General Information

The Division of Motorist Services has driver license service centers located throughout the state. Depending on your location the office may offer services on a walk-in or appointment only basis.  Visit our Locations page for addresses, telephone numbers and hours of operation.

Please note: Starting in August 2017, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will begin issuing a new, more secure Florida driver license and ID card. By the end of December 2017, the new credential will be available at all service centers throughout Florida and online. Previous driver license and ID cards will still be in use alongside the new credential until replaced or phased out.

The following tests are given at driver license service centers and may or may not be required for the driver license or ID card you seek. The testing chart located in this information will help you determine the test(s) you will be required to complete.

• Hearing – Drivers applying for a license who are deaf or cannot hear conversation spoken in a normal tone of voice, are restricted to driving with an outside rearview mirror which should be mounted on the left side of the vehicle, or wearing of a hearing aid.
• Vision – Vision testing, using an eye machine located on the counter, is conducted in all driver license service centers. Individuals with visual acuity readings below 20/40 are referred to an eye specialist. Color blindness will not cause any special condition for licensing.
• Knowledge Exam – 50 multiple choice questions about traffic laws and traffic signs. To prepare, review the Florida Driver License Handbook and take the Class E Knowledge Practice Test. Class E knowledge examinations are available in Arabic, Chinese, English, Haitian Creole, Russian and Spanish.
• Driving Test – Class E Skills Exam – You must provide a vehicle for the skills exam. The vehicle must have a valid tag, proof of insurance and pass a vehicle inspection. During the skills exams, the examiner/agent will observe your ability to control the vehicle and how well you obey traffic laws.
• Photo Requirements – Section 322.142(1), Florida Statutes, requires a full facial photo or digital image on a Florida credential.
  6 CFR § 37.17, REAL ID Driver Licenses and Identification Cards, establishes standards for the full-face photograph. These standards include:
  (i) Lighting shall be equally distributed on the face.
  (ii) The face from crown to the base of the chin, and from ear-to-ear, shall be clearly visible and free of shadows.
  (iii) Veils, scarves, or headdresses must not obscure any facial features and not generate shadow. The person may not wear eyewear that obstructs the iris or pupil of the eyes and must not take any action to obstruct a photograph of their facial features.
  (iv) Where possible, there must be no dark shadows in the eye-sockets due to the brow. The iris and pupil of the eyes shall be clearly visible.
  (v) Care shall be taken to avoid “hot spots” (bright areas of light shining on the face).

Driver license handbooks, motorcycle handbooks and commercial driver license handbooks are available at local driver license service centers. There is no charge for handbooks and they may be returned for re-use. To download a digital copy, visit our Handbooks and Manuals page..

Note: Customers applying for a commercial driver license should consider that the commercial driver license is a professional license with more testing requirements than other licenses. If you wish to apply for a commercial driver license, please obtain a study manual before testing.

What Type of License Do You Need and What are the Exam Requirements for Each?

• Non-Commercial Driver Licenses
  • Class E:Any non-commercial motor vehicles with Gross Vehicle Weight Rating less than 26,001 pounds, including passenger cars, 15-passenger vans including the driver, trucks or recreational vehicles and two or three-wheel motor vehicles 50 cc or less, such as mopeds or small scooters (see below). Farmers and drivers of authorized emergency vehicles who are exempt from obtaining a commercial driver license must obtain a Class E driver license.
    • Class E Exam Requirements – Minimum Age 16
      • Road rules
      • Road signs
      • Driving
      • Vision
      • Hearing
    • Note: A new resident exchanging a valid out-of-state driver license for a Florida driver license will be required to pass the vision and hearing tests only. If you are under 18 and are not married, your license application must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. Step-parents may not sign for you unless they have legally adopted you.
    • Note: Teens applying for a Class E driver license will be required to:
      • hold learner’s license for 12 months;
      • not incur any traffic convictions; and
      • be certified by a parent or guardian to have at least 50 hours of behind-the-wheel training, with at least 10 driving hours conducted at night.
    • Teens issued a traffic citation can elect to attend a traffic driving school to avoid a conviction.

  • Learner’s License:Any of the vehicles listed under Class E being driven by a person 15 years of age, or persons learning to drive.
    • Class E Learner’s License Exam – Minimum Age 15
      • Road rules exam
      • Road signs exam
      • Vision exam
      • Hearing exam
    • If you are under 18 and are not married, your license application must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. Step-parents may not sign for you unless they have legally adopted you.

  • Motorcycle Endorsement:All first-time customers who wish to add a motorcycle endorsement to a driver license must complete a department-approved Motorcycle Safety Education Course.
    • Motorcycle Endorsement Requirements – Minimum age 16

  • Moped: For individuals with a Class E driver license or higher, a motorcycle endorsement is not required. Note: Passengers under 16 years of age must wear approved protective headgear. A Moped tag is required. Personal Injury Protection insurance is not required.

  • Scooters 50 cc or less: Scooter being driven must be street legal (i.e. require proper operating equipment, such as brake lights, headlight, mirror per S. 316 F.S., and tag, title and registration) and must be operated by an individual with a Class E driver license or higher.
• Commercial Driver Licenses
  • Class A: Commercial motor vehicles – trucks or truck combinations weighing with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided that the towed vehicle is more than 10,000 pounds.
    • Class A Exam Requirements – Minimum age 18.
      • General Knowledge test
      • Combinations vehicle test
      • Air brakes
      • Applicable endorsement exams
      • Vision – 20/40 in each eye
      • Hearing – must hear a whisper
      • Pre-trip
      • Basic skills
      • Driving
    • Note: Drivers under 21 years of age will be restricted to Intrastate operation only.

  • Class B: Commercial motor vehicles– straight trucks with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more.
    • Class B Exam Requirements
      • General Knowledge test
      • Air brakes if applicable
      • Vision – 20/40 in each eye
      • Hearing – must hear a whisper
      • Pre-trip (not required for Class C)
      • Basic skills (not required for Class C)
      • Driving
    • Note: Drivers under 21 years of age will be restricted to Intrastate operation only.

  • Class C:Vehicles transporting placardable amounts of hazardous materials, or vehicles designed to transport more than 15 persons including the driver with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds.
    • Class C Exam Requirements
      • General Knowledge test
      • Air brakes if applicable
      • Vision – 20/40 in each eye
      • Hearing – must hear a whisper
      • Pre-trip (not required for Class C)
      • Basic skills (not required for Class C)
      • Driving
    • Note: Drivers under 21 years of age will be restricted to Intrastate operation only.

For more information on commercial driver licenses, please refer to the department’s handbook.

Planning a Trip Abroad?

The International Driving Permit, accepted in over 150 countries outside the United States, is a legal identification document that translates United States driver license information into 10 foreign languages.  The permit is valid for up to one year from the date of issue and must be accompanied by a valid United States driver license at all times.

AAA was selected for this authorization because it is a not-for-profit organization with member clubs in all parts of the country, giving wide local coverage for information and service.

Florida Residents interested in obtaining an International Driving Permit can visit AAA’s website for more information.

What do I need to bring to obtain a Florida Driver License or ID Card?

Please visit our What to Bring website for a detailed listing of the remaining documents needed and other information related to obtaining your driver license or ID card.
 

Driver License and ID Card Fees

All state-operated (FLHSMV) service centers accept American Express, Master Card and Discover credit cards. Accepted credit cards may vary at County Tax Collector’s Offices. Please contact the service center you intend to visit in advance if you have questions about acceptable methods of payment.

For a list of our current fees, please view our fee schedule.

Replacement Licenses

• Florida law requires residents, within 30 days of changing their name or address, to obtain a replacement license. The incorrect license must be surrendered to the Division.
• United States Citizens: Address changes may be done online or in person at a driver license office.
• For current fees, view the fee schedule.
• Non-United States Citizen requirements.

You may be eligible to renew a Florida driver license or ID card online at MyDMV Portal.

References to Florida Law
The laws which govern the requirements in this document are covered in the following Florida Statutes (F.S.):

Sections 322.54 and 322.57, F.S. – License Classes and Endorsements
Sections 322.12 and 322.221, F.S. – License Examinations
Section 322.16, F.S. – License Restrictions
Section 322.051, F.S. – Identification Card Provision
Section 322.095(1), F.S. – Name and Identification Requirements
Section 322.08, F.S. – Social Security Number Requirements
Sections 322.21, 322.17, 322.051, F.S. – Fees for Licenses and Identification Cards
Section 322.095(1), F.S. – Completion of Traffic Law & Substance Abuse Education Course Requirement
Section 322.03(1)(B), F.S. – Surrender of License and Valid-in-Florida Only
Section 322.13, F.S. – Examiner and Re-examination Authority
Sections 322.32, 322.33, 322.212, F.S. – False Application and Suspension Authority
Section 316.614(4), F.S. – Seat Belt Use Requirement
Section 320.02, F.S. – Registration Required