Driver License

State‑mandated policy change

Effective February 6, 2026

All driver license knowledge and driving exams in Florida will be administered in English only. Translation devices, interpreters, and any language‑assistance services will no longer be allowed for written or road tests.

Skip the Trip

If you can renew online, then do it now!

You are eligible to renew a driver license online if all items listed apply:

  • Your current driver license/REAL ID was renewed in person.
  • Your current driver license is REAL ID compliant
  • You do not have a stop, hold or other violation on your driver license.

Requirements

REAL ID Requirements

Florida issues REAL ID‑compliant driver licenses and ID cards, identified by a star in the upper right corner. If you’re applying for your first license or ID, your current card doesn’t have a star, or you’ve legally changed your name, you must visit an office and bring documents that verify your identity, Social Security Number, and residential address.

Once you’ve provided these documents, you’ll only need to present them again if your personal information changes.

What to Bring

Whether you are applying for a Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) or a Commercial Driver License (CDL) for the first time, you must provide specific documentation and meet state and federal requirements.

Before You Visit

Bring the following items to your appointment:

Valid Florida Driver License

You must hold a valid Florida Class E driver license before applying for a CLP or CDL.

Proof of Identity

Provide one of the following:

  • Valid U.S. Passport or Passport Card
  • Certified U.S. Birth Certificate
  • Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
  • Permanent Resident Card (if applicable)
  • Other documents accepted by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV):
    https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/what-to-bring/

Proof of Social Security Number

Bring one of the following:

  • Social Security card
  • W-2 form
  • Pay stub showing your full Social Security number
  • SSA-1099 or non-handwritten 1099 form

Proof of Florida Residential Address

Applicants must provide two proofs of their Florida residential address.

Accepted documents include:

  • Lease or rental agreement
  • Florida vehicle registration or title
  • Utility bill (dated within the last 60 days)
  • Property tax bill
  • Mortgage statement or deed
  • Bank or credit card statement
  • Recent pay stub
  • Government correspondence

Note: CLP and CDL applicants must meet Florida’s commercial residency documentation requirements. Standard address certification forms cannot be used for a CDL or CLP application. Refer to the FLHSMV What to Bring page for a complete list of acceptable documents:
https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/what-to-bring/

Medical Certification

Most CDL applicants are required to:

  • Complete a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination.
  • Obtain a valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Medical Card) from a certified medical examiner.
  • Self-certify the type of commercial driving they will perform (interstate or intrastate, excepted or non-excepted).

Resources:

Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)

Federal law requires Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) before taking the CDL skills test if you are:

  • Applying for your first Class A or Class B CDL.
  • Upgrading from a Class B to a Class A CDL.
  • Obtaining a Hazardous Materials (H), Passenger (P), or School Bus (S) endorsement for the first time.

Learn more or locate a registered training provider:
https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/

Knowledge and Skills Tests

Applicants must:

  • Pass the required CDL knowledge examinations to obtain a Commercial Learner Permit (CLP).
  • Hold the CLP for the federally required period.
  • Successfully complete the CDL skills test before receiving a CDL.

Prepare by reviewing the Florida CDL Handbook:
https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-handbooks/

Additional Documents (If Applicable)

Bring additional documentation if it applies to your situation:

  • Marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing a legal name change.
  • Immigration or lawful presence documents.
  • Current out-of-state CDL if transferring to Florida.

For additional information about acceptable documentation, visit:
https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/what-to-bring/

Customers who are applying for a Florida driver license or identification card and are not U.S. citizens must provide documentation establishing their legal presence in the United States, along with proof of identity, Social Security number (if applicable), and Florida residency.

Proof of Identity and Lawful Presence

Provide one original of the following documents with your full legal name:

  • Valid Employment Authorization Card (Form I-766 or I-688B)
  • Valid Permanent Resident Card (Green Card, Form I-551)
  • Valid foreign passport with an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record showing your current immigration status
  • Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571) with a valid passport
  • Advance Parole document (Form I-512) with a valid passport
  • Immigration Judge’s Order granting asylum or cancellation of removal with a valid passport
  • Other documents issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that establish lawful presence

Certain visa classifications require additional documentation, including:

  • F-1 and M-1 students: Form I-20
  • J-1 and J-2 exchange visitors: Form DS-2019
  • Refugees, asylees, and parolees: Additional immigration documentation

If you are unsure which documents to bring, bring all immigration documents you have received from USCIS.

For a complete list of acceptable documents, visit:
https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/what-to-bring/immigrant/

Proof of Social Security Number

Provide one of the following documents showing your full name and Social Security number:

  • Social Security card
  • W-2 form
  • Pay stub
  • SSA-1099
  • Non-handwritten 1099 form

Applicants who are not eligible for a Social Security number should review the FLHSMV requirements for acceptable alternatives:
https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/what-to-bring/frequently-asked-questions/

Proof of Florida Residential Address

Provide two documents showing your Florida residential address.

Examples include:

  • Residential lease or rental agreement
  • Florida vehicle registration or title
  • Utility bill dated within the last 60 days
  • Bank or credit card statement dated within the last 60 days
  • Mortgage statement or deed
  • Property tax bill
  • Recent pay stub
  • Government correspondence
  • Insurance policy or statement

For a complete list of acceptable residency documents, visit:
https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/what-to-bring/

Commercial Driver License (CDL) Applicants

Applicants for a Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) or Commercial Driver License (CDL) must meet additional residency requirements.

  • Provide two acceptable Florida residency documents from the CDL-approved document lists.
  • The Certification of Address (Form HSMV 71120) cannot be used for a CLP or CDL application.
  • Applicants who cannot provide a List A residency document may qualify by submitting a Declaration of Domicile together with an acceptable List B document.

Important Information

  • All immigration documents must generally be valid for more than 30 days at the time of application.
  • Non-U.S. citizens applying for a Florida driver license or ID card may receive a temporary paper credential while lawful presence is verified.
  • The expiration date of a Florida driver license or ID card is generally based on the period of authorized stay granted by USCIS and may be limited to one year in some circumstances.

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents applying for a Florida driver license or identification card must provide documents proving their identity, Social Security number, and Florida residential address. All documents must be original or certified copies unless otherwise noted.

Proof of Identity

Provide one of the following documents with your full legal name:

  • Valid U.S. Passport or Passport Card
  • Certified U.S. Birth Certificate (issued by a government agency)
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad
  • Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570)
  • Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561)
  • Valid Permanent Resident Card (Green Card, Form I-551)

For a complete list of acceptable identification documents, visit:
https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/what-to-bring/

Proof of Social Security Number

Provide one of the following documents showing your full name and Social Security number:

  • Social Security card
  • W-2 form
  • Pay stub showing your full Social Security number
  • SSA-1099
  • Non-handwritten 1099 form

The name on your Social Security record must match the name that will appear on your Florida driver license or ID card. If your name has recently changed, update your records with the Social Security Administration before applying.

Proof of Florida Residential Address

Provide two documents showing your Florida residential address.

Examples include:

  • Residential lease or rental agreement
  • Florida vehicle registration or title
  • Utility bill dated within the last 60 days
  • Mortgage statement or deed
  • Property tax bill
  • Bank or credit card statement dated within the last 60 days
  • Recent pay stub
  • Insurance policy or statement
  • Government correspondence

For a complete list of acceptable residency documents, visit:
https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/what-to-bring/

Name Changes

If the name on your proof of identity differs from your current legal name, provide legal documents establishing the name change, such as:

  • Marriage certificate
  • Divorce decree
  • Court order

You must provide documentation linking each name change from your identity document to your current legal name.

Permanent Resident Information

Lawful permanent residents must present a valid Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) as proof of lawful presence. Additional documentation may be requested if needed to verify identity or legal status.

Important Information

  • All applicants must appear in person for their first issuance of a Florida driver license or identification card.
  • Original or certified documents are required. Photocopies are not accepted unless specifically authorized.
  • If you are applying for a REAL ID-compliant credential, all required identity, Social Security, and residency documents must be presented.

If you have changed your residential address, you must update the address on your Florida driver license or identification card.

What to Bring

Current Driver License or Identification Card

Bring your current Florida driver license or identification card.

Proof of Florida Residential Address

Provide two approved documents showing your new Florida residential address.

Acceptable documents may include:

  • Deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, or residential rental/lease agreement
  • Florida voter registration card
  • Florida vehicle or vessel registration or title
  • Utility bill dated within the last 60 days
  • Bank, credit card, or investment account statement dated within the last 60 days
  • Homeowner’s or automobile insurance policy or bill dated within the last 60 days
  • Employer documentation, such as a pay stub or W-2
  • Mail from a federal, state, county, or city government agency dated within the last 60 days

View the complete list of acceptable documents on the FLHSMV What to Bring page.

Certification of Address

If you do not have two approved residential address documents in your own name, you may be able to use the Certification of Address (Form HSMV 71120) along with qualifying documents from the person whose name appears on the proof of address.

Download the Certification of Address (Form HSMV 71120).

The Certification of Address is for Class E driver licenses and identification cards only and cannot be used for Commercial Learner Permits (CLP) or Commercial Driver Licenses (CDL).

Online Address Change

Eligible customers may be able to change their address and obtain a replacement credential online through the FLHSMV MyDMV Portal.

Customers who are not eligible to complete the transaction online must visit a driver license service center.

Important Information

Florida law requires you to notify FLHSMV of an address change within 30 days of moving.

Changing your residential address requires the issuance of a replacement or renewed driver license or identification card.

Additional identification documents may be required if your identity information has changed or FLHSMV does not already have the required REAL ID documentation on file.