What You Need to Do to Renew an Expired Florida License
If your Florida driver's license has expired, you can renew it by mail, online, or in person at a Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) office. The method you choose depends on how long ago it expired and whether you need to update your address or other information. Most people renew by mail or online without leaving home, but some situations require an in-person visit.
Florida does not charge a penalty fee for renewing an expired license — you pay the standard renewal fee whether your license expired last month or five years ago. However, if your license has been expired for more than five years, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written test and vision screening.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew by mail or online if your license expired fewer than five years ago and you have not had a suspension or revocation.
- The standard renewal fee is $75 for an eight-year license or $48 for a four-year license; you choose the term when you renew.
- Mail renewal takes 7 to 10 business days after DHSMV receives your process; online renewal is when ready but requires a valid credit or debit card.
- If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a DHSMV office and bring your original Social Security card, birth certificate, and proof of residence.
- You cannot legally drive with an expired license, even if your renewal process is pending.
Renewing by Mail: Documents and Timeline
Mail renewal is the slowest method but requires no appointment and no visit to an office. You can renew by mail if your license expired fewer than five years ago, you have no active suspensions or revocations, and your address has not changed. If you need to update your address, you must renew in person or online.
To renew by mail, request a renewal process by calling the DHSMV at 1-844-DL-RENEW (1-844-357-3639) or visiting the DHSMV website. You will receive the process form by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Complete the form, include a check or money order for the renewal fee ($75 for eight years or $48 for four years), and mail both to the address printed on the form. DHSMV will process your process and mail your new license within 7 to 10 business days of receipt.
Do not send cash through the mail. If DHSMV receives your payment but the form is incomplete or illegible, they will return both and you will have to resubmit. Keep a copy of your process for your records.
Renewing Online: Fastest Option for Most People
Online renewal is the fastest method and takes effect when ready. You can renew online if your license expired fewer than five years ago, you have no active suspensions or revocations, and your address has not changed. You will need a valid credit card, debit card, or e-check to pay the fee.
Go to the DHSMV online renewal portal at gorenew.dhsmv.org. Enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will verify your identity and show you the renewal fee. You can choose an eight-year license ($75) or a four-year license ($48). After you pay, your new license is valid when ready, and DHSMV will mail the physical card within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive legally while waiting for the card to arrive.
If the online system rejects your information, it usually means your license has been suspended, revoked, or flagged for another reason. In that case, you must renew in person at a DHSMV office.
Renewing in Person: When It Is Required
You must renew in person if your license expired more than five years ago, if your address has changed, if you have an active suspension or revocation, or if the online system rejects your information. In-person renewal also allows you to change your name, update your photograph, or correct other information on your license.
Visit any DHSMV office in Florida. You can find the nearest office and check hours at the DHSMV website. Bring your expired driver's license, proof of residence (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 90 days), and payment for the renewal fee. If your license expired more than five years ago, also bring your original Social Security card and birth certificate. DHSMV will take a new photograph and may require you to pass a vision screening. If your license has been expired for more than five years, you may also need to retake the written knowledge test.
You do not need an appointment at most DHSMV offices, but wait times vary. Some offices accept online appointment requests through the DHSMV website, which can save time during busy hours.
Documents You Need for Each Renewal Method
| Renewal Method | Documents Required | Address Change Allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| Completed process form, payment (check or money order) | No | |
| Online | Driver's license number, date of birth, last four digits of SSN, payment (card or e-check) | No |
| In Person (expired less than 5 years) | Expired driver's license, proof of residence, payment (cash, check, card, or debit) | Yes |
| In Person (expired more than 5 years) | Expired driver's license, original Social Security card, birth certificate, proof of residence, payment | Yes |
Fees and Payment Methods
Florida renewal fees depend on the license term you choose. An eight-year license costs $75; a four-year license costs $48. There is no additional fee for renewing an expired license — you pay the same amount whether your license expired last month or years ago.
Payment methods vary by renewal method. For mail renewal, send a check or money order. For online renewal, use a credit card, debit card, or e-check. For in-person renewal, DHSMV offices accept cash, check, credit card, and debit card. Some offices may have limits on which payment methods they accept, so call ahead if you plan to pay with a check.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistake is attempting to renew by mail or online when your license has been expired for more than five years. DHSMV will reject your process, and you will have to start over with an in-person visit. Check the expiration date on your license before you begin the renewal process.
Another frequent error is trying to change your address through mail or online renewal. Both methods reject address changes — you must renew in person if you have moved. If you submit a mail or online renewal with a new address, DHSMV will process it with your old address and send the new license to your old location.
Do not drive with an expired license while waiting for your renewal to process. Even if your process is pending, your license is not valid. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you can show proof that you submitted a renewal process, but this does not prevent a citation. If you need to drive before your renewal arrives, renew online for when ready validity.
What to Do If Your Renewal Is Delayed
Mail renewals typically arrive within 7 to 10 business days of DHSMV receiving your process, but delays can occur if the form is incomplete, the payment does not match the fee, or mail is slow. If more than two weeks have passed since you mailed your process, call the DHSMV at 1-844-357-3639 to check the status. Have your driver's license number and date of birth ready.
If DHSMV found an error in your process, they will contact you by mail. If you do not receive your new license within 15 business days of mailing your process, contact DHSMV to request a replacement card. There is no additional fee for a replacement if the delay was caused by DHSMV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with an expired license if my renewal is pending?
No. An expired license is not valid for driving, even if you have submitted a renewal process and it is being processed. If you need to drive before your renewal arrives, renew online for when ready validity, or visit a DHSMV office in person.
What happens if I renew online but the system says I cannot?
The online system rejects renewal requests when a license has been suspended, revoked, or flagged for another reason — usually unpaid traffic fines or child support obligations. You must visit a DHSMV office in person to resolve the issue before you can renew. Call 1-844-357-3639 to find out why your renewal was rejected.
Do I have to retake the written test if my license expired more than five years ago?
You may be required to retake the written knowledge test and vision screening if your license has been expired for more than five years. DHSMV will tell you at the office whether you need to take the test. Bring your current Florida ID or passport to the office in case you need to take the test.
Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket?
It depends on the ticket. If the ticket resulted in a suspension or revocation, you cannot renew until the suspension is lifted. If it is an unpaid fine, DHSMV may still allow renewal, but the online system may reject your request. Visit a DHSMV office to renew in person, or call 1-844-357-3639 to check your status.
How long is a renewed Florida driver's license valid?
A renewed license is valid for either four or eight years, depending on which term you choose when you renew. You select the term at the time of renewal — there is no default option. An eight-year license costs $75; a four-year license costs $48.