Where to renew and what you need before you start

You can renew your Florida driver license in person at a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office, by mail, or online through the Florida DHSMV (Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles) website — but not all three routes work for everyone. The online option is fastest if you're may be able to access: you upload a new photo, pay the fee, and receive your renewed license by mail in about 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewal takes longer (two to three weeks) but requires no trip. In-person renewal at an office takes about an hour and is necessary if your license has been expired for more than five years, if you need to change your address, or if the online system flags your record as needing verification.

Before you choose a route, gather your current Florida driver license and a valid payment method — the renewal fee is $75 for an eight-year license or $48.75 for a four-year license, depending on your age and what you're renewing. If you're renewing online or by mail, you'll also need a working email address. If you're going in person, bring your Social Security number and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days).

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the Florida DHSMV website is the fastest option if your license is not expired and you have not changed your address, taking about 7 to 10 business days.
  • Mail renewal takes two to three weeks but requires no office visit; you'll mail your current license and a check or money order to the address provided on the renewal form.
  • In-person renewal at a DMV office is required if your license expired more than five years ago, if you need to change your address, or if you cannot renew online.
  • The renewal fee is $75 for an eight-year license or $48.75 for a four-year license, and you must bring proof of your current address if renewing in person.
  • Your renewed license will be mailed to the address on file, so update your address before renewing if you have moved.

Renewing online through the Florida DHSMV website

Online renewal is available if your license is not currently expired, you have not changed your name or address since your last renewal, and you do not need to change your photo. Go to the official Florida DHSMV website (flhsmv.gov), select "Renew Your Driver License," and log in or create an account. You'll upload a new digital photo that meets their requirements: a clear, recent headshot with a plain background, taken straight on, with your eyes open and visible.

After you upload your photo and review your information, you'll pay the renewal fee using a credit or debit card. The system will confirm your payment when ready. Your renewed license will be printed and mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives. If the system tells you that you're not may be able to access to renew online, it means you'll need to renew by mail or in person — the system will explain why.

Renewing by mail

Mail renewal works if your license is not expired and you do not need to change your address or photo. Request a renewal form by calling the Florida DHSMV at 1-844-DL-RENEW (1-844-357-3639), or read the form from flhsmv.gov. Fill out the form completely, sign it, and enclose a check or money order for the renewal fee payable to "Florida DHSMV." Do not send cash.

Mail your completed form, payment, and current driver license to the address listed on the form. Keep a copy of everything you send. Your renewed license will arrive by mail in two to three weeks. During this time, you can still drive using your current license. If you need your license sooner or if you've moved, in-person renewal will be faster.

Renewing in person at a DMV office

Visit a local DMV office if your license is expired by more than five years, if you need to change your address, if you want to update your photo, or if you cannot renew online or by mail. Bring your current driver license, your Social Security number, and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within 90 days). If you've moved recently and don't have a document in your new name, bring two documents showing your old address plus a signed lease or utility bill showing your new address.

Arrive during office hours — most DMV offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., though some have extended hours. You can check wait times and book an appointment online at flhsmv.gov before you go. At the office, you'll have a new photo taken, review your information, and pay the renewal fee. Your renewed license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You'll receive a temporary paper license to use while you wait.

What happens if your license has been expired for a long time

If your Florida driver license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot renew it — you must reapply as if you were getting a license for the first time. This means you'll need to pass a written test on traffic laws and road signs, pass a vision test, and have a new photo taken. You'll also need to provide proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of your current address. Visit a DMV office in person to start the reapplication process.

The reapplication fee is the same as renewal ($75 for eight years or $48.75 for four years), but the process takes longer because of the testing requirement. Plan for at least an hour at the office, and bring all required documents to avoid a second trip.

Changing your address during renewal

If you've moved since your last license was issued, you must update your address before or during renewal. Online renewal does not allow address changes, so you'll need to renew by mail or in person. When you renew in person, tell the DMV staff about your move, and they'll update your address in the system. Your renewed license will be mailed to your new address.

If you're renewing by mail and have moved, call the Florida DHSMV at 1-844-357-3639 to request a form that allows you to change your address. Include your new address on the form when you mail it in. Your renewed license will go to your new address.

Tracking your renewed license and what to do if it doesn't arrive

After you renew, your new license is printed and mailed within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license during this time. If you renewed online or in person, you'll receive a confirmation email or receipt with a reference number. Keep this for your records.

If your renewed license does not arrive within three weeks, contact the Florida DHSMV at 1-844-357-3639. Have your reference number or confirmation email ready. They can check the status of your license and remail it if necessary. If your license was lost or damaged in the mail, the DMV can issue a replacement. There is no additional fee for a remail or replacement due to mail loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Florida driver license before it expires?

Yes. You can renew your license up to six months before it expires. This is useful if you're planning a trip or want to avoid a last-minute rush. The expiration date on your new license will be eight years (or four years, depending on your age) from the date you renew, not from the date your old license expires.

What if I need to change my name during renewal?

You cannot change your name online or by mail. You must renew in person at a DMV office and bring a certified copy of the document that shows your name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DMV will update your name in the system and issue a new license with your current name.

Do I need a new photo for renewal?

If you renew online, you'll upload a new digital photo. If you renew by mail, your current photo will be used unless you request a new one (call 1-844-357-3639 to ask how). If you renew in person, the DMV will take a new photo automatically. You cannot use an old photo from a previous license.

What if my address on file is wrong but I don't want to change it right now?

You can renew online or by mail without changing your address, and your renewed license will be mailed to the address currently on file. However, it's safer to update your address before renewing so your new license reaches you. If your address is very wrong, call 1-844-357-3639 to update it before you renew.

Can someone else pick up my renewed license for me?

No. Your renewed license is mailed directly to your address on file. You cannot have it mailed to someone else or pick it up at an office. If you're moving and won't be at your current address when it arrives, update your address before you renew.