It’s not unusual for people to need a driver’s license in Florida. The state says it issues over 800,000 new licenses each year. About half of these are from the 1,000+ people who move to the state each and every day. Others include newly licensed drivers in the state. This number doesn’t include the roughly 2.5 million drivers who have to renew their Florida driver’s licenses or who need a driver’s license replacement every year.
Use eTags© to Quickly Complete Your DMV Service. Renewals, Title Transfers and More, All Online!
If you’ve done a Florida driver’s license check and need to know how to obtain a Florida driver’s license, how to reinstate a suspended license or are wondering “What do I need to get a Florida driver’s license?” you can find the answers in our guide below.
How to Obtain a Florida Driver’s License
If you are getting a driver’s license for the first time, Florida employs a “graduated” system of licensing that involves the successful completion of multiple steps. These include obtaining a learner’s permit, a provisional license, and ultimately a full privilege license. The process can start as young as 15 years of age and culminates with a driver’s license appointment and the successful passage of a behind-the-wheel test. We invite you to review our complete detailed guide to obtaining a first-time driver’s license in Florida, specifically designed for parents of teens.
Requirements for Out of State Residents
Out of state residents who now live in Florida are required to get a Florida driver’s license once they become a resident. Florida considers you a resident under a variety of circumstances. These situations include:
- Living in the state for more than six months per year
- Registering a child in a Florida public school
- Accepting employment in the state
- Registering to vote in Florida
- Applying for a Homestead Exemption in the state
You have 30 days to get a Florida Driver’s once becoming a resident and must bring proof of residency (ie: tax bill or utility bill in your name at your current address) along with identification like a birth certificate. If your name is different from your birth name, bring a marriage certificate or court order proving the name change.
Test Requirements – Driver’s Licenses and Permits
Florida requires a series of tests to obtain driving permits and driver’s licenses.
- Learner’s permits require taking a traffic law and substance abuse class and passing a written test on Florida safety, road signs, and regulations. A learner’s permit also involves passing a hearing and vision test.
- Provisional licenses require 50 hours of driving experience, 10 of which must be at night. If you’ve completed a of year of driving with your learner’s permit without incident, you can get your provisional license by passing a driving test or by getting a driving test waiver from a driver’s education class. This can be done once you are 16 years old.
- A Full Privilege license is achieved when a driver has turned 18 of years age without an incident during his time with a learners permit or provisional license.
Documents Needed for Florida driver’s License
Florida is very particular when it comes to proving who you are in obtaining a license. They also want to make sure the Social Security Number presented is attached to your name and you can verify your residency. Therefore, the state requires:
- Proving your identity through a U.S. birth certificate, a permanent resident card, or a citizenship certificate or passport.
- You will need to verify your Social Security Number via a Social Security card, paycheck, or through a 1099 tax form.
- You must verify your Florida residential address by providing two separate documents with your current address on them. These must be documents like a current bank statement, rental agreement, utility bill or property tax bill.
How to Reinstate a Suspended License
Reinstating your Florida driver’s license involves visiting a Florida Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office and paying your reinstatement fee. Depending on the reason your license was suspended, there may be additional fees. If your license was suspended for lack of auto insurance, you will also need to provide proof of insurance.
How to Check if your License is Suspended in Florida
You can easily check if your license is suspended online at the The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website.
Driver’s License Renewal
Holders of a Florida driver’s license can renew their licenses online, by mail or in person. Licenses can be renewed up to 18 months prior to their expiration date. Drivers who are 80 years of age or older are required to pass a vision test. Renewing your Florida driver’s license will include proper identification, proof of your Social Security number, and a proof of current residential address.
Change of Address or Updating an Address
Florida law requires you to keep the address on your driver’s license current within 30 days of changing residences. You will need to provide your current driver’s license, your full legal name, Social Security number, proof of residency, and proof of a name change if one has occurred.
Driver’s License Replacement
If you lose your Florida driver’s or it is stolen, you will need to get a replacement. Though not required, the State of Florida strongly suggests you report both a lost or stolen driver’s license to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) and law enforcement. When your license is stolen, you can get a police report that can be used to waive the fee for getting a replacement.
While it can be done online, getting a replacement in person is often a better choice for those who need a replacement quickly. To do this, visit your local driver’s license office. Most offices in Florida allow for you to make an appointment ahead of time which is recommended.
The documentation for getting a driver’s license replacement in Florida is similar to that of getting an original driver’s license, minus the testing. You will need to:
- Provide proof of your identification with an original birth certificate, notarized copy of the birth certificate or passport.
- Provide proof of your Social Security Number that includes your name. This, of course, would be your original Social Security card but could also include a 1099 tax form, recent paycheck stub, property tax statement, rental agreement or a vehicle registration.
- Provide documents that are proof of a name change if you have married or otherwise legally changed your name. This may include an original marriage license or certified copy of any court order that facilitated your name change.
Getting a Florida Commercial Driver’s Licenses
Like other states, Florida has more detailed and complex laws and requirements when it comes to getting, renewing, and replacing a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in the state. We provide more information about CDL requirements in our Florida Commercial Driver’s License Guide.
The Importance of Keeping Up To Date With a Florida Driver’s License Check
Not keeping up with your paperwork in Florida can be costly and may lead to a license suspension. Much of what needs to be done in maintaining your driver’s license in Florida can now be accomplished online, making it easier than ever to conduct a Florida driver’s license check and stay legal. Know when your important driving documents expire and to efficiently and effectively keep them current.
28 comments
My grandson is nineteen years old and never had a driver license. What steps does he need to do to achieve one. And what are the costs?
Thank you for this. Your article will help people because you gave us detailed information. Keep on posting helpful content like this!
I am new to Florida and I can not find my out of state license. I do have a picture of it though. What will I need to do in order to get my license transferred to Florida? Without the id card?
Hi there eTags doesn’t provide driver’s license but check out the FLHSMV website for details on how to find a solution.
How long does, it take to receive a clearance letter.?
Hey there, can you please clarify your question. Clearance for what?
Found out my fla dl is revoked. I now live in ala. How do I get unrevoked so I can get a dl ala?
eTags doesn’t handle driver’s licenses, but try this link to get more details
https://www.myimprov.com/traffic-school/florida/drivers-license/fl-suspended-license-reinstatement/
how can i make an appointment to get an id card?
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) requires residents to apply for an ID card in person at any local Driver License division. You can book your appointment online by clicking on this link. Good luck!
My license was suspended because I couldn’t drive my car (needed a transmission/ too expensive) cancelled insurance and my license was suspended. Sold vehicle got another….have insurance, registration and title. Now I need to get my license reinstated, how do I do that?
Hello Ruby. To reinstate your license, you’ll need to visit your local Driver’s License agency and pay the reinstatement fee. In some situations, you’ll need to pay additional fees depending upon the nature of your infraction. Here’s a link for more information about reinstating driver’s licenses in FL.
My Florida drivers license expired since 2014 and I was inable to renew it online and I have been out of the country ?
Hello Imran. Unfortunately, you’ll need to complete this procedure in person since your driver’s license has already expired.
I have 2 vehicles that are insured through different companies. 1 vehicle broke down and repairs are too costly so I canceled insurance on that vehicle. 2-3 weeks later I cancelled the tag to that vehicle.
I later received notice of a pending D.L. suspension unless I could show proof of insurance coverage. I went to the D.L. website and provided my insurance on the 2nd owned vehicle and thought all was good but a friend of mine said that once D.L. officials check with existing insurance co. and see that broken down vehicle is not covered, D.L. will suspend my license anyway. Is this true?
Hello DJ. You need to notify that your car is inoperable or being stored (not being driven on the road). In that case you are not required to have insurance but you’ll need to contact your local DMV to fill out the required form.
How can I replace my driver’s license
on the Internet ? Also need to replace my wufe’s personal ID card. My wallet was either lost or stolen
Thank you
Hello Robert. To renew your driver’s license and your wife’s ID online, visit GoRenew and follow their instructions. Their virtual office will guide through the entire process.
I renewed mine on the 4th of June and still have not gotten anything in the mail, what do I need to do?7
Hello Lawanda. Perhaps you didn’t upgrade your address with the DMV. The DMV mails drivers licenses with the address of the applicant that they have one file. Contact your local agency for more information about your request.
Is there any way I can get a detention to keep my driver license fro. Being suspended until the 1st if April I will have funds to get insurance haven’t been driving vechiel?
Hello Kelley. If you don’t have an auto insurance, you cannot be hitting the road. It’s against the law. The best advice is to make sure you are covered under any circumstances.
My son is 29 and never has had a drivers license. A friend said all he has to do is take a written test at the DMV and pass the drivers test – does he need a learners permit first?
Hey Susan. You can find more info on General Adult Permit and Driver License Requirements in the state of Florida here.
Hello my name is Theresa lasanta i would like to know what i have to do and pay to get my drivers license back I’ve paid so much already AND they keep suspending my license i don’t know what to do my husband got out of prison and left me again this time for another woman it’s been so hard on me i know I’ve made mistakes BUT lord knows I’m paying for IT i try so hard AND guess i keep paying for that mistake please help me I’ve got so far and they keep taking my license away please HELP ME! SINCERELY THERESA #L253801745450
Thank you for everything
Hey Theresa. This depends on a number of variables including how much you owe in fees, among other things. You can begin my referencing this link on FLHSMV (official government website) or contacting/visiting your local DMV.
Wishing you all the best.