Florida lets you renew online if you meet basic requirements, by mail if you prefer not to visit an office, or in person at a DMV location
Florida's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) offers three renewal paths: online through its website, by mail, or at a driver license office. Which one you can use depends on your license type, how long it has been expired, and whether you need a new photo. Most people renew online in under 10 minutes. If your license expired more than five years ago or you need a new photo, you must renew in person.
Your renewal notice arrives in the mail about 45 days before your license expires. It contains your renewal number, which you will need for online or mail renewal. If you do not receive one, you can still renew, but you will need your driver license number and Social Security number instead.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal takes about 10 minutes, costs $48 for a four-year license or $75 for an eight-year license, and works if your license expired within the last five years and you do not need a new photo.
- Mail renewal uses the renewal notice that arrives 45 days before expiration; you send it back with payment and a new photo if required, and processing takes two to three weeks.
- In-person renewal at a driver license office is required if your license expired more than five years ago, you need a new photo, or you want to change your address or name.
- Florida does not mail a physical license after online renewal; you receive a temporary digital license on your phone through the DHSMV app and can use it when ready while the card arrives by mail in seven to 10 business days.
- You cannot renew if you have unpaid traffic citations, child support arrears, or a suspended license; the DHSMV system will flag these before you complete the transaction.
Online renewal through the DHSMV website
Go to GoRenew.com, which is Florida's official online renewal portal. You will need your renewal number (from the notice) or your driver license number and Social Security number. The system asks for your current address, phone number, and email. You then pay by debit card or credit card. The fee is $48 for a four-year license or $75 for an eight-year license.
After you complete the transaction, the system generates a temporary digital license that appears in the DHSMV mobile app on your phone. You can use this temporary license when ready for most purposes — driving, identification, age verification. Your physical card arrives by mail in seven to 10 business days. You do not need to visit an office, and you receive confirmation by email.
Online renewal is not available if your license expired more than five years ago, if you need a new photo, if you have a commercial driver license (CDL), or if you want to change your name or address. The system will tell you if you are ineligible before you pay.
Mail renewal using your renewal notice
Your renewal notice includes a postage-paid envelope and instructions. You sign the back of the notice, include payment (check or money order only — no credit cards by mail), and mail it back to the address printed on the envelope. If the notice asks for a new photo, you must include a passport-style photo (2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months). The fee is the same as online: $48 for four years or $75 for eight years.
Processing takes two to three weeks from the time DHSMV receives your envelope. You can track your renewal status on the DHSMV website using your driver license number. Your new card arrives by mail after processing is complete. If you do not receive your renewal notice, you can request one by calling the DHSMV at 1-844-DL-RENEW (1-844-357-3639), but mail renewal is slower than online, so online is usually the better choice if you are may be able to access.
In-person renewal at a driver license office
Visit any Florida driver license office with your current driver license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 90 days), and payment. Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number. If you are changing your name, bring the legal document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). The fee is $48 for four years or $75 for eight years, and you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card.
The office takes a new photo and prints your license on the spot. You receive a temporary paper license when ready and can use it to drive. Your permanent card arrives by mail in seven to 10 business days. Wait times at driver license offices vary; some locations use an online appointment system through the DHSMV website, and booking ahead usually cuts your visit to 15 to 30 minutes. Walk-ins are accepted but may wait longer, especially in the morning or on Fridays.
You must renew in person if your license expired more than five years ago, if you need a new photo, if you are changing your name or address, or if you have a commercial driver license. You also must renew in person if the online system flags a hold on your license — usually because of unpaid traffic citations, child support arrears, or a suspension.
What happens if your license is expired or suspended
Driving with an expired license is illegal in Florida, even if you have already started the renewal process. If you are pulled over, you can show proof that you have renewed (a confirmation email from GoRenew.com or a receipt from the mail envelope), and an officer may give you a warning, but you are not may provide one. The temporary digital license from online renewal counts as valid proof, so renewing online and using the app is the safest option if you are close to expiration.
If your license is suspended or revoked, the DHSMV system will not let you renew online, and a driver license office will refuse to renew you in person. You must first resolve the suspension by paying outstanding fines, completing a required course, or satisfying child support obligations. Call 1-844-DL-RENEW to find out why your license is suspended and what you must do to clear it.
Choosing between online, mail, and in-person renewal
Online renewal is fastest and requires no office visit, but only works if your license is not expired by more than five years and you do not need a new photo. Mail renewal avoids the office but takes two to three weeks and requires a check or money order. In-person renewal is required for commercial licenses, name changes, address changes, or if your license has been expired for more than five years, but you get your temporary license when ready and can drive the same day.
The choice between methods often comes down to how much time you have before your license expires and whether you need to change information on your license. If you are within the five-year window and do not need a photo update, online is the fastest path. If you prefer to avoid an office visit and have time to wait, mail works. If you need any changes made or your license is very old, in-person is your only option.
| Renewal Method | Time to Complete | When to Use | When You Cannot Use It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online (GoRenew.com) | 10 minutes | License expired within 5 years, no photo needed, no holds | License expired over 5 years ago; need new photo; commercial license; suspended license |
| 2–3 weeks | License expired within 5 years, prefer not to visit office | License expired over 5 years ago; need new photo; commercial license | |
| In Person | Same day (temporary license) | License expired over 5 years ago; need new photo; name or address change; commercial license | None — always an option if you have required documents |
Documents and fees you need
For online renewal, you need only your renewal number or driver license number and Social Security number. For mail renewal, you need your renewal notice, payment (check or money order), and a new photo if the notice requests one. For in-person renewal, you need your current driver license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement from the last 90 days), your Social Security card or a document with your Social Security number, and payment (cash, check, debit card, or credit card).
The renewal fee is $48 for a four-year license or $75 for an eight-year license. This fee is the same across all three renewal methods. If you are renewing a commercial driver license, the fee is higher and varies by endorsement type; call the DHSMV for the exact amount. No additional fees explore for online renewal, mail renewal, or in-person renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my temporary digital license from online renewal to drive when ready?
Yes. The temporary digital license appears in the DHSMV mobile app on your phone as soon as you complete online renewal. You can use it to drive, show to police, or use for age verification while you wait for your physical card to arrive by mail in seven to 10 business days.
What if I do not receive my renewal notice in the mail?
You can still renew online or by mail without it. For online renewal, use your driver license number and Social Security number instead of your renewal number. For mail renewal, call 1-844-DL-RENEW and request a new notice, or renew in person at a driver license office.
Do I have to renew in person if I want to change my address?
Yes. Address changes must be done in person at a driver license office. You cannot change your address through online or mail renewal. Bring your current license, proof of your new address (utility bill or lease dated within 90 days), and payment.
What if my license has been expired for more than five years?
You must renew in person at a driver license office. Online and mail renewal are not available for licenses expired more than five years. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, your Social Security card or document, and payment.
Can I renew my commercial driver license online?
No. Commercial driver licenses must be renewed in person at a driver license office. You will need your current CDL, proof of residency, your Social Security card or document, and payment. Call the DHSMV for the exact fee, which varies by endorsement type.