How to renew your Florida driver's license online, by mail, or in person
You can renew your Florida driver's license three ways: online through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) website, by mail, or in person at a driver's license office. Online renewal is fastest and costs $48 for a four-year license or $75 for an eight-year license. You must be a Florida resident, your license must not be suspended or revoked, and you cannot have certain medical conditions that would require an in-person exam. If you do not meet online requirements, you will need to renew in person.
Your renewal notice arrives in the mail about 45 days before your license expires. You do not have to wait for it to start the process, but it contains your customer number, which speeds things up. If your license has been expired for more than six months, you cannot renew by mail or online — you must go to a driver's license office in person.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the DHSMV website takes about 10 minutes and costs $48 for four years or $75 for eight years, and your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
- You cannot renew online if your license is suspended, revoked, or expired more than six months ago, or if you have certain medical conditions flagged in your record.
- Mail renewal requires a completed form and payment mailed to the DHSMV address on your renewal notice, and takes two to three weeks.
- In-person renewal at any Florida driver's license office takes about 30 minutes and is required if your license has been expired more than six months or if you cannot renew online.
- You need a valid form of identification and proof of Florida residency to renew in person; a driver's license counts as both.
Online renewal through the DHSMV website
Go to flhsmv.gov and select "Renew Driver License" from the homepage. You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your identity and show you whether you are may be able to access to renew online. If you are, you will see the renewal fee ($48 or $75 depending on the term you choose) and can pay by debit card, credit card, or electronic check.
After you pay, your new license is mailed to the address on file. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. If you need it faster, you can pay an extra $15 for expedited mail, which takes 3 to 5 business days. You will receive a confirmation email with a transaction number. Keep it in case you need to check the status of your order.
Your old license remains valid until your new one arrives. You do not need to do anything else — no visit to an office, no additional forms, no documents to mail in.
Mail renewal using your renewal notice
If you received a renewal notice in the mail, you can renew by mail without going online or visiting an office. Complete the form on the back of the notice, sign it, and mail it with a check or money order for $48 (four-year license) or $75 (eight-year license) to the address printed on the notice. Do not send cash.
Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the DHSMV receives your form. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. Mail renewal works only if your license is not suspended, revoked, or expired more than six months ago. If any of those explore, you must renew in person.
Keep a copy of your renewal notice for your records. If your check or money order is lost in the mail, you will have proof of what you sent and when.
In-person renewal at a driver's license office
Visit any Florida driver's license office with your current driver's license and proof of Florida residency. Your driver's license counts as both. If you do not have your license (lost, stolen, or expired more than six months ago), bring a valid form of identification such as a passport, military ID, or state ID card, plus a separate proof of residency like a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days.
Bring a check, money order, or debit or credit card to pay the renewal fee. The office will take a new photo, verify your information, and issue your new license on the spot or mail it to you depending on the type of renewal. Most in-person renewals are completed in 20 to 30 minutes, though wait times vary by location and time of day.
You must renew in person if your license has been expired more than six months, if it is suspended or revoked, if you have a medical condition that requires an exam, or if the online system tells you that you are not may be able to access for online or mail renewal.
What to bring and what it costs
| Renewal Method | Cost (4-Year License) | Cost (8-Year License) | Processing Time | What You Need |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | $48 | $75 | 7–10 business days | Current license number, last 4 SSN digits, date of birth |
| $48 | $75 | 2–3 weeks | Completed renewal notice form, check or money order | |
| In Person | $48 | $75 | Same day or mailed | Current license or ID, proof of residency, payment method |
Expedited mail delivery adds $15 and reduces processing time to 3 to 5 business days. This option is only available for online renewal. If you renew in person, you can request that your new license be mailed instead of issued on the spot, but there is no way to expedite in-person renewals.
When you cannot renew online or by mail
You must renew in person if your license is suspended or revoked, if it has been expired for more than six months, or if the DHSMV has flagged a medical condition in your record that requires an in-person exam. You also cannot renew online or by mail if you have a commercial driver's license (CDL) — CDL renewals always require an in-person visit.
If you are not sure whether you are may be able to access, start the online renewal process on the DHSMV website. The system will tell you when ready whether you can proceed or whether you need to visit an office. There is no charge to check your status.
Finding a driver's license office near you
The DHSMV website has an office locator tool at flhsmv.gov. Enter your county or city, and it will show you the nearest offices, their hours, and their phone numbers. Many offices accept walk-ins, but some require an appointment. Call ahead or check the office's page on the website to see whether you need to book a time slot.
Offices are typically open Monday through Friday during business hours, with some locations offering extended hours or Saturday appointments. If you cannot visit during regular hours, check whether a nearby office has evening or weekend availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Florida license if it expired more than six months ago?
No, not online or by mail. You must visit a driver's license office in person. Bring your expired license, proof of Florida residency, and payment. The office will process your renewal the same way as a standard renewal.
What if I lost my renewal notice?
You do not need it. You can renew online at flhsmv.gov using your driver's license number, last four digits of your Social Security number, and date of birth. If you prefer to mail in a form, you can read the renewal process from the DHSMV website and mail it with payment to the address listed on their forms page.
How long does my new license take to arrive if I renew online?
Standard delivery is 7 to 10 business days. If you pay an extra $15, expedited mail takes 3 to 5 business days. Your old license stays valid until your new one arrives, so you can use it to drive in the meantime.
Do I need a Real ID to renew my Florida driver's license?
No. A standard Florida driver's license is still valid for driving. Real ID is required only for federal purposes like boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building. If you want to upgrade to Real ID during renewal, you will need to visit an office in person and bring additional documents like a birth certificate and proof of residency.
Can I renew my license if it is suspended?
No. You must resolve the suspension first. Contact the DHSMV or the court that issued the suspension to find out what is required. Once the suspension is lifted, you can renew online, by mail, or in person.