First Time Drivers. All customers applying for a Florida license will be required to meet minimum vision requirements and provide identification documents for issuance. Please see our document requirements section for more information. Customers must be 15 or older to obtain a Florida Class E Learner Permit. If the expiration date of your Florida driver's license falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the FL DMV will extend your renewal period to midnight of the following business day. Temporary Permits in Florida. You may be eligible for a temporary driving permit in certain circumstances.
Florida residents who want to obtain a driver's license must follow certain steps, including meeting the minimum requirements, taking a driving and written test and passing hearing and vision screenings.
Vision Test
All non-commercial Class E driver's, learner's restricted and motorcycle license applicants must take the vision test when applying at a Florida driver's license office. You must also take a vision test each time you renew a license. The driver's license office staff use an eye machine to administer the test. If you need glasses or contact lenses to pass the vision exam, you receive a corrective lenses endorsement on your license and can only drive with your glasses or contact lenses.
Test Requirements
You can meet state vision requirements without having to visit an eye specialist if you have 20/40 or better vision in each eye with or without corrective lenses. If you have worse than 20/40 vision, you can still get a license if your vision is:
- 20/50 or worse and you see an eye specialist who can improve your eyesight.
- 20/70 in either eye or both eyes with or without corrective lenses after referral to an eye specialist, as long as the vision in the worst eye is better than 20/200.
- 20/200 or worse in one eye but the other eye is 20/40 or better.
After seeing an eye specialist, you'll have to submit a Report of Eye Exam, filled out and signed by the eye specialist giving his assessment of your vision and ability to drive.
Tips
Color blindness does not require special endorsements on your license.
Warnings
Telescopic lenses do not count as vision correction in Florida.
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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security REAL ID Act became effective nationwide in 2008, mandating new standards for the issuance of driver licenses and identification cards. Florida began issuing REAL ID-compliant credentials January 1, 2010. New driver licenses and ID cards have a star in the upper right corner of the card, indicating that they are REAL ID-compliant. As part of the REAL ID Act, there are documentation requirements for residents renewing or obtaining a new driver license or ID card. For the first in-office issuance after January 1, 2010, customers must bring original documents that validate their identity, Social Security Number (SSN) and residential address.
Customers must visit an office with the required documents if:
- They are applying for their first driver license or ID card;
- Their current credential expires, their last renewal was completed through the mail or online and their current driver license or ID card does not have a star in the upper corner; or
- They have legally changed their name since their last issuance (e.g., by marriage, divorce or court order).
- The name(s) on their marriage certificate(s) or court order must show how their birth name was changed to their current name.
- If their name has changed multiple times and the document they provide shows their current name and their birth name, they need only bring the final name change document.
- If the final marriage certificate does not have both names, they will need to bring all documents that show how their name changed from birth name to current name.
Customers may be eligible to renew their license online; however, the FLHSMV encourages customers without REAL ID-compliant driver licenses or ID cards to renew in an office.
Florida Drivers License Online Renewal Requirements
Note: In accordance with the REAL ID Act, once a customer provides the required identity documents, they will only need to provide them again if their information changes (e.g., name, residential address). After October 1, 2020, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will only accept driver licenses and ID cards with a star in the upper right corner as proof of identification at airports. Individuals currently seeking access to military bases and most Federal facilities must present REAL ID-compliant identification. A United States passport may also be used in place of a REAL ID-compliant card for official identification.
Note:
Documents Needed For Florida Drivers License
Information regarding the REAL ID required documents can be found by selecting the applicable citizenship status below.