Florida drivers license fees depend on the type of license and how long you want it to last

A standard Florida driver's license costs $48 for an eight-year license or $20 for a four-year license. If you are under 21, a four-year license costs $20 and an eight-year license costs $48. A commercial driver's license (CDL) costs $75 for eight years. These prices do not include additional fees if you need a replacement, a duplicate, or a name change, which each carry their own separate cost.

The fee you pay depends on which type of license you need and how long you want it valid. Most people renew every eight years, but you can choose a shorter period if you prefer. If you are getting your first license or renewing an expired one, the cost is the same.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard eight-year Florida driver's license costs $48; a four-year license costs $20.
  • Commercial driver's licenses cost $75 for eight years and require additional testing and documentation.
  • Replacement licenses, duplicate licenses, and name-change licenses each cost $20.
  • You can renew your license online, by mail, or in person at a Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles office, and the fee is the same regardless of method.
  • If your license expires while you are out of state, you can still renew it by mail or online without paying a late fee.

What a standard driver's license costs in Florida

A regular Florida driver's license for someone 21 or older costs $48 for eight years or $20 for four years. You choose the length when you renew or get your first license. Most people pick the eight-year option because the yearly cost is lower, but some choose four years if they expect their address or name to change soon.

The $48 or $20 is the only fee for a standard license renewal if you renew before your current license expires. If your license has been expired for more than six months, you may need to retake the written test and vision test, but the license fee itself stays the same.

Commercial driver's license fees

A commercial driver's license (CDL) in Florida costs $75 for eight years. This is higher than a standard license because a CDL requires you to pass additional written tests and a skills test, and it allows you to drive vehicles like trucks and buses for work.

The $75 fee covers the license itself. You will also pay separate fees for the written test and the driving test if you are taking them for the first time, but those are testing fees, not license fees. If you are renewing a CDL you already hold, you pay only the $75 license fee unless you need to add or remove endorsements (like hazmat or passenger).

Replacement, duplicate, and name-change fees

If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, a replacement costs $20. A duplicate license — which is an extra copy of your current license with the same number — also costs $20. If you change your name and need a new license to reflect it, that also costs $20.

These $20 fees are separate from your regular renewal fee. If your license is expiring soon anyway, you might want to wait and renew it at the same time rather than pay for a replacement now and then renew later. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles can tell you which option costs less in your situation.

How to pay and where the money goes

When you renew your license online through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website, you pay by credit card or debit card. When you renew by mail, you send a check or money order. When you renew in person at a driver's license office, you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card.

The fee goes to the state of Florida to cover the cost of issuing and maintaining driver's licenses. Part of it also funds the Florida Highway Patrol and other road safety programs. You do not get a refund if you decide not to use your license or if you move out of state before it expires.

When you renew and whether you pay extra for being late

You can renew your Florida driver's license up to one year before it expires. If you renew early, you pay the same fee and your new license is valid for eight years (or four years, if you choose that option) from the date you renew, not from the date your old license expired.

If your license expires and you do not renew it right away, there is no late fee or penalty fee added to the license cost. However, driving with an expired license is illegal, so you should renew before it expires. If your license has been expired for more than six months, you will need to retake the written test and vision test, though the license fee itself does not increase.

ID cards and learner's permits

A Florida ID card (for people who do not drive) costs $25 for eight years or $15 for four years. This is less than a driver's license because it does not require a driving test. An ID card works for identification purposes but does not let you drive.

A learner's permit costs $20 and is valid for one year. If you need to renew your permit before you take your driving test, you pay $20 again. Once you pass the driving test and get your license, you do not get a refund for the permit fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Florida license online and avoid going to an office?

Yes. You can renew online through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website if your license is not expired and you have not had any address changes or name changes. You pay the same fee online as you would in person. If you cannot renew online, you can renew by mail or in person.

Do I have to pay the full $48 if I only want my license for four years?

No. You can choose a four-year license for $20 instead of an eight-year license for $48. The choice is yours when you renew. Some people pick four years if they plan to move or change their name soon.

What if I move to another state before my Florida license expires?

You do not get a refund. Once you move, you should get a license from your new state. You do not have to turn in your Florida license, but it will no longer be valid for driving once you become a resident of another state.

Is there a fee to add an endorsement to my license, like a motorcycle endorsement?

Adding an endorsement to a current license costs $10. You will also need to pass the written test and skills test for that endorsement, but those are testing fees separate from the endorsement fee itself.

Do seniors or disabled people get a discount on Florida driver's license fees?

Florida does not offer a discount on license fees based on age or disability status. Everyone pays the same fee for the same type of license. However, you may be able to renew by mail if you have a disability that makes it hard to visit an office in person.