Where to Get Your License in St. Johns County
St. Johns County has one Driver License office located in St. Augustine. The address is 1000 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine, FL 32084. This is the only full-service office in the county where you can take your written test, road test, and receive your license on the same day if you pass both exams.
The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed on weekends and state holidays. You cannot walk in without an appointment — the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) requires you to book a time slot before you arrive. You can schedule your appointment online through the DHSMV website or by calling 1-844-DL-FLORIDA (1-844-335-3567).
If you live in a different part of St. Johns County and travel is difficult, you may be able to use a nearby county's office, but you will still need to pass your road test in St. Johns County to get a St. Johns County license. Call ahead to confirm which offices accept appointments from out-of-county residents.
Key Takeaways
- The St. Johns County Driver License office is at 1000 San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine and requires an appointment — you cannot walk in without one.
- You must bring your Social Security number, proof of residency, proof of identity, and proof of lawful presence in the United States to pass your written test.
- The written test covers road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving practices; you must score at least 80 percent to pass.
- Your road test happens in St. Johns County and tests your ability to start the car, follow directions, park, and handle traffic safely.
- If you fail either test, you can retake it the same day or schedule another appointment, but you must wait at least one day between attempts.
What Documents You Need Before Your Appointment
Bring originals or certified copies — photocopies are not accepted. You need proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2 form, or 1099 form), proof of identity (a valid passport, military ID, or out-of-state driver's license), and proof of lawful presence in the United States (a U.S. birth certificate, passport, or immigration document).
You also need proof of residency in St. Johns County. This can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax bill dated within the last 60 days. The name on your residency document must match the name you use to explore. If you recently moved, bring both your old and new address documents.
If you are under 18, bring a parent or legal guardian with you. They must bring their own ID and sign your process. If you are renewing a license, bring your current or expired license card.
The Written Test: What to Study and How to Pass
The written test has 50 multiple-choice questions about Florida traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving. You have one hour to finish. You must answer at least 40 questions correctly (80 percent) to pass. The test covers right-of-way rules, speed limits, parking, following distance, what to do at a red light or stop sign, and what different road signs mean.
You can study using the official Florida Driver's Handbook, which is free and available on the DHSMV website. Many people also use practice tests online — the DHSMV website offers a sample test. Study the handbook thoroughly; the test questions come directly from it. If you fail, you can retake the written test the same day or schedule another appointment.
You may take the test in English or Spanish. If you need the test in another language, call the St. Johns County office ahead of time to ask whether an interpreter is available.
The Road Test: What the Examiner Watches For
The road test lasts about 20 minutes. You drive your own vehicle (or a family member's) on public roads near the St. Augustine office while an examiner sits in the passenger seat. The examiner watches whether you can start the car safely, follow their directions, use your mirrors and turn signals, maintain safe speed, stop smoothly, park, and handle intersections and traffic.
You must have a valid learner's permit or a valid license from another state to take the road test. Bring your permit, your vehicle's registration and proof of insurance, and a valid ID. The vehicle must be in safe working condition — the examiner will check that your brakes, lights, wipers, and horn work before you start driving.
Common reasons people fail the road test include not using turn signals, speeding or driving too slowly, not checking mirrors, rolling through stop signs, hitting the curb while parking, and not following the examiner's directions. If you fail, you can retake the test the same day or book another appointment. You must wait at least one day between attempts.
License Types and What You Can Drive
Florida offers several license classes. A Class D license is for regular passenger cars and light trucks. A Class E license is for motorcycles only. A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is for trucks and buses and requires additional testing. Most first-time drivers get a Class D license.
If you are under 18, you start with a learner's permit and must hold it for at least one month before taking your road test. After you pass the road test, you receive a restricted license that limits when and where you can drive. At 18, you can upgrade to an unrestricted Class D license.
If you are 18 or older and have never held a Florida license, you can take both the written and road tests on the same day. You do not need a learner's permit first.
Costs and How Long Your License Lasts
A Class D driver's license costs $48 and is valid for eight years. If you are under 21, your license is valid for four years and costs $48. You pay the fee at the St. Johns County office when you pass your road test. The office accepts cash, debit, and credit cards.
If you are renewing an expired license, the cost is the same. If your license has been expired for more than six months, you must retake both the written and road tests. If it has been expired for six months or less, you may be able to renew by mail or online without retesting — call the office to ask.
Your license is mailed to your address within 7 to 10 business days after you pass your road test. You will receive a temporary paper license at the office that you can use to drive while you wait for your card to arrive.
What Happens If You Fail Your Test
If you fail the written test, you can retake it when ready at the same appointment or schedule a new appointment for another day. There is no waiting period between written test attempts. You pay the $48 fee only once, not each time you test.
If you fail the road test, you must wait at least one day before retaking it. You can schedule your next road test appointment online or by phone. You do not pay an additional fee to retake the road test. Most people who fail pass on their second or third attempt.
If you fail the road test three times, you must retake the written test before you can take the road test again. This rule exists to make sure you understand traffic laws before you drive on public roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take my road test in a different county?
No. You must take your road test in St. Johns County to receive a St. Johns County license. If you move to another county, you will need to transfer your license to that county's office.
What if I fail my road test because the examiner said I made a mistake I disagree with?
You cannot appeal a road test failure on the spot. You can retake the test at your next appointment. If you believe the examiner made an error, you can contact the St. Johns County office after your test and ask to speak with a supervisor, but this rarely changes the result.
Do I need to bring my own car for the road test?
Yes. You must bring a vehicle that is registered and insured. The vehicle must have working brakes, lights, wipers, horn, and mirrors. You cannot use a vehicle from a driving school unless you are enrolled in a formal driving school program.
How do I renew my license if it is about to expire?
If your license expires soon but is not yet expired, you can renew online or by mail through the DHSMV website without retesting. If your license has already expired for less than six months, call the St. Johns County office to ask whether you can renew by mail or must retake your tests in person.
What if I lose my license after I receive it?
You can request a replacement at the St. Johns County office or online through the DHSMV website. A replacement license costs $25 and takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail. You will receive a temporary paper license to use while you wait.