Florida Driver's Handbook 2011

3. Obtaining Your License/ID Card

Listen to this chapter: Listen

Driver licenses are valid for six to eight years. Expiration dates may vary for license renewals issued to non-immigrants.

Primary identification, proof of social security number and two proofs of residential address are required if you have not been issued a Florida driver license or identification card in a field office since January 1, 2010. See section 2 for identification requirements, acceptable proof of social security and acceptable proof of residential address. Non-immigrants may have additional requirements. See Non-Immigrant section 3.3.6.

Your license may not be renewed if:

You are not qualified to receive a license.
You did not answer a summons which involved a traffic violation.
Your driver license is suspended, revoked or cancelled.
You do not present the required documentation.

3,3.1 - Name Changes

To have your name changed on your Florida driver license or identification card, you must:

Bring your original or certified copy of a government issued marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order to a driver license issuance office. Church marriage certificates are not acceptable.
Have your name changed on your social security card

In addition:

Immigrants and Non-Immigrants:

You must have your name changed on your United States Citizenship and Immigration Services documents before you can change your name on your Florida driver license or identification card.

Canadian Citizens:

you must have your name changed on your Canadian passport before applying for a name change on your driver license or identification card.

3.3.2 - Change of Address

To change your residential address on your driver license or identification card, you must present two proofs of residential address.

3.3.3 - Renewal Options

Persons holding a non-commercial driver license may renew using one of the convenience methods listed below.

Mail
Drivers who are U.S. citizens or immigrants may use a convenience method for every other renewal. You may receive a mail-in renewal packet approximately 30 days prior to your license expiration. There are no additional fees for renewing by mail.

Internet
You can renew by internet at www.GoRenew.com.

After your request is processed, you will receive a six or eight year license. Florida law requires that you destroy your old driver license after receiving the new license. Application for renewal received after the license expiration date requires a $15 late fee.

All drivers who are 80 years of age or older and who are in the process of renewing their driver license are required to pass a vision test. The test may be administered at the driver license office at no additional charge or by your Florida licensed health care practitioner, such as your medical doctor, osteopath or optometrist. A vision examination report must be completed and submitted to the department if your vision test is administered by your doctor. For your convenience, you can ask your health care practitioner to file the form electronically on the web www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/vision. Subsequent to it being filed electronically, you will then be able to renew via the internet, or mail.

Should you elect to have your vision tested at the local driver license office or Tax Collector licensing agent, please schedule an appointment so that we can serve you more efficiently. Upon passing the vision screening, you can complete the renewal process. However, if a problem is detected, you will be referred to your eye doctor for follow-up, prior to being able to renew.

3.3.4 - Military Renewal by Mail or Online

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces serving on active duty outside of Florida may renew their license by mail or online at www.GoRenew.com. Their spouses and children living with them may do the same. If your name changes while you are deployed or out of state, contact the Department at militaryrenewal@flhsmv.gov or call 850 617-2000. Provide your name as it appears on your license, the driver license number, your date of birth and out-of-state address and zip code. The department will send you the appropriate renewal packet by return mail or email.

3.3.5 - Veterans

Any veteran honorably discharged from the Armed Forces who was issued a valid identification card by the Division of Veteran's Affairs of the Department of Administration, or a letter of disability determination from the Veterans Administration and has been determined by the Veteran's Administration to have a 100% service-connected disability, is exempt from paying certain driver license fees such as initial license fees and renewal fees. All identification card fees are exempt.

3.3.6 - Non-Immigrants

Any non-immigrant holding a driver license or identification card who needs a renewal or replacement driver license or identification card must apply in person at a driver license office or Tax Collector licensing agent and present identification and legal presence documents.
If you do not have the required documents showing legal presence, your driver license or identification card will be retained and a receipt Issued for the driver license or identification card transaction. If your Florida driver license has not expired, you will be issued a 30-day temporary permit. When you return with the required documentation, you will be processed for a renewal or replacement license and the expiration date will be changed to the expiration date.
on your Citizenship and Immigration Services document up to one year.
Proof of social security number (if one has been issued) and two proofs of residential address are required.

Next Section