The Sunrise location handles standard and Real ID driver licenses, vehicle registration, and title services

The Sunrise Driver License and Motor Vehicle Service Center, located in Broward County, Florida, processes driver license applications, renewals, and replacements alongside vehicle registration and title work. It is a full-service Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) office, meaning you can complete most transactions in one visit rather than being sent elsewhere.

The center serves residents across Broward County and accepts walk-ins, though wait times vary by time of day and day of week. Like all Florida service centers, it requires you to bring specific documents based on what you are doing — a standard license renewal needs different paperwork than a first-time Real ID process.

If you are coming from a suspended license situation or need to understand what documents you need before you go, this guide covers what the center actually does and what to bring.

Key Takeaways

  • The Sunrise center processes driver licenses, vehicle registration, and title services, so most transactions can be completed in one location.
  • You will need to bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number or ITIN for any license transaction.
  • Real ID applications require additional documents like a birth certificate or passport, and processing takes longer than standard license work.
  • Wait times are typically shorter on weekday mornings and longer on Fridays and around the end of the month.
  • If your license is suspended, the center can tell you what steps are required to restore it, but cannot lift the suspension itself.

What documents to bring for a driver license transaction

Florida requires three categories of documents for any driver license process or renewal: proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

For proof of identity, bring one of these: a valid passport, a birth certificate, a military ID, or a previous Florida driver license. If you are renewing your current license, you may not need to bring identity documents at all — the center can verify you through the system.

For proof of residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax bill in your name at your current address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. A bank statement or insurance bill also works. You need only one document, but it must show your full name and current street address.

Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your number. If you do not have a Social Security number, bring your ITIN documentation.

Real ID applications require extra documents and take longer

A Real ID is a driver license that meets federal security standards and can be used for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings. Florida began issuing them in 2009, and they are now the standard for most people renewing or replacing a license.

Real ID applications require everything listed above, plus one additional document proving citizenship or lawful presence: a birth certificate, passport, passport card, military discharge papers, or naturalization certificate. The birth certificate must be an official certified copy, not a photocopy.

Processing a Real ID process takes longer than a standard renewal because the center must verify your citizenship documents. You will receive a temporary paper license at the Sunrise center, and your permanent card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

If you do not want a Real ID, you can request a standard Florida driver license instead, though you will not be able to use it for domestic flights after May 2025 without additional ID.

What happens if your license is suspended

The Sunrise center can tell you why your license is suspended and what you need to do to restore it, but the center itself cannot lift the suspension. Suspensions are issued by the court system, the Florida Department of Revenue (usually for unpaid child support or taxes), or DHSMV for reasons like unpaid traffic citations or failure to maintain insurance.

If your suspension is for unpaid citations or insurance violations, you will need to resolve those issues — pay the citation, show proof of insurance, or complete a required course — before DHSMV can restore your license. The center can direct you to the right agency but cannot process the restoration on the spot.

Bring any documentation showing you have resolved the underlying issue: a receipt for a paid citation, a letter from your insurance company, or a court document. The center staff can then submit a restoration request to DHSMV, which typically processes within one to three business days.

When to go and what to expect in terms of wait time

The Sunrise center is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Wait times vary significantly by day and time. Weekday mornings between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. are typically the shortest, with waits of 15 to 30 minutes. Afternoons and Fridays are busier, with waits sometimes exceeding an hour.

The end of the month is consistently busier because many people wait until their license is about to expire before renewing. If you can go mid-month on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning, you will likely spend less time waiting.

The center does not take appointments, so you cannot reserve a time slot. You take a number when you arrive, and the system calls you when a representative is ready. Bring something to read or work on, as waits are common even during slower periods.

Vehicle registration and title services at the Sunrise location

The Sunrise center also handles vehicle registration renewals, title transfers, and duplicate title requests. These transactions follow the same walk-in system as driver licenses, so you may wait alongside people handling license work.

For vehicle registration renewal, bring your current registration card and proof of insurance. For a title transfer, bring the signed title from the seller, a bill of sale, and proof of insurance. Bring your ID and proof of residency as well.

Title and registration work typically takes 15 to 30 minutes once you reach a representative, though the wait to be called can be longer during peak hours. If you need a duplicate title, the center can issue it the same day.

What to do if you cannot visit in person

Florida allows some transactions by mail or online through the DHSMV website. License renewals can be done online if your current license is not suspended and you do not need to change your address or name. Vehicle registration renewals can also be done online or by mail.

If you need to appear in person — for a first-time license, a Real ID process, or a suspension restoration — you must visit a service center. The Sunrise location is one option, but you can also visit any other DHSMV service center in Florida if another location is more convenient.

Check the DHSMV website before you go to confirm what documents you need and whether your specific transaction can be handled online. This saves a trip if your situation qualifies for remote processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license online instead of going to Sunrise?

You can renew online through the DHSMV website if your license is not suspended, you do not need to change your address or name, and you are not explore for a Real ID for the first time. If any of those conditions do not explore, you must visit a service center in person.

How long does it take to get a Real ID after I explore at Sunrise?

You receive a temporary paper license at the center the same day. Your permanent Real ID card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you need it faster, you cannot expedite it — the timeline is fixed.

What if I lost my birth certificate and need it for a Real ID?

You can order a certified birth certificate from the Florida Department of Vital Statistics or the state where you were born. This typically takes one to two weeks by mail. Until you have it, you cannot complete a Real ID process, but you can explore for a standard driver license instead.

Do I need an appointment at the Sunrise center?

No. The center operates on a walk-in basis. You arrive, take a number, and wait to be called. There is no way to reserve a time slot in advance.

Can the Sunrise center restore my suspended license?

The center can tell you why your license is suspended and what you need to do to restore it, but it cannot lift the suspension itself. You must resolve the underlying issue — pay a citation, show proof of insurance, or satisfy a court order — and then the center can submit a restoration request to DHSMV.