How to get a Florida driver's license

If you’re new to driving, new to Florida, or just need to get a replacement license, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is your first stop. Come prepared with this checklist and you won’t be doomed for another visit. Before leaving your home, check with the HSMV office closest to you.

Here’s how to get a Florida driver’s license

1. Residents of the US will need a certified birth certificate, valid passport, or naturalization certificate. Alternatively, you can present a driver’s license issued by Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington or Wisconsin.
2. A second form of identification is also required and can be anything from a baptismal certificate or voter registration card (at least three months old) to a marriage certificate. In short, anything official with your name on it.

1. Non-US citizens must bring identification, proof of date of birth, and social security number. Acceptable forms of identification are an alien registration card, an I-551 passport stamp, or an I-797 with the client’s A number indicating that they have been granted asylum or refugee status.
2. For regular passenger vehicles, some tests may be required, especially for a new license. These include a test of hearing, vision, driving, traffic rules, and traffic signs. If you are exchanging a valid license from another state, only hearing and sight are required.

1. If you are a new driver, the minimum age to obtain a learner’s permit is 15 years old. All the above tests will be given.
2. To upgrade from a restricted learner’s permit to a full operator’s license, you must have had your permit for a full year, have no traffic violations, and have verification from a parent or guardian of at least 50 hours of driving time. At least 10 of those hours must have been at night.
3. Check with your local office for the fees you need to pay

Tips for getting a Florida driver’s license

1. Most locations are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, but some offices have slightly different hours. Call ahead or look online for your local office hours.
2. Many places accept appointments, which makes the wait much shorter.
3. If you are not sure if the identification you have is sufficient, always call ahead. You’ll be glad you didn’t wait to be told it was insufficient.