8 years is a long time.
But it will come eventually, and then, you’ll need to renew your Florida driver’s license.
So if your driver’s license is about to expire, you’ve come to the right place.
Today, we’re going to give you a complete guide on the Florida driver’s license renewal process. We’ll give you all the details on how to renew it online or in an office.
We won’t leave anything out. This way, you know exactly where to renew and how to renew.
PLUS, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions.
Without further ado, let’s dive right in!
How to Renew Your Driver’s License in Florida
Drivers in Florida only have 2 options to renew their licenses. You can do it online or in person.
It used to be possible to renew by mail, but the FLHSVM website no longer shows it as an alternative.
With that out of the way, let’s see the steps to renewing your Florida driver’s license through the different channels.
How to Renew My Driver’s License Online in Florida
Renewing your driver’s license online is probably the most efficient way of completing the process. Imagine — you can finish the entire thing without ever leaving your house!
However, not everyone is eligible for online renewal.
So can you take part in online renewal? Here are the requirements to be eligible:
- You are a US citizen or permanent resident
- Your driver’s license is not yet expired or has not been expired for 1 year
- Your license complies with the new federal REAL ID requirements
- Your previous renewal was done in an office (you can only complete the online renewal every other cycle)
- You are not required to take a vision, hearing, written, or driving test
- You do not need to change your name or address in your license
- You want to add or remove a designation
- You’re getting your ID card for the first time
- You’re renewing your CDL
- You’re carrying a temporary license
If you can check all the boxes, then here are the steps to renew your driver’s license online in Florida:
- Go to MyDMVPortal
- Log in or create an account
- Follow the prompts from their portal.
NOTE: The DMV needs to verify your Social Security number. If they aren’t able to do this, you’ll need to sort it out with the Social Security Administration first.
- Pay the renewal fee of $48. You’ll need to add $15 if you’re renewing with an already expired license.
NOTE: The payment confirmation page will ask you if you want to receive a receipt of the transaction. Put in a working email address and click “Send Email Confirmation.”
- Wait for the DMV to send your new license. You’ll receive it via mail around 2 to 3 weeks after completing the process.
There you have it! You’ve now renewed your Florida driver’s license!
See how easy that was?
How to Renew My Driver’s License In-Person in Florida
So, say you aren’t eligible for online renewal. Maybe you already used the online renewal last time.
Well, you’ll have to renew your driver’s license in person.
But don’t worry, it isn’t hard either; just a bit more inconvenient.
That said, here are the steps to renewing your driver’s license at an office in Florida:
- Choose which DMV location you’d want to visit. FLHSMV has a complete list on its website.
- Schedule an appointment with your chosen DMV office.
- Bring the following documents with you:
- Proof of Identification, such as a U.S. birth certificate or valid passport. You can find a complete list of acceptable IDs here.
- Proof of Social Security, such as your SS card or a W-2 form. Remember your name with the Social Security Administration must match your ID.
- Proof of Residential Address, such as a voter registration card or a utility bill. You need to present two documents showing your Florida address.
- Proof of name change, such as a marriage certificate or a court order (if applicable)
- Submit all these to the DMV office on your scheduled appointment
- Pay the renewal fee of $48.
NOTE: If you visit a tax collector’s office, know that they charge a $6.25 service fee. The exceptions for this are veterans who have previously shown proof of their military status.
- Get your new license
What did we say…
In-person renewal is easy, too.
Driver’s License Renewal for Seniors in Florida
While most Florida drivers need to renew their licenses every 8 years, renewal cycles shorten to 6 years once you reach 80.
In addition to that, you will need to do it in person and pass a vision test as part of the process.
The steps, requirements, and fees are all the same. If you no longer want to drive, you may want to surrender your driver’s license and get an ID card instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
As promised, we’re going to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about driver’s licenses and renewal in Florida.
When does my Florida driver’s license expire?
Whether you have a driver’s license or an ID card, you’ll have to renew it every 8 years. You can check the exact expiration date on your credentials.
You can choose to renew your driver’s license 18 months in advance. This way, you won’t have to pay any penalty fees.
Is there a grace period for expired driver’s licenses in Florida?
If you weren’t able to renew your license on time, no need to fret! Florida Statute 322.03 states that you can continue to drive for 6 months after your license expires. So the state won’t consider it a violation — yet.
However, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t any consequences for driving with an expired license. The state deems it an infraction, and you’ll pay a $30 fine if you’re caught. Yes, even if it’s within the grace period.
On top of that, you need to pay a late renewal fee of $15.
Once 6 months have passed, driving with an expired license becomes a criminal offense. Getting caught means facing the following consequences:
- Up to 60 days in a county jail
- Fines of up to $500
- Probation of up to 6 months
Do I need an appointment to renew my license in Florida?
If you have to renew your driver’s license in person, make sure you schedule an appointment first.
The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ website states that their driver’s license service centers will only entertain those with appointments. This new directive took effect on October 18, 2021.
Do you have to take an eye exam to renew your license in Florida?
No. However, there are some situations where you will need to undergo the vision test again.
For one, if you are over 80 years old, you are required to take a vision test.
Also, starting February 15, 2021, you’ll have to repeat two exams if you don’t renew your license within one year of its expiration.
The DMV requires you to take (and pass) the Class E knowledge exam and the vision test. If you don’t pass either of these, you won’t get a valid license.
So, to avoid any complications or hassles, make sure you renew your license on time!
The Wrap Up
So that was your complete guide to Florida driver’s license renewal.
Thankfully, the Florida driver’s license renewal process is made easy for you, more so if you do it online.
Remember, check whether or not you qualify for an online renewal. If you do, we strongly suggest you use this channel. It’ll save you time and effort.
However, if an in-person renewal is your only option, follow the steps outlined above to make the process efficient.
Renewing your license doesn’t have to be a bad experience — especially now that you have this guide.
Good luck!