Depending on your state’s laws, you could have your license suspended after a variety of driving and non-driving-related violations. Call your local DMV or your

car insurance

company to verify if you have a suspended driver’s license.

Drivers who get their license suspended should receive an official suspension notice via the Postal Service.
You may not know you have a suspended license if you don’t check your mail regularly or you haven’t kept your address up-to-date with the DMV.
Getting caught driving with a suspended license can result in steep fines, a longer suspension period, and increased car insurance costs.

How to check a license suspension

Most people who lose their driving privileges find out when a notice is delivered to their mailbox. However, there’s a chance you may not be aware that your license is suspended if you recently moved and forgot to update your mailing address with the DMV.

There are a few ways to check your driver's license status if suspect your driving privileges have been suspended:

Look in your mailbox: If your driver’s license was suspended, you should receive a suspension notice in the mail.

Get a copy of your driving record: Most states allow you to use the Department of Motor Vehicles’ online services to see your driving history by providing your Social Security number, driver’s license number, and contact information. You can also call or visit your local licensing office or service center in person.

Call your insurance company: Your insurance provider should have access to your driving record since it affects what you pay for car insurance. They may tell you if your license has been suspended and why—or help you renew your insurance policy if you

let your coverage lapse

Reasons why your license could be suspended

You could end up with a driver’s license suspension for either of the following:

Driving-related infractions: This includes major traffic violations like driving under the influence or getting

too many points on your driving record

Non-driving violations: This could include not paying a traffic ticket fine or failing to provide

proof of insurance

when requested by an officer.

Here are the three most common reasons for driver’s license suspensions:

Getting convicted of a

DUI/DWI

Reckless driving

Getting convicted of a drug-related offense (other than a DUI)

Other causes of license suspensions include:

Driving without car insurance

or failure to provide proof of insurance

Failing to pay a motor vehicle fee

Failing to pay a court-ordered fine

Failing to appear in court after a moving violation or parking ticket

Habitually skipping school (for minors)

Racking up too many violation points

Missing a court date

Failing to pay child support

MORE:

5 driving violations that could land you in jail

How to reinstate a suspended license

reinstate a suspended license

, you’ll need to follow the reinstatement requirements listed on your suspension notice.

What to expect: At a minimum, you’ll have to pay the Department of Motor Vehicles’ reinstatement fee—but your exact requirements will depend on why your license was suspended in the first place.

Here are a few common requirements to reinstate a suspended license:

Attend a

defensive driving course

or highway safety course.

Pay fees/fines.

Acquire

SR-22 insurance

to prove financial responsibility.

Get an ignition interlock device installed on your car (after a DUI/DWI).

Purchase

liability insurance

according to your state’s minimum

car insurance laws

Provide your insurance ID card or another form of proof of insurance to the DMV.

First-offense drivers can usually get their suspended license reinstated without having to pay for a new license or retake a driving test. However, drivers who received a

license revocation

will have much stricter requirements for getting it back.

MORE:

Can you get car insurance with a suspended license?

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FAQs

How do you find out if your license is suspended in Texas?

If your

Texas

driver’s license has been suspended, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) will mail you a notification via the U.S. Postal Service. If you haven’t received a notice in the mail but still think you might have a suspended license in Texas, you can check the DPS

online database

How do you find out if your license is suspended in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania

drivers who get their license suspended will get a suspension notice in the mail from the Department of Transportation (DOT). You also have the option of paying $12 to

request your driver information

from your local licensing office.

How long are license suspensions in Louisiana?

The exact amount of time your

Louisiana

license can get suspended depends on the violation you committed. However, most Louisiana license suspensions last for either six months or one year.

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