What you need to do to renew in Florida

Florida lets you renew your driver license by mail, online, or in person at a Driver License office. The method you choose depends on your license type and how much time you have — mail takes four to six weeks, online takes minutes if you meet the requirements, and in-person appointments are usually available within a few days.

Your current Florida license must not be expired by more than six months to renew by mail or online. If it has been expired longer than that, you will need to go to a Driver License office in person and may need to retake the written test and vision screening.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) website takes about 15 minutes and works if your license is not expired and you have not changed your address.
  • Mail renewal requires you to send your current license, a completed process form, and the renewal fee to the DHSMV, and takes four to six weeks to receive your new license.
  • In-person renewal at any Driver License office lets you renew the same day if you have an appointment, though walk-ins may wait several hours.
  • You will need to bring your Social Security number, proof of Florida residency (like a utility bill or lease), and a valid form of identification to renew in person.
  • Your renewal fee depends on how many years you are renewing for — typically $48 for four years or $75 for eight years — and does not change based on which method you choose.

Renewing online through the DHSMV website

The fastest way to renew is through the official Florida DHSMV website at gorenew.com. You will need your current license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system checks whether you are may be able to access — mainly that your license is not expired and your address has not changed.

If you are approved, you pay the renewal fee by credit or debit card, and your new license is mailed to your address on file. You should receive it within 7 to 10 business days. Your current license remains valid until the new one arrives, so you can use it for identification and driving in the meantime.

Online renewal does not work if you have changed your address, if your license has been expired for more than six months, if you need to update your name, or if you wear corrective lenses and your prescription has changed. In those cases, you will need to renew by mail or in person.

Renewing by mail

To renew by mail, read and print the process form (Form HSMV 82053) from the DHSMV website, or call 1-888-769-2778 to request one. Fill out the form with your current information, sign it, and mail it along with your current license and a check or money order for the renewal fee to the address listed on the form.

Processing takes four to six weeks from the date the DHSMV receives your process. Your current license remains valid during this time. If you need your new license sooner, mail renewal is not the right choice — use online or in-person renewal instead.

Mail renewal works even if your address has changed, as long as you write your new address on the process form. However, you cannot use mail renewal if your license has been expired for more than six months, if you need to change your name, or if you need a new photo (which happens every eight years for most drivers).

Renewing in person at a Driver License office

You can walk into any Florida Driver License office and renew the same day, though you will need to bring the right documents and may wait in line. To make the process faster, schedule an appointment online through the DHSMV website — most offices have appointments available within a few days, and appointment holders are seen before walk-ins.

Bring your current driver license, proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), proof of Florida residency (a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and a valid form of identification if your current license is expired. If you have changed your name since your last license, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).

The office will take a new photo, verify your information, collect the renewal fee, and issue your new license on the spot. You can drive home with your new license the same day. In-person renewal is the only option if your license has been expired for more than six months, if you need a new photo outside the normal cycle, or if you need to update your address and cannot use online renewal.

What happens if your license is expired

If your license expired fewer than six months ago, you can still renew by mail or online using the same process as above. Your license is considered "expired" the day after the expiration date printed on it, so check that date carefully.

If your license has been expired for more than six months, you cannot use mail or online renewal. You must go to a Driver License office in person. You will need to bring all the documents listed above, and the office may require you to pass a vision screening and retake the written knowledge test, depending on how long your license has been expired and your age. Call ahead to the office nearest you to ask what to expect.

Renewal fees and payment methods

The renewal fee is $48 for a four-year license or $75 for an eight-year license. These are the standard fees as of 2024, though you should confirm the current amount on the DHSMV website before you mail in your process or go to an office, since fees can change.

For online renewal, you pay by credit card or debit card at the time you submit your process. For mail renewal, you can send a check or money order — do not send cash. For in-person renewal, most offices accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card, though you should call ahead to confirm what your local office takes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I moved out of state?

No. Your Florida license can only be renewed if you still live in Florida. If you have moved to another state, you will need to get a driver license from that state instead. You should not renew your Florida license if you no longer live here.

What if I lost my current license?

You cannot renew by mail or online if you do not have your current license to send or reference. Go to a Driver License office in person with your proof of identity, Social Security number, and proof of residency. The office will issue a replacement license and can renew it at the same time.

How long is my new license valid for?

A renewed Florida driver license is valid for either four or eight years from the date it is issued, depending on which term you chose when you paid the renewal fee. Your new license will show the expiration date on the front.

Can I renew before my license expires?

Yes. You can renew up to six months before your license expires. Renewing early does not change your expiration date — your new license will expire six months or eight years from the date you renew, not from the date your old license would have expired.

What if the DHSMV website says I am not may be able to access to renew online?

The system will tell you why you cannot renew online — usually because your address changed, your license is expired, or you need a new photo. Follow the instructions on the screen to renew by mail or schedule an in-person appointment instead.