Where to renew and what you'll need
You can renew your Florida driver's license in person at any Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) office, or online through the official Florida DHSMV website if you meet certain conditions. The online route is faster—you can complete it from home in about 10 minutes—but it's only open to people whose licenses are not suspended or revoked, who have no medical restrictions, and whose licenses haven't been renewed online twice in a row already.
If you go in person, bring your current driver's license, proof of Florida residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 90 days), and your Social Security number. You do not need to bring the physical Social Security card. If your name has changed since your last license, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change—a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
The in-person visit takes about 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy the office is. You'll have your photo taken and your signature captured. The new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Florida DHSMV website takes 10 minutes and costs $48, but only works if your license is valid, has no medical restrictions, and hasn't been renewed online twice in a row.
- In-person renewal at any DHSMV office requires your current license, proof of Florida residency dated within 90 days, and your Social Security number.
- Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after renewal; you can drive on your old license until it arrives.
- Renewal fees are $48 for an eight-year license or $25 for a four-year license; you choose the term when you renew.
- If your license is expired by more than six months, you may need to retake the written test and vision screening, even for renewal.
Online renewal through the Florida DHSMV website
Go to the official Florida DHSMV website and select the online renewal option. You'll enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will verify your identity and pull up your current license information. You'll review your address and other details, update anything that has changed, and choose whether you want an eight-year license ($48) or a four-year license ($25).
You'll pay by credit card or debit card. Once the payment goes through, you're done—no photo, no signature update. Your new license is mailed to the address on file. If you need to change your address, you must do that in person or by mail; the online system will not let you update your address during renewal.
Online renewal is not open to you if your license is suspended or revoked, if you have medical restrictions (such as corrective lenses required), if you're under 21, or if you've already renewed online twice without renewing in person in between. The system will tell you when ready if you don't meet the requirements.
In-person renewal at a DHSMV office
Find your nearest DHSMV office on the official website. You can search by county or city. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., though some have extended hours or Saturday appointments. You do not need to make an appointment at most offices, but some locations now use an online appointment system—check your local office's page to see if appointments are required or recommended.
Bring your current driver's license, proof of Florida residency (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or property tax bill dated within 90 days), and know your Social Security number. If your name has changed, bring the certified document proving the change. If you've changed your address, bring proof of your new address.
At the office, you'll check in, have your photo taken, sign the new license, and pay the fee. The staff will hand you a receipt showing your new license number. Your physical license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can legally drive on your old license until the new one arrives.
When you need to renew in person instead of online
If your license has been expired for more than six months, Florida requires you to retake the written knowledge test and the vision screening, even though you already hold a valid license. This must be done in person at a DHSMV office. You cannot renew online in this situation. Bring the same documents as a standard in-person renewal, plus allow extra time for the testing.
You also must renew in person if your license is suspended or revoked, if you have medical restrictions that need to be reviewed, if you're under 21, or if you've already renewed online twice without an in-person renewal in between. The online system will reject your request and direct you to an office.
If your license was issued in another state and you're now a Florida resident, you cannot renew your old license—you must get a new Florida license in person. That is a different process from renewal.
Fees and license term options
A standard eight-year driver's license costs $48. A four-year license costs $25. You choose which term you want when you renew, whether online or in person. The eight-year license is the most common choice because the cost per year is lower, but some people prefer the four-year term if they expect their address, name, or medical status to change soon.
If you renew online, you pay by credit or debit card at the time of renewal. If you renew in person, you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card—ask your local office which methods they accept. The fee is the same either way.
There are no additional fees for standard renewal. If you need to add a Real ID designation (a gold star in the upper right corner of the license), that costs an extra $10 and requires in-person renewal with proof of citizenship and a second form of identity.
What happens after you renew
Your new license is mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can track the status of your renewal on the Florida DHSMV website using your driver's license number and date of birth. If more than 10 business days pass and your license hasn't arrived, contact the DHSMV office where you renewed or call the customer service line.
Your old license remains valid until your new one arrives. You do not need to destroy it or turn it in. Some people keep it as a backup form of ID, though it will show an expiration date. Once your new license arrives, the old one is no longer valid for driving.
If you move to a new address after renewing, you'll need to update your address with the DHSMV. You can do this in person at any office, by mail using the address change form on the DHSMV website, or online if you have a Real ID license. A standard address change does not require a new photo or signature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with an expired license while I wait for my new one?
No. Once your license expires, you cannot legally drive, even if you've already renewed and are waiting for the new one to arrive by mail. Renew before your expiration date, not after. If your license has already expired, renew when ready and do not drive until the new license arrives.
What if I lost my license and need to renew at the same time?
You'll need to get a replacement license first, then renew it. That requires an in-person visit. Bring your proof of residency and Social Security number. The replacement costs $25, and then you can renew in the same visit for an additional $48 or $25 depending on the term you choose.
Do I have to renew in the county where I live?
No. You can renew at any DHSMV office in Florida, regardless of which county you live in. The process and fees are the same everywhere.
What if my address changed but I haven't updated it yet?
If you renew online, your new license will be mailed to your old address on file. You'll need to update your address separately in person or by mail before renewing, or renew in person and update your address at the same time. If the license goes to the wrong address, contact the DHSMV to have it reissued.
How do I know when my license is about to expire?
Your expiration date is printed on the front of your license. Florida does not send renewal reminders by mail or email. It's your responsibility to renew before the date on your card. You can renew up to six months before your license expires.