You can renew your Florida driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) office

The fastest route is usually the online renewal system at gorenew.com, which takes about 10 minutes if your license is not suspended and you meet the may be able to access rules. If you cannot renew online — because your license is expired by more than five years, you need a new photo, or your address changed — you will need to visit a DHSMV office in person or mail in an process. Mail renewal takes 7 to 10 business days after the office receives it; in-person renewal is when ready.

Florida has 67 county tax collector offices and DHSMV service centers scattered across the state. You do not have to renew in the county where you live, but going to your local office is usually fastest because wait times vary widely by location. Some offices are open evenings and Saturdays; others are not.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal at gorenew.com works only if your license is current or expired less than five years, you do not need a new photo, and your address has not changed.
  • In-person renewal at any DHSMV office or county tax collector office takes 15 to 30 minutes and gives you a temporary license on the spot.
  • Mail renewal requires a completed process form (HSMV 80039) and takes 7 to 10 business days after the office receives your packet.
  • Wait times at DHSMV offices vary by location and time of day; calling ahead or checking the office website can tell you the current wait.
  • You will need your current license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement), and your Social Security number for any renewal method.

Online renewal through gorenew.com

The state's online system is the simplest path if your circumstances are straightforward. You log in with your driver's license number and date of birth, answer a few questions about your address and medical history, pay the renewal fee (currently $75 for an eight-year license), and you are done. You will receive your new license by mail in 7 to 10 business days. During that time, your current license remains valid.

You cannot use gorenew.com if your license has been expired for more than five years, if you need to change your name or address, if you wear corrective lenses and did not note that on your last license, or if your license was suspended or revoked. You also cannot renew online if you are under 21 or if you want to add the REAL ID star to your license for the first time — those require in-person visits.

In-person renewal at DHSMV offices and tax collector locations

Florida has two types of offices where you can renew: DHSMV service centers (run by the state) and county tax collector offices (run by local government). Both issue licenses and both accept walk-ins, though some require appointments. The tax collector offices are often less crowded than DHSMV centers, especially in smaller counties.

Bring your current driver's license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within 90 days), and your Social Security number. If you are renewing in person, you will get a temporary paper license on the spot and your permanent license by mail in 7 to 10 business days. The renewal fee is $75 for an eight-year license.

To find the office nearest you, visit the DHSMV website at flhsmv.gov and use the office locator tool, or search "[your county name] tax collector" online. Many offices publish their current wait times on their websites or allow you to book an appointment through an online system. Going early in the morning or mid-week usually means shorter waits than afternoons or Saturdays.

Mail renewal using the process form

You can renew by mail if you send in a completed process form HSMV 80039 along with a check or money order for $75, a copy of your current license, and proof of your current address. Mail your packet to the DHSMV address listed on the form — there is one address for renewals statewide. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days after the office receives your packet, and you will not have a valid license during that time unless your current license is still valid.

Mail renewal is useful if you live out of state or cannot visit an office during business hours, but it is slower than in-person or online renewal. read form HSMV 80039 from the DHSMV website at flhsmv.gov, or call the DHSMV customer service line at 1-844-DL-RENEW (1-844-357-3639) to request a form by mail.

What to bring and what documents count as proof of residency

For any renewal method, you will need your current Florida driver's license and your Social Security number. For in-person or mail renewal, you also need proof that you live at the address on your process. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, homeowners or renters insurance policy, or a bank or credit card statement — all dated within 90 days of your visit or mailing date.

If your name has changed since your last license (through marriage, divorce, or legal change), bring a certified copy of the document that proves the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you are renewing in person and need a new photo because your appearance has changed significantly or your current photo is damaged, tell the staff when you arrive — they will take a new one at no extra cost.

Renewal fees and what you get

A standard eight-year driver's license costs $75 to renew. If you are 65 or older, you can renew for a four-year term at $25, or an eight-year term at $50. Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) cost more — $75 for an eight-year renewal — and have additional medical and testing requirements that you cannot handle online or by mail.

If you want to add the REAL ID star to your license for the first time, you must renew in person and bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, a passport, or a passport card, plus proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form). The REAL ID star costs an extra $15 and is required for federal building access and domestic air travel starting May 7, 2025.

What to do if your license is suspended or revoked

If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it online or by mail. You must visit a DHSMV office in person. The office will tell you the reason for the suspension — usually unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, or a DUI-related hold — and what you need to do to clear it. Some suspensions lift automatically once you pay what you owe; others require a hearing or completion of a program.

Call the DHSMV customer service line at 1-844-357-3639 before you visit, or check your suspension status online at flhsmv.gov using your license number and date of birth. Knowing the reason ahead of time will save you a trip if the office cannot resolve it the same day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it expired more than five years ago?

No, you cannot use the online system. You must visit a DHSMV office or tax collector office in person. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. The office will process your renewal the same way as a current license.

How long does it take to get my new license in the mail?

After you renew online, by mail, or in person, your new license arrives in 7 to 10 business days. If you renew in person, you get a temporary paper license when ready that is valid until your permanent license arrives.

Do I have to renew in my home county?

No. You can renew at any DHSMV service center or tax collector office in Florida. Some offices are less crowded than others, so you may want to visit one outside your county if the wait is shorter.

What if I moved and my address on my license is wrong?

You cannot renew online if your address has changed. You must renew in person at a DHSMV office or tax collector office and bring proof of your new address. The office will update your address and issue your new license.

Can I renew my commercial driver's license online?

No. Commercial licenses require a medical exam and in-person renewal at a DHSMV office. You will also need to pass a written test if your CDL is expiring for the first time or if you are adding a new endorsement.