What You Need to Know Before You Start

Florida driver licenses expire six years from the date they were issued. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) office. The method you choose depends on whether your license is still valid, whether you have had any address changes, and whether you need to update your photograph.

If your license expired fewer than six months ago, you can renew it using any method. If it expired more than six months ago, you must renew in person at a DHSMV office. If you are over 79 years old, you must renew in person every two years instead of every six years.

The renewal fee is $75 for a six-year license. If you renew online or by mail, you do not need to visit an office. If you renew in person, you will need to bring documents that prove your identity and Florida residency.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida licenses are valid for six years, and you can renew up to six months before expiration or up to six months after.
  • Online renewal costs $75 and takes about 7 to 10 business days; you do not need to visit an office or provide new documents.
  • If your license expired more than six months ago, you must renew in person at a DHSMV office with proof of identity and residency.
  • Drivers over 79 must renew in person every two years and must pass a vision test at each renewal.
  • Mail renewal is available but slower than online; in-person renewal is required if you need a new photograph or have changed your address.

Online Renewal: The Fastest Route

Online renewal through the Florida DHSMV website is the quickest option if your license is still valid or expired fewer than six months ago. You do not need to visit an office, and you do not need to provide new documents. The process takes about 7 to 10 business days from the time you submit your process.

To renew online, go to the DHSMV website, select "Renew Your Driver License," and enter your driver license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. You will pay the $75 fee by credit or debit card. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. If you have moved since your last renewal, you must update your address before you renew, or you can renew in person instead.

Online renewal does not include a new photograph. Your new license will use the photograph from your current or most recent license. If you want a new photograph, you must renew in person.

In-Person Renewal at a DHSMV Office

You must renew in person if your license expired more than six months ago, if you are over 79, if you need a new photograph, or if you have changed your name or address and want those changes reflected on your license. You will need to pass a vision test and provide documents that prove your identity and Florida residency.

Bring one document from the identity list and one from the residency list. Acceptable identity documents include a valid U.S. passport, a U.S. passport card, a military ID, or a birth certificate issued by a U.S. state or territory. Acceptable residency documents include a recent utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a property tax bill, or a bank statement showing your name and current Florida address.

Visit the DHSMV office locator on the state website to find the nearest office and check current wait times. Many offices allow you to schedule an appointment online, which can reduce your wait time. Bring your current license or expired license if you have it. The renewal fee is $75, and you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card.

Mail Renewal: Slower but No Office Visit

You can renew by mail if your license is still valid or expired fewer than six months ago. Mail renewal takes longer than online renewal — typically 2 to 3 weeks for processing plus mailing time — but it requires no office visit and no new documents.

read the Driver License Renewal by Mail form (Form HSMV 82053) from the DHSMV website. Fill it out completely, sign it, and mail it with a check or money order for $75 to the address listed on the form. Include a copy of your current or most recent license if possible. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file.

Mail renewal does not include a new photograph. If you have moved since your last renewal, update your address online or in person before you mail the form, or the license will be sent to your old address.

What to Do If Your License Expired More Than Six Months Ago

If your license has been expired for more than six months, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must renew in person at a DHSMV office. You will need to bring proof of identity and proof of Florida residency, and you will need to pass a vision test.

The renewal process is the same as a standard in-person renewal, but the expired license counts as proof that you held a valid Florida license before. You do not need to take a written driving test or a road test. The fee is still $75.

If you have been driving with an expired license, you may face a citation. Renewing as soon as possible will prevent further violations, but it will not erase a citation you have already received.

Special Rules for Drivers Over 79

Florida requires drivers 79 and older to renew their licenses every two years instead of every six years. You must renew in person at a DHSMV office, and you must pass a vision test at each renewal. You do not need to take a written test or a road test.

Bring one proof of identity and one proof of residency, just as you would for a standard in-person renewal. The renewal fee is $75. If you fail the vision test, you will be given the option to correct your vision with glasses or contacts and retake the test, or you can be referred to a medical professional for further evaluation.

Address Changes and Name Changes

If you have moved since your last license was issued, you must update your address before or during renewal. If you renew online, you can update your address on the DHSMV website before you submit your renewal process. If you renew by mail, update your address online or in person first. If you renew in person, bring proof of your new address and the office will update it for you.

If you have changed your name since your last license was issued, you must renew in person. Bring your current or expired license, proof of your new name (such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), and proof of identity and residency. The renewal fee is $75.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Florida license online if I just moved?

You can renew online only if you update your address on the DHSMV website before you submit your renewal process. If you have not updated your address yet, do that first through the DHSMV website, then proceed with online renewal. Your new license will be mailed to your updated address.

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

Online renewal takes about 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks for processing plus mailing time. In-person renewal is when ready — you receive a temporary paper license at the office and your plastic license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

What if I need a new photo but want to avoid the office?

You cannot get a new photograph through online or mail renewal. You must renew in person at a DHSMV office to update your photograph. The office will take a new photo as part of the renewal process.

Do I need to take a driving test when I renew?

No. Renewal is not the same as a new license process. You do not take a written test or a road test when you renew. You only take a vision test if you renew in person or if you are over 79.

What happens if my license is suspended or revoked?

You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. You must resolve the suspension or revocation with the DHSMV first. Contact the DHSMV to find out the reason for the suspension or revocation and what steps you need to take to restore your driving privileges.