Renewing your Florida license through FLHSMV

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) handles all driver's license renewals in the state. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a local FLHSMV office, depending on your license type and how long it has been expired. Most people renew online because it takes about 10 minutes and costs less than renewing in person.

Your renewal notice arrives in the mail about 6 weeks before your license expires. That notice contains a renewal code you will need if you choose to renew online. If you have lost the notice, you can still renew, but you will need to provide your driver's license number and other identifying information instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the FLHSMV website is the fastest option and works for most people whose licenses are not expired or only recently expired.
  • You will need your current driver's license number, the renewal code from your notice, or your Social Security number to start an online renewal.
  • Mail renewal takes 7 to 10 business days after FLHSMV receives your completed form, while in-person renewal is when ready but requires a trip to an office.
  • If your license has been expired for more than 6 months, you may need to renew in person or pass a vision test, depending on your age and license class.

Renewing online at the FLHSMV website

Go to flhsmv.gov and select "Renew Your Driver License" from the homepage. You will be asked to enter your driver's license number and either your renewal code (from the notice) or your Social Security number. The system will pull up your current information and ask you to confirm or update your address and emergency contact.

Online renewal costs $48 for a 4-year license or $75 for an 8-year license. You pay by debit card or credit card before you finish. Once approved, your new license ships to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.

Online renewal is not available if your license has been expired for more than 6 months, if you need to change your name, if you have certain medical conditions that require a vision test, or if you are under 21. In those cases, you must renew by mail or in person.

Renewing by mail

Request a renewal process by calling FLHSMV at 1-844-357-4636, or read the form from flhsmv.gov. The form is called the "process for Florida Driver License, Identification Card, or Permit" (HSMV 82053). Print it, fill it out completely, and mail it to the address listed on the form along with your current driver's license and a check or money order for the renewal fee.

Mail renewal takes 7 to 10 business days after FLHSMV receives your process. You can continue to drive on your current license during this time. If you need your license sooner, mail renewal is not the right choice — renew in person instead.

Mail renewal works for most people, but not if your license has been expired for more than 6 months or if you need a vision test. Check the FLHSMV website or call before mailing your process to confirm you are not in one of those situations.

Renewing in person at an FLHSMV office

Find your nearest FLHSMV office at flhsmv.gov by entering your county or ZIP code. You can schedule an appointment online or walk in, though walk-ins may have longer wait times. 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).

In-person renewal costs $48 for a 4-year license or $75 for an 8-year license, paid by cash, debit card, or credit card. You will take a new photo and pass a vision test. Your new license is printed on the spot and you leave with it the same day. This is the only renewal method that gives you an when ready license.

In-person renewal is required if your license has been expired for more than 6 months, if you are under 21, if you need to change your name or address, or if you have a medical condition that requires a vision test. It is also the fastest option if you need your license right away.

What happens if your license is expired

Driving on an expired license is illegal in Florida, even if you have already started the renewal process. If your license expired more than 6 months ago, you cannot renew online or by mail — you must go to an FLHSMV office in person. The office staff will verify that you still meet the requirements to hold a Florida license, which may include a vision test or a written test depending on your age and how long the license has been expired.

If your license expired fewer than 6 months ago, you can still renew online or by mail using the methods described above. However, you should not drive until your new license arrives. If you are stopped by law enforcement while your license is expired, you may receive a citation even if you have proof that you submitted a renewal process.

Renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL)

Commercial driver's licenses cannot be renewed online or by mail. You must renew in person at an FLHSMV office. Bring your current CDL, proof of your Social Security number, proof of your address, and a current medical certificate (MCSA-5875) if your CDL is Class A or Class B. You will take a new photo, pass a vision test, and may be asked to pass a written test depending on your endorsements and how long your license has been expired.

CDL renewal costs $75 for a 4-year license or $100 for an 8-year license. Your new license is printed on the spot. Schedule an appointment online at flhsmv.gov to avoid long wait times, as CDL renewals often take longer than regular driver's license renewals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I have moved out of state?

No. Your Florida driver's license is tied to a Florida address. If you have moved out of state, you need to get a driver's license from your new state instead. You can surrender your Florida license by mail or in person at an FLHSMV office.

What if I lost my renewal notice?

You can still renew online or by mail without the notice. Online, enter your driver's license number and Social Security number instead of the renewal code. By mail, request the process form by calling 1-844-357-4636 or read it from flhsmv.gov.

How long does it take to receive my new license in the mail?

FLHSMV ships new licenses within 7 to 10 business days after your renewal is approved. Shipping takes an additional 3 to 5 business days, so expect your new license 10 to 15 business days after you submit your renewal. You can drive on your current license until it arrives.

Do I need a vision test to renew online?

No. Online renewal does not include a vision test. If you need a vision test because of a medical condition or because your license has been expired for more than 6 months, you must renew in person at an FLHSMV office.

What if my name has changed since my last license?

You cannot renew online if your name has changed. Renew by mail or in person. Bring proof of your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Mail renewal requires you to include a copy of the proof with your process.