Where to go for your Lake County driver's license

Lake County has two Driver License offices that issue Florida driver's licenses. The main office is in Tavares at 315 West Main Street, and there is a second location in Leesburg at 1017 West Main Street. Both offices handle new licenses, renewals, and replacements. You can visit either one — there is no requirement to use the office closest to your home.

Both offices are open Monday through Friday. Hours vary slightly by location, so check the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) website or call ahead before you go. Wait times are typically shorter on weekday mornings and longer on Thursdays and Fridays. If you need to renew your license and do not need a new photo, you can renew by mail or online instead of visiting in person.

You do not need an appointment at either Lake County office. Walk-ins are accepted, though you may wait 30 minutes to two hours depending on the time of day and day of the week.

Key Takeaways

  • Lake County has two Driver License offices — one in Tavares and one in Leesburg — and you can use either one regardless of where you live.
  • You will need proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Florida residency before you visit.
  • A standard Florida driver's license costs $75 and is valid for eight years; a Real ID costs $78 and is required for federal building access and domestic air travel starting May 2025.
  • If you are under 18, you must complete a traffic law and safety course and hold a learner's permit for a set time before you can take the driving test.
  • You can renew your license by mail or online if you do not need a new photo and your license is not suspended.

Documents you need to bring

Florida requires three types of documents before you can get a driver's license: proof of identity, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of Florida residency. You cannot get a license without all three.

Proof of identity can be a U.S. passport, a passport card, a military ID, a birth certificate, or a consular report of birth abroad. If you are using a birth certificate, you must also bring a second form of ID — a school ID, employee ID, or utility bill with your name on it. A foreign passport works only if you are a temporary resident.

Proof of Social Security number can be your Social Security card itself, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, a tax return, or a paystub with your full Social Security number on it. A document that shows only the last four digits does not count.

Proof of Florida residency must show your current name and current address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a homeowner's insurance policy, a bank or credit card statement, a government check, or a property tax bill. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. A driver's license from another state does not count as proof of residency.

Cost and validity of a standard Florida license

A standard Florida driver's license costs $75 and is valid for eight years from the date you receive it. You will receive your license in the mail about 7 to 10 business days after you pass your test and pay the fee at the office.

If you are 18 or older and getting your first Florida license, you must pass a written test on traffic laws and road signs, a vision test, and a driving test. The written test has 50 questions and you must answer at least 40 correctly. You can take the written test on a computer at the Driver License office. The driving test takes about 20 minutes and tests your ability to handle basic driving tasks like parking, turning, and stopping.

If you already have a valid driver's license from another state, you do not have to take the written or driving test — you only need to pass the vision test and pay the fee. This is called a license transfer. You still need to bring all three types of documents listed above.

Real ID versus standard license: what you need to know

Florida offers two types of driver's licenses: a standard license and a Real ID. The difference is what you can use it for. A Real ID costs $78 (instead of $75) and is valid for eight years, the same as a standard license. The Real ID has a gold star in the upper right corner.

Starting May 7, 2025, you will need a Real ID, a passport, a military ID, or another federal ID to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. A standard Florida driver's license will no longer work for these purposes. If you do not fly or enter federal buildings, a standard license is sufficient.

To get a Real ID, you need the same three types of documents as a standard license, plus one additional document that proves your current address — the same type of residency proof listed above. Some people bring two residency documents to cover both requirements. The Real ID process takes the same amount of time as a standard license process.

Getting your first license if you are under 18

If you are under 18, you must complete a traffic law and safety course before you can take your driving test. This course is called a Driver Improvement Course or DIC. You can take it online or in person at approved schools throughout Lake County. The course takes about four hours and costs between $20 and $50 depending on the provider.

After you complete the course, you must explore for a learner's permit at a Driver License office. A learner's permit costs $20 and allows you to drive with a licensed adult in the car. You must hold your learner's permit for a set time before you can take your driving test. If you are 15 or 16, you must hold it for at least 12 months. If you are 17, you must hold it for at least three months. During this time, you can practice driving with a parent, guardian, or other licensed adult.

Once you have held your learner's permit for the required time, you can schedule your driving test at a Driver License office. You will need to bring your learner's permit, proof of insurance, and the vehicle you will use for the test. After you pass, you will get a regular driver's license valid until age 21.

Renewing your license by mail or online

If your Florida driver's license is not suspended and you do not need a new photo, you can renew it by mail or online without visiting a Driver License office. Mail renewal takes about two weeks. Online renewal is when ready — you receive a temporary digital license when ready and your physical license arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.

You can renew online only if your license is not expired by more than five years and you have a valid email address. You will need to pay the renewal fee ($75 for a standard license, $78 for a Real ID) with a credit card or debit card. You cannot renew online if you need to change your name, address, or other information on your license — you must visit an office in person for those changes.

If you renew by mail, send your current license, a check or money order for the renewal fee, and a completed process form to the address provided on the DHSMV website. Include a return envelope with postage. Mail renewal takes longer than online renewal and you have less control over when your new license arrives.

What happens if your license is suspended

If your Florida driver's license is suspended, you cannot renew it by mail or online. You must visit a Driver License office in person. A suspension can happen for several reasons: unpaid traffic tickets, unpaid child support, a DUI conviction, accumulating too many points from traffic violations, or failing to pay court fines.

Before you visit the office, you need to resolve the reason for the suspension. If it is unpaid tickets or fines, you must pay them. If it is unpaid child support, you must contact the Florida Department of Revenue. If it is a DUI or points-related suspension, you may need to complete a traffic school course or other requirement. Once the reason is resolved, you can visit a Driver License office and request that your suspension be lifted. You will need to bring proof that you resolved the issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Real ID at the same time as a new license?

Yes. When you explore for your license, tell the staff you want a Real ID instead of a standard license. You will pay $78 instead of $75 and bring one additional proof of address document. The process takes the same amount of time.

What if I fail my driving test?

You can retake the test when ready at the same office, though you may have to wait for an available examiner. You do not have to pay the fee again — you only pay once when you first explore. You can take the test as many times as you need until you pass.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card, or can I bring a paystub instead?

Either one works. You do not have to bring your actual Social Security card. Any document that shows your full Social Security number — a paystub, W-2, tax return, or 1099 — is acceptable. A document showing only the last four digits does not count.

How long does it take to get my license after I pass the test?

You receive a temporary paper license at the office on the day you pass. Your permanent plastic license arrives in the mail in 7 to 10 business days. The temporary license is valid for driving until your permanent one arrives.

Can I change my address on my license without getting a new photo?

No. Any change to your name, address, or other information requires you to visit a Driver License office in person and get a new photo. You cannot make these changes by mail or online.