Where to renew and what method works for you
You can renew your Florida driver's license in three ways: online through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) website, by mail, or in person at a Driver License office. Online renewal is the fastest option if you meet the requirements — it takes about 10 minutes and costs $48 for a four-year license or $75 for an eight-year license. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and requires you to submit your current license and a completed form. In-person renewal at a local office takes about 30 minutes once you arrive, though wait times vary by location.
Not everyone can renew online. You must have a valid Florida license that is not suspended or revoked, you cannot be over 79 years old, and your license cannot have been renewed online more than once before. If any of these do not explore to you, you will need to renew by mail or in person.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the DHSMV website is available if your license is valid, you are under 80, and you have not renewed online more than once before.
- Mail renewal requires you to send your current license, a completed form, and payment to the DHSMV, and takes two to three weeks.
- In-person renewal at a Driver License office requires a current ID, proof of residency, and your Social Security number, and takes about 30 minutes.
- Your new license will be mailed to you whether you renew online, by mail, or in person — you cannot pick it up the same day.
- You can renew up to six months before your license expires, so you do not have to wait until the last moment.
Online renewal through the DHSMV website
Go to the Florida DHSMV website at flhsmv.gov and select "Online Services." Click "Renew Your Driver License" and enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your record and show you whether you are may be able to access to renew online. If you are, you will answer questions about whether your address, height, eye color, and other information are still correct.
Review your answers carefully before you submit payment. Once you pay the $48 (four-year) or $75 (eight-year) fee by debit or credit card, you cannot change your information or cancel the transaction. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days. If you need to change your address before renewing, you must do that in person at a Driver License office or by mail before you start the online renewal process.
Mail renewal with a completed form
read the process for Florida Driver License or Identification Card (Form HSMV 82053) from the DHSMV website, or call 1-888-769-2778 to request a form by mail. Fill out the form completely, including your current address. Write your driver's license number at the top. Do not sign the form yet — you will sign it in front of a notary public or mail carrier.
Mail your signed form, your current driver's license, and a check or money order for $48 (four-year) or $75 (eight-year) to the address listed on the form. Include a copy of your proof of residency — a recent utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and current address. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the date the DHSMV receives your envelope. Your new license will be mailed to the address you listed on the form.
In-person renewal at a Driver License office
Find your nearest Driver License office on the DHSMV website by entering your county or ZIP code. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., though some have extended hours. You do not need an appointment — walk-ins are accepted, but arriving early in the morning usually means shorter waits. Bring your current driver's license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and your Social Security number.
At the office, tell the clerk you are renewing your license. You will answer questions about your address and other information, have your photo taken, and pay the fee. The entire process takes about 30 minutes. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days — you cannot take it with you that day.
What happens if your license is suspended or expired
If your license is suspended, you cannot renew it online or by mail. You must go to a Driver License office in person. Bring your current license, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. The clerk will check the status of your suspension and tell you what you need to do to clear it — this might be paying a fine, completing a traffic school course, or providing proof of insurance. You cannot renew until the suspension is resolved.
If your license has been expired for more than six months, you may need to retake the written test and vision test, depending on how long it has been expired. Call the DHSMV at 1-888-769-2778 before you go to an office to find out what you will need to bring and whether you need to schedule a test appointment.
Changing your address during renewal
If you have moved since your license was issued, you can update your address during the renewal process. Online renewal allows you to change your address before you submit payment — just update it in the form. Mail renewal includes a space on the form to write your new address. In-person renewal lets you tell the clerk your new address, and they will update it in the system.
If you want to change your address without renewing your license, you can do that separately at a Driver License office or by mail using Form HSMV 82053. There is no fee to change your address alone.
Timeline and what to expect after you renew
Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days if you renew online or in person, or within two to three weeks if you renew by mail. The DHSMV will mail it to the address on your renewal form. If you do not receive it within the expected timeframe, call 1-888-769-2778 to check the status.
Your old license is no longer valid once your new one arrives, even if the expiration date on the old one has not passed yet. You can keep your old license for identification purposes, but you cannot use it to drive. If your new license arrives damaged or with incorrect information, return it to the DHSMV with a letter explaining the problem, and they will send you a replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it has already expired?
Yes, but the process depends on how long it has been expired. If it expired less than six months ago, you can renew it the same way you would renew a valid license. If it expired more than six months ago, you may need to retake the written and vision tests. Call 1-888-769-2778 to find out what you need before you go to an office.
What if I move after I renew but before my new license arrives?
Contact the DHSMV at 1-888-769-2778 and give them your new address. They can redirect your license to your new address. If your license is already in the mail, the post office may be able to forward it, but calling the DHSMV first ensures it reaches you.
Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?
Yes, if you renew in person at a Driver License office. Online and mail renewal use your photo from your current license unless you request a new one. If you want a new photo for online or mail renewal, you must renew in person instead.
Can I renew my license if I have a suspended registration or unpaid traffic tickets?
A suspended registration does not prevent you from renewing your driver's license — they are separate. However, unpaid traffic tickets or fines can result in a suspended license, which prevents renewal. If your license is suspended, you must resolve the suspension before you can renew. Call 1-888-769-2778 to find out what you owe.
How much does it cost to renew in person versus online?
The fee is the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person: $48 for a four-year license or $75 for an eight-year license. There are no additional fees for in-person renewal. If you renew by mail, you may have a small cost for mailing the form and payment, but the DHSMV does not charge extra.