What you need before you start
Florida lets you renew your driver's license online through the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) website, but only if you meet specific conditions. You can renew online if your license is not suspended or revoked, you have a valid Florida address on file, and your license has not been expired for more than five years. You also cannot renew online if you need to update your name, address, or other personal information — you would need to visit a driver's license office in person for those changes.
Before you begin the online process, gather your current Florida driver's license number and your Social Security number. You will also need a valid payment method: a debit card, credit card, or electronic check. The renewal fee is $48 for a four-year license or $75 for an eight-year license. Have your preferred renewal length decided before you log in, because you choose it during the transaction.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online only if your license is not suspended, your address is current, and your license expired less than five years ago.
- The DHSMV online renewal system is at gorenew.org, and the process takes about 10 minutes from start to finish.
- Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days after you complete the transaction.
- If you cannot renew online because your license is expired or suspended, you must visit a driver's license office in person.
Step-by-step: completing the renewal on gorenew.org
Go to gorenew.org and select "Florida Driver License" from the menu. The site will ask you to enter your driver's license number and your date of birth. After you provide those, the system checks whether you are may be able to access to renew online. If you are not may be able to access, the site will tell you when ready and direct you to schedule an in-person appointment instead.
If you pass the may be able to access check, you will be asked to review your personal information — your name, address, and date of birth — as it appears in the DHSMV database. This is your chance to catch any errors before they print on your new license. If something is wrong, stop here and visit a driver's license office in person, because you cannot change personal information through the online renewal system.
Next, you choose your license type and length: a four-year license or an eight-year license. The four-year option costs $48; the eight-year option costs $75. You will also be asked whether you want to be an organ donor and whether you want to register to vote. After you make those selections, you move to the payment screen.
Enter your payment information — debit card, credit card, or electronic check — and review the total amount due. Once you submit payment, you will receive a confirmation number on screen. Write it down or take a screenshot. The transaction is complete, and your new license is in the mail.
What happens after you submit your renewal
Your new physical license will arrive at the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You do not need to do anything else. Your old license remains valid until your new one arrives, so you can continue to use it for identification and driving during that time.
If your new license does not arrive within 10 business days, you can check the status of your order on gorenew.org using your confirmation number. If there is a problem with your order or your license never arrives, you will need to contact the DHSMV directly. The phone number for customer service is 850-617-2000, and you can also visit a driver's license office in person.
When you cannot renew online
If your license is suspended or revoked, the online system will reject your renewal request. You must visit a driver's license office in person to resolve the suspension or revocation before you can renew. The same applies if your license has been expired for more than five years — the online system will not process it, and you will need to visit an office.
If you need to change your name, address, or other personal information, you also cannot use the online system. You must go to a driver's license office and bring documents that support the change — such as a marriage certificate for a name change or a utility bill for an address change. The office staff will help you update your information and process your renewal at the same time.
How to find a driver's license office if you need one
If you cannot renew online, you will need to visit a driver's license office. The DHSMV website has a location finder at flhsmv.gov where you can enter your county or city and see all nearby offices, their hours, and whether they are currently open. Many offices now use an appointment system, so check whether you need to schedule ahead before you go.
Bring 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). If you are changing your name or address, bring the supporting documents for that change as well. The office staff will tell you what else you need when you call or visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it is already expired?
You can renew online if your license expired less than five years ago. If it has been expired for five years or longer, you must visit a driver's license office in person. The office staff can tell you whether you need to take a new written test or vision test, depending on how long it has been expired.
Will my new license have a different number?
No. Your new license will have the same number as your current one. The only things that change are the expiration date and the issue date. Your address, name, and other information stay the same unless you update them in person at an office.
What if I move before my new license arrives?
Contact the DHSMV before you move and update your address on file. You can do this by visiting a driver's license office or by calling 850-617-2000. Your new license will be mailed to your updated address. If you move after you renew but before your license arrives, you may not receive it, so update your address as soon as you know you are moving.
Can I renew online if my license is suspended?
No. The online system will reject your renewal if your license is suspended or revoked. You must visit a driver's license office in person to find out why your license is suspended and what you need to do to clear the suspension before you can renew.
How long does the online renewal take?
The online process itself takes about 10 minutes from start to finish. After you submit your renewal, your new physical license takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive in the mail. You can continue to use your old license during that time.