How to Get a Suspended License Reinstated

If you accumulate too many points for speeding, driving without insurance, or driving under the influence, your state may suspend your license. With a suspended license, you are unable to legally drive your car, making it impossible to drive to work or run daily errands and forcing you to find alternative transportation. Your state and the reason for your suspension will determine how quickly you can get your driver's license reinstated. Here's what you should know.

Why a License May Be Suspended

Driving under the influence (DUI) and reckless driving can both result in your license being suspended. However, it is possible that it will be suspended for other reasons. States and courts in all 50 states have the authority to revoke driving privileges for non-driving reasons. These may include, depending on the jurisdiction:

  • Failure to pay child support
  • Failure to maintain proper insurance
  • Failure to appear in court to answer a summons issued for a moving violation
  • Convictions for drug offenses committed while not driving
  • Failure to pay traffic fines

Every year, at least 11 million people have their license suspended because they are unable to pay fines or fees, not for safety violations.

License Suspensions Due to Medical Issues

If you are diagnosed with a medical condition such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, or certain eye diseases, your license may be suspended in some cases.

A medical advisory board will typically review your health information to determine whether the report is valid if your doctor, family members, or support agencies report your condition to the state department of motor vehicles (DMV). If the board determines that your condition poses a risk to public safety if you drive, it has the authority to suspend or revoke your license.

If you are receiving treatment for your health problems and they are now under control, you can submit updated documentation to the medical advisory board for review and reconsideration. Your license may be reinstated without penalty in some cases.

How to Find Out If Your License Is Suspended 

You may be unaware that your license has been suspended depending on the circumstances. If you're concerned that it was, here's how to find out.

  1. Check Your Mail

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

  1. Check With the DMV

Some states maintain online databases where you can check the status of your license. You can find out if your license is suspended and if your insurance is up to date by entering your driver's license number, Social Security number, or other information. You can also contact your local DMV to inquire about the status of your driver's license.

  1. Contact Your Insurance Company

Contact your insurance company or agent to find out if your policy has expired or if your license has been suspended for any other reason.

What You Need to Do to Get Your License Reinstated

It is possible to have your license reinstated if it has been suspended. You may be required to complete one or more of the following steps, depending on where you live and the reason for the suspension:

  1. Take an Approved Class

If your license was suspended due to a DUI, reckless driving, or the accumulation of points, you will most likely need to take an approved class before you can be reinstated. These are some examples:

  • 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 varies depending on whether this is your first offense or if you have a history of offenses, but most last several hours. You must pay a fee to take the course in addition to successfully completing it. If it's their first offense, Florida drivers who enroll in a DUI programme must pay a $275 registration fee.
  • Driving safety courses. You may be required by your state to take a defensive driving course or a driver improvement class. During these classes, you'll review driving fundamentals and proper safety precautions, and an instructor may assess your driving abilities. You may be able to take some classes online depending on your state. Drivers in Arizona, for example, can take mandatory Traffic Survival School online rather than in person in certain circumstances.
  1. Pay the Fees

Fees are usually required when applying to have your license reinstated. In South Dakota, for example, the reinstatement fee ranges from $50 to $200. It can be as low as $25 or as high as $125 in Michigan. The fee is usually determined by the reason your license was suspended and whether it was your first offense. Across the country, the cost can range from $5 (in Wyoming) to $1,200. (in Massachusetts).

  1. Get SR-22/FR-44 Insurance

If you have previously had your license suspended, your state may require you to obtain an SR-22 form, also known as a certificate of financial responsibility, before you can legally drive. The form is known as FR-44 in Florida and Virginia.

The SR-22 certifies that you are in compliance with the state's auto liability requirements. It is a separate document that must be carried in addition to your proof of insurance.

Not all insurance companies provide SR-22 or FR-44 forms. If your current auto insurance company does not provide them, you must obtain one from another insurer.

Be Patient While Waiting for Reinstatement

Driving with a suspended or revoked license can result in severe penalties. If you are stopped by police and are found to have a suspended license, you may face steep fines and even jail time. So, while you wait for your license to be reinstated, try to be patient, and don't get behind the wheel until you receive a notification from the DMV stating that your license is valid again.