How to pay a suspension termination fee

A suspension means your driver license (or privilege to drive) is taken away for a period of time before it is returned. There are two types of suspensions.


Definite suspension

A definite suspension has a clear beginning and end date.  1 The suspension termination fee for a definite suspension is currently $50 2, unless the suspension was for breaking the NYS Zero Tolerance alcohol law.  The suspension termination fee for this offense is $100.


Indefinite suspension

An indefinite suspension means you must do something (such as answer a traffic ticket) before the suspension can be cleared.3 

By law, if you receive an indefinite suspension order from DMV, you may be required to pay a suspension termination fee before your driver license or privilege to drive can be restored.


Pay online

To pay a definite suspension online, you must provide

  • your name or DMV ID Number (Client ID Number) from your NYS driver license, learner permit, or non-driver photo ID card (see sample driver license)
  • your date of birth and gender
  • the last four digits of your Social Security Number

Your name and address on DMV records must be correct. 4

Your payment does not guarantee that we will restore your driver license. There may be other problems with your record.  It is your responsibility to know if your driver license or driving privilege is valid before you drive a motor vehicle.  5

 

Pay suspension termination fee online

 


At a DMV office

You can pay the suspension termination fee at the office or offices shown on your suspension order.

See location, instructions and reservation information for your DMV



By mail

In some cases, you can pay by mail.  If the suspension termination fee can be mailed, you will find instructions on your suspension order. 


Common questions


Can I pay more than one definite suspension online?

Yes.  You can pay up to 10 suspension termination fees in one day.



After I pay the fee, how can I check the status of my driver license or driving privilege?

You can sign up for a MyDMV account and use the My License service.  If you need a certified copy of your driving records, you can order a copy of your driver record.



When will I get my license back?

A definite suspension lasts until your suspension period ends.  If you pay the suspension termination fee before the suspension period has ended, we will mail your license to you within 3 business days after the suspension period ends. 6  We will not mail your license to you if

  • your driver license has expired
  • you have a commercial driver license (CDL) 7
  • you have a conditional or restricted license 8
  • you have other suspensions, revocations, or problems with your driver license

 

How do I know if my license was mailed?

Once you pay the suspension termination fee, wait for 3 business days after the suspension period ends and then use our Photo ID Document Mailing Status service.

 

  1. 1. A definite suspension means your driver license or privilege to drive is taken away for a certain amount of time. If you have a definite suspension, your suspension order will tell you how long the suspension period will last.

     

    You cannot drive until the suspension period ends, you pay a suspension termination fee of $50 and have a valid driver license.

    Common reasons for definite suspensions are

    • you did not have automobile liability insurance
    • you were convicted of an alcohol or drugged driving charge
    • you received too many traffic tickets in a certain amount of time
    • you did not follow the rules for junior drivers

  2. 2. If the effective date of your suspension order is before July 6, 2009, the suspension termination fee is $25.
  3. 3. An indefinite suspension means your driver license or privilege to drive was taken away because you failed to do something. Your driver license or privilege to drive will remain suspended until you comply with the instructions on your suspension order. You may also be required to pay a suspension termination fee. Common reasons for indefinite suspensions are

     

    • you did not answer a traffic ticket
    • you did not pay a Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA)
    • you did not file a motor vehicle accident report
    • you failed to pay child support

  4. 4. You can confirm or change your address online, but you must create a MyDMV account first. If you need to change your name, you must go to a DMV office.
  5. 5. You can check the status of your driver license and driving privilege online if you sign up for a MyDMV account and use our MyLicense service. If you need proof that DMV removed your suspension, you can order a certified copy of your driving record.
  6. 6. If you surrendered your license, DMV will mail you a new document, not the one you surrendered.
  7. 7. Although you can pay suspension termination fees online, you must go to a DMV office to get your commercial driver license back.
  8. 8. Although you can pay suspension termination fees online, you must go to a DMV office to get your full driver license back if you have you have a conditional or restricted license.