--- title: "Getting a Driver's License in Florida" country: "united-states" service: "drivers-license" category: transportation difficulty: moderate estimated_time: "First-issue is completed in person in a single visit once you hold the required documents and have passed the knowledge exam; the road skills test may be scheduled separately" cost_range: "USD 48-78" last_verified: 2026-05-29 canonical: https://publicservices.guide/united-states/drivers-license/florida/ status: current confidence: low tags: - "drivers-license" - transportation - "real-id" - "class-e" - flhsmv - "new-arrival" - florida sources: - https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/general-information/ - https://www.flhsmv.gov/new-resident/ - https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/what-to-bring/ - https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/what-to-bring/non-immigrant/ - https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/licensing-requirements-teens-graduated-driver-license-laws-driving-curfews/class-e-knowledge-exam-driving-skills-test/ - https://www.flhsmv.gov/fees/ - https://www.flhsmv.gov/2026/01/30/flhsmv-announces-driver-license-exams-to-be-administered-in-english-only/ - https://www.tsa.gov/realid - https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/education-courses/driver-improvement-schools/traffic-law-substance-abuse-education-tlsae-find-approved-listing-tlsae-course-providers/ --- # Getting a Driver's License in Florida **Country:** πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United States **Last verified:** 2026-05-29 **Estimated time:** First-issue is completed in person in a single visit once you hold the required documents and have passed the knowledge exam; the road skills test may be scheduled separately **Cost:** USD 48-78 ## Required documents - **Proof of identity (two forms)** - U.S. citizen: A certified U.S. birth certificate (issued by a county health department or a state/federal vital-statistics office β€” a hospital souvenir certificate is not accepted), a valid U.S. passport or passport card, or a Certificate of Citizenship (form N-560 or N-561). - Permanent resident or immigrant: An original or certified copy of a current Permanent Resident Card, an unexpired I-94, an unexpired immigrant visa, or an I-797 (or other USCIS form bearing your A-number). - Non-immigrant: A valid employment authorization card (form I-688B or I-766), or a non-expired I-94 with a valid passport showing a date-of-entry stamp. F-1/M-1 also need an I-20; J-1/J-2 need a DS-2019. Documents must be valid for more than 30 days from issuance. - _Note:_ Non-citizen documents must be verifiable through the federal lawful-status verification system (SAVE) or USCIS. If unsure which apply, bring all your USCIS documentation. - **Proof of Social Security number** - Accepted: Your Social Security card or other proof of your Social Security number. - _Note:_ The name on the Social Security record must match the name that will appear on the Florida license. - **Two proofs of Florida residential address** - Required: Two different documents showing your Florida residential address. Printouts and faxes are accepted. - Examples: A deed, mortgage statement, or residential rental/lease agreement; a utility bill (water, gas, electricity, cell phone, or cable) dated within the last 60 days; an automobile payment booklet, Selective Service card, or medical card/bill dated within the last 60 days. - _Note:_ A current driver license or ID card cannot serve as proof of address, and an address outside Florida is not accepted β€” the address must be a Florida residential address. ## Costs - **Initial Class E driver license (includes the learner's license):** 48 USD β€” A single charge that also covers the learner's license β€” it is not billed twice - **County tax collector office service fee (optional):** 6.25 USD β€” Added by most county tax collector offices in addition to the license fee β€” not every office charges it - **Class E Knowledge Exam:** 10 USD - **Class E Driving Skills Test (road test):** 20 USD - **Florida identification card (optional):** 25 USD β€” An ID card instead of a driver license, for those who do not drive ## Steps ### 1. Complete the TLSAE Course (First-Time Drivers Only) _Applies when: If you are over 18 and have never held a driver license from any other state, country, or jurisdiction_ - Complete the 4-hour Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course through an approved provider before applying - A Driver Education Licensing Assistance Program (DELAP) course offered by some county school boards also satisfies this requirement, because it includes the TLSAE curriculum > **Tip:** If you already hold a valid license from your previous U.S. jurisdiction, you do not need the TLSAE course β€” you exchange your license instead. The course is for people who have never been licensed anywhere. ### 2. Pass the Class E Knowledge Exam and Vision Test - The knowledge exam has 50 multiple-choice questions; you must answer 40 of 50 correctly (80 percent) to pass - It is administered in English only and covers Florida traffic laws, safe driving practices, and identifying traffic controls - A vision test using an eye machine is conducted at the counter; visual acuity below 20/40 is referred to an eye specialist > **Tip:** Passing the knowledge exam together with the vision test qualifies you for a learner's license. The exam may also be given by an approved third-party administrator under FLHSMV oversight. ### 3. Hold the Learner's License (If Under 18) - A customer must hold the learner's license for 12 months from the issuance date, or be 18 years old, before qualifying for a full driver license - An adult applicant who is already 18 or older is not subject to the 12-month wait > **Tip:** If you are an adult new arrival, this holding period does not delay you β€” the 12-month requirement is satisfied at age 18. ### 4. Pass the Class E Driving Skills Test - The road test is a series of maneuvers that determine your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle - The vehicle you use must have a valid registration, proof of insurance, and pass a basic safety inspection by the examiner > **Tip:** The skills test may also be administered by an approved third-party administrator under FLHSMV oversight, which can be a way to schedule it sooner. ### 5. Receive Your Florida Class E License - First-issue is done in person at a FLHSMV driver license service center or a participating county tax collector office, and the transaction is completed during the visit - A non-U.S. citizen applying for an original license is issued a 60-day temporary paper permit (without a photo) plus a receipt while lawful-status verification completes; the permanent card follows > **Tip:** New driver licenses and ID cards have a star in the upper right corner of the card, indicating that they are REAL ID-compliant. Because every Florida first-issue is processed as a REAL ID transaction, you receive a starred card by default. ## FAQ ### What language is the driver license exam given in? The driver license exam is administered in English only. The Class E knowledge exam has 50 multiple-choice questions on Florida traffic laws, safe driving practices, and identifying traffic controls; you must answer 40 of the 50 correctly (80 percent) to pass. If English is not your first language, prepare for the test in English. ### How soon must a new resident get a Florida license? Within 30 days of establishing residency, in order to drive on Florida roads. You are considered a Florida resident if you enroll your children in public school, register to vote, file for a homestead exemption, accept employment, or reside in Florida for more than six consecutive months. ### I already hold a valid driver license from my previous U.S. jurisdiction β€” do I retake the tests? No. A new resident who exchanges a valid driver license from their previous U.S. jurisdiction for a Florida license is required to pass the vision and hearing tests only β€” the knowledge (written) and driving (road) tests are waived. The exchange is done in person and must be completed within 30 days of establishing residency. ### My only previous license is from a foreign country β€” can I just exchange it? No. A license issued only by a foreign country cannot be exchanged the way a previous U.S. jurisdiction license can. If you have never been issued a license in any state or country, you must complete the TLSAE course, then pass the vision and hearing tests, the knowledge test, and the driving skills test β€” the full first-time process. ### Does an adult new arrival have to wait 12 months after the learner's license? No. The 12-month learner's-license holding period is satisfied at age 18, so an applicant who is already 18 or older is not subject to the wait. ### Will my new license be REAL ID-compliant? Yes. Every first in-office issuance is processed as a REAL ID transaction, producing a card with a star in the upper-right corner. From May 7, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration accepts only a REAL ID-compliant license (with the star) β€” or another acceptable ID such as a U.S. passport β€” at airport security checkpoints. ## Local tips - The driver license exam is administered in English only. If English is not your first language, prepare accordingly β€” the knowledge exam covers Florida traffic laws, safe driving practices, and identifying traffic controls. - For the first in-office issuance, bring original documents β€” not photocopies β€” except for the two address proofs, where printouts and faxes are accepted. - If you legally changed your name with the Social Security Administration, allow 24 to 48 hours before applying so the new name matches the FLHSMV record. ## Sources - [Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles](https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/general-information/) β€” accessed 2026-05-29 β€” _T1_ β€” The Class E is Florida's standard non-commercial driver license. First-issue and REAL ID transactions are done in person at a driver license service center or a participating county tax collector office. The initial Class E license fee is $48.00 and includes the learner's license. A new resident exchanging a valid driver license from their previous U.S. jurisdiction is required to pass the vision and hearing tests only; the knowledge and driving tests are waived. A person who has never been licensed in any state or country must complete the full first-time process. - [Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles](https://www.flhsmv.gov/new-resident/) β€” accessed 2026-05-29 β€” _T1_ β€” A new resident must obtain a valid Florida driver license within 30 days of establishing residency to drive on Florida roads. A person is considered a Florida resident if they enroll their children in public school, register to vote, file for a homestead exemption, accept employment, or reside in Florida for more than six consecutive months. - [Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles](https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/what-to-bring/) β€” accessed 2026-05-29 β€” _T1_ β€” A first-time original applicant must present documents in four categories: two forms of identification, proof of date of birth, proof of Social Security number, and two different documents proving a Florida residential address (printouts and faxes accepted). Dated address documents must be within the last 60 days. A current driver license or ID card cannot serve as address proof, and an address outside Florida is not accepted. - [Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles](https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/what-to-bring/non-immigrant/) β€” accessed 2026-05-29 β€” _T1_ β€” Non-immigrant applicants present an employment authorization card (form I-688B or I-766) or a non-expired I-94 with a valid passport bearing a date-of-entry stamp; F-1/M-1 also need an I-20 and J-1/J-2 a DS-2019. Documents must be valid for more than 30 days from issuance. A non-U.S. citizen is issued a 60-day temporary paper permit plus a receipt while lawful-status verification through SAVE or USCIS completes. - [Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles](https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/licensing-requirements-teens-graduated-driver-license-laws-driving-curfews/class-e-knowledge-exam-driving-skills-test/) β€” accessed 2026-05-29 β€” _T1_ β€” The Class E knowledge exam has 50 multiple-choice questions; a customer must answer 40 of 50 correctly (80 percent) to pass. A vision test is conducted at the counter, with acuity below 20/40 referred to a specialist. The learner's license must be held for 12 months or until age 18 before a full license. The knowledge exam fee is $10.00, the driving skills test fee is $20.00, and a replacement license fee is $25.00. - [Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles](https://www.flhsmv.gov/fees/) β€” accessed 2026-05-29 β€” _T1_ β€” The FLHSMV fee schedule is the authority for current motorist-services fees. Most county tax collector offices add a $6.25 service fee on top of the license fee. A Florida identification card is $25.00. - [Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles](https://www.flhsmv.gov/2026/01/30/flhsmv-announces-driver-license-exams-to-be-administered-in-english-only/) β€” accessed 2026-05-29 β€” _T1_ β€” FLHSMV driver license exams are administered in English only, effective early 2026. - [Transportation Security Administration](https://www.tsa.gov/realid) β€” accessed 2026-05-29 β€” _T1_ β€” From May 7, 2025, the TSA accepts only REAL ID-compliant driver licenses and ID cards (marked with a star) β€” or another acceptable ID such as a U.S. passport β€” as identification at airport security checkpoints. - [Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles](https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/education-courses/driver-improvement-schools/traffic-law-substance-abuse-education-tlsae-find-approved-listing-tlsae-course-providers/) β€” accessed 2026-05-29 β€” _T1_ β€” An applicant over 18 who has never held a driver license from any other state, country, or jurisdiction must complete a 4-hour Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course before applying. A DELAP course offered by some county school boards satisfies this requirement. The TLSAE fee is set by the approved private provider, not by FLHSMV, so no single state-published price exists. --- Verification pending β€” see the canonical page for the latest trust state. Canonical: https://publicservices.guide/united-states/drivers-license/florida/