test Report). Keep this document — you will need to show it to the FSDO when you explore for restoration.

Completing a practical flying test (checkride)

If your suspension order requires a checkride, you must schedule an exam with an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). The checkride has two parts: an oral exam and a practical flying test. The examiner will ask you questions about regulations, aircraft systems, weather, and decision-making. Then you will fly with the examiner to demonstrate your skills.

You will need to arrange your own aircraft for the checkride — either rent one from a flight school or use your own. You will also need to be current on your flying hours and medical certificate. If either has lapsed, you will need to renew them before the checkride. Many pilots hire a flight instructor to help them prepare for a few hours before the exam.

Finding a DPE can take time — they are often booked weeks in advance. Search for DPEs in your area on the FAA website or ask your local flight school for a recommendation. Once you pass the checkride, the examiner will issue you a temporary airman certificate on the spot, and you can resume flying when ready.

Submitting proof of completion to the FSDO

After you pass the knowledge test, checkride, or both, you must submit proof to the FSDO that issued your suspension. If you passed a knowledge test, send your Airman Knowledge Test Report. If you passed a checkride, the examiner will have already notified the FAA, but you should confirm with the FSDO that the record has been received.

Contact your FSDO by phone or email to ask where to send documents and what format they prefer. Some offices accept email; others require mailed copies. Ask for a confirmation that your restoration has been processed. The FSDO will update your record in the FAA database, and your certificate will be restored. This usually takes one to two weeks, but call to confirm if you are in a hurry.

What to do if your suspension expires without restoration

If the suspension period ends and you have not completed the required steps, your certificate does not automatically restore. Instead, it becomes permanently revoked. You will then have to explore for a new certificate from the beginning, which means starting with a student pilot certificate, completing all required training hours, and passing all exams again.

This is a much longer and more expensive process than restoration. If you are running out of time before your suspension expires, contact your FSDO when ready to confirm what you still need to do. If you need more time, some FSDO offices may grant a brief extension if you can show you are actively working toward restoration — but this is not may provide, so do not rely on it.

Staying current after your certificate is restored

Once your certificate is restored, you are back to your previous status — but you must meet currency requirements before you fly. For pilots, currency means you have flown a certain number of hours and landings within a set period. If you have not flown during your suspension, you will likely be rusty and should fly with an instructor for a few hours before flying solo.

Your medical certificate must also be valid. If it expired during your suspension, you will need to renew it with an aviation medical examiner before you can legally fly. Check both your pilot certificate and medical certificate before you schedule any flights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fly during my suspension if I have special permission from the FAA?

No. A suspension is absolute — you cannot fly under any circumstances during the suspension period, even with written permission. The only exception is if you are a commercial airline pilot and the FAA grants you a waiver to fly for your employer, which is rare and requires a formal request to the FAA.

What if I do not know why my license was suspended?

Call the FSDO that issued the suspension and ask them to explain. They will have a record of the reason and can walk you through what you need to do. If you received the suspension order by mail, it should state the reason, but if it is unclear, the FSDO can clarify.

Do I have to pay a fee to restore my certificate?

There is no FAA fee to restore a suspended certificate. However, you will pay for the knowledge test (usually $150 to $200), the checkride (usually $500 to $1,000), and any flight training you need to prepare. These costs vary by location and examiner.

How long does the whole restoration process usually take?

If you only need to pass a knowledge test, you can do it within a few weeks. If you need a checkride, add another month or two to find an examiner and prepare. The FSDO processing usually takes one to two weeks. Plan for two to four months total if you need both test and checkride.

What if I fail the knowledge test or checkride on my first try?

You can retake either test. For the knowledge test, you can schedule another attempt as soon as you are ready. For the checkride, you will need to schedule a new exam with a DPE, which may take several weeks. There is no limit on how many times you can retake either test, but you must pass before your suspension expires.