What You Need to Do to Reinstate Your License in Alabama
To reinstate a suspended driver's license in Alabama, you must first contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) to find out why your license was suspended and what steps are required to lift the suspension. Most suspensions in Alabama fall into one of three categories: unpaid traffic fines or court costs, failure to appear in court, or violations related to alcohol or drugs. Each category has different reinstatement requirements, and you cannot legally drive until your suspension is lifted.
The reinstatement process always begins with paying what you owe — whether that is court fines, restitution, child support arrears, or other court-ordered amounts. Once payment is verified by the court or the relevant agency, you then submit a reinstatement request to the DPS along with the required fee. The DPS will process your request and notify you when your license is active again.
You can contact the Alabama DPS Driver License Division by phone at 334-242-4437 or visit their office in Montgomery. Many county courthouses can also tell you the specific reason for your suspension and what amount is owed, though they cannot process the reinstatement itself — only the DPS can do that.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the Alabama DPS or your county courthouse first to learn the exact reason for your suspension and the total amount owed.
- Pay all fines, court costs, restitution, or other court-ordered amounts to the court or agency that imposed the suspension.
- Submit a reinstatement request to the Alabama DPS along with the reinstatement fee, which varies depending on the type of suspension.
- The DPS will verify payment and notify you when your license is reinstated; you cannot drive legally until you receive that notification.
- Some suspensions, such as those for DUI convictions, may require additional steps like substance abuse counseling or an ignition interlock device.
Suspensions Related to Traffic Fines and Court Costs
If your license was suspended because of unpaid traffic fines or court costs, the suspension is administrative — meaning the court or DPS suspended it to pressure payment, not as a criminal penalty. This is the most common type of suspension in Alabama. You must pay the full amount owed to the court that issued the ticket or citation.
Contact the courthouse in the county where the ticket was issued and ask for the exact balance. Payment can usually be made in person, by phone, by mail, or online through the court's website. Once the court confirms payment, request written proof or a receipt showing the balance is zero. Keep this document — you will need to show it to the DPS when you request reinstatement.
After payment is confirmed, submit a reinstatement request to the Alabama DPS along with a $20 reinstatement fee. You can mail the request and fee to the DPS Driver License Division, 301 South Ripley Street, Montgomery, AL 36104, or deliver it in person. Include a copy of your proof of payment and your driver's license number or date of birth so the DPS can locate your record.
Suspensions for Failure to Appear in Court
If you failed to appear for a court date, the court issued a suspension and may also have issued a bench warrant for your arrest. Before you can reinstate your license, you must resolve the failure to appear charge. This usually means contacting the court, explaining your absence, and either rescheduling the hearing or paying any fines the court imposed.
Call the courthouse in the county where the case is pending and ask to speak with the prosecutor's office or the judge's clerk. Explain that you want to resolve the failure to appear. In many cases, the court will allow you to reschedule without additional penalty if you have a reasonable explanation. If the court imposed fines related to the failure to appear, you must pay those as well.
Once the court confirms that the failure to appear charge is resolved, request written confirmation. Then submit your reinstatement request to the Alabama DPS with the $20 reinstatement fee and a copy of the court's confirmation. If a bench warrant was issued, the DPS will not reinstate your license until the warrant is cleared, so make sure the court has documented that the warrant has been recalled or satisfied.
Suspensions for DUI, Drug Convictions, and Alcohol-Related Violations
Suspensions related to DUI (driving under the influence), drug convictions, or other alcohol-related violations are more complex and may require additional steps beyond paying fines. Alabama law requires certain actions depending on whether this is your first offense or a repeat offense. You must complete these steps before the DPS will reinstate your license.
For a first DUI or alcohol-related conviction, you may be required to complete a substance abuse treatment or education program approved by the Alabama Department of Mental Health. The court will specify which program you must attend when you are convicted or when you plead guilty. You must provide proof of completion to the court and to the DPS. Additionally, if your blood alcohol content was 0.15 or higher, or if you refused a breath test, Alabama law requires you to install an ignition interlock device on any vehicle you own or regularly drive. This device prevents the vehicle from starting if it detects alcohol on your breath.
For repeat DUI offenses, the requirements are stricter and may include longer suspension periods, mandatory ignition interlock installation, and more intensive treatment programs. Contact the Alabama DPS or the court to confirm all requirements for your specific situation. Once you have completed all required programs and installed any required devices, submit your reinstatement request to the DPS with proof of completion and the $20 reinstatement fee.
The Reinstatement Fee and Processing Timeline
The standard reinstatement fee in Alabama is $20, payable to the Alabama DPS. This fee is separate from any fines or court costs you owe. You can pay the reinstatement fee by check, money order, or cash when you submit your reinstatement request in person, or by check or money order if you mail your request. The DPS does not accept credit cards for reinstatement fees.
Processing time varies depending on whether you submit your request in person or by mail. If you deliver your request in person to the DPS office in Montgomery, you may receive notification of reinstatement within one to three business days. If you mail your request, allow seven to ten business days for processing. During this time, the DPS verifies that all fines have been paid and that you have completed any required programs.
You will receive written notification when your license is reinstated. This notification will be mailed to the address on file with the DPS. Once you receive it, your license is active and you may legally drive. If you do not receive notification within the expected timeframe, contact the DPS to confirm that your request was received and processed.
Where to Submit Your Reinstatement Request
You can submit your reinstatement request to the Alabama DPS in three ways: in person at the DPS office, by mail, or by phone for certain types of suspensions. The in-person option is fastest if you are in or near Montgomery. The DPS Driver License Division office is located at 301 South Ripley Street, Montgomery, AL 36104, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
If you mail your request, send it to the same address with your reinstatement fee, proof of payment, and any other required documents. Include your name, date of birth, driver's license number, and a brief explanation of why your license was suspended. Keep a copy of everything you send for your records.
For some suspensions, you can call the DPS at 334-242-4437 to ask whether your reinstatement can be processed by phone or mail without a visit to the office. This is often possible for straightforward fine-payment suspensions, but not for DUI or failure to appear cases. Ask the DPS representative what documents they need from you before you hang up.
Common Mistakes That Delay Reinstatement
One of the most common mistakes is paying the fine to the wrong entity. If you were cited by a city police officer, you may owe the fine to the city court, not the county court. If you were cited by a state trooper, you owe the fine to the district court. Contact the courthouse that issued the citation to confirm where payment should go, and get a receipt showing the payment was received and applied to your case.
Another frequent error is submitting a reinstatement request before all fines are fully paid. The DPS will not process your request if the court shows an outstanding balance. Before you submit anything to the DPS, call the court and confirm that your balance is zero. Ask for written confirmation if possible.
A third mistake is forgetting to include the reinstatement fee with your request. If you mail your request without the $20 fee, the DPS will return it to you, and processing will be delayed. If you submit in person and do not have the fee, you will need to return with payment before your request can be processed.
Finally, some people submit a reinstatement request without completing required programs or installing required devices. If your suspension was for DUI and you have not completed a substance abuse program or installed an ignition interlock device, the DPS will deny your reinstatement request. Make sure you have completed every step the court or DPS specified before you submit your request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with a suspended license if I have submitted a reinstatement request?
No. Your license remains suspended until the DPS sends you written notification that it has been reinstated. Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Alabama and can result in additional fines and jail time. You must wait for official notification before you drive.
What if I cannot afford to pay the full fine right away?
Contact the court that issued the fine and ask about a payment plan. Many Alabama courts will allow you to pay fines in installments over time. Once you have set up a payment plan, ask the court whether they will lift the suspension while you are making payments, or whether you must pay in full first. Some courts will reinstate your license once a payment plan is in place.
How long does reinstatement usually take?
If you submit your request in person at the DPS office in Montgomery, reinstatement typically takes one to three business days. If you mail your request, allow seven to ten business days. If your suspension involves a DUI or failure to appear, processing may take longer because the DPS must verify additional information with the court.
What if my license was suspended in another state but I now live in Alabama?
Alabama recognizes suspensions from other states through the Interstate Compact on Driver License Compact (DLC). You must resolve the suspension in the state where it was issued before Alabama will reinstate your license. Contact the DPS in that state to find out what steps are required, then submit proof of reinstatement to the Alabama DPS.
Do I need a lawyer to reinstate my license?
You do not need a lawyer for most reinstatements. If your suspension is related to unpaid fines or a straightforward failure to appear, you can handle the reinstatement yourself by contacting the court and the DPS. However, if your suspension involves a DUI conviction or a complex legal issue, you may want to consult with an attorney to make sure you have completed all required steps.