Renewing Your Florida DMV Driver’s License in 2023

If you’ve held your Florida driver’s license for 8 or more years, you are probably due for license renewal. The expiration date of your license is listed on the credential, just below your date of birth. You will have 18 months prior to that date in order to complete your renewal at your local Florida DMV.

Luckily, renewing your Florida driver’s license is not difficult or incredibly time-consuming, especially if you head to the DMV at the right time. If you’d prefer to renew from the comfort of your own home or workplace, the state provides drivers with two convenient options that are sure to meet your needs.

To help you get through the process, this blog will cover:

• How to Renew Your Florida Driver’s License
• Online Renewal
• In-Person Renewal
• What Documents You Need
• What Happens if Your License Expires Before Renewing

How Do I Renew My Florida Driver’s License?

The State of Florida offers drivers two ways to renew their driver’s license:

1. Online Renewal
2. In-Person Renewal

Renewing Your License Online

Renewing your driver’s license online is likely the easiest option for those nearing the end of their 8 years. You can only perform an online renewal once in your life, so be sure to only do so if visiting the Florida DMV is completely out of the question. You can also use the one-time online convenience feature if you need to update your address, or if your license has been lost or stolen.

At the time of your online renewal, you will be asked to provide a credit card for payment as well as proof of social security. The department must verify your social security number in order to successfully process your renewal online. If they are unable to do so, you will be required to follow up with the Social Security Administration before proceeding.

However, not all drivers are eligible to perform an online license renewal. If you have changed your name (due to marriage or divorce), you will have to apply for a renewal in person at your local DMV.

Renewing Your License in Person

Renewing your driver’s license in person at the Florida DMV is the common option for the majority of drivers. If you’re holding a temporary or commercial license, you will be required to renew in person. Additionally, if you have had a court-appointed name change or you wish to update your photo, a visit to the DMV will also be required.

How Much Does Driver’s License Renewal Cost?

At the time of writing, the fee to renew a Florida driver’s license is relatively inexpensive, as it only has to be paid every eight years. Drivers are assessed $48 at the time of renewal. An additional $6.25 service fee will apply to renewals that are completed in a tax collector’s office. However, veterans that provide proof of their status are exempt from this fee.

What Documents Are Needed for Florida Driver’s License Renewal?

The documents needed to renew your license are similar to those needed to obtain your first license, so this process will be quite familiar. When applying for license renewal in person, you will need to provide proof of identity, proof of social security, and proof of address.

Proof of Identity

To prove your identity, you can present one of the following documents:

• U.S. Birth Certificate
• Valid U.S. Passport (or Passport Card)
• Certificate of Naturalization
• Certificate of Citizenship

Proof of Social Security

The State of Florida will accept the following documents as proof of social security:

• Social Security Card
• Any 1099
• W-2 Form
• Paycheck/paystub

Proof of Address

There are several different types of documents that can be utilized to prove your residential address in Florida. However, you must bring two to the DMV in order for them to complete your renewal. Below are some of the most common documents used to prove Florida residence:

• Deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, or residential lease agreement;
• Florida vehicle registration or title
• Florida voter registration card
• Utility bill
• Selective service card
• Medical or health card with address listed
• Current homeowner insurance policy or bill
• Current automobile insurance policy or bill
• Educational institution transcript forms for the current school year
• W-2 form or 1099 form
• Mail from financial institutions including checking, savings or investment account statements
• Mail from federal, state, county or city government agencies

As you can see, the state of Florida provides many convenient ways for drivers to complete a DMV license renewal. You may also complete voter registration at this time as well. All senior citizens over the age of 80 are required to complete a vision screening for every renewal.

What Happens if My License Expires Before I Renew It?

Be sure to keep an eye on your driver’s license expiration date – getting caught driving on an expired license is a violation in Florida, and will result in a fine. Additionally, if your license has been expired for longer than a year, you will have to pay a late fee and retake the written and road tests, which require additional fees.

To be on the safe side, we recommend completing your driver’s license renewal 6 months to a year before the date of expiration.