Florida lets you renew your driver's license online if you meet a few basic requirements

You can renew your Florida driver's license through the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) website without visiting a license office, but only if your license is still valid or expired for less than six months. The online renewal process takes about 10 minutes, costs $47.50, and you'll receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Not everyone can use the online route. If your license has been expired for more than six months, if you need to change your address, if you want to add the REAL ID star, or if you have certain medical conditions on your record, you'll need to renew in person at a license office instead.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew online only if your license expired less than six months ago and you don't need to change your address or add REAL ID.
  • The online renewal costs $47.50 and takes about 10 minutes on the DHSMV website.
  • Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days, so plan ahead if you need it for travel.
  • If you've been without a valid license for more than six months, you must renew in person at a license office.

Check whether you're allowed to renew online

Before you start the online process, confirm that your situation meets Florida's requirements. You can renew online if your current license is still valid or has been expired for fewer than six months. You also cannot have any medical restrictions or conditions flagged on your record that require a vision test or in-person review.

If your address has changed since your license was issued, you cannot renew online — you must go to a license office and bring proof of your new address. The same applies if you want to add the REAL ID star to your license for the first time. If you're unsure whether your record has restrictions, call the DHSMV at 1-844-DL-RENEW (1-844-357-3639) before you begin.

What you'll need before you start

Gather these items before you log into the DHSMV website. You'll need your current Florida driver's license number, your Social Security number, and your date of birth. You'll also need a valid payment method — the DHSMV accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.

Have your license in front of you as you work through the form. The system will ask you to confirm information printed on it, and you'll need to verify that your name, address, and other details are still correct. If anything has changed, stop and renew in person instead.

Steps to renew online through the DHSMV website

Go to the DHSMV online services page at services.flhsmv.gov and select "Renew a Driver License." You'll be asked to enter your driver's license number and date of birth to pull up your record. The system will then confirm whether you're allowed to renew online.

Review all the information on your record — name, address, height, eye color, and any restrictions. If everything is correct, proceed to the payment screen. Enter your payment information and submit. You'll receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days.

Keep your confirmation number and the email receipt. If your license doesn't arrive within two weeks, use that number to contact the DHSMV and check the status of your order.

What happens after you renew online

Your new license is printed and mailed to you automatically — there's no second step or approval process. During the 7 to 10 business days you're waiting, your old license remains valid. You can continue to drive and use it as identification.

When your new license arrives, destroy your old one or keep it as a record. Florida does not require you to turn in the expired license. If you need to drive before the new license arrives and your old one is still valid, you can use it without any problem.

If the online system says you can't renew

If you start the process and the DHSMV website tells you that you don't meet the requirements for online renewal, you'll need to visit a license office in person. This usually means your license has been expired for more than six months, your address has changed, you have a medical restriction on file, or you're adding REAL ID for the first time.

To renew in person, find your nearest license office on the DHSMV website, bring your current license and proof of your current address (a utility bill or lease works), and complete the renewal at the counter. Bring payment in cash, check, or card. In-person renewal takes longer — usually 30 minutes to an hour depending on how busy the office is — but you'll walk out with a temporary license valid for 30 days while your permanent one is mailed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew online if my license is already expired?

Yes, but only if it expired less than six months ago. If it's been expired for six months or longer, you must renew in person at a license office. Check the expiration date on your license before you start the online process.

How long does it take to get my new license after I renew online?

The DHSMV mails your new license within 7 to 10 business days of your online renewal. Your old license stays valid during this time, so you can continue to drive and use it for identification. If it doesn't arrive within two weeks, contact the DHSMV with your confirmation number.

What if I need my license before the mail arrives?

Your current license remains valid while you wait for the new one. If your old license is still valid, you can use it to drive and for ID purposes. If you need a temporary license when ready, you'll need to renew in person at a license office instead, where you'll receive a 30-day temporary license on the spot.

Can I change my address when I renew online?

No. If your address has changed, you must renew in person at a license office and bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease. The online system only works if your address is still the same as what's on your current license.

What payment methods does the DHSMV accept for online renewal?

The DHSMV accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. The renewal fee is $47.50. Have your card information ready before you start the online process.