How the Motor Vehicle Division suspends a license
The Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) is your state's agency that issues, renews, and manages driver licenses. When the MVD suspends your license, they remove your legal right to drive — you cannot legally operate a vehicle until the suspension is lifted. The suspension stays in effect until you complete whatever action triggered it or until a set period of time passes.
A suspension is different from a revocation. A suspension is temporary; a revocation is permanent or long-term. The MVD can suspend your license for many reasons, and the reason matters because it determines what you have to do to get it back.
The MVD does not decide to suspend your license on its own. They suspend it because a court ordered them to, because you failed to pay a fine or appear in court, because you accumulated too many points, or because another agency reported you to them. Understanding which one happened to you is the first step to getting your license back.
Key Takeaways
- The MVD suspends licenses on orders from courts, for unpaid traffic fines or court fees, for accumulating too many points, or when other agencies report violations like unpaid child support.
- You must contact the MVD directly to find out the exact reason your license was suspended and what action will lift it.
- Some suspensions require you to pay money, others require you to complete a course or program, and some lift automatically after a waiting period.
- Driving on a suspended license is a separate crime and carries its own penalties, so you should not drive until the suspension is officially removed.
Common reasons the MVD suspends licenses
The most common reason is accumulating too many points on your driving record. Every traffic violation adds points — speeding, running a red light, reckless driving, and so on. When your points reach a certain threshold (this varies by state), the MVD automatically suspends your license for a set period, usually 30 to 90 days for a first suspension.
Court-ordered suspension is another major reason. A judge may order the MVD to suspend your license as part of a sentence for a traffic crime — usually DUI, reckless driving, or driving with a suspended license. The court tells the MVD how long the suspension lasts.
Unpaid fines and court fees also trigger suspension. If you do not pay a traffic ticket fine or court costs by the important date, the court reports you to the MVD, and they suspend your license until you pay. Some states also suspend for unpaid child support or other court-ordered payments, even if they are not traffic-related.
Failure to appear in court is another automatic reason. If you were supposed to show up for a traffic hearing and did not, the court can order the MVD to suspend your license until you appear or resolve the case.
How to find out why your license was suspended
Contact your state's MVD office directly. You can usually do this online through their website, by phone, or in person at a local office. Have your driver license number and date of birth ready. The MVD will tell you the exact reason, the date the suspension began, and the date it is scheduled to end — or what action you need to take to end it sooner.
Write down or print out everything they tell you. You will need this information to know what to do next. If the reason is unpaid fines, they will tell you the amount and where to pay. If it is a court order, they will tell you which court issued it. If it is points-based, they will tell you when the suspension automatically lifts.
If you cannot reach the MVD by phone or online, visit a local office in person. Bring your identification and be prepared to wait. Some offices have walk-in hours; others require an appointment. Check the MVD website for your state to find the office nearest you and its hours.
What you must do to restore your license
The action depends on the reason for suspension. If it is a points suspension, you usually do nothing except wait. The suspension lifts automatically after the waiting period ends. You may need to pay a reinstatement fee when the suspension ends, so check with the MVD about this.
If the suspension is for unpaid fines or court fees, you must pay the full amount. Once the court or traffic authority receives payment, they notify the MVD, and the suspension is lifted. This can take a few business days, so do not assume you can drive when ready after paying.
If a court ordered the suspension, you must follow the court's instructions. This might mean completing a defensive driving course, attending a DUI education program, installing an ignition interlock device, or serving a waiting period. The court order will specify what is required. Once you complete it, the court notifies the MVD, and the suspension ends.
If the suspension is for failure to appear, you must go to court and resolve the case. This means appearing before the judge, pleading guilty or not guilty, and accepting whatever outcome results. Once the case is resolved, the court lifts the suspension order.
Reinstatement fees and additional costs
Many states charge a reinstatement fee when your suspension ends. This is a separate fee from any fines you owed for the original violation. Reinstatement fees typically range from $50 to $300, depending on your state and the reason for suspension. Some states charge more for suspensions related to DUI or serious traffic crimes.
You must pay the reinstatement fee before you can legally drive again, even if you have already paid the original fine or completed the required program. The MVD will tell you the amount and where to pay when you contact them about lifting the suspension.
If the suspension required you to complete a course — such as a defensive driving course or DUI education program — you may have to pay for that course as well. These costs vary widely depending on the provider and the type of course.
Driving on a suspended license: what you need to know
Driving while your license is suspended is a separate criminal offense. It is not just a traffic ticket; it is a crime that can result in jail time, additional fines, and a longer suspension. The penalties are more severe if you have been caught driving on a suspended license before.
If you are stopped by police while driving on a suspended license, you will be arrested or cited. Your vehicle may be impounded. You will face criminal charges in addition to the original reason your license was suspended. A conviction for driving with a suspended license can stay on your record for years and make it harder to restore your license.
Even if you think the suspension is unfair or a mistake, do not drive. Instead, contact the MVD or the court that issued the suspension and ask about the process to challenge it or request an early hearing. There are legal ways to address a suspension you believe is wrong.
How to challenge a suspension or request a hearing
If you believe your license was suspended in error, or if you want to request an early hearing to lift the suspension, contact the MVD and ask about the appeal or hearing process. Different states have different procedures, and the process also depends on the reason for suspension.
For a points-based suspension, you may be able to request a hearing to argue that some points should be removed or that there were errors in how they were counted. For a court-ordered suspension, you would need to go back to the court that issued the order and ask the judge to reconsider.
For unpaid fines, you can contact the court and ask about payment plans or hardship waivers if you cannot pay the full amount at once. Some courts will work with you if you show good faith effort to pay.
The MVD website for your state should have information about the appeal process. If not, call and ask to speak with someone in the suspension or reinstatement department. They can tell you what options are available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an MVD suspension usually last?
It depends on the reason. A points-based suspension typically lasts 30 to 90 days for a first offense. A court-ordered suspension can last anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on what the judge ordered. Suspensions for unpaid fines last until you pay. Contact your state MVD to find out the specific end date for your suspension.
Can I drive to work or to court while my license is suspended?
No. A suspended license means you cannot legally drive for any reason. Driving to work, to court, to pay a fine, or anywhere else is still driving on a suspended license and is a crime. If you need to get somewhere, use public transportation, a taxi, or ask someone else to drive you.
Will my suspension show up on a background check?
A license suspension will show on a driving record check, which employers, insurance companies, and others may request. It may also show on a criminal background check if you were convicted of driving with a suspended license. This can affect your ability to get certain jobs or insurance.
What if I move to another state while my license is suspended?
Most states share suspension information through a national database. If your license is suspended in one state, you typically cannot get a license in another state until the suspension is lifted. You will need to resolve the suspension in the original state first.
Do I have to pay the reinstatement fee even if I think the suspension was wrong?
Yes. You must pay the reinstatement fee to restore your driving privileges, even if you are challenging the suspension. However, if you win an appeal and the suspension is overturned, some states will refund the reinstatement fee. Ask the MVD about their refund policy.