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Question and Answers for Law Changes Effective October 1, 2008

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  1. If I am a U.S. Citizen or an Immigrant with Permanent legal presence and renew my Class E license before October 1, 2008, what is the cost and how long will the license be valid?
The license will be valid for a period of six years for those designated as Safe Drivers (last three years conviction free) and for four years for those who are not. The renewal fee is $15.
  1. If I am a U.S. Citizen or an Immigrant with Permanent legal presence and renew my Class E license after October 1, 2008, what is the cost and how long will the license be valid?
Florida Class E (non-commercial) driver licenses will be valid for eight years, and the renewal fee is $20.
  1. If I am a non-immigrant with legal presence and renew my Class E license after October 1, 2008, how long will the license be valid and what is the cost?
Driver licenses and identification cards for non-immigrant customers with legal presence will be issued in accordance with the amount of time approved by BCIS, not to exceed one year. Non-immigrant customers are required to submit a Social Security card, if a card has been issued. The cost is $20 to renew a Class E license or $67.00 for a CDL renewal. The word “TEMPORARY” will appear in the front, right lower margin of the license.
  1. I have a Class E license with a motorcycle endorsement that is due for renewal after October 1, 2008, what will be the cost?
The renewal fee is $20 plus $7 for the motorcycle endorsement.
  1. I am under 80 years of age and will renew my Class E license with a Safe Driver designation after October 1, 2008. How long will my license be valid?
The license will be valid for a period of eight years.
  1. I am 80 years old or older and will renew my license after October 1, 2008. How long will my license be valid?
This has not changed. The license will continue to be valid for a period of six years.

  1. Will the Department require customers who currently hold a Florida driver license or identification card to provide proof of social security number when they renew or change their address?
Yes. Effective October 1, 2008, customers will be required to present proof of their social security number when they apply for an initial or a renewal Florida driver license or identification card. This proof can be the social security card, W-2 form, pay check, DD-214 or school records. We will no longer accept social security numbers verbally. For a complete list of acceptable documents, visit http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/faqkeys.html.
  1. What is the fee for an identification card for a child, age five through 14, and how long will the identification card be valid?
All identification cards are $10. Children age five through 14 are eligible for an ID card, and it is valid for four years.
  1. I would like to surrender my Florida Class E Learners license and obtain an identification card. What is the cost, and how long will the ID card be valid?
The identification card will cost $10 and since you are 15 years old or older, the identification card will be valid for eight years.
  1. If I will no longer be able to use my out-of-state license as a primary identification document, what can I provide?
The following documents are accepted primary documents:
  • Certified United States birth certificate, including territories and District of Columbia

  • Valid, unexpired United States passport

  • Certificate of Naturalization

    • For a complete list of acceptable documents, visit http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/faqkeys.html
  1. I recently got married/divorced and moved to Florida. What documentation do I need to provide in order to change my name on my new Florida driver license or ID card?
If you have legally changed your name by marriage or court order, you must submit the original or a certified copy of your marriage certificate or court order. No photocopies will be accepted unless certified by the issuing authority. If you are a non-U.S. citizen, additional documentation is needed, which you can find at www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/faqkeys.html#NameCg.

In addition to the information you must provide to change your name, be advised that you will also need to provide primary identification documentation. Out-of-state driver licenses will no longer be accepted as primary identification. Please refer to Question No. 10 for a list of accepted primary identification documents.

  1. If my primary identification document has expired, will it be acceptable for proof of legal presence after October 1, 2008?
No. All passports, permanent resident cards and employment authorization cards presented as proof of identification or legal presence must be valid. Expired documents will not be accepted.

  1. How many times may I elect to attend traffic school to keep points from appearing on my driving record after October 1, 2008?
A person will be allowed to elect the school option to avoid points one time in a 12-month period and no more than five times in a 10-year period.

  1. If I hold a CDL license and receive a DUI conviction in my personal vehicle and my license was revoked for six months and I have waited my time out, can I then obtain my CDL license again?
If the DUI conviction while driving a personal vehicle is prior to October 1, 2008, you can obtain a CDL after you have waited the time. However, CDL holders who receive a DUI conviction on or after October 1, 2008, even while driving a personal vehicle, will be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for one year for the first offense, and permanently disqualified for the second offense.
  1. Since the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will no longer accept out-of-state driver licenses or IDs as primary identification, will I have to retake the driving test or written test to get a Florida Driver License?
No. Although we do not accept out-of-state licenses or ID as primary identification, we will accept them to reciprocate for driver license exams. You will not be required to take the exams again, unless special conditions prevail, for example if the driver demonstrates something that indicates they may not be able to safely drive a vehicle.

  1. Will I have to take the written or driving test to renew my license?
Every person who visits a driver license office to renew will have to take the vision test; other testing may be applicable based on the driver demonstrating something that indicates they may not be able to safely drive a vehicle.

  1. Can I still renew online or by mail after October 1, 2008?
Yes. After October 1, 2008, you will be allowed to renew one time by a convenience method (Internet, mail or phone). Your next renewal must be in a driver license office. For example, if you renew your license in October online, you will need to visit a driver license office for your next renewal.

We encourage customers to skip the trip and renew online at www.GoRenew.com. Here, customers can renew their driver licenses, identifications cards, vehicle tags and change their address.

  1. Why the changes?
The changes will strengthen our ability to verify an applicant’s identity and legal presence as we continue to protect our citizens and visitors while improving domestic security. The changes will mean fewer visits to our offices for a majority of our customers.

The Real ID Act

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