Where to renew your license in Fort Lauderdale

In Fort Lauderdale, you renew your driver license at a Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) office. The main office serving Fort Lauderdale is located at 1000 NE 16th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. This is the busiest location in Broward County, so expect wait times, especially mid-morning and mid-afternoon on weekdays.

You can also visit satellite offices in Broward County if the main Fort Lauderdale location has a long wait. The Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach offices often have shorter lines. Before you go, check the DHSMV website or call ahead to confirm hours, because office schedules change seasonally and for holidays.

If you want to avoid the office entirely, Florida allows online renewal for some drivers. You can renew online at the DHSMV website if your license is not expired, you have no medical restrictions, and you are not changing your address, name, or other information. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs less than renewing in person.

Key Takeaways

  • The main Fort Lauderdale DHSMV office is at 1000 NE 16th Avenue, and satellite offices in Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach often have shorter wait times.
  • You can renew online through the DHSMV website if your license is not expired and you are not changing your address, name, or medical information.
  • Bring your current license, proof of residency (utility bill or lease), and your Social Security number or ITIN to renew in person.
  • Standard renewal takes about 10 business days by mail; you can request a temporary license to drive while you wait.
  • Your new license costs $48 for an eight-year renewal or $25 for a four-year renewal, depending on your age and license type.

Documents you need to bring

When you renew in person at the Fort Lauderdale DHSMV office, bring your current driver license, proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of your current address. Proof of address can be a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and Fort Lauderdale address on it. The document must be dated within the last 60 days.

If you are renewing online, you will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your information against state records, so make sure the details match exactly.

If you are renewing by mail (which is not common in Florida but possible in limited cases), contact the DHSMV to request the mail-in form. Mail renewal is slower and requires the same documents as in-person renewal, plus a completed process form.

Renewal fees and license types

A standard eight-year driver license renewal in Florida costs $48. If you are 65 or older, you can choose a four-year renewal for $25 instead. The fee is the same whether you renew in person or online.

If you need a Real ID-compliant license (required for federal travel and entry to federal buildings), the cost is the same, but you must renew in person and bring additional proof of citizenship or lawful presence. A U.S. passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers all work. Real ID licenses have a gold star in the upper right corner.

If your license has been expired for more than six months, you may have to retake the written test and vision test, which adds time and complexity to your renewal. Renewing before your expiration date avoids this.

How long renewal takes

If you renew online, your new license is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive on your current license until the new one arrives. If you need to drive before the new license arrives and your current license has expired, you can request a temporary license at the DHSMV office or print one from the website.

If you renew in person at the Fort Lauderdale office, the process takes about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the wait. You will receive a temporary license on the spot that is valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed to you. Your permanent license arrives in 7 to 10 business days.

If you are renewing a Real ID license in person, add 15 to 20 minutes to the process because the office must verify your citizenship documents. The temporary license is still valid for 30 days.

Renewing online versus in person

Online renewal is faster and cheaper if you are not changing your address or name and your license is not expired. You do not have to leave your home, and you avoid the wait at the office. The downside is that you cannot update your address, change your name, or switch to a Real ID online.

In-person renewal at the Fort Lauderdale office is necessary if you are changing your address, updating your name, switching to a Real ID, or if your license has been expired for more than six months. You also need to renew in person if you have medical restrictions or if you want to correct information on your current license.

If you are moving to Fort Lauderdale from another state, you must renew in person and bring your out-of-state license plus proof of Florida residency. Florida does not accept out-of-state licenses as proof of identity for renewal.

What to expect at the Fort Lauderdale office

When you arrive at the DHSMV office, take a number from the kiosk near the entrance. The wait time is displayed on a screen. Most people wait 30 minutes to an hour, but during peak times (Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) waits can stretch to two hours or more. Arriving early in the morning or late in the afternoon usually means a shorter wait.

When your number is called, go to the window and hand over your documents. The clerk will verify your information, take a new photo, and run a vision test. You will sign your new license on a digital pad. The clerk will give you a temporary license and tell you when to expect your permanent license by mail.

If the clerk finds a problem with your documents or information, they will tell you what is missing and what you need to bring back. Do not leave without asking for a written list of what you need, because memory is unreliable under stress.

Renewing before your license expires

Florida allows you to renew your license up to six months before it expires. Renewing early is a good idea if you travel frequently or if you know you will be busy around your expiration date. Early renewal does not extend your expiration date; your new license will expire six months after your current one would have.

If you renew online early, the process is identical. If you renew in person early, bring the same documents and expect the same wait time. There is no penalty or extra fee for renewing early.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it has been expired for more than a year?

Yes, but you will have to retake the written test and vision test at the DHSMV office. You cannot renew online if your license has been expired for more than six months. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number, and plan to spend 45 minutes to an hour at the office.

What if I lost my license and need to renew at the same time?

You can replace a lost license and renew in one visit. Bring proof of residency and your Social Security number. The replacement fee is $25, and the renewal fee is $48, for a total of $73. You will receive a temporary license on the spot and your permanent license by mail in 7 to 10 business days.

Do I need an appointment to renew at the Fort Lauderdale office?

No. The Fort Lauderdale DHSMV office operates on a walk-in basis. You take a number when you arrive and wait your turn. However, you can check the current wait time on the DHSMV website before you go, which helps you decide whether to go now or come back later.

Can I renew my license by mail from Fort Lauderdale?

Mail renewal is not available in Florida for standard driver licenses. You must renew in person or online. The only exception is if you are a Florida resident living outside the United States; in that case, contact the DHSMV for special instructions.

What happens if my new license arrives with the wrong information?

Contact the Fort Lauderdale DHSMV office when ready and bring your new license plus proof of the correct information (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.). The office will issue a corrected license at no extra charge. Bring the same documents you brought to your renewal appointment.