How to Get a Suspended License Reinstated

It can take time, money, and patience. Here are the steps to follow.

Kat Tretina is is an expert on student loans who started her career paying off her $35,000 student loans years ahead of schedule. Her work has been published by Experian, Credit Karma, Student Loan Hero, and more.

If you accrue too many points for speeding, are caught driving without insurance, or are found to be driving under the influence, then your state may suspend your license. Having a suspended license means you can’t drive your car legally, making it impossible to drive to work or run everyday errands and forcing you to find alternative transportation. Getting your driver’s license reinstated as quickly as possible will depend on your state and the reason for your suspension. Here’s what you need to know.

Key Takeaways

• Your license can be suspended for driving without insurance, too many traffic violations, driving under the influence, and even some reasons not related to driving.
• To get your license reinstated, you’ll have to pay fines and possibly take classes.
• You may need a special insurance form to qualify for a reinstated license.

Why a License May Be Suspended

Your license can be suspended for a number of reasons, including driving under the influence (DUI) and reckless driving. However, it’s also possible for it to be suspended for other causes. In all 50 states, states and courts can take away driving privileges for non-driving reasons. Depending on the jurisdiction, those may include:

• Not paying child support
• Failure to maintain proper insurance
• Failure to appear in court to satisfy a summons for a moving violation
• Convictions for drug-related offenses that occurred while not driving
• Failure to pay motor vehicle fines

Nationwide, at least 11 million people have their licenses suspended each year because they cannot pay fines or fees, not for safety infractions.

License Suspensions Due to Medical Issues

In some cases, your license can be suspended if you are diagnosed with a medical issue such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, or certain eye diseases.

Your doctor, family members, or support agencies can report your condition to the state department of motor vehicles (DMV); if that happens, then a medical advisory board will typically review your health information to determine whether the report is valid. If the board finds that your condition presents a risk to public safety if you drive, then it may suspend or completely revoke your license.

If you receive treatment for your health issues and they’re now well-controlled, then you can submit updated documentation to the medical advisory board for review and reconsideration. In some cases, your license will be reinstated without penalty.

How to Find Out If Your License Is Suspended

Depending on the circumstances, you may not be aware that your license has been suspended. If you’re concerned that it might have been, here’s how to find out.

1. Watch Your Mail

In most cases, the state DMV or department of transportation will send a suspension notice to you through the mail. So make sure that you open any pieces of mail in your name and that the DMV has your current address.

2. Check With the DMV

Some states have online databases that you can use to check the status of your license. By entering your driver’s license number, Social Security number, or other information, you can find out if your license is suspended and if your insurance is current. You can also call your local DMV to inquire about your driver’s license status.

3. Contact Your Insurance Company

Contact your insurance company or agent to find out if your insurance policy expired, or if they have been notified that your license was suspended for any other reason.

What You Need to Do to Get Your License Reinstated

If your license has been suspended, it is possible to get it reinstated. Depending on where you live and the reason for the suspension, you may have to complete one or more of the following steps:

1. Take an Approved Class

If your license was suspended due to DUI, reckless driving, or accumulation of points, then you will likely need to take an approved class to qualify for reinstatement. Those include:

• DUI programs. Approved DUI programs are typically run by nonprofit organizations that provide drug and alcohol education to DUI offenders. The length of the course depends on whether it’s your first offense or you have multiple offenses, but most take several hours. Besides successfully completing the course, you will have to pay a fee to take it. For example, Florida drivers who take a DUI program must pay a $275 registration fee if it’s their first offense.
• Defensive driving programs. Your state may require you to complete a defensive driving course or driver improvement class. During these classes, you’ll relearn driving basics and proper safety measures, and an instructor may assess your driving skills. Depending on your state, you may be able to take some classes online. For instance, in certain situations, drivers in Arizona can attend compulsory Traffic Survival School in an online setting rather than in person.

2. Pay the Fees

When you apply for your license to be reinstated, you will typically have to pay fees. For example, the reinstatement fee in South Dakota ranges from $50 to $200. In Michigan, it can be as low as $25 or as high as $125. The cost is usually based on what caused your license to be suspended and whether it was your first offense. Across the United States, the cost can vary anywhere from $5 (in Wyoming) to $1,200 (in Massachusetts).

3. Get SR-22/FR-44 Insurance

If your license was previously suspended, then your state might require you to get an SR-22 form, also known as a certificate of financial responsibility, before you can legally drive. In Florida and Virginia, the form is known as FR-44.

The SR-22 shows that you meet the state’s auto liability requirements. It’s an additional document that you need to carry in addition to your proof of insurance.

Not all insurers offer SR-22 or FR-44 forms. If your current auto insurance company doesn’t issue them, then you’ll have to purchase one from another insurer.

Be Patient While Waiting for Reinstatement

The penalties for driving with a suspended or revoked license can be severe. If you are stopped by police and found to have a suspended license, then you may have to pay hefty fines and could even face jail time. So try to be patient while waiting for your license to be reinstated, and don’t get behind the wheel until you receive a notification from the DMV that says your license is valid again.

Is Getting a License Suspended Different From Getting It Revoked?

A license is suspended on a temporary basis and can usually be reinstated after certain steps are followed. But when a license is revoked, that is permanent. However, even when your license is revoked, it may be possible to get a new license, depending on your specific circumstances.

Where Do I Go to Get My License Reinstated?

The rules vary state-by-state, but in general, you can go to your local department of motor vehicles (DMV) to have a license reinstated. Depending on the state, you may also be able to have your license reinstated online.

What Happens If You Are Caught Driving Without a License?

Depending on the state, and the specifics of your circumstances, you may be facing jail time or at the very least probation. You will certainly be hit with hefty fees.

The Bottom Line

A license suspension is usually temporary and for a specific period of time. Each state has different rules for how a license can be reinstated, but generally, the process involves paying a fee, taking a DUI or defensive driving program, and possibly getting an SR-22 form — which is a certificate of financial responsibility offered by certain insurers.

1. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Reasons for Driver License Suspension, Recidivism, and Crash Involvement Among Drivers With Suspended/Revoked Licenses,” Pages V–VI, 26.
2. Fines and Fees Justice Center. “Press Release: Bipartisan U.S. Senate Bill Targets Debt-Based Driver’s License Suspensions.”
3. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Medical Review Practices for Driver Licensing,” Page 1.
4. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Medical Review Practices for Driver Licensing,” Page 3.
5. Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. "DUI Program Service Fees."
6. Arizona Department of Transportation. "Suspension and Traffic Survival School."
7. South Dakota Department of Public Safety. “Driver License Fees."
8. State of Michigan. “Driver License Reinstatement Fee.”
9. Mass.gov. "Reinstate Your Driver's License."
10. Wyoming Department of Transportation. "Reinstatement."
11. American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. "SR22/26."
12. State of Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. "FR-44 Insurance Industry Memo."
13. National Conference of State Legislatures. “Driving While Revoked, Suspended, or Otherwise Unlicensed: Penalties by State.”

Comprehensive insurance is car insurance that covers damage to your car from causes other than a collision. Learn about comprehensive insurance costs.

Subrogation is the right of an insurer to pursue the party that caused the loss to the insured in an attempt to recover funds paid in the claim.

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may pay a policyholder's damages after an accident with a driver who does not have insurance or a hit-and-run.

California FAIR Plan insurance supplies coverage to homeowners and business owners who don’t qualify for traditional property insurance.

Medicare Supplement open enrollment only happens once, according to federal guidelines. Don’t miss out on your chance to buy a Medigap plan.

Up-front mortgage insurance (UFMI) is a type of mortgage insurance policy made at the time of the loan. It is required on certain FHA loans.

• About Us
• Terms of Service
• Dictionary
• Editorial Policy
• Advertise
• News
• Privacy Policy
• Contact Us
• Careers
• EU Privacy

We Care About Your Privacy

We and our 100 partners store and/or access information on a device, such as unique IDs in cookies to process personal data. You may accept or manage your choices by clicking below, including your right to object where legitimate interest is used, or at any time in the privacy policy page. These choices will be signaled to our partners and will not affect browsing data.

We and our partners process data to provide:

Store and/or access information on a device. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles to personalise content. Use profiles to select personalised content. Measure advertising performance. Measure content performance. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources. Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. List of Partners (vendors)