Where to Renew Your License in Pembroke Pines
Pembroke Pines residents renew their driver licenses at the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) office located at 1900 North Park Road, Pembroke Pines, FL 33026. This is the only DHSMV office in the city itself. If that location is inconvenient, you can also visit the Broward County office at 2601 West Cypress Creek Road in Fort Lauderdale, about 15 minutes away.
You can renew in person at either location during business hours, which are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Hours vary slightly by location and season, so call ahead or check the DHSMV website before you go. Walk-ins are accepted, but wait times can be long during peak hours—early morning or mid-week visits are usually faster.
Florida also allows online renewal for certain drivers, and by mail for others. Not everyone qualifies for these remote options, so check your renewal notice or the DHSMV website to see which method applies to you.
Key Takeaways
- The Pembroke Pines DHSMV office is at 1900 North Park Road and is open weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday mornings.
- You must bring your current license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number; additional documents are required if your name has changed.
- Florida allows online renewal for drivers whose licenses are not suspended, who have no medical conditions on file, and whose licenses are not expired by more than five years.
- In-person renewal takes about 15 to 30 minutes once you are called, but total time in the office can be much longer depending on how busy the location is.
- Renewal fees are $75 for an eight-year license or $48 for a four-year license; you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card.
Documents You Must Bring to the Pembroke Pines Office
Bring your current Florida driver license. If you do not have it, bring a valid passport or passport card instead. You also need proof of your Social Security number—a Social Security card, W-2 form, or 1099 form all work. The DHSMV will not accept a tax return or a letter from the Social Security Administration.
You must show proof of current Florida residency. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or homeowner's insurance policy dated within the last 60 days will work. A bank statement or credit card statement also counts if it shows your name and address. A driver license renewal notice from the DHSMV counts as proof of residency, even if it is older.
If your name has changed since your last license—through marriage, divorce, or court order—bring the document that proves the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you changed your name and your Social Security card does not yet reflect that change, bring both the name-change document and your old Social Security card.
Online Renewal: Who Qualifies and How It Works
You can renew online through the DHSMV website if your current license is not suspended or revoked, you have no medical conditions listed on your driving record, your license expired no more than five years ago, and you are renewing for the first time online. You cannot renew online if you need to change your address, add or remove an organ donor designation, or update your name.
To renew online, go to the DHSMV website, select "Online Services," and follow the prompts. You will need your current license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The fee is $75 for an eight-year license or $48 for a four-year license, paid by credit or debit card. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days.
Online renewal is fastest if you may have access to, but it does not work for everyone. If you are unsure whether you are may be able to access, call the Pembroke Pines DHSMV office at (954) 797-2000 before you try.
Mail Renewal: When You Can Use It
Florida allows mail renewal only for drivers who are renewing for the first time by mail, whose licenses are not suspended, and who do not need to change their address or name. You cannot renew by mail if your license has been expired for more than five years or if you have medical conditions on your driving record.
If you receive a renewal notice in the mail and you are may be able to access, the notice will include instructions for mailing your process. You send the completed form, your current license, and a check or money order to the address listed on the notice. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days after the DHSMV receives your packet. Do not send cash through the mail.
Mail renewal is slower than online renewal and offers no way to track your process once you send it. If your license expires before your new one arrives, you cannot drive legally. For this reason, mail renewal works best if you renew at least two months before your expiration date.
Fees, Payment Methods, and What Your New License Costs
A standard eight-year Florida driver license costs $75. If you choose a four-year license instead, the fee is $48. These are the only two options for standard renewals. If you want a Real ID-compliant license (required for federal building access and domestic air travel), the cost is the same—the Real ID designation does not add a fee.
You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at the Pembroke Pines office. Online renewal accepts credit and debit cards only. Mail renewal requires a check or money order. The DHSMV does not accept payment plans or partial payments.
If you renew in person, you will receive your new license on the spot. If you renew online or by mail, your license will be mailed to the address on file. Mailed licenses typically arrive within 7 to 10 business days, but can take longer during high-volume periods.
What Happens If Your License Is Expired or Suspended
If your license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot renew it—you must explore for a new license instead. This requires taking the written test and the driving test again, and it costs more than a renewal. You can avoid this by renewing before your license expires or within five years of expiration.
If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it online or by mail. You must go to the Pembroke Pines DHSMV office in person. Bring proof that the suspension or revocation has been lifted—usually a letter from the DHSMV or the court that imposed it. If the suspension is still active, the office cannot process your renewal until it is cleared.
Check your driving record before you renew. You can view it free on the DHSMV website using your license number and date of birth. This tells you whether there are any holds or suspensions on your record that would prevent renewal.
How Long the Process Takes and When to Renew
In-person renewal at the Pembroke Pines office usually takes 15 to 30 minutes once you are called to a window. However, wait times before you are called can range from 15 minutes to over an hour, depending on how busy the office is. Early morning visits (right when the office opens) and mid-week visits (Tuesday through Thursday) tend to have shorter waits.
Online renewal is processed within 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewal takes the same amount of time. If you are in a hurry, in-person renewal is the only option that gives you a license the same day.
Renew at least 30 days before your license expires. This gives you time to fix any problems that come up during the process and ensures your new license arrives before the old one expires. If you wait until your license has expired, you cannot legally drive, and you may face fines if you are stopped.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The most common mistake is bringing the wrong proof of residency. A cell phone bill, insurance policy older than 60 days, or a document with only a PO box does not work. Bring a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. If you are unsure, call the office before you go.
Another frequent error is not bringing proof of your Social Security number. A tax return or a letter from Social Security does not count—you need the actual card, a W-2, or a 1099. If you do not have any of these, you can request a replacement Social Security card from the Social Security Administration before you renew your license.
Do not wait until your license expires to renew. Once it expires, you cannot legally drive, and you cannot renew online or by mail. You must go to the office in person, and the process becomes more complicated and time-consuming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I have an out-of-state address?
No. To renew a Florida driver license, you must be a Florida resident. If you have moved out of state, you must surrender your Florida license and get a license in your new state. If you still live in Florida but your address on file is out of state, you must update your address at the DHSMV office in person before you can renew.
What if I lost my current license?
You can still renew. Bring your passport or passport card instead of your driver license, along with proof of your Social Security number and proof of residency. The process is the same, and you will receive your new license on the spot if you renew in person.
Do I need an appointment to renew at the Pembroke Pines office?
No. The Pembroke Pines DHSMV office accepts walk-ins. However, you can request an appointment online through the DHSMV website to reduce your wait time. Appointments are not always available, especially during peak seasons, but it is worth checking.
How do I know when my license expires?
Your expiration date is printed on the front of your license. You will also receive a renewal notice in the mail about 90 days before your license expires. If you do not receive a notice, check the DHSMV website or call the Pembroke Pines office to confirm your expiration date.
Can I renew if my name does not match my Social Security card?
Yes, but you must bring both your current name-change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order) and your old Social Security card showing your previous name. The DHSMV will process the renewal under your current legal name even if your Social Security card has not been updated yet.