Where to Go for Your Quincy Driver License

The Quincy Driver License Office is located at 118 West Jefferson Street, Quincy, FL 32351. This is the only Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) office serving Gadsden County. You cannot renew or obtain a license at a different county office and have it processed for Quincy — you must go to this location or use the mail-in renewal option if you are may be able to access.

The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. It closes on state holidays. There is no appointment system; service is first-come, first-served. Arrive early if you need to complete your transaction the same day, as wait times can exceed one hour during mid-morning and early afternoon.

Parking is available on-site. The building is accessible to people with mobility limitations. If you cannot visit in person, you may be able to renew by mail if your license is not suspended, revoked, or expired for more than five years — but you must still submit documents to this office location.

Key Takeaways

  • The Quincy office is at 118 West Jefferson Street and is the only DHSMV location in Gadsden County.
  • You need a Real ID-compliant document (passport, birth certificate, or state ID) plus proof of Social Security number and Florida residency to obtain a new license.
  • First-time applicants must pass a vision test and written knowledge test at the office; you cannot take the knowledge test online in Florida.
  • Renewal by mail is available only if your license is valid, not suspended, and expired for five years or less.
  • Fees vary by license type and age: a standard five-year license costs $75, and a REAL ID license costs $77.50.

Documents You Need for a New License in Quincy

Florida requires proof of identity, Social Security number, and residency before issuing any driver license. Bring originals or certified copies — photocopies are not accepted. The DHSMV staff will not accept documents that are expired, altered, or illegible.

For proof of identity, bring one of these: a valid U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate (with raised seal), a valid state ID card, a military ID, or a permanent resident card (green card). A school ID or work ID is not sufficient. If your name has changed since the document was issued, bring a certified copy of the marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the legal change.

For proof of Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a Social Security statement from ssa.gov. A tax return is not accepted. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and use that instead, but you must bring the IRS letter confirming your ITIN.

For proof of Florida residency, bring one document dated within 90 days of your visit. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a bank statement, an insurance policy, a property tax bill, or a government-issued document with your current address. A credit card statement is not accepted. If you live with someone else, you can bring a notarized letter from the property owner or leaseholder plus your name on a utility bill or lease.

Steps to Obtain Your First License at the Quincy Office

The process takes place entirely at the office and cannot be started online. Bring all documents listed above, arrive with time to wait, and follow this sequence:

  1. Check in at the front desk and receive a number. Tell staff this is your first license process.
  2. Complete the Driver License process (Form HSMV 82053) at the office. Staff can provide a blank form or you can read it from flhsmv.gov beforehand and bring it filled out.
  3. Submit your process and documents to the clerk. They will verify your identity, Social Security number, and residency. This step takes 10 to 15 minutes.
  4. Pay the fee. A standard five-year license is $75; a REAL ID-compliant license is $77.50. Cash, debit card, and credit card are accepted.
  5. Take your vision test. You will read letters on a chart from a set distance. If you wear glasses or contacts, wear them during the test. If you fail, you can retake it when ready at no extra cost.
  6. Take the written knowledge test. You will answer 50 multiple-choice questions on a computer. You must answer at least 40 correctly to pass. If you fail, you can retake it the same day for no additional fee, but you must wait at least one hour between attempts.
  7. Have your photo taken. Wear something you can wear in a photo ID; avoid hats, sunglasses, and heavy makeup.
  8. Receive your temporary license. This is a paper document valid for 30 days while your plastic card is mailed to you.

Your permanent license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If it does not arrive within 14 days, call the Quincy office at (850) 627-9800 to report it missing.

Renewing Your License by Mail or in Person

If your license is not suspended or revoked and expired for five years or less, you can renew by mail without visiting the office. You cannot renew by mail if you are over 79 years old, if your license was suspended for medical reasons, or if you have a commercial license.

To renew by mail, read Form HSMV 82101 (Renewal process) from flhsmv.gov, fill it out, and mail it with a check or money order to the address on the form. Include a photocopy of your current license (front and back). Do not send cash. Mail your renewal to the Tallahassee DHSMV office, not the Quincy office — the form will tell you the correct mailing address. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days after the office receives your envelope.

If you prefer to renew in person at the Quincy office, bring your current license, proof of residency dated within 90 days, and the renewal fee ($75 for a standard license, $77.50 for REAL ID). You will not retake the vision or knowledge test unless your license was suspended for medical reasons or you request a different class of license.

REAL ID Compliance and Quincy Renewals

A REAL ID-compliant license is required to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building as of May 7, 2025. Florida offers both standard and REAL ID licenses. The Quincy office can issue either one.

If you want a REAL ID license, bring the same documents as for a standard license, plus one additional document proving your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099). The fee is $77.50 instead of $75. The REAL ID license has a gold star in the top right corner. If you do not want REAL ID, you can still get a standard license, but you will need a passport or other federal ID to fly domestically after May 7, 2025.

When you renew your REAL ID license by mail, include a photocopy of your current license and the renewal fee. You do not need to resubmit proof of Social Security number unless your license was suspended or revoked.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most frequent reason applications are rejected at the Quincy office is incomplete or expired proof of residency. Utility bills, lease agreements, and bank statements must be dated within 90 days of your visit. If your bill is older than 90 days, bring a second document (such as an insurance policy or property tax bill) dated more recently. Do not assume a document is acceptable — ask the clerk before you submit it.

A second common error is bringing a school ID, work ID, or expired passport as your primary identity document. Florida does not accept these. Bring a valid passport, certified birth certificate, or state ID card. If your birth certificate is not certified (does not have a raised seal), it will be rejected.

Third, many applicants fail the written knowledge test because they do not study the Florida Driver Handbook beforehand. The handbook is free on flhsmv.gov and covers road signs, speed limits, right-of-way rules, and parking laws. You can read it, print it, or read it online. The test is not difficult, but it requires basic knowledge of Florida traffic law.

Finally, do not assume you can renew by mail if your license is suspended or revoked. Check your license status on flhsmv.gov before you mail anything. If your status is unclear, call the Quincy office to confirm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the written knowledge test online before I go to the Quincy office?

No. Florida does not offer online knowledge testing. You must take the test at the Quincy office on the same day you explore for your license. You can study the Florida Driver Handbook online at flhsmv.gov, but the actual test is administered only in person.

What if I fail the vision or knowledge test?

You can retake either test the same day at no extra cost. If you fail the vision test, you can retake it when ready. If you fail the knowledge test, you must wait at least one hour before your second attempt. If you fail a second time, you must return to the office on a different day to try again.

How long does it take to get my license after I explore at the Quincy office?

You receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days the same day you explore. Your permanent plastic license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If it does not arrive within 14 days, contact the Quincy office to report it.

Can I renew my license online?

No. Florida does not offer online renewal. You can renew by mail if your license is not suspended and expired for five years or less, or you can renew in person at the Quincy office. Mail-in renewal takes 7 to 10 business days.

What if I moved to Quincy from another state?

You must obtain a Florida license within 30 days of establishing residency. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Florida residency to the Quincy office. You will take the vision and knowledge tests. Your out-of-state license will be surrendered.