How to renew your Florida driver license

You can renew your Florida driver license by mail, online, 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, how much time you have left, and whether you need to update your photo or information. Most people renew online or by mail without visiting an office at all.

Florida sends renewal notices about 90 days before your license expires. Your current license remains valid until the expiration date printed on it, so you do not have to rush — but renewing early means your new license arrives before the old one runs out.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and works if your license is valid, you have not changed your address recently, and you do not need a new photo.
  • Mail renewal requires the renewal notice Florida sent you, a check or money order, and takes about two to three weeks from the time DHSMV receives your packet.
  • In-person renewal at a DHSMV office is necessary only if your license is expired, you need a new photo, or you have changed your address within the last 60 days.
  • Florida driver licenses are valid for eight years, and you can renew up to six months before expiration.
  • The renewal fee is $75 for an eight-year license, and you must provide proof of Florida residency if you have moved.

Renewing online through the DHSMV website

Online renewal is the fastest option if you meet the requirements. Go to the official DHSMV website (flhsmv.gov), find the online renewal portal, and log in or create an account. You will need your current Florida driver license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth.

Online renewal works only if your license is currently valid (not expired), you have not changed your address in the last 60 days, and you do not want to update your photo. If any of these do not explore to you, you must renew by mail or in person instead. The fee is $75, paid by debit or credit card, and your new license ships within 7 to 10 business days.

Renewing by mail with your renewal notice

If you received a renewal notice in the mail from DHSMV, you can send it back with payment and your signature. Do not write on the notice itself — sign only where indicated. Include a check or money order for $75 made payable to "DHSMV" and mail the entire packet to the address printed on the notice.

Mail renewal takes about two to three weeks from the moment DHSMV receives your packet, not from the moment you mail it. If you are close to your expiration date, consider renewing online or in person instead. Keep a copy of everything you send, and do not mail cash.

Renewing in person at a DHSMV office

Visit a local DHSMV office if your license is expired, you need a new photo, or you have moved within the last 60 days. Bring your current Florida driver license (or expired license if your current one is gone), proof of Florida residency such as a utility bill or lease, and $75 in cash, check, or card. If you have changed your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

You do not need an appointment at most DHSMV offices, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Check the DHSMV website to find the office nearest you and see current wait times before you go. Your new license is printed on site, and you can drive home with a temporary paper license the same day.

What to bring and what documents you need

For online renewal, you need only your current license number, Social Security number, and date of birth — no documents to mail or bring.

For mail renewal, send your signed renewal notice, a check or money order for $75, and nothing else unless you have changed your address or name. If you have moved, include proof of your new Florida address such as a recent utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail showing your name and address.

For in-person renewal, bring your current or expired Florida driver license, $75, and proof of residency if you have moved. If your name has changed, bring the certified document that shows the change. You will have your photo taken at the office, so wear something you are comfortable with on your license.

Timeline and when your new license arrives

Online renewal is the fastest: your new license ships within 7 to 10 business days and usually arrives within two weeks. Mail renewal takes longer because DHSMV must receive and process your packet first — expect two to three weeks from receipt, plus mail time both ways, for a total of three to four weeks. In-person renewal is when ready: you walk out with a temporary paper license and receive your plastic card in the mail within two weeks.

You can renew up to six months before your license expires, so there is no penalty for renewing early. Your current license stays valid until the expiration date printed on it, even after you have sent in your renewal.

Renewing an expired license

If your license has already expired, you cannot renew online or by mail — you must go to a DHSMV office in person. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and $75. The process is the same as a regular in-person renewal, and you will receive a temporary paper license to drive home with.

An expired license does not affect your driving record or insurance, but you should not drive with an expired license. Renew as soon as you can. If your license has been expired for more than five years, DHSMV may require you to retake the written test or road test — call your local DHSMV office to ask before you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Florida license if I live out of state now?

No. Florida requires you to be a Florida resident to hold a Florida driver license. If you have moved out of state, you should get a license from your new state instead. If you still own property in Florida or spend significant time here, contact DHSMV to discuss your situation.

What if I lost my renewal notice?

You do not need the notice to renew. You can renew online using your license number and personal information, or visit a DHSMV office in person. If you prefer to renew by mail, call DHSMV at 1-844-357-4357 and ask them to send you another notice.

Do I have to take a new photo when I renew?

Only if you renew in person or if your current photo is more than eight years old. Online and mail renewal use your existing photo. If you want a new photo but are renewing online or by mail, you must go to an office instead.

How long is a renewed Florida driver license valid?

A renewed Florida driver license is valid for eight years from the date it is issued. Your expiration date will be printed on the front of your new license.

What if my address changed after I sent in my renewal by mail?

Contact DHSMV right away at 1-844-357-4357 with your new address. Provide your license number and the address you used on the renewal form. DHSMV can update your address before your new license ships, so it arrives at the correct location.