What you need to do depends on why your license was suspended
Florida suspends licenses for different reasons — unpaid traffic tickets, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, medical conditions, or insurance lapses — and the steps to restore it change based on which one applies to you. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) will not automatically reinstate your license once the suspension period ends. You have to take specific action, and that action differs by suspension type.
The fastest way to find out exactly what you owe and what form you need is to check your driving record through the DHSMV website or call their Customer Service Center at 850-617-2000. Have your driver's license number ready. They will tell you the suspension reason, whether you still owe money, and which document to submit.
Key Takeaways
- Florida does not automatically restore your license when a suspension period ends — you must submit a reinstatement request and pay any outstanding fees.
- The reinstatement fee is $75 for most suspensions, but you may also owe the original fine, court costs, or other debts tied to the suspension reason.
- You can check your suspension status and required documents through the DHSMV website or by calling 850-617-2000 before you take any action.
- If your suspension is due to a medical condition, you will need a doctor's statement; if it is due to insurance lapse, you will need proof of current coverage.
- After you submit your reinstatement request and fees, your license is usually restored within one to two business days if everything is correct.
How to handle a suspension caused by unpaid tickets or court fines
If your license was suspended because you did not pay a traffic ticket or court fine, you must pay the full amount owed before the DHSMV will reinstate you. Contact the court that issued the ticket — the citation itself lists the court — and ask what you owe. You can often pay by phone, online, or in person at the courthouse.
Once you have paid the court, the court sends notice to the DHSMV. However, you still need to submit a reinstatement request to DHSMV and pay the $75 reinstatement fee. You can do this online through the DHSMV website, by mail, or in person at a Driver License office. If you pay the court fine but do not submit the reinstatement request, your license will remain suspended.
Restoring your license after a failure to appear suspension
A failure to appear (FTA) suspension means you missed a court date. You must resolve the underlying case before DHSMV will reinstate your license. Contact the court listed on your suspension notice and explain that you missed your date. The court may reschedule you, or you may be able to resolve the case by phone or mail depending on the charge.
Once the court case is resolved — whether you paid a fine, completed a program, or had the case dismissed — the court notifies DHSMV. You then submit your reinstatement request and the $75 fee to DHSMV. If you have multiple FTA suspensions from different courts, you must resolve each case separately before reinstatement.
What to do if your suspension is linked to child support or other financial obligations
The Florida Department of Revenue can suspend your license if you owe child support or have unpaid court-ordered financial obligations. Contact the Department of Revenue's Collections section at 850-617-8800 to find out the exact amount you owe and your options for payment or a payment plan.
Once you have made arrangements with the Department of Revenue — whether by paying in full or setting up a plan — they will notify DHSMV that the suspension can be lifted. You still need to submit your reinstatement request and pay the $75 fee to DHSMV. Some people set up a payment plan and begin making payments; DHSMV may reinstate your license once the first payment is received, depending on the agreement.
Handling a suspension due to insurance lapse or failure to maintain coverage
If your license was suspended because your auto insurance lapsed or you failed to maintain coverage after an accident, you need to obtain a new insurance policy and provide proof to DHSMV. Contact an insurance agent and purchase a policy that meets Florida's minimum requirements: $10,000 bodily injury per person, $20,000 bodily injury per accident, and $10,000 property damage.
Once you have the policy in place, your insurance company will file an SR-50 form (proof of insurance) with DHSMV electronically. This usually happens within one to three business days. You do not need to submit anything yourself if your insurer files the SR-50. However, if you want to speed up the process, you can submit a copy of your insurance card and a reinstatement request to DHSMV along with the $75 fee. Your license is typically restored once DHSMV receives proof of current coverage.
Reinstatement when a medical condition triggered the suspension
If DHSMV suspended your license due to a medical condition — a seizure disorder, vision loss, or other health issue — you must obtain a statement from your doctor confirming that the condition is now controlled or resolved and that you are safe to drive. The doctor's letter should state that you meet Florida's medical standards for driving.
Submit the doctor's statement along with your reinstatement request and the $75 fee to DHSMV. You can mail these documents or submit them in person at a Driver License office. DHSMV may also require you to pass a vision test or driving skills test depending on the condition. Call 850-617-2000 to ask whether a test is required before you submit your reinstatement request.
The reinstatement fee and what else you might owe
The standard reinstatement fee in Florida is $75. However, you may owe additional money depending on your suspension reason. If you were suspended for unpaid fines, you owe the fine itself plus court costs. If you were suspended for child support arrears, you owe the back support amount. If you were suspended for a medical condition, you typically owe only the $75 fee.
You can pay the reinstatement fee and any court-ordered debts by check, money order, credit card, or debit card. DHSMV accepts payment by mail, online, or in person. If you cannot pay the full amount at once, contact the court or the relevant agency (Department of Revenue, for example) to ask about a payment plan. Some courts allow you to pay fines in installments, which may allow DHSMV to reinstate your license once the first payment is received.
How long reinstatement takes once you submit your request
If you submit your reinstatement request online or in person at a Driver License office with all required documents and fees, your license is usually restored within one to two business days. If you mail your request, allow five to seven business days for DHSMV to receive and process it.
Your reinstatement is not complete until DHSMV has received proof that you resolved the underlying issue — paid the fine, obtained insurance, submitted the doctor's letter, or resolved the court case. If any document is missing or incorrect, DHSMV will delay reinstatement and may contact you. Check your suspension status online or by phone before you submit anything to make sure you have the complete list of what is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my license is suspended if I have an emergency?
No. Driving with a suspended license in Florida is a criminal offense that can result in arrest, additional fines, and jail time. There is no emergency exception. If you need to drive, you must wait until your license is reinstated or obtain a hardship license if one is available for your suspension type.
What is a hardship license and can I get one?
A hardship license allows limited driving for work, school, or medical appointments during a suspension. Not all suspension types may have access to. Call DHSMV at 850-617-2000 to ask whether a hardship license is available for your specific suspension reason. If it is, you will need to submit an process and pay a fee.
What if I submitted my reinstatement request but my license is still suspended after two weeks?
Contact DHSMV at 850-617-2000 and provide your driver's license number. Ask them to check the status of your request. It is possible that a document was missing, an address was incorrect, or the underlying issue was not fully resolved. DHSMV can tell you what is holding up your reinstatement.
Do I need to retake the written or driving test to get my license back?
For most suspension types, no. You do not need to retake tests unless your suspension was medical-related and DHSMV requires a driving skills or vision test as part of reinstatement. Ask DHSMV when you call to check your status.
Can I reinstate my license online?
You can submit your reinstatement request online through the DHSMV website if you have all required documents and can pay by credit or debit card. However, some suspension types require documents that must be mailed or submitted in person, such as a doctor's letter or court paperwork. Check the DHSMV website or call 850-617-2000 to confirm whether your suspension type can be handled online.