Pay the suspension fee and any outstanding fines to get your license back
To restore a suspended license in New York, you must pay the suspension fee to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), plus any traffic fines or other court-ordered payments that caused the suspension. The DMV will not lift the suspension until all money owed is received and processed. Once paid, your license is usually restored within one to three business days, though the exact timeline depends on how you pay and which DMV office handles your case.
The suspension fee itself varies by reason. A suspension for unpaid traffic fines costs $100. A suspension for failure to pay child support or criminal court fines costs $100. A suspension for a drug conviction costs $250. If your license was suspended for multiple reasons, you pay a fee for each one. You must also pay the original fine or debt that triggered the suspension — the suspension fee is separate and in addition to that amount.
New York does not allow you to pay online through the DMV website. You must pay in person at a DMV office, by mail, or through the court that issued the original ticket or judgment. Which method works depends on why your license was suspended.
Key Takeaways
- You must pay both the suspension fee (usually $100) and the original fine or debt that caused the suspension before the DMV will restore your license.
- Payment methods differ by reason for suspension: traffic fines go to the court, child support arrears go to the Support Collection Unit, and drug convictions go to the DMV.
- The DMV processes restorations within one to three business days after payment is received, but mail payments take longer to reach the office.
- You can request a conditional license (a limited permit to drive to work or school) while your suspension is pending if you meet income requirements.
How to pay a suspension for unpaid traffic fines
If your license was suspended because you did not pay a traffic ticket, contact the court that issued the ticket. The court's name and contact information appear on the ticket itself. Call the court's traffic or violations bureau and ask for the total amount owed, including the original fine and any late fees or surcharges.
You can pay the court by phone, in person, or by mail. Some courts accept credit cards or debit cards by phone; others require a check or money order mailed to the court address. Ask the court clerk which methods they accept and whether they will send a receipt or confirmation to the DMV automatically. If you pay by mail, keep a copy of the check or money order number and the date you mailed it — mail can take one to two weeks to arrive, and the court may not process it when ready.
After the court receives and records your payment, they send a notice to the DMV. The DMV then removes the suspension from your record. This process usually takes three to five business days after the court processes the payment. You do not need to contact the DMV yourself unless the suspension is not lifted within a week of paying the court.
How to pay a suspension for unpaid child support
If your license was suspended for failure to pay child support, contact the Support Collection Unit (SCU) of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. You can reach them by phone at 1-800-343-8859 or visit their office in person. The SCU handles all child support collections for New York State.
Ask the SCU for your current balance, including any arrears (back payments) and current monthly support owed. You can pay by phone using a debit or credit card, by mail with a check or money order, or in person at an SCU office. If you pay by phone or mail, ask for a confirmation number or receipt — keep this for your records.
Once the SCU records your payment, they notify the DMV. The suspension is lifted within one to three business days. If you owe ongoing monthly support, make sure those payments continue on schedule, or your license can be suspended again.
How to pay a suspension for a drug conviction
A suspension for a drug conviction requires payment directly to the DMV, not to a court. The suspension fee is $250. You must pay this fee in person at a DMV office or by mail to the DMV address provided in your suspension notice.
To pay by mail, send a check or money order for $250 to the address listed on your suspension notice. Include a copy of the notice itself and a letter with your name, date of birth, and driver's license number. Mail it to the DMV office that issued the suspension. Payment by mail takes one to two weeks to arrive and process.
To pay in person, visit any DMV office with your suspension notice and a valid form of ID. Bring a check, money order, or cash. The DMV will process the payment when ready and your license will be restored within one to three business days.
Request a conditional license while your suspension is pending
While you wait for your suspension to be lifted, you may be able to get a conditional license (also called a restricted license or limited permit). This allows you to drive to work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs, but not for other purposes.
To request a conditional license, visit a DMV office in person and bring proof of financial hardship (such as a pay stub showing your income, a letter from your employer, or a tax return). You must also bring your suspension notice and a valid form of ID. The DMV will review your request and decide whether to issue the permit. There is no fee for a conditional license.
A conditional license is not automatic — the DMV denies some requests. You are more likely to receive one if you can show that the suspension prevents you from working or attending school. The permit is valid only while your suspension is being processed and is revoked once your full license is restored.
What happens if you drive with a suspended license
Driving with a suspended license in New York is a crime. A first offense is a misdemeanor with a fine of $200 to $500 and up to 30 days in jail. A second offense within ten years carries a fine of $500 to $1,000 and up to 30 days in jail. A third or subsequent offense is a felony.
If you are stopped by police, your vehicle can be impounded and your license suspension extended. You will also face criminal charges separate from the original suspension. Do not drive until your suspension is lifted, even if you have a conditional license — a conditional license is valid only for the specific purposes listed on it.
Timeline for restoration after payment
The DMV's timeline for lifting a suspension depends on how you pay and which office processes your case. If you pay in person at a DMV office, the suspension is usually lifted within one business day. If you pay by mail or through a court, allow three to five business days after the payment is received and recorded.
To check whether your suspension has been lifted, visit the DMV website and use the license status checker, or call the DMV at 1-518-402-7100. You will need your driver's license number or Social Security number. If the suspension is still showing after five business days, contact the office that processed your payment to confirm they received it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my license back the same day I pay?
If you pay in person at a DMV office, the suspension is usually lifted within one business day. If you pay by mail or through a court, it takes three to five business days after the payment is received. The DMV does not restore licenses on the same day for mail or court payments.
What if I cannot afford to pay the full amount right now?
Contact the court or agency that collected the debt (the court for traffic fines, the SCU for child support, or the DMV for drug convictions) and ask about a payment plan. Some courts and the SCU offer installment agreements. The DMV does not offer payment plans for drug conviction fees. A payment plan does not lift the suspension when ready, but it may prevent further penalties.
Do I have to pay the suspension fee if I pay the original fine?
Yes. The suspension fee and the original fine are separate charges. You must pay both. The suspension fee is $100 for most suspensions (traffic fines, child support, criminal court fines) and $250 for drug convictions.
What if the court or SCU says I already paid?
If you paid the debt but your license is still suspended, the payment may not have been recorded yet. Wait three to five business days and check your license status again on the DMV website. If the suspension is still showing, contact the court or SCU with your payment confirmation number and ask them to verify the payment was applied to your account.
Can I get a hardship license if I have a drug conviction suspension?
A conditional license is available for most suspensions, including drug convictions, if you can show financial hardship. You must visit a DMV office in person and provide proof of hardship. The DMV will review your request, but approval is not may provide.