How to Reinstate a Suspended License in Florida (2026): Steps, Fees & Official Source

TLDR To reinstate a suspended license in Florida, you must first resolve the reason for the suspension (unpaid tickets, points, insurance lapse, or DUI), then pay the FLHSMV reinstatement fee, which ranges from $45 (points suspension) to $60 (failure to pay/appear) or $75 (revocation), plus any outstanding court fines. You can check your exact status and fee on the FLHSMV website.

Updated: August 2026.

What Does It Mean to Have a Suspended License in Florida?

A suspended license means your driving privilege is temporarily withdrawn by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). You cannot legally drive until the suspension is lifted. The most common causes are unpaid traffic tickets, failure to appear in court, too many points on your record, driving without insurance, and DUI convictions. Reinstate means getting your driving privilege back after the suspension period ends and all requirements are met.

Florida License Reinstatement Fees by Suspension Type

The fee depends on why your license was suspended. The FLHSMV charges a separate reinstatement fee on top of any court fines or required courses.

How to Reinstate Your Florida License: Step by Step

1. Find out why your license is suspended: Check your driver record and eligibility online through the FLHSMV's "Check Driver License Status" service or by calling your local FLHSMV office. You need to know the exact reason before you can fix it.
2. Resolve the reason for the suspension: Pay any unpaid traffic tickets and court fines, complete a required driver improvement course, provide proof of insurance, or complete DUI school and any ignition interlock requirements. The suspension stays in effect until the cause is cleared.
3. Gather your documents: Bring proof of identity (such as your current license or a certified birth certificate), proof of insurance if the suspension was insurance-related, and any certificates of course completion.
4. Pay the reinstatement fee: Pay the fee shown in the table above at a FLHSMV office, a county tax collector, or online through the FLHSMV portal. Fees are nonrefundable.
5. Get your license back: Once the fee is paid and the cause cleared, the FLHSMV will restore your driving privilege and issue or return your license. If your physical license was confiscated, a replacement may be issued.

What You Need Before You Start

• Your driver license number and date of birth
• Payment method for the reinstatement fee and any outstanding fines
• Proof of insurance if the suspension was for a lapse in coverage
• Course certificates for any required BDI (Basic Driver Improvement) or ADI (Advanced Driver Improvement) course
• Court documents showing you satisfied any court-ordered obligations

Can Traffic School Help Reinstate a Suspended License?

Traffic school (BDI) does not by itself reinstate a suspended license, but it can stop the points that lead to a suspension. Florida drivers can take the 4-hour BDI course once every 12 months and up to 8 times in a lifetime to keep points off a ticket. If a suspension has already been ordered for accumulating points, you may need the 12-hour ADI course instead, and you will still pay the reinstatement fee. LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com offers both state-approved courses online.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to reinstate a suspended license in Florida?

The fee is $45 for a points suspension, $60 for a failure-to-pay or failure-to-appear suspension, $75 for a revocation, and $150-$500 for an insurance-lapse suspension. DUI reinstatement adds a $130 alcohol/drug administrative fee.

How long does it take to reinstate a suspended license in Florida?

If the cause is cleared and you pay the fee in person, reinstatement is often processed the same day. Online payments can take a few business days to post. DUI and revocation cases take longer because they require hearings, courses, and additional paperwork.

Can I drive while my license is suspended?

No. Driving with a suspended license in Florida is a criminal offense (Driving While License Suspended) that can lead to more fines, vehicle impoundment, and additional suspension time.

Do I have to retake the driving test to reinstate my license?

Not usually. Most reinstatements do not require retaking the knowledge or road test. You may need to retake tests if your license was expired for a long period or if the FLHSMV requires it for your specific case.

What happens if I have unpaid tickets on top of the suspension?

You must pay the unpaid tickets first. The $60 failure-to-pay fee applies to each qualifying unpaid-ticket suspension, and the suspension remains in effect until the tickets are resolved.

Start Your Florida Driver Improvement Course Now

If your suspension was caused by points on your record, completing a state-approved course is often required. LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com is ranked #1 by the FL DHSMV, has served more than 5 million customers, and is approved in all 67 Florida counties. Start your driver improvement course online and check your FLHSMV status at the same time.

Citations

• https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/
• https://www.flhsmv.gov/fees/
• https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/0322.29
• https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/0322.21
• https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/education-courses/driver-improvement-schools/