What you need to do to get a replacement Florida driver license

To replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Florida driver license, you must visit a Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) office in person with proof of identity and residency. You cannot renew or replace a license by mail or online. The process takes about 30 minutes at the office, and you will receive a temporary paper license on the spot while your plastic card is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.

The cost is $25 for a replacement license (as of the last update to Florida law). If your license was damaged rather than lost or stolen, bring it with you — the office staff will keep it. If it was lost or stolen, you do not need to report it to police first, though you may want to if you are concerned about identity theft.

Key Takeaways

  • You must go to a DHSMV office in person with a valid ID and proof you live in Florida — no online or mail replacements are available.
  • Bring your Social Security number or an ITIN, your date of birth, and your current address; the office will look up your existing license record.
  • You will pay $25 and receive a temporary paper license when ready, with your plastic replacement card arriving by mail in about a week.
  • If your license was stolen, you can report it to the DHSMV at the office, though a police report is not required to get a replacement.
  • If you have an out-of-state license or a learner's permit, the replacement process is the same, but you cannot use an expired Florida license as your proof of identity.

Documents you need to bring to the DHSMV office

Bring one document that proves your identity and one that proves you live in Florida. For identity, the DHSMV accepts a valid passport, military ID, state ID from another state, or a permanent resident card. If you do not have any of these, you can bring a certified birth certificate plus a Social Security card or ITIN card.

For proof of residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax bill in your name with your current Florida address. A bank or credit card statement also works. The document must show your name and address and be dated within the last 60 days. If you recently moved and do not have a document yet, a signed letter from your landlord or a utility company bill showing your name and new address can work in some cases — ask the office staff when you arrive.

Do not bring your damaged license as proof of identity; bring it only if you want the office to destroy it. Bring your Social Security number written down or memorized, since you will need it to fill out the process form.

Where to find a DHSMV office near you

The DHSMV operates driver license offices in every Florida county. You can find the office nearest you by visiting the DHSMV website and using their office locator tool, or by calling 1-844-DL-FLORIDA (1-844-353-5746). The website also shows the hours of operation for each location, which vary — some offices are open Monday through Friday only, while others have Saturday hours.

Walk-ins are accepted at all offices, but wait times vary widely depending on the time of day and day of the week. Mornings and weekdays tend to be less crowded. Some offices allow you to check the current wait time online before you go. If you want to avoid waiting, some DHSMV offices offer an online appointment system through their website; you can reserve a time slot in advance.

What happens when you arrive at the office

Hand your documents to the staff member at the counter. They will look up your existing license record using your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. You will fill out a short form (the process for Florida Driver License or ID Card, form HSMV 82053) with your current address and any other information that has changed since your last license was issued.

You will be asked whether you want to be an organ donor and whether you want to register to vote. Both are optional. Then you will pay the $25 replacement fee — the office accepts cash, debit, and credit cards. You will have your photo taken (unless you are replacing a license that was damaged but still has a readable photo, in which case the office may use the old photo). The staff will print your temporary paper license on the spot and hand it to you.

Your plastic replacement card will be mailed to the address you provided on the form. Standard mail delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. If you need your new card faster, ask the office whether expedited mail is available in your county; some offices offer it for an additional fee.

If your license was stolen and you are worried about fraud

You can report your stolen license to the DHSMV when you explore for the replacement. The office will flag your old license number in the system so that if someone tries to use it, it will be caught. You do not need a police report to do this, though you may want to file one if you are concerned about identity theft more broadly.

If you want to check whether your stolen license has been used, you can request a copy of your driving record from the DHSMV. This shows all traffic stops, violations, and license transactions. You can order a driving record online through the DHSMV website or by mail. The record costs a few dollars and takes about a week to arrive by mail.

What to do if you cannot go to an office in person

Florida does not allow remote replacements by mail or online. If you are out of state or unable to visit an office, you have two options: wait until you can return to Florida, or contact the DHSMV to ask whether a mobile office is scheduled to visit your area. The DHSMV sometimes sends mobile units to rural counties or special events.

If you are a Florida resident living temporarily outside the state, you can contact the DHSMV at 1-844-DL-FLORIDA to ask about your options. Some military members stationed overseas may be able to use a different process through their military ID office, but this varies by branch and location.

Replacing a learner's permit or commercial license

If you are replacing a learner's permit (Class E), the process is the same: bring your ID and proof of residency to a DHSMV office, pay $25, and receive a temporary permit on the spot. Your replacement permit will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 days.

If you are replacing a commercial driver license (CDL), the process is more involved. You must visit a DHSMV office that handles CDL transactions (not all offices do), bring your medical certificate and current CDL, and pass a written test if your CDL has expired. Call 1-844-DL-FLORIDA to find an office that handles CDL replacements in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my temporary paper license to drive right away?

Yes. Your temporary paper license is valid for driving when ready after you receive it at the office. You should carry it with you until your plastic card arrives. If you are stopped by police, show them the temporary license. It is legal and counts as a valid Florida driver license.

What if I moved and my proof of residency is from my old address?

You need a document dated within the last 60 days showing your current Florida address. If you just moved and do not have one yet, bring a signed letter from your landlord or a utility company bill showing your new address. Some offices will accept these in place of a standard utility bill or lease. Call the office ahead of time to confirm what they will accept.

Do I need to take a new photo for my replacement license?

Usually yes, unless your old license photo is still readable and was taken within the last few years. The office staff will decide when you arrive. If your old photo is damaged or very old, they will take a new one. There is no extra charge for a new photo.

What if my replacement card does not arrive after 10 days?

Contact the DHSMV at 1-844-DL-FLORIDA with your temporary license number. They can check the status of your replacement card and tell you whether it has been mailed. If it was lost in the mail, they can reissue it. Keep your temporary paper license until the plastic card arrives.

Can I replace my license if it expired?

Yes. A replacement and a renewal are different transactions. If your license expired, you can still get a replacement for a lost, stolen, or damaged card by following this process. However, you cannot use an expired Florida license as your proof of identity — bring a passport, military ID, or other valid ID instead.