General Information
The Division of Driver Licenses, Bureau of Field Operations, has 146 driver license offices located throughout the state. Most office hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Some offices located in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Melbourne and Orlando are open Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Appointments are provided at all full service offices.

The following tests are given at the driver license offices and may or may not be required for the license or identification card you are seeking. 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 offices. Visual acuity readings worse than 20/40 are referred to an eye specialist. Color blindness will not cause any special condition for licensing.

• Road Signs - consists of 20 questions regarding road signs, with multiple choice answers.

• Road Rules - consists of 20 questions regarding traffic laws and safety, with multiple choice answers.

• Driving Test - You must provide a vehicle for the driving test. The vehicle must have a valid tag, proof of insurance, and pass a vehicle inspection. During the driving test, the examiner will observe your ability to control the vehicle and how well you obey traffic laws.
• Driver license handbooks, motorcycle handbooks and commercial driver license handbooks are available for your use from your local driver license offices. There is no charge for the handbooks and may be returned for reuse.
   
• 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?

Class A: Commercial motor vehicles - trucks or truck combinations weighing with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 26,001 lbs. or more, provided towed vehicle is more than 10,000 lbs.

Class B: Commercial motor vehicles - straight trucks weighing 26,001 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or more.

Class C: Vehicles transporting placardable amounts of hazardous materials, or vehicles designed to transport more than 15 persons including the driver with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of less than 26,001 lbs.

Class D: A truck or truck-tractor with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 8,000 lbs. or more, but less than 26,001 lbs., or more than 80 inches wide, not transporting placardable amounts of hazardous materials. Farmers and drivers of authorized emergency vehicles who are exempt from obtaining a commercial driver license must obtain a Class D license with proper endorsements.

Class E: Passenger cars, 15 passenger vans including the driver, light trucks with Gross Vehicle Weight Rating less than 8,000 lbs., or recreational vehicles.
 

Lerner restricted: Any of the vehicles listed under Class E being driven by a person 15 years of age, or persons learning to drive.

Motorcycles: Any class license which includes a motorcycle endorsement. All first-time customers for a motorcycle endorsement who are under 21 years of age must complete a department-approved Motorcycle Safety Education Course.

Moped: Any class license - motorcycle endorsement is not required. NOTE: Riders and passengers under 16 years of age must wear approved protective headgear. A Moped tag is required. Personal Injury Protection insurance is not required.
 

What do I need to bring to obtain a Florida Driver License or Identification Card?
Under Age 18

• One primary and one secondary form of identification, must be original or certified copy. The identification must show your legal name and date of birth.
• Social Security number, if issued.
• Proof of completion of a Traffic Law & Substance Abuse Education Course or license from another jurisdiction.
• Parental Consent Form - must be notarized or signed in the presence of a driver license examiner.

Age 18 or Older

• One primary and one secondary form of identification, must be original or certified copy. The identification must show your legal name and date of birth.
• Social Security number, if issued.
• Proof of completion of a Traffic Law & Substance Abuse Education Course or license from another jurisdiction.
• Proof of Florida vehicle registration if any vehicles are required to be registered in this state.

New Resident

• Valid out-of-state license to surrender.
• Social Security number.
• A second identification document

Part-time Resident

• Part-time residents may elect to retain their valid out-of-state license and receive a Florida license which states "Valid in Florida Only."

Duplicate Licenses/Identification Cards

• One primary and one secondary form of identification, must be original or certified copy. The identification must show your legal name and date of birth.
• If applicant provides correct responses to questions regarding your license/identification card record on file, this may take the place of identification documents not presented.
• The duplicate license fee is $10 and the duplicate identification card fee is $2.50.

Replacement Licenses

• Florida law requires residents, within 10 days of changing their name or address, to obtain a replacement license. The fee is $10. The incorrect license must be surrendered to the Division.
• A sticker will be produced which is affixed to the back of the license.

Florida Identification Card

• One primary and one secondary form of identification, must be original or certified copy. The identification must show your legal name and date of birth.
• Social Security number if issued.
• Must be 12 years of age or older (No minimum age in Citrus, St. Johns or Monroe counties).
• No test required.

NOTE: Giving false information on an application for a driver license or identification card is a third degree felony which may result in arrest, and includes a one-year suspension of the driving privilege.
 

Proof of correct address may be required, for example, canceled mail envelope received.

 

Methods Of Identification And Proof Of Date Of Birth
The Department of Motor Vehicles requires identification, proof of date of birth and social security number from all customers before a driver license or identification card can be issued. Each application for an original driver license or identification card must submit the original or certified copy of one of the following (5) documents:
 

1. United States birth certificate, including terrorities and District of Columbia
2. Valid United States passport (not expired)
3. Alien Registration receipt card, (Green card, Form I-151)
4. Employment authorization card issued by the United States (Form I688b)
5. Proof of nonimmigrant classification provided by United States (Form I94 not expired, or certificate of naturalization)
 

6. School record stating date of birth, which must contain the registrar’s signature.
7. Transcript of the birth record filed with a public officer charged with the duty of recording certificates.
8. Baptism certificate, which shows date of birth and the place of baptism.
9. An insurance policy on the customers life which has been in force for at least two years and which has the month, day and year of birth.
10. A military or military dependent identification card.
11. Florida or other state driver license, valid or expired (may also serve as a primary item).
12. Florida license record or identification card record (may also serve as a primary item).
13. Selective Service Registration (Draft Card).
14. Florida Vehicle Registration certificate (HSMV 83399, owner’s copy) obtained from the tax collector’s office where the customer’s vehicle was registered, Florida, or out-of-state registration certificate, if name and date of birth are shown.
15. Florida or another state non-driver identification cards (may also serve as a primary item).
16. Receipt copy of your last Florida driver license issuance.
17. Immigration form I-571.
18. Federal form DD-214 (military record)
19. Marriage certificate
20. Court order, which includes legal name.
21. A Florida voter registration card, which was issued at least 3 months previously.
22. Personal identification by an examiner or by a person well known to the examiner.
23. Social Security Card.
24. Family bible record or birth announcement in baby book.
25. Parent consent form of minor
26. Out-of-country driver license or identification card, government issued

The supervisor may approve any additional secondary items. Presenting two of the primary documents would not also require a secondary item.

Florida residents and individuals moving to Florida from another state, the District of Columbia, United States possession or Canada, who hold a license or identification card may present their license or ID card as primary identification document for the issuance in Florida of either one, along with an approved secondary identification document. The social security number, if issued, MUST be included on the application for a driver license or ID card.

Commercial Driver License Exam Requirements

Class A - Must be 18 years of age.
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

Class B & C
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
Drivers to 20 years of age will be restricted to Intrastate operation only.
 

Non-Commercial Driver Licenses Exam Requirements

Class D - Minimum Age 16
Class D Road Rules
Road Driving & Signs
Vision
Hearing
Under age 18 must have had a Class E license for 90 days. If you are under 18 and are not married, your license application must be signed by one parent or legal guardian. Step-parents may not sign for you unless they have legally adopted you.
 

Class E - Minimum Age 16
Road Rules
Road Signs
Driving
Vision
Hearing
A new resident exchanging a valid out-of-state license for a Florida 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 one parent or legal guardian. Step-parents may not sign for you unless they have legally adopted you.

NOTE: Beginning October 1, 2000, teens applying for their full operator's (Class E) license will be required to:

• hold learner's license for 12 months
• not incur any traffic convictions
• be certified by parent or guardian to have at least 50 hours of behind-the-wheel training, at least 10 of which must be at night.

Class E Learner - Minimum Age 15
Road Rules
Road Signs
Vision
Hearing

If you are under 18 and are not married, your license application must be signed by one parent or legal guardian. Step-parents may not sign for you unless they have legally adopted you.
 

NOTE: Beginning October 1, 2000, teens applying for their full (Class E) operator's license will be required to:

• hold learner's license for 12 months
• not incur any traffic convictions
• be certified by parent or guardian to have at least 50 hours of behind-the-wheel training, at least 10 of which must be at night.

Motorcycle - Age 16
Written Exam
Skills (on motorcycle)
Vision
Hearing
All first-time applicants for a motorcycle endorsement who are under age 21 must complete a department-approved motorcycle safety education course.