Where to renew your Miami-Dade driver's license
You can renew your Florida driver's license at any Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) office, but Miami-Dade has multiple locations to choose from. The main office is at 11860 NW 77th Court in Medley, but you can also visit the Miami Beach office at 1100 Washington Avenue or the Kendall office at 8585 Coral Way. Each location handles renewals, though wait times vary by location and time of day.
Before you go to any office, check whether you can renew by mail or online instead. Florida allows mail renewal for some drivers and online renewal through the DHSMV website for others, depending on your license type and how long it has been expired. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person.
You can also renew at an authorized tax collector's office in Miami-Dade County. These offices handle many of the same transactions as DHSMV offices and often have shorter wait times. Search "Miami-Dade tax collector" online to find the office nearest you.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew in person at DHSMV offices in Medley, Miami Beach, or Kendall, or at any Miami-Dade tax collector's office.
- If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you may renew by mail or online through the DHSMV website without visiting an office.
- Bring your current license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number; the exact documents depend on whether you are renewing or replacing your license.
- Renewal fees are $75 for an eight-year license or $25 for a four-year license, and you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at most locations.
- Processing times vary: in-person renewals are usually completed the same day, while mail renewals take two to three weeks.
Documents you need to bring
The documents required depend on whether you are renewing an existing license or replacing one that was lost, stolen, or damaged. For a standard renewal of a valid license, bring your current Florida driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card, W-2 form, or 1099 form), and proof of your current Miami-Dade address (such as a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within 90 days).
If your license has been lost, stolen, or damaged, you will need to replace it rather than renew it. Bring the same documents as above, plus a completed process for Florida Identification Card or Driver License (Form HSMV 82101). You can read this form from the DHSMV website or pick one up at any office.
If you have changed your name since your last license was issued, bring a certified copy of the document that changed your name, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you are a non-citizen, bring your valid passport and proof of legal residency in the United States.
Online and mail renewal options
Florida's online renewal system is the fastest option if you are may be able to access. You can renew online through the DHSMV website if your license is not expired, you have not had any violations or suspensions in the past five years, and you are not changing your address or name. The online process takes about 10 minutes, costs $75 for an eight-year license, and your new license arrives by mail in about two weeks.
Mail renewal is available if your license expired fewer than five years ago and you meet the same conditions as online renewal. Complete Form HSMV 82101, include a check or money order for $75 (or $25 for a four-year license), and mail everything to the DHSMV address listed on the form. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the DHSMV receives your process.
If you do not meet the conditions for online or mail renewal—for example, if your license expired more than five years ago or you have had a suspension—you must renew in person at an office in Miami-Dade.
In-person renewal at DHSMV and tax collector offices
When you arrive at an office, take a number from the kiosk or ask at the front desk. Most DHSMV offices in Miami-Dade are open Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m., though hours vary by location. Tax collector offices often have different hours, so check ahead. Bring all required documents and your payment method.
The renewal process itself takes about 15 to 30 minutes once you reach a clerk. You will answer questions about your address, medical history, and driving record; have your photo taken; and pay the renewal fee. Your new license is usually printed on site and given to you before you leave, though some offices mail it instead. Ask the clerk which applies at your location.
Wait times are longest on weekday mornings and shortest on weekday afternoons or early mornings. If you want to avoid crowds, try visiting on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday after 2 p.m. Some DHSMV offices offer online appointment scheduling through the DHSMV website, which can reduce your wait time significantly.
Renewal fees and payment methods
A standard eight-year Florida driver's license renewal costs $75. If you prefer a four-year license, the fee is $25. If you are replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged license, the replacement fee is $25 in addition to the renewal fee. Some offices charge a small additional fee for services like duplicate licenses or address changes, but these are rare.
You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at most DHSMV offices and tax collector offices in Miami-Dade. If you are renewing by mail, you must include a check or money order—credit cards and debit cards are not accepted by mail. Some offices may accept electronic payment methods, so call ahead if you want to confirm payment options at your specific location.
If your license has been suspended or revoked, you may owe reinstatement fees in addition to renewal fees. Contact the DHSMV or your local tax collector's office to find out whether you owe any outstanding fees before you go in to renew.
What happens after you renew
If you renewed in person and received your new license on site, you can use it when ready for driving and identification. If your license was mailed to you, it typically arrives within two to three weeks. During this time, you can drive using your old license as long as it was not suspended or revoked.
Your new license is valid for eight years (or four years if you chose the shorter term) from the date of renewal. Before your next renewal is due, the DHSMV will send you a renewal notice in the mail about 90 days before your license expires. You can use that notice as proof of a valid license if your new license has not yet arrived.
If you did not receive your new license within four weeks of renewal, contact the DHSMV at 850-617-2000 or visit the DHSMV website to check the status of your process. Keep your old license until your new one arrives, in case you need to show proof of a valid license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it has been expired for more than five years?
No, you must renew in person at a DHSMV office or tax collector's office in Miami-Dade. You cannot renew by mail or online if your license has been expired for more than five years. Bring all required documents and be prepared to answer additional questions about your driving history.
What if I have moved out of Miami-Dade but still have a Florida address?
You can renew at any DHSMV office or tax collector's office in Florida, not just in Miami-Dade. Bring proof of your current address in your new county. If you have moved out of Florida, you will need to renew in person at a DHSMV office in the county where you currently live or contact the DHSMV for options.
Do I need an appointment to renew my license in Miami-Dade?
Appointments are not required, but some DHSMV offices in Miami-Dade offer online scheduling that can reduce wait times. Walk-ins are always accepted. Check the DHSMV website to see whether your preferred location offers appointments and to book one if you want to.
What if my name has changed since my last license?
Bring a certified copy of the document that changed your name, such as a marriage certificate or court order, along with all other required documents. The renewal process is the same, but the clerk will update your name in the system and print it on your new license.
Can I renew my license if it was suspended or revoked?
You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license until the suspension or revocation is lifted. Contact the DHSMV or your local tax collector's office to find out the status of your license and what steps you need to take to restore it. You may owe reinstatement fees or be required to complete other requirements before you can renew.