You can renew your Florida license online if you meet a few basic requirements
Florida lets you renew your driver's license online through its official website without visiting a license office, as long as your license is not expired by more than six months and you have no medical suspensions or restrictions that need updating. The process takes about 10 minutes, costs $47.50, and you'll receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You'll need your current license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method.
Not every driver can use the online route. If your license expired more than six months ago, if you need to change your address, if you have a medical condition flagged on your record, or if you're renewing a commercial license, you must visit a Florida Driver License office in person instead.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal works only if your license expired within the last six months and has no medical holds or restrictions.
- You'll pay $47.50 online and receive your new license by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
- The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) handles online renewals through its official website at flhsmv.gov.
- If you need to change your address, update your name, or have medical restrictions, you must renew in person at a license office instead.
Step-by-step process for online renewal
Start by going to flhsmv.gov and looking for the "Renew Your License" option on the homepage. Click it, then select "Online Renewal" from the menu. You'll be asked to enter your current Florida driver's license number and your date of birth to pull up your record.
Once your record appears, review all the information on screen — your name, address, and any restrictions or endorsements. If everything is correct and matches what's on your current license, you can proceed. The system will then ask you to confirm that you meet the renewal requirements (license not expired more than six months, no medical holds, no address change needed).
Next, you'll enter payment information. Florida accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. After you submit payment, you'll receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Write down or save the confirmation number — you'll need it if you have questions about your order.
What happens after you pay
Your new license is printed and mailed to the address on file. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days from the date you complete payment. You can continue driving on your current license while you wait for the new one to arrive.
If you don't receive your license within 10 business days, contact the DHSMV at 1-844-DL-RENEW (1-844-357-3639) with your confirmation number. They can look up your order and tell you where it is in the mail.
When you cannot renew online
If your license expired more than six months ago, the online system will not let you complete the transaction. You'll need to visit a Driver License office in person and bring your current (expired) license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. The office will process your renewal the same day.
You also cannot renew online if you need to change your address, update your name due to marriage or legal change, add or remove restrictions (such as corrective lenses), or if you have any medical suspension on your record. Any of these situations requires an in-person visit. Use the DHSMV office locator at flhsmv.gov to find the nearest office and check their hours before you go.
Commercial driver's license (CDL) holders must always renew in person, even if their license is current and they have no address changes. The same applies if you're renewing a license with a motorcycle endorsement for the first time.
Documents and information you'll need
For online renewal, have these items ready before you start:
- Your current Florida driver's license number
- Your date of birth
- A valid credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover)
- The $47.50 renewal fee
You do not need to upload documents or take a new photo for online renewal. Florida uses the photo from your current license on your new one, unless you choose to pay an extra $12.50 to have a new photo taken at a license office.
How to check the status of your renewed license
If you want to track your license after you've paid, call the DHSMV at 1-844-357-3639 and have your confirmation number ready. They can tell you whether your license has been printed and mailed, or if there's any delay.
You can also check the status through the DHSMV website by logging into your account if you created one during the renewal process. Some drivers receive a tracking number by email that lets them follow the package through the mail carrier's system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew online if my license is suspended or revoked?
No. If your license has any suspension or revocation on it, you cannot renew online. You must visit a Driver License office in person, and the office will tell you what steps you need to take to clear the suspension before a new license can be issued.
What if I made a mistake during online renewal and need to cancel?
Contact the DHSMV at 1-844-357-3639 with your confirmation number as soon as possible. If your license has not yet been printed, they may be able to cancel the order and refund your fee. Once the license is printed and mailed, a refund is not possible, but you can refuse delivery.
Do I need to take a new photo for online renewal?
No. Your new license will use the photo from your current license at no extra charge. If you want a new photo, you can pay $12.50 to have one taken at a Driver License office, but it's not required for online renewal.
Can I renew online if I'm renewing early?
Yes. Florida allows you to renew your license up to six months before it expires. The online system will process an early renewal the same way as a standard renewal, and your new license will have a new expiration date six years from the date you renew.
What if the online system says I don't meet the requirements?
The system will tell you why you cannot renew online — usually because your license is expired more than six months, you have a medical hold, or you need an address change. In that case, visit a Driver License office in person with your current license and proof of residency.