What You Need to Do to Renew in Florida

Florida renews driver licenses by mail, online, or in person at a Driver License office. Which route you take depends on your license type, how much time you have, and whether you need a new photo. Most people renew online or by mail without visiting an office at all — you do not need an appointment, and you can start the process from home.

Your license is valid for eight years if you are between 21 and 65, and six years if you are over 65 or under 21. Florida sends renewal notices about 90 days before your license expires, but you can renew up to one year early. The state charges $75 for an eight-year renewal or $48 for a six-year renewal.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew online through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website if your license is not suspended, you have no vision or medical restrictions, and you have not changed your name or address since your last renewal.
  • By-mail renewal takes about two to three weeks and costs the same as in-person renewal, but you keep your old photo on your license.
  • In-person renewal at a Driver License office takes one to two hours and is required if you need a new photo, have changed your address or name, or have medical or vision restrictions.
  • You will need your current license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and payment by debit card, credit card, or check.
  • Florida does not mail renewal notices to military addresses overseas, so active-duty service members should renew early or in person.

Renewing Online Through the DHSMV Website

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) lets you renew online at gorenew.com if you meet certain conditions. You cannot renew online if your license is suspended or revoked, if you have medical or vision restrictions noted on your current license, if you have changed your name or address since your last renewal, or if you are renewing a commercial license.

The online process takes about 10 minutes. You enter your driver license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. You review your information, pay the renewal fee by debit or credit card, and receive a confirmation number. Your new license arrives by mail in about two to three weeks. You can drive on your old license until the new one arrives.

Online renewal is the fastest option if you are not changing any information and do not need a new photo. The fee is the same as renewing by mail or in person.

Renewing by Mail

If you received a renewal notice in the mail from the DHSMV, you can send it back with payment and your current license. Do not send your original license if you need to drive while your renewal is being processed — Florida will return it with your new license, but the process takes two to three weeks.

Fill out the renewal notice, sign it, and mail it with a check or money order to the address printed on the notice. Include a copy of your current license if you are not sending the original. The DHSMV will mail your new license to the address on file. If you did not receive a renewal notice, you can request one by calling the DHSMV at 1-844-DL-RENEW (1-844-357-3639) or by visiting a Driver License office.

By-mail renewal is useful if you want to keep your current photo on your license or if you cannot visit an office. The fee is the same as online renewal, and you do not need an appointment.

Renewing In Person at a Driver License Office

Visit a Driver License office if you need a new photo, have changed your name or address, have medical or vision restrictions, or are renewing a commercial license. You do not need an appointment. Bring your current license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment by debit card, credit card, or check.

Processing time at the office is usually one to two hours, depending on how busy the location is. You will take a new photo, and your new license will be mailed to you within two to three weeks. You can drive on your old license until the new one arrives. Some offices are busier than others — the DHSMV website shows wait times for each location.

If you have changed your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you have changed your address, bring proof of your new address. If you have medical or vision restrictions, the office may ask you to take a vision test or provide a medical form from your doctor.

What Happens If Your License Is Suspended or Revoked

You cannot renew your license online or by mail if it is suspended or revoked. You must visit a Driver License office in person. The office will tell you the reason for the suspension or revocation and what you need to do to clear it. Common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, or a medical condition that makes driving unsafe.

If your license is suspended, you may be able to pay the reinstatement fee and clear the suspension on the spot. If it is revoked, you may need to wait a certain amount of time or complete a course before you can renew. Call the DHSMV at 1-844-DL-RENEW to find out your specific situation before you visit an office.

Renewing as an Active-Duty Service Member

If you are on active duty and stationed overseas, the DHSMV does not mail renewal notices to military addresses outside the United States. Renew early — up to one year before your license expires — or visit a Driver License office in Florida when you are home on leave. You can also renew online through gorenew.com if you meet the other conditions, because the online system does not depend on receiving a mailed notice.

If you are stationed in another state, you can renew by mail if you received a renewal notice before you left Florida. Mail it to the address on the notice with your payment and current license. If you did not receive a notice, call the DHSMV to request one, and ask them to mail it to your current address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it has already expired?

Yes. Florida lets you renew up to one year after your license expires. If it has been more than one year, you must explore for a new license instead of renewing. Visit a Driver License office with your proof of residency and payment to start the new process process.

What if I need my license before the new one arrives in the mail?

You can drive on your old license while your renewal is being processed. If you need proof that you have renewed, the DHSMV will give you a receipt or confirmation number at the office or online. Some employers or insurance companies will accept this as proof.

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

Only if you renew in person at a Driver License office. If you renew online or by mail, your photo stays the same. You can request a new photo at an office even if you are renewing by mail or online, but you will have to visit in person and pay an additional fee.

What if my address changed but I do not have a utility bill in my name?

Proof of residency can be a lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, insurance bill, or government mail dated within the last 60 days. If none of these are in your name, bring two documents that together show your name and address, such as a bank statement and a letter from your employer or school.

How much does it cost to renew my license?

The fee is $75 for an eight-year renewal (ages 21 to 65) or $48 for a six-year renewal (ages over 65 or under 21). The fee is the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. You can pay by debit card, credit card, or check.