What you need to do to switch your license to Florida

To change your driver's license to Florida, you visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles office in person, bring documents proving your identity and Florida residency, pass a vision test, and pay a fee. Florida does not let you renew an out-of-state license by mail or online — you must appear in person. The whole process usually takes one visit, though you may wait in line for 30 minutes to two hours depending on the office and time of day.

You do not have to pass a written driving test or a road test unless your out-of-state license is expired or suspended. If your current license is valid, Florida will issue you a new one based on that record.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit a Florida DMV office in person with proof of identity, proof of Florida residency, and your current out-of-state license.
  • If your out-of-state license is valid and not suspended, you will not have to take a written or road test.
  • The fee for a Florida driver's license is $48 for an eight-year license, and you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at most offices.
  • You can find your nearest DMV office and check wait times on the Florida DHSMV website before you go.

Documents you must bring to the DMV office

Bring your current out-of-state driver's license, one document proving your identity, and one document proving you live in Florida. The identity document can be a passport, a military ID, a birth certificate, or a Social Security card. The residency document can be a utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a bank statement, a government check, or a property tax bill — it must show your name and current Florida address and be dated within 90 days.

If you do not have a Social Security number, bring your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. If you are a non-citizen, bring your visa, work permit, or other immigration document along with your passport.

Bring your current out-of-state license even if it is expired, because it shows your driving history. If you have lost it, tell the DMV staff when you arrive — you can still get a Florida license, but the process may take longer.

Finding a DMV office and what to expect when you arrive

Go to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website (flhsmv.gov) and use the office locator tool to find the DMV office nearest you. The site shows each office's address, hours, and current wait time. Many offices are busier on Saturdays and at lunch time, so going on a weekday morning usually means a shorter wait.

When you arrive, take a number from the ticket machine and wait to be called. Tell the staff member that you are changing your license from another state. They will check your documents, ask you to sign a form confirming your address, and send you to the vision station. You will read letters on a screen to prove you can see well enough to drive. If you wear glasses or contacts, wear them during the test.

After the vision test, you will have your photo taken for your new license. The photo will be printed on your license the same day, and you will receive your new Florida driver's license before you leave the office.

The fee and payment methods

A Florida driver's license costs $48 for an eight-year license. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. Some offices also take money orders. Ask the staff member which payment methods that specific office accepts, because not all offices take all forms of payment.

If you are over 65 years old, the license costs $10 instead. If you are a military member on active duty, you may be able to renew for free — ask the staff member when you arrive.

What happens if your out-of-state license is expired or suspended

If your license expired more than six months ago, Florida will require you to pass a written test on traffic laws and road signs before issuing a new license. You can study for this test using the Florida Driver's Handbook, which is free on the DHSMV website. The test has 50 questions, and you must answer at least 40 correctly to pass.

If your license is suspended or revoked in any state, you cannot get a Florida license until the suspension ends. The DMV will check your driving record when you explore. If a suspension shows up, the staff will tell you what state it is in and what you need to do to clear it. You may have to pay a fine or complete a driver improvement course in the state that suspended your license.

Getting your license before you move or if you are moving soon

You do not have to wait until you move to Florida to change your license. You can change it as soon as you have a Florida address — even if that address is temporary, like a hotel or a friend's house. Bring a document showing that address and your name, dated within 90 days.

If you are moving to Florida but have not yet rented or bought a home, you can use a mail forwarding address from the U.S. Postal Service as your residency document. The USPS will issue you a document showing your forwarding address, which counts as proof of Florida residency for the DMV.

Replacing your old license and keeping your current one

When you get your Florida license, your out-of-state license is no longer valid for driving in Florida or any other state. You can keep it as an ID for other purposes — banks and airlines will accept it — but you cannot drive with it. Some people keep their old license in a drawer as a record.

If you need to drive before your Florida license arrives, you cannot — the DMV does not issue temporary licenses. Plan your visit to the DMV before you need to drive in Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my license to Florida if I do not have a Social Security number?

Yes. Bring your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead, along with your passport or visa if you are a non-citizen. The DMV will process your process the same way.

What if I do not have proof of Florida residency yet?

You can use a mail forwarding address from the U.S. Postal Service, a lease agreement you have signed but not yet moved into, or a utility bill in your name even if the service has not started yet. The document must show your name and Florida address and be dated within 90 days.

Do I have to take a driving test to get a Florida license?

No, not if your out-of-state license is valid and current. You only take a vision test. If your license expired more than six months ago, you will take a written test on traffic laws, but not a road test.

How long does it take to get my Florida license?

You receive your license the same day you visit the DMV office. The photo is printed on the card before you leave. The entire visit usually takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on how busy the office is.

What if my out-of-state license is suspended?

You cannot get a Florida license until the suspension is lifted in the state that suspended it. The DMV will tell you which state and what you need to do. You may have to pay a fine or complete a driver improvement course before you can change your license.