Florida Driver's Handbook 2009

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1. Your License

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Application for Driver License or Identification Card

Each application must include the following information:

  • Statement from applicant swearing to or affirming that the information and statements on the application are true
  • Full name (first, middle or maiden, and last)
  • Gender
  • Proof of social security card number
  • County of residence
  • Country of birth
  • Mailing address
  • Proof of residential address. (Two documents will be required.)
  • Legal proof of date of birth
  • Whether the applicant has previously been licensed to drive, and, if so, when and by what state, and whether any such license or driving privilege has ever been disqualified, revoked, or suspended, or whether an application has ever been refused, and, if so, the date of and reason for such disqualification, suspension, revocation, or refusal
  • May include fingerprints and other unique biometric means of identity
  • Consent to release driving record information, entitling the department to request, receive, and exchange such information with other jurisdictions.

Identifying Yourself

Florida law requires identification, proof of date of birth and social security number (if issued) from all customers before a driver license or identification card can be issued. Each application for an original (first-time) driver license or identification card MUST present one primary and one secondary identification.

PRIMARY IDENTIFICATION

  1. An original or certified copy of a United States birth certificate (hospital certificates are not acceptable)
  2. A valid United States passport
  3. A naturalization certificate issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security
  4. A valid alien registration card (green card)
  5. A valid employment authorization card issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security
  6. Proof of nonimmigrant classification provided by the United States Department of Homeland Security, for an original driver's license. In order to prove nonimmigrant classification, an applicant may produce the following documents, including, but not limited to:
    1. A notice of hearing from an immigration court scheduling a hearing on any proceeding.
    2. A notice from the Board of Immigration Appeals acknowledging a pending appeal.
    3. A notice of the approval of an application of adjustment of status issued by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service.
    4. Any official documentation confirming the filing of a petition for asylum status or any other relief issued by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service.
    5. A notice of action transferring any pending matter from another jurisdiction to this state issued by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service.
    6. An order of an immigration judge or immigration officer granting any relief that authorizes the alien to live and work in the United States, including, but not limited to, asylum.

Presentation of any documents listed under 5 and 6 entitles the applicant to a driver's license or temporary permit for a period not to exceed the expiration date of the document presented or 1 year, whichever occurs first.

SECONDARY IDENTIFICATION

  1. A driver license from the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories, or one of our 50 states
  2. School record stating date of birth, which must contain the registrar's signature
  3. Transcript of the birth record filed with a public officer charged with the duty of recording certificates
  4. Baptism certificate, which shows date of birth and the place of baptism
  5. Family Bible record or birth announcement in a baby book
  6. An insurance policy on the customer’s life, which has been in force for at least two years and which has the month, day and year of birth
  7. A military or military dependent identification card (United States Military ID cards with an Officer rank will be accepted as proof of citizenship only, not as a primary identification).
  8. An identification card from the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories, or one of our 50 states
  9. Florida license record or identification card record
  10. Selective Service Registration (Draft Card)
  11. Florida Vehicle Registration certificate (HSMV 83399, owner's copy) obtained from department, a tax collector’s office, or an authorized tag agent where the customer’s vehicle was registered, Florida or out-of-state registration certificate, if name and date of birth are shown
  12. Florida driver license or identification cards
  13. Receipt copy of your last Florida driver license issuance
  14. Immigration Form I-571
  15. Federal Form DD-214 (military record)
  16. Marriage certificate
  17. Court order, which includes legal name
  18. A Florida voter registration card, which has been issued in the past 3 months
  19. Personal identification by an examiner or by a person well known to the examiner
  20. Social Security Card
  21. Parent consent form of minor, signed by the parent or legal guardian
  22. Government issued out-of-country passport, driver license, or identification card
  23. Concealed weapons permit

When necessary marriage certificates, court orders or divorce decrees must be provided to tie the name on the primary identification to the name you would like to place on the driver license or identification card.

No photocopies will be accepted unless certified by the issuing authority.

NOTE: The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles launched Gather. Go. Get. – an educational campaign designed to assist Floridians with new driver license and identification card requirements. Beginning January 1, 2010, Floridians renewing or obtaining a new license or ID will be required to show proof of: 1) identification, 2) Social Security number and 3) residential address (two items).

The campaign is anchored by a new website designed to help residents understand the new requirements. DHSMV is encouraging Floridians to visit www.GatherGoGet.com to find out how and when to gather your documents, go to a driver license office and get your new card. The www.GatherGoGet.com campaign website will enable residents to:

  • Determine when they will need to visit a driver license or tax collector office.
  • Create a personalized checklist detailing documents they will need.
  • Obtain contact information showing where to get required documents
  • Browse a list of driver license offices in their local area.

The campaign is also available in Spanish by visiting www.ReunaVengaObtenga.com and in Creole at www.RasanbleAlePran.com.

In January 2010, the Department will begin issuing driver licenses and identification cards that meet new federal standards. Although Florida already has one of the most secure issuance processes and credentials, these changes will enhance our efforts to minimize fraud and identity theft.

Florida will begin issuing Real ID driver licenses and ID cards no later than January 1, 2010. This means that:

  • Your current, unexpired Florida driver license or ID card will continue to be valid as identification for federal purposes until December 1, 2014 for individuals born after December 1, 1964, and December 1, 2017 for everyone else.
  • After the 2014 and 2017 dates, Federal agencies will no longer accept a driver license or ID card unless it is Real ID compliant. This means you will not be allowed to board commercial flights or enter federal facilities unless you have a Real ID compliant document.

For more complete information about Real ID, please visit www.flhsmv.gov/realid/.

DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS: Florida requires additional documents for people renewing or obtaining their Florida driver license or identification card. Everyone must provide one proof of residential address, and one form of proof of social security number, if issued. The changes are required to bring Florida into compliance with the Real ID Act of 2005.

To renew or obtain a license or identification card, residents must now have one form of proof of residential address such as:

  • Deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment booklet or residential rental/lease agreement
  • Florida Voter Registration Card
  • Florida Vehicle Registration or Title
  • A utility hook up or work order dated within 60 days of the application
  • W-2 form or 1099 form
  • A letter from a homeless shelter, transitional service provider, or a half-way house verifying that the customer resides at the shelter address

For a list of Proof of Residential Address documents, please visit www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/address.html.

Proof of social security number, if issued, includes one of the following:

  • Social Security card
  • Tax return
  • W-2 form
  • Paycheck stub
  • DD-214 (military discharge document)
  • School record
  • Documentation from the IRS containing your social security number

First time residents applying for a driver license or identification card must also provide proof of identity such as:

  • Original or certified birth certificate (name on each document must match exactly or be accompanied by an official marriage certificate or court order)
  • Valid passport

Non-US Citizens must provide additional documents such as:

  • Valid permanent resident card
  • Employment authorization card

The Department provides a list of acceptable documents online at www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/faqkeys.html.

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