What You Pay to Get Your License Back in Florida
To restore a suspended Florida driver's license, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). The fee is $150 for most suspensions. However, the total amount you owe depends on why your license was suspended — you may also owe traffic fines, court costs, child support arrears, or other debts that triggered the suspension in the first place.
The reinstatement fee itself is non-negotiable and goes directly to DHSMV. The other debts must be paid to the agency or court that imposed them. You cannot restore your license until all of these are resolved. DHSMV will not process your reinstatement until it receives proof that the underlying debt has been cleared.
Key Takeaways
- The DHSMV reinstatement fee is $150 for most suspensions, but you must also pay any fines, court costs, or other debts that caused the suspension.
- You can pay the reinstatement fee online through the DHSMV website, by mail, or in person at a Florida DMV office.
- Before paying anything, contact the agency that suspended your license to confirm the exact amount owed and what debts must be cleared first.
- After you pay all required fees and debts, DHSMV processes reinstatement within one to three business days, and you can then renew or replace your license.
- If your suspension was for unpaid child support or criminal fines, you must pay those debts first — the reinstatement fee comes after.
Finding Out Exactly What You Owe
Before you pay anything, you need to know the full amount. Contact the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles at 850-617-3800 or visit the DHSMV website at flhsmv.gov. Have your driver's license number ready. DHSMV can tell you whether your suspension is still active and what triggered it.
If your suspension was for unpaid traffic fines or court costs, DHSMV will direct you to the specific county court that issued the fine. If it was for unpaid child support, contact the Florida Department of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement at 1-800-622-5437. If it was for a criminal conviction or probation violation, contact the court or probation office listed in your suspension notice.
Write down the exact amount owed to each agency. Some suspensions involve multiple debts — for example, unpaid fines plus the reinstatement fee. You must pay all of them before DHSMV will restore your license.
Paying Traffic Fines and Court Costs
If your suspension was triggered by unpaid traffic fines or court costs, you must pay the court that issued the fine before you pay the DHSMV reinstatement fee. Contact the clerk of the circuit court in the county where you received the ticket. Most Florida counties allow you to pay by phone, online, or in person at the courthouse.
Ask the court clerk for a receipt or confirmation number showing the fine has been paid. Keep this document — you will need to show it to DHSMV or provide the confirmation number when you request reinstatement. The court will send notice to DHSMV that the fine is cleared, but this can take several days.
If you cannot pay the full amount at once, ask the court about a payment plan. Some courts allow installment payments or community service in place of fines. However, your license will remain suspended until the entire balance is paid.
Paying Child Support Arrears
If your license was suspended for unpaid child support, you must contact the Florida Department of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement at 1-800-622-5437 or visit childsupport.state.fl.us. They will tell you the exact amount owed and set up a payment plan if you cannot pay in full.
You can pay child support arrears by phone, online, or by mail. Once the payment is received and processed, the Department of Revenue will notify DHSMV that the suspension should be lifted. This notification can take one to five business days. Do not pay the DHSMV reinstatement fee until you have confirmed with the Department of Revenue that your child support debt is cleared.
If you are unable to pay the full amount, ask about a payment arrangement. Your license will not be restored until you have made a payment or signed a formal agreement with the Department of Revenue.
Paying the DHSMV Reinstatement Fee
Once all underlying debts are paid, you can pay the $150 reinstatement fee to DHSMV. You have three options: online, by mail, or in person.
Online payment: Visit flhsmv.gov and select "Pay a Fine or Reinstatement Fee." You will need your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. DHSMV accepts credit cards and debit cards. Payment is processed when ready, and you will receive a confirmation number.
Payment by mail: Send a check or money order for $150 to the address listed on your suspension notice. Include your driver's license number and the reason for suspension. Mail takes five to seven business days to reach DHSMV, plus two to three days for processing.
In-person payment: Visit any Florida DMV office with a check, money order, or debit/credit card. Bring your suspension notice and a photo ID. Payment is processed on the spot, and you will receive a receipt.
What Happens After You Pay
After DHSMV receives your reinstatement fee and confirmation that all other debts are cleared, your suspension is lifted. This usually takes one to three business days if you paid online or in person, or five to seven business days if you paid by mail.
Once your suspension is lifted, your license is restored to valid status. However, you may still need to renew your license if it has expired. Check the expiration date on your license. If it expired while suspended, you will need to renew it before you can legally drive. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office.
If your license was physically suspended (taken by a police officer), you will need to replace it. Bring your suspension notice, proof of reinstatement payment, and a photo ID to a DMV office. The replacement fee is $25.
If You Cannot Pay the Full Amount
If you cannot pay all the money owed, contact the agency or court that imposed the debt first. Many Florida courts and the Department of Revenue offer payment plans, hardship waivers, or community service options. These vary by county and by the type of debt.
For traffic fines, ask the court clerk about a payment plan or request a hearing to discuss your financial situation. For child support, the Department of Revenue can set up a payment arrangement. For criminal fines or restitution, contact the probation office or sentencing court.
Your license will remain suspended until you have either paid in full or entered into a formal agreement with the creditor agency. straightforward requesting a payment plan does not lift the suspension — the suspension lifts once the first payment is made or the agreement is signed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with a suspended license if I have paid the reinstatement fee but DHSMV hasn't processed it yet?
No. Your license remains suspended until DHSMV officially lifts the suspension in its system. Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Florida. Wait for written confirmation from DHSMV before you drive.
What if I paid the fine or child support but DHSMV still shows my license as suspended?
Contact DHSMV at 850-617-3800 with your payment confirmation number. The court or Department of Revenue may not have notified DHSMV yet. DHSMV can check whether the debt has been cleared in the other agency's system and process your reinstatement when ready if it has.
Do I have to pay the reinstatement fee if I just want to let my license expire?
No. If you do not plan to drive, you do not have to pay the reinstatement fee. However, if you want to drive legally in the future, you must pay it. The fee does not expire — it will still be owed years later if you decide to restore your license.
Can I pay the reinstatement fee before I pay the underlying fine or child support?
No. DHSMV will not process your reinstatement fee until it receives proof that the underlying debt has been cleared. Pay the court fine, child support, or other debt first, then pay the reinstatement fee.
What if I was suspended for multiple reasons?
You must pay all debts associated with your suspension. For example, if you were suspended for both an unpaid fine and unpaid child support, you must pay both before DHSMV will reinstate your license. Contact each agency to confirm the amounts owed to each.