reinstated could be as simple as paying an overdue fine and sending proof to your local service center. However, for more serious violations, you’ll have to wait for your suspension to expire and take a driver improvement course to get your driver’s license back.

Reinstating a suspended driver’s license is a top priority if you rely on your vehicle for work or school. While you may be able to pay a reinstatement fee and resume driving within a week or so, you could face longer and stricter requirements in Florida—depending on the traffic violation.

A Florida driver’s license reinstatement usually costs $45 or $75, but the rules can get complicated—and it won’t reverse the effects on your

Florida insurance costs

. Here’s everything you need to know about a Florida license reinstatement.

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Why you might need a license reinstatement in Florida

The

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)

issues license suspensions and revocations for a wide range of offenses. You could have your license suspended for failure to pay court charges or revoked for vehicular homicide.

In most cases, you won’t automatically regain your driving privileges when your suspension period runs out. Instead, FLHSMV requires drivers to submit paperwork and reinstatement fees to get back behind the wheel.

If you’re not sure whether or not you need a license reinstatement, you can check the status of your driver’s license

online

MORE:

Can you get car insurance with a suspended license?

How to get a license reinstatement in Florida

There are a few ways to get a suspended Florida license reinstated, depending on the nature of the suspension. Some require completion of a driver improvement course, but in some cases, you may need to pay an overdue fee.

You can submit documentation and

a reinstatement fee

of $45 or $75 (depending on the circumstances) to the following address:

The Bureau of Motorist Compliance

P.O. Box 5775

Tallahassee, Florida 32314-5775

Make any checks or money orders payable to the Division of Motorist Services, and allow 10 business days for processing. Depending on the citation, you can potentially clear the suspension over the phone by calling 850-617-3000.

Traffic citations and court suspensions

If your license suspension was due to failure to comply with the requirements of a traffic summons—like paying fees or attending traffic school—you’ll need to fulfill those court requirements to clear the driver’s license suspension.

Pay any outstanding charges, if applicable, or contact the traffic court where your ticket was issued. Once you’ve fulfilled your requirements, send a receipt of fees or completion documents for other requirements to your local

Florida driver’s license service center

, along with a $45 reinstatement fee.

Point suspensions

If driver violation points caused your license suspension, you can apply for reinstatement after the suspension period has expired. You’ll need to submit proof that you completed

an Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI) course

and a $45 reinstatement fee to your local license service center.

Revocations

In more severe cases where your driver's license was revoked, you can apply for reinstatement once the revocation period ends. Follow the same procedure as a point suspension by completing an ADI course and sending the proof to your local service center. The reinstatement fee for a revoked license is $75, and you may have additional costs to pay depending on the circumstances.

Key Takeaway In most cases, you can get your license reinstated by paying the necessary fees, clearing any outstanding charges, or taking an advanced driver improvement (ADI) course.

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DUI laws in Florida

How to get a hardship license in Florida

Driving with a suspended or revoked license is a serious offense in Florida, but getting around without a car can be difficult. That’s why Florida allows drivers with certain suspensions to apply for hardship licenses. These grant permissions for driving under restricted circumstances like getting to and from school or work.

Unpaid traffic citations exclude you from getting a hardship license if they were the reason for your suspension. However, you can apply for a hardship license through

your local Administrative Reviews Office

for point violations and some license revocations.

To get your hardship license, you need to submit proof of ADI completion with an

Application for Administrative Hearing

and a $12 filing fee. You can request an expedited review, which authorizes the Bureau of Administrative Reviews to decide your case based only on your submitted documents. Another option is a hearing where you can give testimony to explain why you need a hardship license.

When can you apply for a hardship license?

Depending on the nature of your violation, you may not be able to apply for a hardship license immediately. In general, here’s how long you need to wait before applying:

If your license was suspended due to a points violation, you can apply immediately

If your license was revoked due to a drug conviction, you’ll need to wait six months from the revocation date

If your license was revoked because you’re a habitual traffic offender (HTO), you must wait one year from the revocation date

MORE: High-risk car insurance: Everything you need to know

What is an SR-22 certificate?

If your Florida license has been suspended or revoked, you may be required to file for an

FR-44 certificate

through your insurance provider. Sometimes called “SR-22 insurance,” these certificates constitute legal proof that you’ve met Florida’s minimum insurance requirements.

You might be required to purchase

a Florida SR-22 certificate

for the following offenses:

Repeated tickets or a habitual traffic offender (HTO) designation

An at-fault accident without the necessary insurance

Driving without insurance

Driving with a suspended or revoked license

If you’ve committed any of the following offenses, you may be required to file an FR-44 certificate:

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Causing bodily injury while driving under the influence

Any driving violation that involves controlled substances, serious bodily injury, or death

You’ll file an SR-22/FR-44 through your insurance company and pay a small fee. Although the filing process is typically inexpensive, driving with an SR-22 or FR-44 certificate is guaranteed to skyrocket your insurance premiums.

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The Florida financial responsibility law, explained

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