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.

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. If you surrendered your license, DMV will mail you a new document, not the one you surrendered. We will not mail your license to you if any of the following are true:

• your driver license has expired.
• you have a commercial driver license (CDL). Although you can pay suspension termination fees online, you must go to a DMV office to get your CDL back.
• you have a conditional or restricted license. 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 a conditional or restricted license.
• you have other suspensions, revocations, or problems with your driver license.

For more information about reasons for indefinite and definite suspensions see Suspensions and Revocations.

Online

You can pay up to 10 suspension termination fees online in one day. To pay a definite suspension online, you must provide the following:

• your name or DMV ID Number (Client ID Number) from your New York State 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. 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.

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. You can check the status of your driver license and driving privilege online. If you need proof that DMV removed your suspension, you can order a certified copy of your driving record.

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.

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.

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.