Is my license suspended? How to find out and get it back

How to check if your license is suspended

Each state keeps its own driver record, and its motor vehicle agency (DMV, BMV, MVC, DDS or DPS) shows the status; the federal register below only points to the state that holds a record. Pick your state in the tool above for its official lookup and what it asks for.

1. 1Use your state's official lookup. Some states need no account: Texas's License Eligibility system asks for your license or ID number, your date of birth and the last 4 digits of your Social Security number, and there is no fee to see your compliance requirements. PennDOT's online restoration services sign in with the same three items; Nebraska asks for your license or Social Security number and your date of birth.
2. 2Or sign in to the DMV account. New York (MyDMV), Georgia (Online Services), Massachusetts (MyMassGov, no fee), Indiana (myBMV, at no charge), Washington (License eXpress, free), North Carolina (MyDMV), Oregon (DMV2U) and Colorado (myDMV) show your status in an account. Kentucky's myDrive needs a Letter ID from a recent KYTC letter.
3. 3Or order your driver record. A record lists every action: California sells it online for $2 ($5 by mail), the District of Columbia for $7 (3 or 5 years) or $13 (10 years or full history), Missouri for $2.82, and Indiana's certified record costs $4. Nevada says to start with a 10-year driver history.
4. 4Or call. Mississippi answers status questions at 601-987-1224; Missouri has a 24-hour line at (573) 526-2407; Oregon's DMV Customer Assistance is at 503-945-5000.

Suspended in another state? The federal National Driver Register keeps the Problem Driver Pointer System, which points a state to the state that holds a record of a license revoked, suspended, canceled or denied; you can request your own status from NHTSA. Nevada says all 51 U.S. jurisdictions share license suspension and revocation information, and a suspension must be cleared by the state that issued it.

Driver license status lookups and reinstatement fees by state

Each state below was read on its own DMV, state or county .gov page on November 1, 2026. A state whose official page could not be read from here, or that was not reached, says Not checked for this page; use your state DMV's own site.

Can your license be suspended without you knowing?

Yes, it happens. States mail the notice to the address on your record, and in many states the suspension takes effect whether or not the letter reaches you. That is why a move without an address change is a common way to miss one: California requires you to tell the DMV within 10 days of a change of address.

• Florida: an order goes by personal delivery, first-class mail to your last known address, or e-mail if you agreed, and any failure to receive it does not affect or stay its effective date. Notice is complete 20 days after it is mailed or e-mailed (15 days for insurance orders), under Fla. Stat. § 322.251(2).Fla. Stat. § 322.251
• Texas: the Department of Public Safety sends the notice by first-class mail to the address in its records, or by e-mail if you chose that, and the notice is considered received on the fifth day after it is sent, 5 days later.Tex. Transp. Code § 521.295
• New York, Virginia, the District of Columbia: the DMV mails an order or a letter that says what to do. New Jersey mails a notice of scheduled suspension before a points suspension, and a Notice of Restoration when you are cleared.NY DMV · Virginia DMV · DC DMV · NJ MVC
• Georgia: the Super Speeder fee of $200 is announced by first-class mail, and you have 120 days from the notice to pay before the license is suspended. Before a child support suspension, DDS sends a notice and offers a grace period.Georgia DDS
• Pennsylvania: PennDOT mails the restoration requirements letter about 30 days before your eligibility date, or you can get it free online.PennDOT
• Colorado: the DMV will not notify you when your suspension is over; check your eligibility date yourself.Colorado DMV

Do police know? Yes: in Florida, any inquiry into your file after the 20-day period shows that the license is canceled, suspended, revoked or disqualified. Washington lets you ask for a review within 15 days from the date on the suspension letter for unresolved tickets, so read any letter the day it arrives.

Suspension vs revocation vs cancellation

Which is worse? Usually a revocation: New York says a revoked license is canceled and you must get a new one, with DMV approval, when the period ends. Massachusetts requires a full exam after a suspension of 2 years or more; Kentucky requires vision and written tests after more than one year. Nebraska also has impoundment: the court holds the license for a set time and then returns it.

Why licenses get suspended

Many states list the same causes, and each has its own fix. New York lists not answering a traffic ticket, not paying a Driver Responsibility Assessment or child support, unpaid state tax debts, no insurance, not filing a crash report, too many tickets in a set time, alcohol or drug convictions and medical conditions. Nebraska's list adds reckless driving, leaving the scene of a crash and fleeing an officer. The sections below cover the most common.

Too many points or tickets

Each conviction can add points, and too many in a set time trigger a suspension: Georgia at 15 or more points within 24 months (with stricter rules under 21), New Jersey at 12 or more points (it also adds a surcharge at 6 or more points within three years), and North Carolina at as many as 12 points within a three-year period. For points in California, Texas, Florida and New York, and how to pay or fight the ticket, see speeding tickets.

Unpaid tickets and missed court dates

A ticket you did not answer or pay, or a court date you missed, can suspend a license until the court reports that you resolved it. Start with the court, not the DMV:

• Washington: the license stays suspended until you resolve the citation with the court; then apply for a new license and pay the reissue fee. You may request a review within 15 days from the date on the letter, and you may be eligible for an occupational/restricted license.
• North Carolina: after a failure to appear or to pay, the license is suspended indefinitely until you comply with the case.
• Georgia: a failure-to-appear suspension follows a missed court date or an unpaid citation; the reinstatement fee is $90 by mail or $100 in person.
• Michigan: the Clean Slate to Drive laws ended many suspensions for unpaid tickets or court fees (FCJ) and missed court dates (FAC); they do not erase the violations from the record.
• Virginia: since July 1, 2019, courts may not suspend a license solely for unpaid court fines and costs, and those suspensions were removed.

A missed court date can also lead to a warrant: see how to check for a warrant.

DUI and test refusals

A DUI arrest starts a separate license case with a short deadline to ask for a hearing; the DUI page explains the hearing, the suspension periods and restricted licenses. Nevada stresses that a suspension is a separate action from any court case, so you follow DMV reinstatement steps even if the charge is dismissed or reduced. For reinstatement afterward: Florida adds a $130 fee after a DUI or a test refusal, Wisconsin charges $200 after an OWI, California a $125 Admin Per Se reissue fee, North Carolina a $167.75 DWI fee; Georgia's DUI suspension runs 120 days to five years depending on the record. In Illinois, Peoria County lists a $250 reinstatement fee after a statutory summary suspension, $500 for repeat offenders.

Unpaid child support

A support agency or a court can have your license suspended for past-due support, and the release comes from the agency or the court, not from you paying the DMV. In Florida the DMV suspends on notice of a delinquent support obligation and reinstates when the agency or the clerk files an affidavit that you paid, reached a written payment agreement, or got a court order (Fla. Stat. § 322.058). In the District of Columbia you bring a child support clearance letter with a raised seal from the Office of the Attorney General to a DMV service center and pay the reinstatement fee. Georgia's reinstatement fee after child support is $25 by mail or $35 in person. For the support case itself, see child support.

No insurance

Driving without required insurance, or not proving it after a crash or a ticket, is a common cause. California says a driver who cannot show insurance after an accident is entitled to a hearing upon request, and fault is not the basis of the action. Georgia's fee is $200 by mail or $210 in person after a first no-insurance suspension, $300 or $310 after more. Indiana ends an insurance suspension once your insurer files proof of insurance for the date in question, or an SR22 kept for 180 consecutive days (180 days in a row) with no lapse. In Texas, a second no-insurance conviction suspends the license unless you keep proof of insurance on file for 2 years (two years from the date of conviction).

Drug convictions

Some states suspend a license after a drug conviction, even when the offense had nothing to do with driving. In Florida, a conviction at 18 or older for possession, sale or trafficking of a controlled substance means a suspension of 6 months or until you finish a required drug treatment program (Fla. Stat. § 322.055). Nebraska lists juvenile drug violations among its causes.

Medical conditions and driving skill

A license can be suspended when a health condition or declining skill makes driving unsafe. In Florida, a driver under medical review is notified in writing and must send medical information from a physician within 45 days; the Medical Advisory Board reviews it. California's DMV may require a reexamination of driving skill. In Texas, the department revokes a license if a driver fails to provide medical records or examinations a medical advisory board panel requires. New York also suspends for a medical condition that affects safe driving.

How to get your license back

1. 1Find every reason. Several actions can be active at once (Nevada's point), and each must be cleared. Missouri says each reason is listed on your letters and under "Department Actions" on your record.
2. 2Wait out any fixed period. A definite suspension or a revocation has an end date; Tennessee says to start the steps before the revocation ends, but you must wait for it to end.
3. 3Clear the cause. Pay or answer the ticket with the court, settle child support with the agency, file insurance, finish any required program. The court or agency reports to the DMV; Indiana says the BMV accepts only the court's documents to close a court suspension.
4. 4File an SR-22 if required. Your insurer files it with the DMV. See SR-22 and FR-44 below.
5. 5Pay the reinstatement fee. It goes to the DMV; North Carolina notes it is separate from the cost of a new license (the table above lists each state's fee). Kentucky warns that paying the fee alone does not restore your driving privileges.
6. 6Pass any tests and get the license. Kentucky requires vision and written tests after a suspension of more than one year; Massachusetts a full exam after 2 years or more; New York may require new tests after a revocation.
7. 7Drive only once it shows valid. New Jersey says not to drive until you receive written notification that your privileges are restored; Oregon, until you have a valid license. North Carolina says a payment may take up to 24 hours to process.

How much does license reinstatement cost?

The fee depends on the state and on why the license was suspended. It comes on top of any court fines, and often of the license itself: Washington charges the reissue fee plus your licensing fees. As each DMV states it, read on November 1, 2026:

Texas

$100Tex. Transp. Code § 521.313

Florida

$45 / $75suspension / revocation; $130 more after a DUI

Washington

$75 / $170$170 if alcohol or drugs

Virginia

$145–$220by type, + $5 per extra order

• California: $55 reissue fee, $125 after an Admin Per Se suspension, $15 DMV admin fee.
• Georgia: from $25 (child support, by mail) to $410 (third points suspension, in person); paying by mail or online is cheaper for most categories.
• North Carolina: $83.50 restoration fee plus a $50 service fee, and $167.75 after a DWI, since July 1, 2024; PayIt charges a $3 fee per transaction plus a 1.85 percent card fee.
• New Jersey: $100 for each privilege restored. District of Columbia: $115. Oregon: $85. Colorado: $95. Kentucky: $40. Wisconsin: $60, or $200 after an OWI.
• Massachusetts: $100 to $1,200, by violation. Missouri: $20, and $45 more after a test refusal ($65 in all). Texas: paying online adds a $5.75 fee.
• Pennsylvania and Indiana list the exact amount on your restoration letter or driver record; Nevada says it varies by violation.

SR-22 and Florida's FR-44

An SR-22 is proof of insurance (proof of financial responsibility) that your insurer files with the DMV for you, often required for a set time after a suspension; Indiana says only your insurance provider can submit it. If the policy is canceled before the period ends, Tennessee suspends the license again for failure to maintain it. Florida's DUI version, widely known as the FR-44, sets higher limits under Fla. Stat. § 324.023 (the state agency's own pages could not be read from here).

• Florida (FR-44): after a DUI conviction, $100,000 for bodily injury to one person, $300,000 for two or more, and $50,000 for property damage, carried for at least 3 years.Fla. Stat. § 324.023
• Nevada: the three-year SR-22 requirement (3 years) begins when your license is reinstated, so an SR-22 bought earlier does not count; a lapse means a new suspension and restarts the period.Nevada DMV
• Texas: after a second conviction for driving without insurance, keep proof of financial responsibility on file for 2 years from the conviction.Tex. Transp. Code § 601.233
• Indiana: an SR22 kept for 180 consecutive days with no lapse ends an insurance suspension.Indiana BMV
• Elsewhere: Missouri requires an SR-22 after a points suspension (one form covers every reason), Colorado after points or insurance suspensions, Wisconsin when required, and Tennessee suspends again for failure to maintain it. Nebraska's lookup shows your SR22 filing.Missouri DOR · Colorado DMV · Wisconsin DMV · Tennessee Department of Safety · Nebraska DMV

Hardship, occupational and restricted licenses

Many states let some drivers drive for work, school or medical care during a suspension. The names differ:

• Texas: an occupational driver's license, if the suspension is for a cause other than a physical or mental disability or impairment (other conditions apply); the court order limits driving to four hours in any 24-hour period, or up to 12 hours on a showing of necessity (Tex. Transp. Code §§ 521.242, 521.248).
• Florida: a hardship hearing where you show the suspension precludes your work and is needed to support your family; after some DUI revocations of 5 years or less, you may petition 12 months after the revocation, for business or employment purposes only (Fla. Stat. § 322.271).
• Tennessee: you can apply only while still suspended or revoked: get a certified court order (ORDL), take it to a Driver Services Center within 10 days of the judge signing it, and get a 90-day temporary license while the state reviews it. Points suspensions go through the Driver Improvement Program.
• Pennsylvania: an Occupational Limited License for work, medical treatment or school; an Ignition Interlock Limited License during a DUI suspension; a Probationary License after 5 or more years.
• Washington: an occupational/restricted license (ORL) to drive to work or other necessary appointments.
• Illinois: a Judicial Driving Permit from the court for a first DUI offender, effective on the 31st day of the suspension, or a Restricted Driving Permit from the Secretary of State (Peoria County).
• North Carolina: a limited driving permit in some situations; Virginia: restricted privileges by court order, handled in person.

Driving with a suspended license

It is a separate offense, and in North Carolina a moving violation while suspended brings an additional suspension. In the District of Columbia you may be jailed for up to 1 year and fined up to $5,000. In Florida it is a moving violation if you did not know of the suspension, and a crime if you did (Fla. Stat. § 322.34). Oregon police may impound the car. If you are stopped, see your rights at a traffic stop; if charged, a public defender may be available.

Free help

Michigan's Department of State runs free Road to Restoration clinics, where staff and volunteer attorneys review your record with you. For a lawyer or legal aid near you, see finding legal help.

Common questions about suspended licenses

Official sources

1. California DMV: request your driver's record ($2 online with a MyDMV account) dmv.ca.gov
2. California DMV: reissue fees ($55, $125 Admin Per Se, $15 admin fee) dmv.ca.gov
3. California DMV: suspensions (status, documents, reissue fees, reexamination) dmv.ca.gov
4. California DMV: financial responsibility (insurance) suspensions and hearings dmv.ca.gov
5. Texas DPS License Eligibility system (compliance requirements, reinstatement fees) txapps.texas.gov
6. Texas.gov: driving eligibility and reinstatement fees texas.gov
7. Texas Transportation Code chapter 521 (§§ 521.242, 521.248, 521.294, 521.295, 521.313) tcss.legis.texas.gov
8. Texas Transportation Code chapter 601 (§ 601.233: proof of financial responsibility for two years) tcss.legis.texas.gov
9. Florida Statutes § 322.251 (2026): notice of cancellation, suspension, revocation or disqualification flsenate.gov
10. Florida Statutes § 322.21 (2026): license fees, reinstatement service fees flsenate.gov
11. Florida Statutes § 324.023 (2026): financial responsibility after a DUI (FR-44 limits) flsenate.gov
12. Florida Statutes § 322.271 (2026): authority to modify revocation, cancellation or suspension (hardship) flsenate.gov
13. Florida Statutes § 322.058 (2026): suspension for a support delinquency; reinstatement flsenate.gov
14. Florida Statutes § 322.055 (2026): suspension after a controlled-substance conviction flsenate.gov
15. Florida Statutes § 322.34 (2026): driving while license suspended, revoked or canceled flsenate.gov
16. Pinellas County Tax Collector (Florida): driver license suspensions pinellastaxcollector.gov
17. New York DMV: check license or driving privilege status dmv.ny.gov
18. New York DMV: suspensions and revocations dmv.ny.gov
19. New York DMV: pay a suspension termination fee dmv.ny.gov
20. PennDOT: license suspensions, restoration requirements letter, limited licenses pa.gov
21. PennDOT: pay your driver's license restoration fee pa.gov
22. PennDOT: license and vehicle restoration services (status check) pa.gov
23. Peoria County, Illinois: DUI statutory summary suspension and driving permits FAQ peoriacounty.gov
24. Georgia DDS: reinstatement fees and payment dds.georgia.gov
25. Georgia DDS: reinstate license (status, Super Speeder, child support, DUI, points) dds.georgia.gov
26. Washington DOL: suspended driver license dol.wa.gov
27. Washington DOL: driver licensing fees (reissue after suspension, free status check) dol.wa.gov
28. Washington DOL: unresolved traffic citations (UTC) suspension dol.wa.gov
29. Mississippi DPS Driver Service Bureau: how do I check the status of my driver's license? driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov
30. New Jersey MVC: suspensions, restoration, points nj.gov
31. New Jersey MVC: online services (driver record request, restoration fee) nj.gov
32. Virginia DMV: reinstate driver's license dmv.virginia.gov
33. Virginia DMV: reinstatement fees dmv.virginia.gov
34. Virginia DMV: end license suspensions for unpaid court fines and costs dmv.virginia.gov
35. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: license reinstatement (myDrive) drive.ky.gov
36. Wisconsin DMV: eligibility and reinstate driving privileges wisconsindot.gov
37. Wisconsin DMV: fees wisconsindot.gov
38. Wisconsin DMV: check your driver license information wisconsindot.gov
39. Nebraska DMV: license suspensions, revocations, impoundments and confiscations dmv.nebraska.gov
40. Nebraska DMV: driving privilege status and reinstatement lookup nebraska.gov
41. Michigan Department of State: Road to Restoration clinics and Clean Slate to Drive laws michigan.gov
42. NCDMV: license suspension and restoration ncdot.gov
43. NCDMV: reinstating your driver license (fees from July 1, 2024) ncdot.gov
44. Nevada DMV: license suspended or revoked, steps to reinstate, SR-22 dmv.nv.gov
45. Tennessee Department of Safety: reinstatements tn.gov
46. Tennessee Department of Safety: restricted license information tn.gov
47. Massachusetts RMV: check the status of your driver's license mass.gov
48. Massachusetts RMV: reinstate your driver's license mass.gov
49. Colorado DMV: reinstating after points, tickets or child support dmv.colorado.gov
50. Colorado DMV: driver license reinstatement center dmv.colorado.gov
51. DC DMV: license reinstatement dmv.dc.gov
52. DC DMV: suspended or revoked license dmv.dc.gov
53. DC DMV: driver license and driver record fees dmv.dc.gov
54. Missouri Department of Revenue: reinstatement requirements dor.mo.gov
55. Indiana BMV: reinstating your driving privileges in.gov
56. Oregon DMV: fine remittance, status check and reinstatement oregon.gov
57. Oregon DMV: suspensions, revocations and cancellations oregon.gov
58. NHTSA: National Driver Register and Problem Driver Pointer System nhtsa.gov

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