How to Reinstate a Suspended Driver's License in Arizona

What You Need to Do to Reinstate in Arizona

To reinstate a suspended Arizona driver's license, you must first resolve the reason for the suspension, then submit a reinstatement request to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). The process and cost depend on why your license was suspended — whether for unpaid traffic fines, DUI conviction, medical reasons, or failure to pay child support. ADOT will not reinstate your license until the underlying issue is cleared and you have paid the reinstatement fee.

Arizona does not have a single reinstatement process form that works for all suspension types. Instead, the steps you take depend on the suspension reason. Some suspensions require you to contact a specific agency (like the Department of Child Support Enforcement), while others require you to work directly with ADOT. You must also verify that your suspension has actually been lifted before you attempt to drive.

Key Takeaways

The reinstatement fee in Arizona is $50, but you cannot pay it until the reason for your suspension has been resolved.
Different suspension reasons require different resolution steps: unpaid fines go through the court, DUI suspensions require an SR-22 form and possible substance abuse program completion, and child support suspensions go through the Department of Child Support Enforcement.
You can check your suspension status and reason on the ADOT website using your driver's license number and date of birth, or by calling ADOT at 602-255-0072.
Once the suspension cause is resolved, you can pay the $50 reinstatement fee online through ADOT's website, by mail, or in person at an ADOT office.
Your license becomes active when ready after ADOT processes your reinstatement payment if you are reinstating online or in person; mail processing takes 5 to 7 business days.

Finding Out Why Your License Was Suspended

Before you can reinstate, you need to know the specific reason for your suspension. ADOT suspends licenses for multiple reasons, and each has a different resolution path. Common suspension reasons include failure to pay traffic fines or court costs, DUI or reckless driving conviction, failure to maintain auto insurance, medical disqualification, failure to pay child support, and failure to appear in court.

Check your suspension status on the ADOT website at azdot.gov. You will need your Arizona driver's license number and date of birth. The website will show your suspension status and, in most cases, the reason. If the website does not provide enough detail, call ADOT's Driver Services Bureau at 602-255-0072. Have your license number and date of birth ready. ADOT staff can tell you exactly what must be resolved before reinstatement is possible.

Resolving Unpaid Traffic Fines or Court Costs

If your license was suspended for unpaid traffic fines or court costs, you must pay the court that issued the ticket. Contact the court listed on your traffic ticket or citation. Many Arizona courts allow payment by phone, online, or in person. Once you have paid the fine and any associated court costs, the court will notify ADOT that the suspension reason has been cleared.

Do not assume ADOT has been notified when ready. After paying the court, wait one to two business days, then check your suspension status again on the ADOT website. If the website still shows a suspension, call ADOT to confirm the court's notification has been received. Once the suspension reason is cleared, you can proceed to pay the $50 reinstatement fee.

Clearing a DUI or Reckless Driving Suspension

A DUI or reckless driving suspension requires more steps than other suspension types. You must obtain an SR-22 form (Certificate of Financial Responsibility) from an insurance company licensed to do business in Arizona. The SR-22 proves to ADOT that you carry the minimum required auto insurance. You cannot reinstate without this form on file with ADOT.

Contact an insurance agent or company and request an SR-22 form. Many insurance companies can file it with ADOT electronically the same day. The SR-22 itself is free, but your insurance premiums will likely increase. Depending on your DUI conviction, you may also be required to complete a substance abuse program before ADOT will reinstate your license. Check with ADOT or the court that handled your case to learn about this applies to you. Once the SR-22 is filed and any required program is completed, you can pay the $50 reinstatement fee.

Handling Child Support or Medical Suspensions

If your license was suspended for failure to pay child support, contact the Arizona Department of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) at 1-800-882-4151. DCSE will tell you the amount owed and payment options. Once you have made a payment arrangement or paid the full amount, DCSE will notify ADOT that the suspension can be lifted. This process typically takes three to five business days after DCSE receives confirmation of payment.

Medical suspensions occur when ADOT determines you are medically unfit to drive due to a condition or medication. To clear a medical suspension, you must provide medical documentation to ADOT showing that the condition has been treated or resolved, or that you are now safe to drive. Submit this documentation to ADOT's Medical Review Unit. ADOT will review it and notify you whether the suspension is lifted. Once cleared, you can pay the reinstatement fee.

Paying the Reinstatement Fee and Completing the Process

Once the reason for your suspension has been resolved, you must pay ADOT's $50 reinstatement fee. You have three options: pay online through the ADOT website, pay by mail, or pay in person at an ADOT office. Online and in-person payments are processed when ready, and your license becomes active right away. Mail payments take five to seven business days to process.

To pay online, go to azdot.gov, select "Driver Services," and follow the link for reinstatement. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and a credit or debit card. To pay by mail, send a check or money order for $50 to the address listed on the ADOT website, along with a letter stating your name, license number, and date of birth. To pay in person, visit any ADOT office with your driver's license and payment method.

After you have paid the reinstatement fee, verify that your license is active by checking the ADOT website again or calling ADOT. Do not drive until you have confirmed that your suspension has been lifted and your license is reinstated. Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense in Arizona and can result in additional fines, jail time, and license suspension extension.

What Happens If You Cannot Resolve the Suspension Cause

If you cannot pay a traffic fine, contact the court and ask about payment plans or hardship waivers. Many Arizona courts will work with you to set up a payment schedule. If you cannot afford an SR-22 or insurance, some insurance companies offer low-cost policies for high-risk drivers. If you owe child support, DCSE can discuss payment arrangements based on your income.

If your suspension is medical, you may be able to request a hearing with ADOT's Medical Review Unit to challenge the suspension or provide updated medical information. Contact ADOT to request a hearing. Until the suspension cause is resolved, your license will remain suspended, and you cannot legally drive in Arizona or most other states.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive with a suspended license if I have paid the reinstatement fee but ADOT has not processed it yet?

No. You cannot drive until ADOT has processed your reinstatement payment and your license status has changed from suspended to active. If you pay online or in person, this happens when ready. If you pay by mail, wait for ADOT to confirm processing before you drive. Driving on a suspended license is illegal even if you have paid the fee.

How long does it take for ADOT to lift a suspension after the court notifies them of payment?

ADOT typically receives notification from the court within one to two business days. However, it can take up to five business days for the suspension to be fully cleared in ADOT's system. Check your status online or call ADOT to confirm the suspension has been lifted before paying the reinstatement fee.

Do I need to take a new driving test to reinstate my license?

No. Reinstatement does not require a new written or driving test. You only need to resolve the suspension cause and pay the $50 reinstatement fee. Your license will be reinstated with the same expiration date it had before the suspension.

What if I moved out of Arizona after my license was suspended?

You can still reinstate your Arizona license by mail or online, even if you no longer live in Arizona. However, if you now live in another state, you may want to obtain a driver's license from your new state instead. Check with your new state's DMV about transferring your driving record and obtaining a new license.

Can I reinstate my license if I still owe money but have set up a payment plan?

This depends on the type of debt. For traffic fines, most courts will allow reinstatement once you have made the first payment and established a payment plan. For child support, DCSE must approve the payment arrangement before notifying ADOT. For DUI-related suspensions, you must have the SR-22 on file before reinstatement is possible. Contact the relevant agency to confirm whether a payment plan is sufficient.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.