How to Renew Your Florida Driver License Under the New Regulations

If it is close to time for you to get your driver license renewed in the State of Florida, you will find that the rules have changed, Ever since January 1, 2010, quite a bit more documentation is required, not to mention cold, hard cash. But forewarned is forearmed, so here is your guide to getting your driver license renewed in Florida.

The first thing you'll want to do as you prepare to renew your driver license is to go online to a web site designed to help you figure out what you'll need to take in the way of documentation in the State of Florida. It is GatherGoGet.com and it is quite helpful in guiding you through what you'll need to proceed when it is time for you to renew your driver license.

When it is time to get your driver license renewed, you will probably get a notice on a postcard from the State of Florida letting you know that it is time to renew your driver license. The first document you should tend to is a birth certificate. You must have a birth certificate issued by the State of your birth, not one issued by the hospital. Even if your birth certificate says Certificate of Birth, and/or "this certifies that John Doe was born in..." or something to that effect, and even if it holds a raised seal, if it doesn't say it is issued by the State, but instead lists the hospital, it is invalid. You must get a new one.

This isn't all that difficult, really, as long as you know a month or so in advance. To obtain a State-issued birth certificate, first find the Health Department in your State and County of birth. Don't look for your city; the health department goes by County. Once you've found the County Health Department in the State of your birth, go to their web site and download the directions for getting a birth certificate and the form to fill out. Print these out, and fill out the form. Follow the directions.

You'll probably need to include a stamped, self-addressed envelope (pay attention to the size you'll need, according to the size of birth certificate you order). There will probably be a fee, around $10.00 most places. Some places accept checks, and some don't. Also, you'll probably need to make a copy of your current driver license to send along. When you have everything together, send for your birth certificate. When it arrives, you can gather the rest of your documents. Or, if you have a valid passport, you can use this in lieu of a birth certificate.

To renew your driver license, you will need your social security card. If you don't have it, or don't want to use it for some reason, like your name being slightly different on it, a current paycheck that has the entire social security number on it is acceptable.

Be sure to bring two pieces of mail with your name and address on them. Make sure these are utility bills or something, and not junk mail. A current voter's registration card will also serve as identification. If you are a married woman, you will also need a marriage certificate to show name progression. If applicable, bring divorce decrees as well.

Once you have all the documentation gathered, you can go to your driver license office, or, if appropriate, the local tax collector's office. For instance, in Fort Myers, Florida you would go to what is commonly referred to as the Darth Vader building. The tax collector's office costs an extra $6.00, but since it is about a thousand times better than going to the Driver License Bureau, it is so worth it! You do not need an appointment. It is clean, light, and there are plenty of chairs. Your documentation will be checked at the desk, and then a number will be issued. When your number is called, you will go to the proper desk, and a cheerful employee will efficiently take you through the remaining steps required for your driver license.

You must have your picture taken, but that's not the really painful part of renewing your driver license. Let me warn you now, there will be significant sticker shock! Before the new Florida regulations took effect, a driver license renewal was $15.00. Now it is at least $48.00, plus $6.00 if you are at the tax collector's office. The good news is that you are now certified, complete with a gold star on your brand, spanking new driver license, and it will be several years before you will have to renew again.

Sources:

personal experience

Florida Card, GatherGoGet