The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles runs all driver license offices in Miami-Dade County
You cannot get a Florida driver license from a private company or a local city office. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) is the only agency that issues them. In the Miami area, DHSMV operates multiple offices where you can explore for a new license, renew an existing one, or replace a lost or damaged card.
The main Miami-Dade County office is located at 11860 Northeast 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33161. There is also a satellite office at 7475 Northwest 19th Street, Miami, FL 33126. Both locations handle the same services, though wait times and hours vary. You do not need an appointment at most offices, but DHSMV also offers online scheduling through its website if you prefer to reserve a time slot.
Before you go to either location, you should know what documents you need and what the process involves. The requirements differ depending on whether you are explore for your first license, renewing an expired one, or replacing a lost card.
Key Takeaways
- DHSMV offices in Miami-Dade County are located at 11860 Northeast 2nd Avenue and 7475 Northwest 19th Street, and both handle all driver license services.
- You will need proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Florida residency before you visit — bringing the wrong documents will require a second trip.
- First-time applicants must pass a written test and a driving test at the same office or a separate testing location, depending on the office.
- Renewal by mail or online is available if your license is not expired by more than six months, which is faster than visiting in person.
- DHSMV offices are open Monday through Friday, with limited Saturday hours at some locations, and you can check current wait times on the DHSMV website before you go.
What documents you need to bring
Florida requires three categories of documents: proof of identity, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of Florida residency. If you do not have all three, the office will not process your process, and you will need to return another day.
For proof of identity, DHSMV accepts a valid passport, a birth certificate, a military ID, or a consular report of birth abroad. A school ID or work ID is not enough. For proof of Social Security number, bring your Social Security card itself, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return. For proof of residency, bring a recent utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a bank statement, or a government-issued document showing your current Miami-Dade address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days.
If you are explore for your first Florida license and you are under 18, you will also need a signed consent form from a parent or guardian. If you are 18 or older, you do not need parental consent, but you will still need to pass both a written test and a driving test before the license is issued.
First-time applicants: the written and driving tests
If you have never held a Florida driver license, you must pass a written knowledge test and a behind-the-wheel driving test. The written test covers traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You can study using the official Florida Driver License Handbook, which DHSMV publishes free on its website. The test has 50 questions, and you must answer at least 40 correctly to pass.
The driving test is conducted by a DHSMV examiner at a testing location. Some Miami-Dade offices have testing facilities on-site; others do not. If your office does not have a testing facility, the staff will direct you to the nearest one. The test takes about 30 minutes and covers basic vehicle control, parking, turning, and following traffic laws. You must bring a vehicle that is registered, insured, and in safe working condition.
You can take the written test and the driving test on the same day if you pass the written test first, or you can schedule them separately. Many first-time applicants take the written test, study if they did not pass, and then schedule the driving test for a later date.
Renewing or replacing your license
If your Florida license is still valid or expired by six months or less, you can renew it by mail or online without visiting an office. You can renew online through the DHSMV website if you have a valid Florida license and no medical conditions that would require an in-person exam. Renewal by mail requires you to mail in your current license, a completed process form (Form HSMV 82053), and the renewal fee. Processing takes about two weeks.
If your license is expired by more than six months, you must visit an office in person. You will not need to retake the written or driving test unless you are over 79 years old, in which case DHSMV may require a vision test or medical exam.
If your license was lost, stolen, or damaged, you can replace it at any DHSMV office. Bring your proof of identity, Social Security number, and residency as you would for any process. A replacement license costs less than a renewal and is processed on the same day in most cases.
Hours, wait times, and how to prepare for your visit
The main Miami-Dade office at 11860 Northeast 2nd Avenue is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with extended hours on some Thursdays until 7:00 p.m. The satellite office at 7475 Northwest 19th Street operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is also open on select Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Hours change seasonally, so check the DHSMV website before you go.
Wait times at Miami-Dade offices typically range from 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the time of day and day of the week. The DHSMV website displays current wait times for each office, updated throughout the day. Arriving early in the morning or on a Tuesday or Wednesday usually means shorter waits than Friday afternoons.
Bring all your documents in originals or certified copies — photocopies are not accepted. Bring your current license if you have one. If you are taking a driving test, bring your vehicle, proof of insurance, and proof of registration. Wear clothes that allow you to move freely, and bring glasses or contacts if you need them to drive.
What happens after you pass the test or submit your process
If you pass the written and driving tests on the same day, your temporary license is printed on the spot, and you can drive when ready. Your permanent license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you renew by mail or online, your new license is mailed to your address within two weeks. If you replace a lost or damaged license in person, you receive a temporary license when ready and the permanent card by mail within a week.
If you do not pass the written test, you can retake it the same day or schedule another appointment. If you do not pass the driving test, you must wait at least one week before you can take it again. There is no limit to how many times you can retake either test, but you must pay the test fee each time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online if I moved to Miami from another state?
No. If your previous license was from another state, you must visit an office in person and explore for a Florida license as a new applicant. You will need to pass the written test and the driving test. Bring your out-of-state license as proof of identity, along with your Social Security card and proof of Miami residency.
What if I fail the vision test at the office?
If you fail the vision screening, the office will not issue your license until you provide a letter from an eye doctor stating that your vision meets Florida standards. You can visit an optometrist or ophthalmologist, get the letter, and return to the office with it. This adds one to two weeks to the process.
Do I need to take a new driving test if I renew my license?
No. Renewal does not require a new driving test unless your license has been expired for more than six months and you are over 79 years old. In that case, DHSMV may require a vision test or medical exam, but not a full driving test.
What is the fee for a new driver license in Florida?
A new Florida driver license costs $75 and is valid for eight years. A renewal costs $75 for eight years. A replacement for a lost or damaged license costs $25. Fees are paid at the office when you explore, and DHSMV accepts cash, check, and debit or credit card.
Can I get a Real ID at the same office?
Yes. A Real ID is a federal security standard for driver licenses. Florida offers Real ID licenses at all DHSMV offices. You will need one additional document: a certified birth certificate or passport. The Real ID license costs the same as a standard license and is valid for eight years.