How to Get and Renew Your Florida Driver's License

What You Need to Know About Florida Driver's Licenses

Florida issues several types of driver's licenses depending on your age, residency status, and driving history. The standard Class E license is what most people get — it lets you drive a regular passenger vehicle. Florida also issues Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDL) for people who drive trucks or buses for work, and Motorcycle endorsements if you want to ride a motorcycle legally. Your license is valid for eight years from the date you receive it, though renewal rules differ based on your age and whether you renew in person or online.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) handles all licensing. You cannot renew or obtain a license online through a third-party service — you must go through the official DHSMV website or visit a Driver License office in person. Fees vary depending on the type of license and whether you are renewing, replacing, or getting a license for the first time.

Key Takeaways

Florida Class E licenses are valid for eight years and can be renewed online if you meet age and medical requirements, or in person at any Driver License office.
First-time applicants must pass a written test, vision screening, and a driving test, and must provide proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number.
Renewal fees are $75 for an eight-year license, but you pay less if you renew for a shorter period or if you are over 65.
If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it — you must resolve the suspension first through the DHSMV.
Commercial Driver's Licenses require additional testing and medical certification and cannot be renewed online.

Getting Your First Florida Driver's License

If you are a Florida resident without a valid driver's license, you must visit a Driver License office in person. You cannot complete this process online or by mail. Bring your original or certified copy of your birth certificate, a valid passport, or a state ID card to prove your identity. You will also need to show proof of your Florida residency — a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government mail with your current address will work. Bring your Social Security card or a document with your Social Security number on it.

At the office, you will take a written test covering Florida traffic laws and road signs. The test has 50 questions, and you must answer at least 40 correctly to pass. After you pass the written test, you will have your vision screened. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them. You will then schedule a driving test appointment — this is not done the same day in most cases. During the driving test, an examiner will watch you drive and evaluate your ability to handle the vehicle safely. Once you pass the driving test, you receive your license.

The fee for a first-time Class E license is $75 for an eight-year license. If you are under 18, you may be issued a Learner's Permit first, which allows you to drive only with a licensed adult in the car. The permit is valid for one year and costs $7.50.

Renewing Your Florida Driver's License Online

If your license is not suspended or revoked, you are a Florida resident, and you are between 18 and 79 years old, you can renew online through the DHSMV website. You cannot renew online if you have a Commercial Driver's License, a Motorcycle endorsement, or if you need to update your name or address. You also cannot renew online if your license has been expired for more than five years.

To renew online, you will need your current Florida driver's license number, your date of birth, and a valid payment method. The process takes about 10 minutes. You will receive a confirmation email, and your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days. The online renewal fee is $75 for an eight-year license. If you are 65 or older, you can renew for four years instead of eight, and the fee is $30.

If you renew online and your address has changed, you must update it before you renew. You can change your address online through the DHSMV website without renewing your license. If you do not update your address first, your new license will be mailed to your old address.

Renewing Your License in Person at a Driver License Office

You must renew in person if you are 80 or older, if you have a Commercial Driver's License, if you have a Motorcycle endorsement, or if you need to change your name or address. You will also need to renew in person if your license has been expired for more than five years, or if you have a medical condition that requires a doctor's statement.

Bring your current Florida driver's license, proof of your current address (a utility bill or lease agreement), and your Social Security card or a document with your Social Security number. If you are changing your name, bring a certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the name change. If you are 80 or older, you must also bring a completed Medical Examination Report (Form HSMV 78040) signed by your doctor within the past 60 days.

At the office, you will have your vision screened and your photo taken. You will not take another written or driving test unless your license was suspended or revoked. The renewal fee is $75 for an eight-year license, or $30 for a four-year license if you are 65 or older. Your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.

Commercial Driver's Licenses and Motorcycle Endorsements

A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required if you drive a truck with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, or if you drive a bus or hazardous materials vehicle. You cannot renew a CDL online — you must visit a Driver License office in person. You must pass a written test specific to the type of vehicle you will drive, a vision screening, and a driving test in the actual vehicle.

Before you take the CDL test, you must obtain a Medical Examiner's Certificate from a certified medical examiner. This certificate confirms that you are physically able to drive a commercial vehicle. The certificate is valid for 24 months. You must bring this certificate with you when you explore for or renew your CDL.

A Motorcycle endorsement allows you to ride a motorcycle on public roads. You must pass a written test and a riding test on a motorcycle. You cannot renew a Motorcycle endorsement online. The fee for adding a Motorcycle endorsement to your license is $10.

What to Do If Your License Is Suspended or Revoked

If your Florida driver's license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it until the suspension or revocation is lifted. Suspensions and revocations happen for reasons like unpaid traffic tickets, failure to pay child support, driving under the influence, or accumulating too many points on your driving record. You must contact the DHSMV or the agency that suspended your license to find out why and what you need to do to restore it.

If your license was suspended for unpaid traffic fines, you must pay the fines. If it was suspended for unpaid child support, you must contact the Department of Revenue. If it was suspended for a DUI conviction, you may need to complete a substance abuse course and install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle. Once you have resolved the reason for the suspension, you can request a license reinstatement through the DHSMV. There is a reinstatement fee of $150.

Finding a Driver License Office and Scheduling an Appointment

Florida has Driver License offices in every county. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the DHSMV website. Many offices now require you to schedule an appointment in advance — walk-ins are not always accepted. You can schedule an appointment online through the DHSMV website or by calling the office directly. Appointment availability varies by location and time of year.

If you cannot find an appointment in your area, try offices in neighboring counties. Some offices have shorter wait times than others. If you are renewing online, you do not need to visit an office at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Florida driver's license before it expires?

Yes. You can renew your license up to one year before it expires. If you renew early, your new license will be valid for eight years from the date you renew, not from the date your old license expired. This means you may lose some validity if you renew too early.

What happens if my Florida driver's license expires while I am out of state?

You can still renew online if you meet the other requirements, even if you are temporarily out of state. However, your new license will be mailed to your Florida address on file. If you have moved out of Florida permanently, you will need to obtain a driver's license from your new state.

Do I need to take a new written or driving test when I renew my license?

No, unless your license was suspended or revoked. When you renew, you only have your vision screened and your photo taken. You do not retake the written or driving test.

How much does it cost to replace a lost or stolen Florida driver's license?

A replacement license costs $25. You can request a replacement in person at a Driver License office or online through the DHSMV website. If you order online, your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.

Can I change my name on my Florida driver's license without renewing it?

No. You must renew your license to change your name. You will need to bring a certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the name change. You can do this in person at a Driver License office.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.