The fastest way to renew in Florida
You can renew your Florida driver's license online through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) website, by mail, or in person at a driver license office. Most people renew online because it takes about 10 minutes and you avoid the office wait. You are may be able to access to renew online if your license is not suspended or revoked, you have a valid Social Security number on file, and your address has not changed since your last renewal.
If you cannot renew online — because your address changed, your license was suspended, or you need a new photo — you must go to a driver license office in person. Mail renewal is also an option, but it takes longer and requires you to send documents by post.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the DHSMV website takes about 10 minutes and costs $75 for a four-year license or $125 for an eight-year license.
- You can renew online only if your license is not suspended, your address has not changed, and you have a valid Social Security number on file.
- If your address changed or your license was suspended, you must renew in person at a driver license office with proof of your new address or documentation of the suspension resolution.
- Your renewed license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after online renewal, or when ready if you renew in person.
- Florida licenses expire on your birthday, and you can renew up to 18 months before expiration.
Renewing online through the DHSMV website
Go to the official DHSMV website and select the online renewal option. You will need your current Florida driver's license number, date of birth, and Social Security number. The system will verify your information against state records and ask you to review your current address and other details.
Once you confirm your information is correct, you pay the renewal fee by credit card or debit card. The cost is $75 for a four-year license or $125 for an eight-year license. After payment, you receive a confirmation number. Your new license is mailed to the address on file and should arrive within 7 to 10 business days.
You can renew online up to 18 months before your license expires. If you are renewing early, your new expiration date will be four or eight years from the date you renew, not from your current expiration date.
Renewing in person at a driver license office
Visit any Florida driver license office with your current license and proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card, W-2, or tax return). If your address has changed since your last renewal, bring proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days all work.
Bring your current license and the required documents to the office. You will have your photo taken and pay the renewal fee ($75 for four years or $125 for eight years) by cash, check, or card. You receive your new license when ready or within a few days, depending on the office's processing speed.
In-person renewal is required if your license is suspended or revoked, your address changed, or you need a new photo. Wait times at driver license offices vary by location and time of day; many offices are less crowded early in the morning or on weekday afternoons.
Renewing by mail
Request a mail renewal form from the DHSMV website or call 1-844-DL-RENEW (1-844-357-3639). Fill out the form with your current license information and mail it along with a check or money order for the renewal fee to the address provided on the form.
Mail renewal takes 4 to 6 weeks from the time the DHSMV receives your form. This method works only if your address has not changed and your license is not suspended. If either of those conditions applies to you, you must renew in person or online.
What to do if your license is suspended or revoked
You cannot renew your license online or by mail if it is suspended or revoked. You must visit a driver license office in person with documentation that the suspension or revocation has been resolved. This might include proof that you paid a traffic fine, completed a required course, or resolved a child support issue — the specific document depends on why your license was suspended.
Contact the DHSMV or the agency that suspended your license to find out what documentation you need. Bring that documentation to the office along with your current license and proof of your Social Security number. The office staff will verify that the suspension is lifted before processing your renewal.
Address changes and license renewal
If you moved since your last renewal, you cannot renew online. You must renew in person at a driver license office or by mail. For in-person renewal, bring proof of your new address dated within the last 60 days — examples include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, insurance policy, or government mail.
If you renew by mail, include a copy of your proof of address with your renewal form. Your new license will be mailed to the new address you provide. If you have already moved but have not yet renewed, update your address at a driver license office before your license expires.
Timeline and expiration dates
Florida driver's licenses expire on your birthday. You can renew starting 18 months before your expiration date. If you renew early, your new license will expire four or eight years from the date you renew, not from your original expiration date.
If your license has already expired, you can still renew it using the same methods — online, in person, or by mail. An expired license can be renewed for up to two years after expiration. After two years, you must explore for a new license instead of renewing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Florida license if I do not have a Social Security number?
No, you need a valid Social Security number on file with the DHSMV to renew online. If you do not have one or it is not on file, you must renew in person at a driver license office. Bring your current license and an alternative form of identification.
How long does it take to get my renewed license after I renew online?
Your renewed license is mailed to the address on file and should arrive within 7 to 10 business days. If you need your license sooner, renew in person at a driver license office and you will receive it when ready or within a few days.
What if I renewed my license but it never arrived?
Contact the DHSMV at 1-844-DL-RENEW (1-844-357-3639) with your confirmation number. They can check the status of your renewal and remail your license if needed. If your license was lost in the mail, you may need to request a replacement.
Can I change my name when I renew my Florida license?
No, you cannot change your name during renewal online or by mail. If you need a name change, you must visit a driver license office in person with a certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the name change.
Do I need to take a new photo when I renew my Florida license?
No, if you renew online or by mail, your current photo is used. A new photo is taken only if you renew in person at a driver license office. You can request a new photo during in-person renewal even if it is not required.