How to Renew Your Florida Driver's License

The fastest way to renew depends on whether you can use online renewal

Florida lets you renew your driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a Department of Motor Vehicles office. Online renewal is the quickest option — you can complete it in minutes from home and your new license arrives by mail in about 7 to 10 business days. You are may be able to access for online renewal if your license is not expired more than 5 years, you have no medical conditions on file that require a vision test, and you have not had your license suspended or revoked.

If you cannot renew online, you can renew by mail by sending your current license and a completed process to the Florida DMV. Mail renewal takes 4 to 6 weeks. If you need your license quickly or do not meet the requirements for online or mail renewal, you must visit a DMV office in person. In-person renewal is processed the same day, and you leave with a temporary license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed to you.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal takes 7 to 10 business days and works only if your license expired less than 5 years ago and you have no medical restrictions on file.
Mail renewal requires you to send your current license and Form DHSMV 14 to the DMV address for your county, and takes 4 to 6 weeks.
In-person renewal at a DMV office is the only option if your license expired more than 5 years ago, and you receive a temporary license the same day.
Your new license costs $48 for a 4-year renewal or $75 for an 8-year renewal, and you choose the term when you renew.
You must renew before your expiration date to avoid driving with an expired license, which is a traffic violation in Florida.

Online renewal: the fastest route if you are may be able to access

To renew online, go to the Florida DMV website and select the online renewal option. You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid email address. The system will verify your information against DMV records and ask you to confirm that your address, name, and other details are correct. If anything has changed, you cannot complete the renewal online and must use mail or in-person renewal instead.

Once you submit your online renewal, you will receive a confirmation number by email. Your new license is printed and mailed to the address on file. If you need to change your address, you must do that before you renew — you can update your address on the DMV website separately, or change it during an in-person visit. Online renewal does not include a new photo, so your new license will use the photo from your current license.

Mail renewal: what to send and where to send it

To renew by mail, you need Form DHSMV 14 (process for Florida Driver License), your current driver's license, and a check or money order for the renewal fee. Do not send cash. The fee is $48 for a 4-year license or $75 for an 8-year license. You choose which term you want when you complete the form.

Mail your documents to the DMV office that serves your county. You can find the correct address on the Florida DMV website by entering your county name. Include a return envelope with postage if you want your documents returned. The DMV will mail your new license to the address on file, which typically takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date they receive your process. Mail renewal does not include a new photo.

In-person renewal at a DMV office

Visit any DMV office in Florida with your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or tax return), and proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease). Bring a check or money order for the renewal fee — $48 for 4 years or $75 for 8 years. You will be asked to take a new photo and pass a vision test. The entire process usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how busy the office is.

When you finish, you receive a temporary license valid for 30 days. Your permanent license is mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days. If you need to change your address, you can do that during your in-person visit. In-person renewal is required if your current license expired more than 5 years ago, if you have medical restrictions on file, or if your license was suspended or revoked.

What happens if your license is already expired

Driving with an expired license is a traffic violation in Florida. If you are pulled over, you can be cited and fined. However, you can still renew your license after it expires — the renewal process is the same whether your license is current or expired. If your license expired more than 5 years ago, you must renew in person at a DMV office; online and mail renewal are not available.

If your license expired less than 5 years ago, you can still use online or mail renewal. There is no penalty for renewing late, and your new license will be valid for the full term you choose (4 or 8 years) from the date it is issued, not from the date your old license expired.

Renewing if you have changed your name or address

If you have changed your name since your last license was issued, you must renew in person at a DMV office. Bring your current driver's license, proof of your new name (such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), and proof of your address. The DMV will issue a new license with your updated name and a new photo.

If you have only changed your address, you can update it online through the DMV website without renewing your license — your address change takes effect when ready. However, if you are renewing your license anyway, you can update your address during the renewal process. For online renewal, you must update your address before you start the renewal. For mail or in-person renewal, you can update it as part of the process.

Choosing between a 4-year and 8-year license

When you renew, you choose whether you want your license to be valid for 4 years or 8 years. A 4-year license costs $48 and an 8-year license costs $75. The 8-year license costs more upfront but works out to less per year. If you are not sure how long you will stay in Florida or expect your information to change soon, a 4-year license may be the better choice. If you plan to stay in Florida for at least 8 years and your information is stable, the 8-year license saves you a trip to the DMV later.

Your choice does not affect how quickly you receive your renewed license or what information is on it — only the cost and the expiration date. You can choose differently each time you renew.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Florida driver's license before it expires?

Yes. You can renew your license up to 6 months before it expires. This is useful if you are planning a trip or want to avoid the rush near your expiration date. The renewal process is the same, and your new license will be valid for the full 4 or 8 years from the date it is issued.

What if I moved out of Florida — do I still need to renew my Florida license?

No. If you have moved to another state and established residency there, you should get a driver's license from your new state instead of renewing your Florida license. You do not need to formally surrender your Florida license, but you should not carry both an active Florida license and a license from another state.

How do I know if I am may be able to access for online renewal?

You are may be able to access for online renewal if your license is not expired more than 5 years, you have no medical conditions or restrictions on file, and your license has not been suspended or revoked. The online renewal system will tell you whether you are may be able to access when you start the process — if you are not, it will direct you to mail or in-person renewal instead.

What if my license was suspended or revoked?

You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. You must first resolve the suspension or revocation with the Florida DMV. Contact the DMV to find out why your license was suspended or revoked and what you need to do to restore it. Once it is restored, you can renew through any method.

Can someone else renew my license for me?

For online and mail renewal, no — you must complete the renewal yourself. For in-person renewal, you must appear in person at the DMV office; someone else cannot renew it on your behalf. This is a security requirement to prevent fraud.

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.