How To Get A Fl Drivers License

Overview

This page provides an overview of driver license and ID card services and requirements and guides you to specific information to help ensure you successfully complete your transaction. To estimate your transaction costs, see our driver license fees page. Please also see our payment options page.

All of our in-person services are by appointment only and are available to Manatee County residents only.

Before you visit our office, you must schedule an appointment through our online appointment system and complete the online driver license and ID card application. Do not print the application – an associate will access your electronic submission during your appointment.

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Service options

Online services

You may be able to complete your transaction online through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), which is a separate agency from the tax collector's office. To see if you're eligible to complete your transaction online, visit the FLHSMV online services website.

You can check your driver license status through the FLHSMV's driver license check page. (Due to privacy laws, we do not provide driver license status information or reinstatement requirements by phone.)

If you have a commercial driver license (CDL), you may be eligible to update your medical certification online. For details, visit the FLHSMV's CDL medical information page.

Services available at our office

All of our in-person services are by appointment only and are available to Manatee County residents only. Before you visit our office, you must schedule an appointment through our online appointment system.

To process your driver license or ID card transaction at our office, you must complete the online driver license and ID card application. Do not print the application – an associate will access your electronic submission during your appointment.

Full driver license services

Limited driver license services

Services not available at our office

Our office does not provide the following services:

Motorcycle safety courses
Traffic law and substance abuse education courses
Commercial driver license (CDL) driving skills road tests

Renewals, replacements, changes

You can renew your Florida driver license or ID card up to 12 months ahead of its expiration date. For requirements and a fee estimate for renewing or replacing your Florida driver license, ID card, or commercial driver license (CDL), read our driver license FAQ or our driver license and ID card publication.

You'll also find information about changing your name or address.

CDL renewals and replacements are available at our Driver License office only – our other locations do not provide CDL services. For more information about CDL transactions, including which services our Driver License office does and doesn't provide, see our commercial driver license information.

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Out-of-state transfers

You've never been licensed in any state.
Your out-of-state driver license or ID card is lost or stolen.

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Learner licenses and upgrades

Learner license services are available only to Manatee County residents. You must process all learner license transactions by appointment at our Driver License office. To make an appointment, use our online appointment system.

First-time learner license

If you're getting a learner license for the first time, read the following for requirements:

Learner license upgrade to driver license

If you're upgrading from a learner license to a Class E driver license, the following resources will help you prepare:

Suspensions, revocations, cancellations

Commercial driver licenses (CDL)

Our commercial driver license (CDL) services are available only by appointment and only at our Driver License office. To make an appointment, use our online appointment system.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require you to certify in one of four categories of CDL operation before getting or renewing a CDL. For information, visit the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' CDL medical certification requirements page. You may be eligible to update your medical certification designation on that website instead of at our office.

If you're getting a CDL for the first time, read the following to find out what you need to do:

If you're applying for a hazmat endorsement or renewing your Florida CDL that already has the hazmat endorsement, you must complete the online hazmat application prior to scheduling an appointment at our office. For more information about the application process, visit the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' hazmat information page.

We do not administer CDL driving skills road tests. For CDL road test information, including how to find state-approved providers, read our CDL road test publication.

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First-time ID cards

If you've never had an ID card in any U.S. state and want to get a Florida ID card, read our ID card publication for requirements. Depending on your situation, you will receive your ID card either before you leave our office or within 60 days by mail.

You must process this transaction by appointment at our Driver License office. To make an appointment, use our online appointment system.

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Additional information