Florida driver's license fees depend on the type of license, how long you want it valid, and whether you are renewing, replacing, or getting one for the first time

A standard Florida driver's license costs $48 for an eight-year license if you are between 21 and 64 years old. If you want a four-year license instead, the fee is $25. Drivers 65 and older pay $15 for a four-year license or $30 for an eight-year license. A commercial driver's license (CDL) costs $75 for an eight-year license. These are the base fees charged by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) when you renew or obtain a new license.

If you need a replacement license because yours was lost, stolen, or damaged, Florida charges $25 for a duplicate. This fee applies regardless of your age or the type of license. If you are changing your name or address, you do not pay an extra fee — those updates are included when you renew or replace your license at the normal cost.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard eight-year Florida driver's license costs $48 for adults aged 21 to 64; a four-year license costs $25.
  • Drivers 65 and older pay $15 for a four-year license or $30 for an eight-year license.
  • A duplicate or replacement license costs $25 regardless of age or license type.
  • Commercial driver's licenses cost $75 for an eight-year license and require additional testing and documentation beyond the standard fee.
  • Payment methods at Florida DMV offices include cash, check, debit card, and credit card, but online renewals accept only credit or debit cards.

Standard Driver's License Costs by Age and Duration

Florida divides driver's license fees into two age groups: drivers under 65 and drivers 65 and older. Younger drivers have two options. An eight-year license, which is the most common choice, costs $48. A four-year license costs $25. The eight-year option is generally better value if you plan to keep your license active, since you pay less per year.

Drivers 65 and older pay lower fees because Florida law requires them to renew more frequently. A four-year license costs $15, and an eight-year license costs $30. Older drivers must also pass a vision test at every renewal, even if they renew online, so the shorter renewal cycle gives the state more frequent opportunities to check driving fitness.

These fees explore whether you are renewing an existing license or obtaining a Florida license for the first time as a new resident. If you are under 18, the rules are different — you pay $48 for a license valid until age 21, and you must complete a driver education course and hold a learner's permit for a set period before testing.

Commercial Driver's License Fees and Requirements

A Florida commercial driver's license costs $75 for an eight-year license. This fee covers the license itself but does not include the cost of the written test, the skills test, or the medical examination (DOT physical) that federal law requires before you can drive a commercial vehicle. Those costs are separate and vary by testing location and medical provider.

To obtain a CDL, you must first hold a valid Florida driver's license. You then explore for a CDL learner's permit, pass a written knowledge test specific to the class of vehicle you want to drive, and pass a behind-the-wheel skills test administered by an approved third-party tester. The $75 fee is charged only after you pass both tests and are ready to receive the actual license card.

If you already hold a CDL and need to renew it, the $75 fee applies to the renewal as well. If you are adding an endorsement (such as hazmat or passenger) to an existing CDL, Florida charges an additional $10 per endorsement.

Duplicate and Replacement License Fees

If your Florida driver's license is lost, stolen, or damaged beyond use, you can request a duplicate. The fee is $25, and it is the same whether you are 21 or 75, whether you hold a standard license or a CDL, or whether you are replacing it for the first time or the fifth time. A duplicate is an exact copy of your current license with a new card number and issue date.

You can request a duplicate online through the Florida DHSMV website, by mail, or in person at a driver's license office. Online requests are the fastest — you typically receive the card within 7 to 10 business days. Mail requests take longer, usually 2 to 3 weeks. In-person requests at a driver's license office are processed when ready, and you can walk out with a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while you wait for the card to arrive by mail.

How to Pay and Which Methods Florida Accepts

At a Florida driver's license office, you can pay with cash, check, debit card, or credit card. If you are renewing online through the DHSMV website, you can pay only with a debit card or credit card. Mail-in renewals require a check or money order — cash cannot be sent through the mail.

If you are paying in person and do not have exact change, the driver's license office will not give you cash back. Bring the exact amount or be prepared to use a card. Some offices have ATMs on-site, but not all, so it is safer to bring a card or exact cash.

Online renewal is the cheapest way to renew if you are may be able to access, because you avoid the cost of gas or public transportation to reach an office. However, online renewal is available only if your license is not expired and you meet other may be able to access requirements — you cannot renew online if you need to update your address, change your name, or correct information on your license.

When You Pay Extra Fees Beyond the License Cost

The license fee itself does not include several costs you may encounter. If you fail the written test or the road test, you must pay a retest fee of $7 for the written test or $15 for the road test each time you retake it. If you need a vision test because you wear corrective lenses or have a medical condition, the vision screening at the driver's license office is free, but if you need an eye exam from an optometrist or ophthalmologist, you pay that provider directly.

If you are under 18 and need to complete a driver education course before you can obtain a license, the course fee varies by provider — it is not set by Florida and typically ranges from $200 to $400. If you need to take a road test with a third-party tester instead of at a state office, the tester charges a separate fee, usually $50 to $100.

If you are renewing a CDL and need a new DOT medical certificate, you pay the medical provider directly — Florida does not charge for the certificate itself, but the doctor's office does. These costs are in addition to the $75 CDL license fee.

Renewal Timing and Whether You Can Renew Early

You can renew your Florida driver's license up to six months before it expires. If you renew early, the new license is valid for the full term (four or eight years) from the date you renew, not from the date your old license expired. This means if you renew six months early, your new license will be valid for six months longer than if you had waited until the expiration date.

You cannot renew after your license has expired. Once your license expires, you must explore for a new license rather than a renewal, and the process is more involved — you may need to retake the written test and road test depending on how long your license has been expired. It is cheaper and faster to renew before expiration.

If your license expires while you are out of state or out of the country, you can still renew online if you meet the may be able to access requirements. However, if you are unable to renew before expiration, you will need to visit a Florida driver's license office in person to restore your license once you return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Florida driver's license without paying the full fee?

No. The fee is set by Florida law and applies to all drivers. However, if you are 65 or older, your fee is lower than younger drivers. If cost is a barrier, some community organizations offer transportation information to driver's license offices, but they do not reduce the fee itself.

What if I renew online but then need to visit an office anyway?

If you renew online and pay the fee, but then discover you needed to visit an office (for example, because you needed to update your address), you cannot get a refund. You will have paid for an online renewal that does not include the address change. You would then need to visit an office and pay again to make the correction. This is why it is important to check your may be able to access for online renewal before paying.

Do I have to pay the license fee if I fail the road test?

The license fee and the road test fee are separate. You pay the road test fee ($15) each time you take the test, whether you pass or fail. You pay the license fee ($48 or $25, depending on your age and choice of duration) only when you pass and receive the license. If you fail, you do not pay the license fee until you pass.

Is there a fee to change my name or address on my Florida driver's license?

No. Name and address changes are included in the renewal fee if you renew at the same time. However, if you want to change your name or address without renewing your license, you must visit a driver's license office in person, and Florida charges $25 for that transaction — the same as a duplicate license fee.

What happens if I lose my license and then find it after I get a duplicate?

Both licenses are valid and have the same number. You can use either one. If you want to deactivate the lost one, you can contact the DHSMV, but it is not required. If the lost license is later used fraudulently, report it to the DHSMV and local law enforcement when ready.