How to pay your Sacramento suspended license reinstatement fee
To get your suspended license back in Sacramento, you pay the reinstatement fee directly to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The DMV is the only place that processes this payment and lifts the suspension from your record. You cannot pay a court, a traffic school, or any other agency to reinstate your license — only the DMV handles reinstatement.
The reinstatement fee in California is $100, though the total amount you owe may be higher if you also have unpaid traffic fines, child support arrears, or other court-ordered costs attached to your suspension. Before you pay, you need to know what type of suspension you have, because different suspensions have different payment routes and requirements.
Key Takeaways
- The DMV reinstatement fee is $100, but you may owe additional money to courts or other agencies depending on why your license was suspended.
- You can pay the DMV fee online, by mail, or in person at a Sacramento DMV office, but you must resolve any underlying cause first (unpaid fines, child support, etc.).
- If your suspension is due to unpaid traffic fines, you must pay or arrange a payment plan with the court before the DMV will accept your reinstatement fee.
- If your suspension is due to child support arrears, you must contact the Department of Child Support Services to resolve it before paying the DMV.
- The DMV processes reinstatement payments within one to two business days if you pay online or in person, or five to seven business days if you mail a check.
Paying online through the DMV website
The fastest way to pay your reinstatement fee is through the official California DMV website at dmv.ca.gov. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and a credit or debit card. The DMV accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. There is a $1.50 processing fee added to your $100 reinstatement fee when you pay online.
Before you start the online payment, make sure you have already resolved whatever caused the suspension. If you owe traffic fines, you must have paid them or set up a payment plan with the Sacramento Superior Court. If you owe child support, you must have contacted the Department of Child Support Services and made arrangements. The DMV system will not let you complete payment if the underlying issue is still active.
Once you pay online, the DMV typically processes your reinstatement within one business day. You will receive a confirmation email, and your driving privilege should be restored by the next morning. You do not need to visit an office or mail anything in.
Paying in person at a Sacramento DMV office
You can walk into any DMV office in Sacramento County and pay your reinstatement fee with cash, check, or card. The main DMV office in Sacramento is located at 7070 Business Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95831. There are also satellite offices in Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, and other parts of the county — you can find the full list and hours on dmv.ca.gov.
Bring your driver's license, proof that you have resolved the underlying cause of the suspension, and your payment method. If you are paying by check, make it out to the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The office staff will process your payment on the spot, and your reinstatement is usually complete within the same day.
Wait times at DMV offices vary widely. Sacramento offices are typically busier in the morning and on Fridays. If you want to avoid a long wait, you can make an appointment through the DMV website before you go.
Paying by mail
You can mail a check or money order to the DMV, but this is the slowest option. Make the check or money order payable to the California Department of Motor Vehicles for $100. Include a letter with your full name, date of birth, driver's license number, and a brief note that you are paying for license reinstatement.
Mail your payment to: California Department of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 942869, Sacramento, CA 94269-0001. The DMV typically receives mail within three to five business days, processes it within one to two business days after that, and your reinstatement takes effect five to seven business days from the date you mail it. This means the entire process can take up to two weeks.
Do not mail cash. If you use a check, keep a copy for your records. The DMV does not send receipts for mailed payments, but you can call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 to confirm that your payment was received and your license has been reinstated.
When you owe more than just the reinstatement fee
If your suspension is tied to unpaid traffic fines, you cannot straightforward pay the DMV and have your license back. You must first pay or arrange a payment plan with the Sacramento Superior Court. The court will notify the DMV once your fines are resolved, and then you can pay the $100 reinstatement fee to the DMV.
Contact the Sacramento Superior Court Traffic Division at 916-874-5476 to find out exactly how much you owe and what payment options are available. Many courts allow payment plans, traffic school completion in lieu of fines, or community service. Once the court confirms your account is settled, you can proceed with the DMV reinstatement fee.
If your suspension is due to child support arrears, contact the Department of Child Support Services at 916-657-3600. They will tell you the amount owed and whether you can set up a payment arrangement. Once you have made a payment or signed an agreement, they will notify the DMV, and you can then pay your reinstatement fee.
What happens after you pay
Once the DMV receives and processes your reinstatement payment, your driving privilege is restored. If you paid online or in person, this usually happens within one business day. If you mailed a check, allow five to seven business days from the date you mailed it.
You do not receive a new physical license in the mail after reinstatement — your old license becomes valid again as soon as the suspension is lifted. If your license is damaged, expired, or you want a replacement for any reason, you can order one through the DMV website or at an office, but that is a separate transaction and costs extra.
If you are unsure whether your reinstatement has been processed, call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 with your driver's license number and date of birth. They can tell you your current status in seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay the reinstatement fee before I resolve the underlying cause?
No. If your suspension is due to unpaid fines or child support, the DMV system will reject your payment until that issue is resolved. You must contact the court or child support agency first, make a payment or arrangement, and wait for them to notify the DMV before you can pay for reinstatement.
What if I cannot afford to pay the full $100 right now?
The DMV does not offer payment plans for the reinstatement fee itself. However, if you also owe traffic fines, the court may allow you to set up a payment plan for those fines. Once the court confirms payment or an agreement, you can then pay the $100 reinstatement fee. Contact the Sacramento Superior Court Traffic Division to discuss your options.
Do I need to bring anything with me if I pay in person?
Bring your driver's license, your payment method (cash, check, or card), and proof that you have resolved the underlying cause of the suspension — such as a receipt from the court or a letter from child support services. If you do not have proof, the DMV staff can look it up in their system.
How long does it take to get my license back after I pay?
If you pay online or in person, your license is usually reinstated within one business day. If you mail a check, allow five to seven business days from the date you mail it. You can call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 to confirm your reinstatement has been processed.
What if I paid the reinstatement fee but my license is still suspended?
This usually means the underlying cause has not been resolved yet. Call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 to confirm your payment was received and to find out what else needs to happen. If the issue is unpaid fines or child support, contact the court or child support agency to verify they have notified the DMV of your resolution.