How to Reinstate a Suspended License in Virginia 

The letter from the Virginia DMV is on your table. Your driver’s license is suspended. Your first thought is a mix of panic and confusion: “How do I fix this? Do I just pay a fine? Do I have to go to court?”

The answer in Virginia is a “to-do list.” Your license isn’t just “on hold”—it’s locked behind a specific set of compliance items you must complete. The items on this list are completely different for an unpaid ticket than for a DUI.

This guide will show you how to get your personal “to-do list” from the DMV, what the most confusing requirements (like the FR-44) actually mean, and the exact steps to get your driving privileges back.

What’s Your Status?: Suspension vs. Revocation

Before you can plan your next step, you must know what happened to your license.

1. Suspension: This is a temporary hold.
   • Why: Usually for unpaid court fines, insurance lapses, or accumulating too many demerit points.
   • The Fix: You do not have to re-test. You just need to clear your compliance items (like paying a fine or taking a class) and pay your reinstatement fee.
2. Revocation: This is a cancellation.
   • Why: For serious offenses like a DUI, drug conviction, or being a “Habitual Offender.”
   • The Fix: This is much harder. You must clear all compliance items, pay your fees, and re-apply for a brand new license from scratch. This means you must pass the vision, written (knowledge), and road (driving) tests all over again.

How To Get Your Official Compliance Summary

Do not guess what you need to do. The DMV has a personal checklist for you. This “Compliance Summary” is the only document that matters.

• How to get it (Online):
  1. Go to the official Virginia DMV website at dmv.virginia.gov.
  2. Log in to your “MyDMV” account.
  3. On your dashboard, your license status will be “Suspended” or “Revoked.”
  4. Click the link to view your “Compliance Summary.” This will list every single item you must complete (e.g., “Pay Reinstatement Fee: $140,” “File FR-44,” “Complete VASAP”).

Suspended License Reinstatement Methods in Virginia

Your Compliance Summary will likely point you down one of these three roads.

Method 1: The Unpaid Fines / Court Hold

This is the most common suspension.

1. Satisfy the Court: Your summary will say “Pay Fines – [Court Name].” You must first contact that specific District Court and pay your old tickets and court costs.
2. Pay the DMV: After the court clears you (which can take 24-72 hours), you must pay the separate DMV Reinstatement Fee (typically $140) online through your MyDMV account.

Method 2: The Point Suspension

This happens if you get too many demerit points (e.g., 12 in 12 months).

1. Serve Your Time: Your suspension is for a fixed time (e.g., 90 days). You must wait for this period to end.
2. Complete the Clinic: You must complete a Driver Improvement Clinic (DIC). This is a mandatory 8-hour class.
3. Pay the DMV: Once your time is up and your clinic is complete, you can pay your reinstatement fee online.

Method 3: The DUI / Alcohol-Related Revocation

This is the most complex path.

1. Serve Your Revocation Time: You must wait for the full revocation period (e.g., 1 year) to end.
2. Complete VASAP: You must enroll in and complete the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP). This is a state-run education and treatment program.
3. File an FR-44: This is a critical step. You must get an FR-44, which is a special insurance certificate for DUI offenders. It proves you have double the state-minimum insurance. (This is different from an SR-22, which is for non-alcohol offenses).
4. Install an IID: You will be required to have an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) installed in your car.
5. Pay the DMV: Pay your reinstatement fee (often $220 or more).
6. Re-take All Tests: Because you were revoked, you must book a DMV appointment and pass the vision, written, and road tests to get a new license.

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