Driver license the official handbook

78  
©2017 Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Primary identification, proof of 
social security number, and two 
proofs of residential address (pages 
73–76) are required if you have not 
been issued a Florida driver license 
or identification card in a field office 
since January 1, 2010. 
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. 
Renewal Options
If you are a US citizen or 
immigrant, you can renew your 
Class E driver license by mail or 
online. You are not eligible for 
online/mail renewal if:
  • Your previous renewal was by 
phone, mail, or online.
  • You hold a commercial driver 
license. 
  • You are not a US citizen or 
permanent resident.
  • Your driving privilege is 
suspended, revoked, or canceled 
and you want an ID card.
  • You are replacing your driver 
license with an ID card.
Mail: 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.  
Online: 
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 
(midnight of your birthday) 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/Tax Collector 
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 
DHSMV if your vision test is 
administered by your doctor. Once 
it is filed you will then be able to 
renew online or by 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.
License/ID Card 
Replacement
If your driver license or 
identification card is lost or 

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The Official Florida Driver License Handbook—rev. 051417
  
79  
........................................................................................................GETTING YOUR LICENSE/ID CARD
stolen, apply for a replacement 
immediately
. A replacement can 
be obtained at the driver license/
Tax Collector office or online at 
GoRenew.com
. 
If the card was stolen and you 
provide a copy of the police report 
(in person), the replacement fee 
is waived as long as you are not 
making any changes to the card, 
otherwise there is a replacement fee.
Replacement Requirements
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.  
  • If you have changed your 
address, you will need to provide 
two approved proof of address 
documents. 
  • If your name has changed, you 
will need to provide approved 
documents establishing your 
new name.  
Change of Address
You must obtain a new license 
within 30 calendar days of 
any change to your mailing or 
residential address
. You may 
change the address on your driver 
license or identification card by:
 1. 
GoRenew.com
. 
 2.  Visiting your local Motorist 
Services office or Tax Collector 
licensing agent. 
 3.  After receiving the new license, 
destroy your old license as 
required by Florida law. 
If you fail to report a change of 
address you may not receive your 
motor vehicle registration renewal 
or your drivers license renewal.
If you are pulled over by law 
enforcement and the address on 
your driver license is incorrect, you 
may receive a citation.
Name Changes
If your name has changed and you 
would like your name to appear 
on the Florida driver license or 
identification card differently 
than it appears on your primary 
identification, you will need:
  • To present an original or 
certified government issued 
marriage certificate, divorce 
decree, or court order as a name 
change document.
  • To have your name changed on 
your social security card. 
 • Immigrants and Non-
Immigrants
 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 must have 
your name changed on your 
Canadian passport before 
applying for a name change 

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