How to Renew Your Florida Driver's License

The fastest way to renew depends on when your license expires

You can renew your Florida driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a Driver License office. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs $48 for a four-year license or $75 for an eight-year license. By mail takes two to three weeks. In person takes about an hour but lets you renew when ready if you need to.

Which method works for you depends on whether you can renew online. You can renew online only if your license is not expired yet, you have not renewed online in the past two times, and your address has not changed. If any of those do not explore to you, you must go in person or use mail.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal at GoRenew.com takes 10 minutes, costs $48 or $75 depending on license length, and works only if your license is not yet expired and you have not renewed online twice in a row.
Mail renewal requires you to fill out form HSMV 82053, include a check or money order, and mail it to the address on the form — it takes two to three weeks.
In-person renewal at any Driver License office requires a current ID, proof of residency, and your Social Security number, and you walk out with a temporary license the same day.
If your address changed, you cannot renew online and must renew by mail or in person.
Your new license arrives by mail within two to three weeks whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.

Renewing online at GoRenew.com

Go to GoRenew.com, enter your driver's license number and date of birth, and answer questions about your address and whether anything on your license has changed. You will need a valid email address and a debit or credit card to pay the $48 (four-year) or $75 (eight-year) fee. The system will tell you when ready whether you can renew online.

After you pay, you will receive a confirmation number by email. Your new license will arrive by mail in two to three weeks. You can use your confirmation number as proof that you have renewed if you need to drive before the physical card arrives.

If the system tells you that you cannot renew online, it will tell you why — usually because your license has already expired, you have renewed online twice already, or your address has changed. In those cases, you must renew by mail or in person.

Renewing by mail

read or print form HSMV 82053 from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website. Fill in your name, address, date of birth, and driver's license number. Write a check or money order for $48 (four-year) or $75 (eight-year) payable to "DHSMV." Do not send cash.

Mail the form and payment to the address printed on the form. The address changes depending on your county, so check the form before you mail it. Your renewal will take two to three weeks to process, and your new license will arrive by mail.

Keep a copy of the form and the confirmation number or receipt for your records. If your mail does not arrive within four weeks, contact the DHSMV at 1-844-DL-RENEW (1-844-357-3639).

Renewing in person at a Driver License office

Find your nearest Driver License office on the DHSMV website and check its hours before you go. Bring a current ID (your expired license counts), proof that you live in Florida, and know your Social Security number. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail with your name and current address.

Tell the clerk you want to renew your license. You will fill out form HSMV 82053 at the office. Pay $48 (four-year) or $75 (eight-year) by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. The office will take your photo and give you a temporary license on paper that you can use to drive while you wait for your new license to arrive by mail.

Your permanent license will arrive by mail in two to three weeks. If you need to renew before your current license expires and want to avoid the wait, renewing in person is the only way to get a temporary license the same day.

What happens if your license is already expired

You cannot renew online if your license has expired. You must renew by mail or in person. The process is the same, but you will need to bring your expired license to the office if you renew in person, or include it with your mail renewal if you send it by mail.

Driving with an expired license is illegal in Florida, even if you have applied to renew. If you are stopped by police, you can show your confirmation number from an online renewal or your receipt from a mail renewal to prove you have started the process, but this does not may provide you will not be cited.

If your address changed

You cannot renew online if you have moved. You must renew by mail or in person and provide proof of your new address. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail with your name and current address dated within 90 days.

If you renew in person, bring your proof of residency with you. If you renew by mail, include a copy of your proof of residency with form HSMV 82053. Your new license will show your updated address.

Renewing before your license expires versus after

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

If you wait until after your license expires, you still renew the same way, but you lose the option to renew online. Many people renew a few months early to avoid the rush near the expiration date and to keep their online option open.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding ticket or fine?

You can renew your license even if you have an outstanding ticket. However, if you have an unpaid traffic fine, the DHSMV may suspend your license. Check your driving record on the DHSMV website before you renew to see if there are any suspensions or holds on your account.

How long is my temporary license good for?

Your temporary license is good for 30 days. Your permanent license should arrive by mail within two to three weeks. If it does not arrive within 30 days, contact the DHSMV at 1-844-DL-RENEW (1-844-357-3639).

What if I want to change my name on my license?

You cannot change your name during a renewal. You must explore for a replacement license at a Driver License office and bring a certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing your legal name change. This costs $25 and takes longer than a standard renewal.

Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?

If you renew online or by mail, the DHSMV will use your current photo from your existing license. If you renew in person, the office will take a new photo. You cannot request a new photo if you renew online or by mail.

What if my license was suspended or revoked?

You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. You must contact the DHSMV to find out why your license was suspended or revoked and what you need to do to restore it. Call 1-844-DL-RENEW (1-844-357-3639) or visit the DHSMV website to check your driving record.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.