What you need to bring and where to go

To get a Florida driver's license, you visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles office in person, bring proof of identity and residency, pass a written test and a driving test, and pay the fee. The whole process takes about two visits — one for the written test and one for the road test — though some offices let you do both on the same day if you pass the written exam first.

You cannot do this entirely by mail or online. Florida requires you to appear in person for the written test and the driving test, and you must bring original documents, not copies.

The process is the same whether you are getting your first license, renewing an expired one, or moving to Florida from another state. The main difference is that if you already have a valid license from another state, you may skip the written test in some cases — but you still take the road test.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit a Florida DMV office in person with original proof of identity, Social Security number, and proof of Florida residency to take the written test.
  • The written test covers road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving practices; you need to score at least 80 percent to pass.
  • After passing the written test, you schedule a separate road test appointment where a DMV examiner watches you drive and evaluates your skills.
  • You must bring your own vehicle to the road test, and it must be registered, insured, and in safe working condition.
  • The total cost is $48 for an eight-year license, and you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at the DMV office.

Documents to bring to the DMV office

Bring your original Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number, such as a W-2 form or tax return. A photocopy or photo of your card is not accepted. If you do not have a Social Security number, bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you are not may be able to access for one.

Bring one document that proves your identity. Acceptable documents include a valid passport, a birth certificate, a military ID, or a consular ID card. The document must show your full legal name and date of birth. A school ID, library card, or work ID does not count.

Bring two documents that prove you live in Florida. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a bank statement, a property tax bill, or a homeowner's insurance policy. The documents must show your name and current Florida address and be dated within the last 60 days. A post office change-of-address form does not count as proof of residency.

If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or court order, bring the original document showing the legal change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

The written test: what to study and how to pass

The written test has 50 multiple-choice questions about Florida traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving. You have one hour to complete it. You must answer at least 40 questions correctly to pass. The test is given on a computer at the DMV office, and you see your score when ready after you finish.

The test covers road signs and what they mean, speed limits and when they change, right-of-way rules, parking rules, what to do at a red light or stop sign, how to handle a school bus, and what to do if a police officer pulls you over. It also covers safe driving practices like following distance, how to drive in rain or fog, and what to do if your brakes fail.

You can study for free using the Florida DMV Handbook, which is available online at the Florida DMV website. The handbook contains all the information covered on the test. Many people also study using practice tests, which are available free online through the Florida DMV website. You can take the practice test as many times as you want before you go to the DMV office.

You can take the written test in English or Spanish. If you need the test in another language, contact your local DMV office at least two weeks before your visit to arrange an interpreter.

Scheduling and taking the road test

After you pass the written test, the DMV office will give you a temporary permit that is valid for 30 days. You use this permit to practice driving and to schedule your road test appointment. You can schedule the road test online through the Florida DMV website, by phone, or in person at the DMV office. Road test appointments typically fill up weeks in advance, so schedule as soon as you pass the written test.

On the day of your road test, bring your temporary permit, your proof of identity, and your vehicle. The vehicle must be registered in Florida, have valid insurance, and be in safe working condition. The examiner will check that the vehicle has working brakes, headlights, taillights, turn signals, windshield wipers, and a horn. If any of these do not work, the examiner will not let you take the test.

The road test lasts about 20 minutes. The examiner sits in the passenger seat and watches you drive on regular streets and possibly on a highway. You will be asked to perform tasks like turning, parking, stopping at a red light, and merging. The examiner is looking for safe driving habits, not perfect driving. You pass if you do not make any critical errors, such as hitting another car, running a red light, or driving the wrong way on a one-way street.

If you do not pass the road test, you can retake it. You do not need to retake the written test. Your temporary permit is valid for 30 days, so you have time to practice and schedule another road test appointment before it expires.

Getting your license after you pass both tests

After you pass the road test, you go back to the DMV office to pay the fee and get your license. The fee for an eight-year license is $48. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. The DMV office will take your photo and print your license on the spot. You will have your license in hand the same day.

Your license is valid for eight years from the date it is issued. You can renew it by mail or online before it expires, so you do not have to go back to the DMV office unless you want to update your photo or address.

Special situations: moving from another state or renewing an expired license

If you have a valid driver's license from another state, you may not have to take the written test. You still must take the road test and bring all the same documents. Contact your local DMV office to ask whether your state's license qualifies you to skip the written test. Some states have agreements with Florida that allow this, but not all do.

If your Florida license has expired, you can renew it by mail, online, or in person at the DMV office. If it has been expired for less than six months, you can renew by mail or online without taking any tests. If it has been expired for more than six months, you must go to the DMV office and retake the written test and road test, just as if you were getting a license for the first time.

If you are under 18, the rules are different. You must complete a driver education course before you can take the written test, and you must hold a learner's permit for at least three months before you can take the road test. You also cannot drive alone at night until you have held your license for one year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the written test online from home?

No. You must go to a Florida DMV office in person to take the written test. The test is given on a computer at the office, and a staff member must watch you take it. You cannot take it remotely or by mail.

What happens if I fail the written test?

You can retake the written test the same day or come back another day. There is no waiting period between attempts. You pay the test fee each time you take it, which is included in the overall $48 license fee.

Do I need a learner's permit before I take the road test?

If you are 18 or older, no. You get a temporary permit after you pass the written test, and that is what you use to practice and take the road test. If you are under 18, you must hold a learner's permit for at least three months before you can take the road test.

What if my vehicle fails the safety check before the road test?

You cannot take the road test that day. You need to fix the broken part and reschedule your road test appointment. Your temporary permit is valid for 30 days, so you have time to get the vehicle repaired and book another appointment.

How long does it take to get a Florida driver's license from start to finish?

It depends on how quickly you can schedule your road test appointment. You can take the written test as soon as you have your documents. After you pass, you typically wait two to four weeks for a road test appointment, depending on how busy your local DMV office is. Once you pass the road test, you get your license the same day.