Driver License and Registration Suspension
Before driver license and registration suspension takes place, the Child Support Program will send the parent who owes support a notice asking the parent to contact the Child Support Program to discuss options for paying their child support.
The parent has 20 days from the date on the notice to do one of the following:
- Pay the past-due amount in full and stay current with future payments.
- Contact the Child Support Program to sign a written agreement to make payments on the past-due amount.
- Provide documentation that the parent ordered to pay:
- Receives reemployment assistance or unemployment compensation;
- Is disabled and incapable of supporting themselves;
- Receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits;
- Receives Social Security Disability Income (SSD) benefits;
- Receives temporary cash assistance; or
- Has filed bankruptcy under Chapter 11, 12 or 13 of the United States Bankruptcy Code; or
- Contest this action by filing a petition in circuit court.
If none of the above actions are taken within 20 days, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) mails the parent a notice of suspension and suspends the driver license.
Genetic Testing
Driver license suspension is also used if there is noncompliance with an order to appear for genetic testing. If a parent who is ordered to appear for genetic testing complies with the order in a timely manner, a license suspension will not take place.
