What you need to do to get a Florida driver's license

To get a Florida driver's license, you visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office with proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number. You pass a written test on traffic laws, a vision screening, and a driving test. The whole process takes several weeks from start to finish, though you can get a temporary permit to drive while you wait for your permanent license to arrive by mail.

Florida issues licenses to people 16 and older. If you are under 18, the rules are stricter — you must hold a learner's permit for a set time and log supervised driving hours before you can take the road test. If you already have a valid license from another state, you can exchange it for a Florida license without retaking the tests, though you still need to visit an office in person.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring original documents proving your identity, Florida residency, and Social Security number to your DMV office visit.
  • The written test covers Florida traffic laws and road signs; you can study using the official Florida Driver's Handbook, available free online.
  • If you are under 18, you must hold a learner's permit for at least three months and log 50 hours of supervised driving before taking the road test.
  • Your permanent license arrives by mail in about two weeks; you receive a temporary paper license to drive when ready after passing your tests.
  • If you hold a valid out-of-state license, you can trade it for a Florida license without retaking written or road tests.

Gather your documents before you visit the DMV office

Florida requires three categories of documents: proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number. You cannot complete your visit without all three. Bring originals — photocopies do not work.

For identity, bring your passport, birth certificate, or a state ID from another state. For residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement showing your current Florida address. For your Social Security number, bring your Social Security card itself, a W-2 form, or a 1099 form. If you do not have a Social Security number, you will need to explore for one first through the Social Security Administration.

If you are under 18, bring one parent or legal guardian with you. They must bring their own ID. If you are exchanging an out-of-state license, bring that license too — Florida will keep it.

Pass the written test on Florida traffic laws

The written test has 50 multiple-choice questions covering traffic signs, road rules, and safe driving practices. You must answer at least 40 correctly to pass. You take the test on a computer at the DMV office during your visit, and you get your score when ready.

Study using the official Florida Driver's Handbook, which is free to read from the Florida DMV website. The handbook covers everything on the test. Many people study it for a few days and pass on their first try; others take it two or three times. If you fail, you can retake it the same day or come back another day — there is no waiting period between attempts.

You can request the test in languages other than English, including Spanish. Tell the DMV staff when you arrive.

Complete your vision screening and road test

At your DMV visit, a staff member will check your vision using an eye chart. You must see well enough to read a standard license plate from 20 feet away. If you wear glasses or contacts, wear them during the screening. If you fail the vision test, you will need an eye doctor's report showing you can see well enough to drive safely before you can get a license.

After you pass the written test and vision screening, you schedule your road test. The road test usually happens within one to two weeks. A DMV examiner rides with you in your own car (or a car you borrow) and watches you drive for about 20 minutes. You must demonstrate that you can start the car, control it, follow traffic signs, turn smoothly, park, and handle basic driving situations. If you fail, you can retake it after waiting a few days.

Understand the rules if you are under 18

If you are under 18, you cannot jump straight to a full license. You must first get a learner's permit, which lets you drive only with a licensed adult in the car. To get a learner's permit, you pass the written test and vision screening (same as above), but you do not take a road test yet.

You must hold your learner's permit for at least three months. During that time, you must log at least 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours at night. Keep a log of your driving hours — you will need to show it when you explore for your full license. After three months and 50 hours, you can schedule your road test. Once you pass, you get your full license.

These rules exist in all states, though the exact hours and waiting periods vary. Florida's rules are typical.

Know what happens after you pass your tests

When you pass your road test, the DMV gives you a temporary paper license on the spot. This temporary license is valid for driving when ready and lasts 30 days. Your permanent plastic license arrives by mail within about two weeks — sometimes faster, sometimes slower depending on mail volume.

Your license is valid for eight years if you are over 80, or six years if you are under 80. When it expires, you renew it by mail or online without retaking any tests, unless your vision or medical status has changed.

If you move out of Florida, your Florida license remains valid until it expires. If you move to another state and want a license there, you will need to exchange your Florida license for that state's license — the process is similar to what you just did.

Exchange an out-of-state license for a Florida license

If you already hold a valid driver's license from another state, you do not need to retake the written or road tests. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of Florida residency, and proof of your Social Security number to a DMV office. You will pass a vision screening, pay the license fee, and receive a temporary paper license. Your permanent Florida license arrives by mail in about two weeks.

Your out-of-state license will be kept by Florida and not returned to you. If you need a copy of your driving record from that state later, you can request it from that state's DMV.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Florida driver's license cost?

The fee varies depending on how long your license is valid. A six-year license costs around $75 to $80, and an eight-year license (for drivers over 80) costs less. Fees change periodically, so check the Florida DMV website for the current price before you visit.

Can I take the written test in a language other than English?

Yes. Florida offers the written test in Spanish and several other languages. Tell the DMV staff when you arrive, and they will provide the test in your language. You still need to bring documents proving your identity and residency.

What if I fail the road test?

You can retake it after a waiting period of a few days. There is no limit to how many times you can take it. Many people pass on their second or third attempt. You do not need to retake the written test unless your learner's permit or written test score has expired.

Do I need to take a road test if I am moving from another state?

No. If your out-of-state license is valid and not suspended, you can exchange it for a Florida license without a road test or written test. You only need to pass the vision screening and bring your documents.

How long does it take to get my permanent license after I pass the tests?

Your permanent plastic license arrives by mail within about two weeks, though it can take longer during busy periods. You receive a temporary paper license when ready after passing your road test, and you can drive with it for 30 days while you wait for the permanent one.