Where the Kendall DMV is located and what services it offers

The Kendall Driver License Office is located at 11201 South Dixie Highway, Miami, Florida 33156. This is a full-service Florida DMV location that handles driver license issuance, renewals, replacements, and address changes. It also processes commercial driver license (CDL) transactions and motorcycle endorsements.

Kendall is one of the busier DMV locations in Miami-Dade County because it serves the southern part of the county. Wait times are typically longer during mid-morning and early afternoon on weekdays. The office does not take appointments through the standard Florida DMV system, so you arrive and take a number at the service counter.

The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 8:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. It closes on Sundays and state holidays. If you need to renew or replace your license and want to avoid the wait, you can also use the Florida DMV's online renewal system or mail-in option, depending on your license type and how long it has been expired.

Key Takeaways

  • The Kendall office is at 11201 South Dixie Highway and handles all driver license types, including standard, commercial, and motorcycle endorsements.
  • No appointments are available; you take a number upon arrival, and wait times are longest mid-morning and early afternoon on weekdays.
  • You must bring a valid form of identification, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Florida residency to obtain or renew a license.
  • Standard driver licenses cost $48 for an eight-year renewal; fees vary for first-time issuance, commercial licenses, and replacements.
  • If you are renewing a valid license that is not expired, you can renew online or by mail instead of visiting the office in person.

Documents you need to bring for a new driver license

For a first-time driver license in Florida, you must bring three categories of documents: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Florida residency. The DMV will not issue a license without all three.

Proof of identity can be a valid passport, a birth certificate with a raised seal, a valid visa, a military ID, or a state ID from another state. A school ID or work ID alone is not sufficient. Proof of Social Security number can be a Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a pay stub showing your full SSN. Proof of Florida residency must be dated within the last 12 months and can be a utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a property tax bill, a bank statement, or a government check. A driver license from another state counts as proof of identity but not proof of residency.

Bring the originals, not photocopies. The DMV staff will examine them and may keep some documents on file. If your documents are in a language other than English, bring an official translation or a certified copy along with the original.

Documents you need to bring for a license renewal

If your Florida driver license is still valid or expired less than six months ago, you can renew it at the Kendall office by bringing your current or expired license and paying the renewal fee. You do not need to bring proof of identity, Social Security number, or residency again unless the DMV has flagged your record for review.

If your license expired more than six months ago, the DMV treats it as a new issuance rather than a renewal. You will need to bring the same three document categories as a first-time applicant: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Florida residency. You will also need to pass a vision test and a written knowledge test.

If you are renewing a valid license and do not need a new photo, you can renew online at the Florida DMV website or by mail. This avoids the wait at Kendall entirely. Online renewal takes a few minutes; mail renewal takes one to two weeks.

Vision test, written test, and driving test requirements

If you are renewing a valid license at the Kendall office, you will take a vision test but not a written or driving test. The vision test checks that you can read a standard eye chart at 20 feet. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you.

If you are obtaining a new license or renewing an expired license (expired more than six months), you must pass a written knowledge test. The test covers Florida traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. It is 50 questions, and you must answer at least 40 correctly to pass. You can take the test in English or Spanish. The DMV provides study materials on its website; many people study using the official Florida Driver Handbook.

A driving test (behind-the-wheel examination) is required only if you are under 18, if you are obtaining a commercial driver license, or if the DMV has suspended or revoked your license and you are reapplying. For a standard adult renewal or new license, no driving test is required.

Fees for driver licenses at the Kendall DMV

Florida driver license fees depend on the type of license and how long it is valid. A standard eight-year driver license costs $48 for a renewal. A first-time issuance of a standard license also costs $48. A replacement license (if yours is lost, stolen, or damaged) costs $25.

A four-year license costs $30 and is available if you are 65 or older or if you do not have a Social Security number. A motorcycle endorsement adds $15 to the license fee. A commercial driver license (CDL) costs $75 for an eight-year renewal and $100 for a first-time issuance.

The Kendall office accepts cash, debit cards, and credit cards. Checks are not accepted. If you renew online, you pay by credit or debit card. If you renew by mail, you can pay by check or money order.

How to prepare for your visit to avoid delays

Gather all required documents before you leave home. Make a checklist: driver license or ID, proof of Social Security number, proof of residency (if needed), and your Social Security card or other SSN document. Bring originals, not copies. If any document is in a foreign language, bring a certified English translation.

Arrive early in the morning or on a Saturday if possible. The Kendall office is busiest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekdays. Saturday hours are 8:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., and the wait is usually shorter. Bring a pen in case you need to fill out a form by hand, though most transactions now use digital check-in.

If you are renewing a valid license and do not need a new photo, skip the office entirely and renew online or by mail. This is faster and costs the same. If you must visit in person, plan for a 30-minute to one-hour wait during off-peak times and up to two hours during peak times.

What to do if you have a suspended or revoked license

If your Florida driver license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it at the Kendall office. You must first resolve the suspension or revocation with the Florida DMV. Suspensions and revocations are usually caused by unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, failure to appear in court, or accumulation of points from traffic violations.

Contact the Florida DMV's Suspension and Revocation Section at 850-617-2000 to find out why your license is suspended or revoked and what you must do to restore it. You may need to pay a fine, complete a driver improvement course, or provide proof that you have resolved the underlying issue. Once the suspension or revocation is lifted, you can renew your license at the Kendall office or online.

If you need to drive before your license is restored, you may be able to obtain a hardship license, which allows limited driving for work or medical purposes. Ask the DMV about hardship license options when you call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my driver license online instead of going to the Kendall office?

Yes, if your license is still valid or expired less than six months ago and you do not need a new photo. You can renew online at the Florida DMV website in a few minutes. If your license expired more than six months ago, you must visit an office in person and pass a vision and written test.

What if I lost my documents and cannot find my proof of residency?

You can use alternative documents such as a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, property tax bill, bank statement, or government check dated within the last 12 months. If you do not have any of these, contact the Kendall office or call the Florida DMV to ask about other acceptable documents for your situation.

How long does it take to get a new driver license after I explore at Kendall?

Your license is usually printed and mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. You will receive a temporary paper license at the office that you can use to drive while you wait for the plastic card. If you need your license faster, ask the DMV staff about expedited options, though these may carry an additional fee.

Do I need an appointment at the Kendall DMV?

No. The Kendall office does not use an appointment system. You arrive during business hours, take a number at the service counter, and wait for your turn. Arriving early or on Saturday typically means a shorter wait.

What if my name has changed since my last license?

Bring a certified copy of the document that shows your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DMV will update your record and issue a new license with your current name. This counts as a replacement, which costs $25 if your license is still valid.