What you need before you start

Florida lets you renew your driver license online if your license is still valid or expired less than six months ago. You'll need your current Florida driver license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method — a debit card, credit card, or electronic check. The renewal costs $48 for a four-year license or $75 for an eight-year license, depending on which term you choose.

You cannot renew online if your license has been suspended, revoked, or cancelled. You also cannot use the online system if you need to change your address, name, or other personal information — those changes require you to visit a Florida driver license office in person or mail in a paper process.

The online system is run by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). The renewal takes about 10 minutes to complete, and you'll receive a temporary digital license on your phone when ready after you finish. Your physical license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew online only if your license is still valid or expired less than six months ago, and you have no suspensions or revocations.
  • The renewal costs $48 for four years or $75 for eight years, and you pay by debit card, credit card, or electronic check.
  • You'll get a temporary digital license on your phone right after you complete the renewal, and your physical license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
  • Address changes, name changes, and other personal information updates must be done in person at a driver license office or by mail.
  • The online renewal system is at gorenew.org, which is the official DHSMV renewal portal.

Step-by-step process on gorenew.org

Go to gorenew.org and select "Florida Driver License" from the options on the home page. You'll be asked to enter your driver license number and your date of birth to confirm your identity. The system will pull up your current license information and show you what's on file with the state.

Review the information displayed — your name, address, and other details. If anything is wrong, stop here and do not proceed. You'll need to visit a driver license office in person or submit a paper process to make corrections before you can renew online. If everything is correct, click to continue.

Next, you'll choose your license term: four years or eight years. The four-year license costs $48 and the eight-year license costs $75. Select which one you want and proceed to payment. Enter your debit card, credit card, or electronic check information. The system will process the payment when ready.

After payment goes through, you'll receive a confirmation number and a temporary digital license that you can read or save to your phone. This temporary license is valid right away and can be used while you wait for your physical license to arrive by mail.

When your new license arrives

Your physical driver license will be mailed to the address on file with the state. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days from the date you complete your renewal. If you need your license faster, there is no expedited mail option through the online renewal system — you would have to renew in person at a driver license office and request a license on the spot.

Once your new license arrives, your temporary digital license stops working. Destroy your old physical license by cutting it in half or shredding it. Do not throw it away whole, as it contains your personal information.

What to do if you cannot renew online

If your license has been suspended, revoked, or cancelled, the online system will reject your renewal. You must visit a Florida driver license office in person. Bring your current license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement), and proof of Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or tax return). The office will tell you what steps you need to take to restore your license before you can renew it.

If you need to change your address, name, or other personal information, you have two options: visit a driver license office in person with your current license and proof of the change (such as a marriage certificate or utility bill), or mail a paper process to the DHSMV. The mailed process takes longer — typically 4 to 6 weeks — so visiting an office is faster if you need the change made quickly.

To find a driver license office near you, go to the DHSMV website and use their office locator tool. Many offices accept walk-ins, but some require you to book an appointment online first. Check your local office's policy before you go.

Temporary digital license on your phone

When you complete your online renewal, you'll receive a temporary digital license that appears on your phone as a PDF or image file. This temporary license is legal to use in Florida while you wait for your physical license to arrive. You can show it to a police officer during a traffic stop, and it's accepted at banks and other places that ask for ID.

The temporary license displays your name, date of birth, license number, and expiration date. It does not have a physical security features like your plastic license does, but it is still a valid form of identification under Florida law. Keep it on your phone or print it out and carry it with you.

Payment and receipt information

The online renewal system accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards, as well as debit cards and electronic checks. There are no additional fees beyond the license cost itself — $48 for four years or $75 for eight years. The payment is processed when ready, and you'll receive a confirmation number by email and on your screen.

Keep your confirmation number for your records. If you need to contact the DHSMV about your renewal, you'll need this number to look up your transaction. The confirmation email also includes a link to track the status of your physical license as it's being mailed to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew online if my license expired more than six months ago?

No. The online system only works if your license is still valid or expired less than six months ago. If it's been more than six months, you must renew in person at a driver license office or by mail. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number to the office.

What if I don't receive my physical license after 10 business days?

Contact the DHSMV with your confirmation number. They can check the status of your license and tell you where it is in the mail. If it's lost, they can reissue it. Call the DHSMV customer service line or visit their website to report the issue.

Can I use my temporary digital license to fly or cross state lines?

The temporary digital license is valid in Florida, but it may not be accepted for air travel or crossing into another state. For those purposes, you should wait for your physical license to arrive. If you need to fly or travel before your physical license comes, visit a driver license office and request an expedited license on the spot.

What happens if my payment fails during the renewal?

The system will tell you when ready that the payment was declined. You can try again with the same card or a different payment method. Your personal information is not saved after a failed payment, so you'll have to start the renewal process over from the beginning.

Do I have to choose the eight-year license, or can I stick with four years?

You can choose either term. The four-year license costs $48 and the eight-year license costs $75. Pick whichever works better for your situation. You can renew again in four years if you choose the shorter term, or wait eight years if you choose the longer one.