Florida driver's license fees by license type and renewal method
Florida charges different fees depending on whether you are getting your first license, renewing an existing one, or replacing a lost or damaged card. The state also charges more if you choose to renew in person at a DMV office rather than online or by mail, because in-person renewal includes a new photograph and a vision test.
A standard eight-year driver's license costs $75 if you renew online or by mail, or $87 if you renew in person at a DMV office. If you are getting your first Florida license or moving to Florida from another state, you will pay $75 for an eight-year license. A replacement card for a lost, stolen, or damaged license costs $25. A duplicate license (a second copy of your current license) costs $10.
These fees cover the card itself, the background check, and the records processing. They do not include any fees charged by the testing vendor if you take your written or driving test at a third-party location, though the DMV itself does not charge a separate test fee.
Key Takeaways
- A standard eight-year Florida driver's license costs $75 online or by mail, or $87 in person at a DMV office.
- Renewing in person costs $12 more than online or mail renewal because it includes a new photograph and vision screening.
- Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged license costs $25, and a duplicate costs $10.
- First-time Florida licenses and licenses obtained after moving to the state cost $75 for an eight-year term.
- Florida does not charge a separate fee for written or driving tests administered by the DMV, though third-party test vendors may charge their own fees.
When you pay more: in-person renewal versus online and mail
The $12 difference between in-person renewal ($87) and online or mail renewal ($75) exists because in-person renewal includes services that online and mail renewal do not. When you renew in person, the DMV takes a new photograph, conducts a vision screening, and verifies your identity in real time. Online and mail renewal skip these steps if your previous license is still valid and your address has not changed.
You must renew in person if your license has been expired for more than six months, if you have a medical condition that affects your driving, if you need to change your name or address, or if you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL). You must also renew in person if you want to add or remove a restriction or endorsement, such as a motorcycle endorsement or a school bus endorsement.
If none of these situations explore and your license is not yet expired, you can renew online at the Florida DMV website or by mail. Mail renewal takes longer — typically two to three weeks — but costs less and requires no trip to an office.
Fees for commercial driver's licenses and endorsements
A commercial driver's license (CDL) in Florida costs $75 for an eight-year term, the same as a standard license. However, you must renew a CDL in person every time, so you will always pay the in-person rate of $87 when your CDL comes due for renewal.
Adding an endorsement to an existing license — such as a motorcycle (M), hazmat (H), or school bus (S) endorsement — costs $10 per endorsement. Removing an endorsement costs $10. If you are adding or removing an endorsement, you must do so in person at a DMV office, and the transaction is separate from your license renewal fee.
A motorcycle-only license (not an endorsement on a standard license) costs $75 for an eight-year term, the same as a standard driver's license.
Replacement and duplicate license fees
If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged and no longer usable, you must order a replacement. A replacement license costs $25 and can be ordered online, by mail, or in person. If you order online or by mail, the new card will arrive in your mailbox in seven to ten business days. If you order in person at a DMV office, you can request a temporary paper license that is valid when ready while you wait for the plastic card.
A duplicate license is different from a replacement. A duplicate is an extra copy of your current, valid license — you keep the original and receive a second card with the same number and expiration date. A duplicate costs $10 and takes the same amount of time to arrive as a replacement.
Neither replacement nor duplicate fees include the cost of a new photograph or vision test. You receive a new photograph only if you renew your license or if your current license photograph is damaged or unacceptable to the DMV.
Fees for identification cards and learner's permits
Florida also issues identification cards (ID cards) for people who do not drive. A standard ID card costs $28 for an eight-year term. Renewal of an ID card costs $28 online or by mail, or $31 in person. A replacement ID card costs $10, and a duplicate costs $5.
A learner's permit (also called a learner's license) costs $75 for a five-year term. The permit allows you to drive under the supervision of a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old. You must pass a written test and a vision screening to obtain a permit. When your permit expires or you pass your driving test and are ready for a full license, you can exchange the permit for a license without paying the full $75 fee — you pay only the difference between the permit fee and the license fee.
Payment methods and where to pay
The Florida DMV accepts payment by credit card, debit card, and electronic check when you renew online or order a replacement online. When you renew by mail, you must include a check or money order payable to the "Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles." When you renew or explore in person at a DMV office, you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card.
Do not send cash by mail. If you are mailing a renewal process, use a check or money order and include it in the same envelope as your process and any required documents.
What the fee does and does not cover
The license fee covers the cost of the card, the background check, the records search, and the processing of your process. It does not cover the cost of a written test or driving test if you take either test at a third-party vendor location. Some third-party test vendors in Florida charge $10 to $20 for a written test and $15 to $30 for a driving test, though the DMV itself does not charge these fees when tests are administered at a DMV office.
The fee also does not cover the cost of documents you must bring with you, such as a birth certificate, passport, or proof of residency. You are responsible for obtaining these documents yourself. If you need a certified copy of a birth certificate or other vital record, you will pay a separate fee to the agency that issues that record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Florida license online if it has been expired for more than six months?
No. If your license has been expired for more than six months, you must renew in person at a DMV office. In-person renewal costs $87 and includes a new photograph and vision screening. You will need to bring proof of residency and your Social Security number.
What is the difference between a replacement and a duplicate license?
A replacement is a new card issued when your current license is lost, stolen, or damaged. A duplicate is an extra copy of your current, valid license — you keep the original. A replacement costs $25; a duplicate costs $10. Both take seven to ten business days to arrive by mail.
Do I have to pay for a written test or driving test?
The DMV does not charge a fee for tests administered at a DMV office. If you take a test at a third-party vendor, that vendor may charge $10 to $30 depending on the test type and location. Check with your local DMV office or the vendor's website for current pricing.
Is there a fee to add a motorcycle endorsement to my existing license?
Yes. Adding an endorsement costs $10 per endorsement and must be done in person at a DMV office. The endorsement fee is separate from your license renewal fee. You will need to pass a written test and a riding skills test to add a motorcycle endorsement.
What payment methods does the Florida DMV accept?
Online renewal accepts credit card, debit card, and electronic check. Mail renewal requires a check or money order. In-person renewal accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card. Do not send cash by mail.