I'm a new resident in Florida: what do I do with my license?

Compare with the state you moved from

Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from Florida. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

Key rules in Florida

Each rule comes from the Florida driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.

Licensing and paperwork

• Deadline to switch your license

  30 days after you become a Florida resident.

  What the manual says

  • You have 30 days

    You must get a Florida driver license within 30 days after you become a Florida resident. You apply in person at a local office that offers driver license services. You become a resident if you do any of these things:

    • Enroll your children in public school.
    • Register to vote.
    • File for a homestead exemption.
    • Accept a job.
    • Live in Florida for more than 6 months in a row.

  Source: [1] [2]

• Tests when you transfer a license

  No written or driving test when exchanging a valid U.S. state license; vision and hearing tests are required.

  What the manual says

  • Tests you do not take

    If you exchange a valid license from another U.S. state for a Florida license, you do not need to take the written test or the driving test. You must pass the vision and hearing tests. Other tests may be required if there are signs that you may not be able to drive safely. If you are under 18, you also do not need the DETS course.

  • Tests you do not take

    If you exchange a valid license from another U.S. state for a Florida license, you do not need to take the written test or the driving test. You must pass the vision and hearing tests. Other tests may be required if there are signs that you may not be able to drive safely. If you are under 18, you also do not need the DETS course.

  Source: [3] [4] [5]

• Liability insurance

  Proof of PIP and property damage liability insurance is required to register a vehicle; minimum $10,000 of each.

  What the manual says

  • Florida's No-Fault Law requires proof of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL) before you can register a vehicle.
  • Florida requires a minimum of $10,000 in PIP coverage AND a minimum of $10,000 in PDL coverage.

  Source: Florida Driver License Handbook (Revised August 2023), page 23

• Change of address

  30 days to update the address on your license after you move.

  What the manual says

  • Keep your license up to date

    If you move, you have 30 days to update the address on your license. Always carry your license when you drive, and keep proof of registration and insurance in the vehicle.

  Source: [6] [7]

• How long the license lasts

  Class E license: 8 years if under 80, 6 years if over 79 (U.S. citizens and immigrants).

  What the manual says

  • How long your license is valid

    A Class E license for U.S. citizens and immigrants is valid for 8 years if you are under 80, and 6 years if you are over 79. For non-immigrants, it is valid for the time approved by USCIS, up to 1 year. You can renew up to 18 months before it expires.

  Source: [4] [6]

Road rules

• Teen driving hours

  Licensed 16-year-olds: no driving 11 p.m.-6 a.m.; 17-year-olds: 1-5 a.m.; unless to/from work or with a licensed driver 21+.

  What the manual says

  • A 16-year-old licensed driver may not drive between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., unless driving to or from work or accompanied by a licensed driver age 21 or older.
  • A 17-year-old licensed driver may not drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., unless driving to or from work or accompanied by a licensed driver age 21 or older.

  Source: Florida Driver License Handbook (Revised August 2023), page 25

• Alcohol limit under 21

  Driver under 21 with alcohol level .02 or higher: automatic six-month suspension.

  What the manual says

  • Any driver under 21 stopped with a BAL of .02 or higher automatically has their driving privilege suspended for six months.

  Source: Florida Driver License Handbook (Revised August 2023), page 26

• Refusing a chemical test

  Signing your license means agreeing to blood, urine or breath tests; first refusal of a lawful test: automatic one-year suspension.

  What the manual says

  • By signing your driver license, you have agreed to take a blood, urine, or breath test if a law enforcement officer has reasonable cause to believe you are under the influence.
  • If you refuse to take the tests when lawfully asked, your license will automatically be suspended for one year.

  Source: Florida Driver License Handbook (Revised August 2023), page 25, 26

• Seat belts

  Required for all drivers, front seat passengers and passengers under 18; driver is charged for unbelted minors.

  What the manual says

  • Florida law requires all drivers, front seat passengers, and passengers under the age of 18 to wear safety belts.
  • Drivers will be charged with a safety belt/child restraint violation if any passenger under 18 is not properly restrained; passengers 18 or older are charged themselves if they fail to wear a belt.

  Source: Florida Driver License Handbook (Revised August 2023), page 28

• Child safety seats

  Under age 4: safety seat; ages 4 and 5: safety seat or booster seat.

  What the manual says

  • Children under age 4 must be in a safety seat, and children ages 4 and 5 must be in either a safety seat or a booster seat.

  Source: Florida Driver License Handbook (Revised August 2023), page 28

• Phone use while driving

  Texting while driving is illegal; hand-held phone use is banned in school crossings, school zones and work zones.

  What the manual says

  • The handbook states it is illegal in Florida to operate a motor vehicle while texting.
  • Florida law prohibits a person from operating a motor vehicle while using a wireless communications device in a handheld manner in a designated school crossing, school zone, or work zone.

  Source: Florida Driver License Handbook (Revised August 2023), page 34

• School buses

  Both directions stop on two-way roads; opposite direction exempt only with a raised barrier or unpaved median 5+ feet wide.

  What the manual says

  • On a two-way street or highway, all drivers moving in either direction must stop for a stopped school bus that is picking up or dropping off children, and must remain stopped until the stop signal is withdrawn and all children are clear of the roadway (p. 89).
  • If the highway is divided by a raised barrier or an unpaved median at least five feet wide, you do not have to stop if you are moving in the opposite direction of the bus. Painted lines or pavement markings are NOT considered barriers, and you must always stop if moving in the same direction as the bus (p. 89).

  Source: Florida Driver License Handbook (Revised August 2023), page 89

• Move Over law

  Multi-lane: vacate the lane nearest the vehicle; if unable, slow to 20 mph below limit.

  What the manual says

  • On a multi-lane roadway, you must vacate the lane closest to the stationary law enforcement, emergency vehicle, tow truck, sanitation, or utility vehicle, signaling your intention to change lanes.
  • If you cannot move over safely, you must slow down to a speed of 20 MPH below the posted speed limit.
  • If the speed limit is 20 MPH or less, you must travel at 5 MPH.

  Source: Florida Driver License Handbook (Revised August 2023), page 65

• Headlights

  Between sunset and sunrise, whenever windshield wipers are on, and in low visibility such as fog or smoke.

  What the manual says

  • Florida law says you must use headlights between the hours of sunset and sunrise.
  • When you turn on your windshield wipers, turn on your headlights.
  • When driving in low-visibility conditions, you must turn on your headlights. Parking lights are not a substitute.

  Source: Florida Driver License Handbook (Revised August 2023), page 73, 72, 71

• Right turn on red

  After stopping, if no NO TURN ON RED sign and way clear; yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.

  What the manual says

  • After stopping at a red light, you may turn right if there is not a NO TURN ON RED sign and the way is clear.
  • Before turning at a red light, you must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in the crosswalk and oncoming traffic.

  Source: Florida Driver License Handbook (Revised August 2023), page 51

• Speed limits

  Unless posted: 30 mph municipal, business, residential; 55 mph streets and highways; 70 mph limited access.

  What the manual says

  • Florida's standard maximum speed limit in a municipal, business, or residential area is 30 MPH, except where otherwise posted.
  • Florida's standard maximum speed limit on streets and highways is 55 MPH, except where otherwise posted.
  • Florida's standard speed limit on limited access highways is 70 MPH.

  Source: Florida Driver License Handbook (Revised August 2023), page 68

• Left lane and keeping right

  Move out of the left lane when a faster vehicle overtakes you; slower traffic stays right unless passing.

  What the manual says

  • Do not increase your speed when you are being passed; move to the right side of your lane. Florida law states that a driver must move out of the left lane when being overtaken from behind by another vehicle traveling at a faster speed.
  • This sign requires slower vehicles to stay in the right lane unless passing, and to move out of the left lane when a faster vehicle overtakes them.

  Source: Florida Driver License Handbook (Revised August 2023), page 67, 48

• Points and suspension

  12 points in 12 months: 30 days; 18 in 18 months: 3 months; 24 in 36: 1 year.

  What the manual says

  • 12 points within a 12-month period results in a 30-day suspension.
  • 18 points within an 18-month period results in a 3-month suspension.
  • 24 points within a 36-month period results in a 1-year suspension.

  Source: Florida Driver License Handbook (Revised August 2023), page 29

Official steps for moving to Florida

• You have 30 days

  You must get a Florida driver license within 30 days after you become a Florida resident. You apply in person at a local office that offers driver license services. You become a resident if you do any of these things:

  • Enroll your children in public school.
  • Register to vote.
  • File for a homestead exemption.
  • Accept a job.
  • Live in Florida for more than 6 months in a row.

  Source: [1] [2]

• Tests you do not take

  If you exchange a valid license from another U.S. state for a Florida license, you do not need to take the written test or the driving test. You must pass the vision and hearing tests. Other tests may be required if there are signs that you may not be able to drive safely. If you are under 18, you also do not need the DETS course.

  Source: [3] [4] [5]

• Hand in your old license

  When your Florida license is issued, you must surrender (hand in) your license from the other U.S. state or territory. Your out-of-state license is not accepted as your primary identity document, so you still need to bring your documents.

  Source: [7] [4]

• Licenses from U.S. territories, the U.S. military or other countries

  With a license from another country, you may need to complete the TLSAE course, a written test or a driving test. The Class E knowledge and driving tests are waived if you have a valid license from one of the places below. A vision test is still required.

  • U.S. territories
  • U.S. military
  • Canada (only if you surrender your Canadian license)
  • France
  • Germany (only the driving test is waived)
  • Taiwan (Republic of China)
  • South Korea

  Source: [7] [8]

• If you are missing documents

  If you cannot bring all the required documents, you may get a 60-day temporary permit. This is possible only if your out-of-state license is still valid, or has been expired for 60 days or less.

  Source: [2]

• Military families

  Military service members and their families who live and drive in Florida may drive with a valid out-of-state driver license.

  Source: [4]

Sources

1. New Resident - Welcome to Florida! (flhsmv.gov) — Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)
2. Visiting Florida Frequently Asked Questions (flhsmv.gov) — Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)
3. Driver Licenses & ID Cards - General Information (flhsmv.gov) — Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)
4. What to Bring - Frequently Asked Questions (flhsmv.gov) — Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)
5. Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) Course Frequently Asked Questions (flhsmv.gov) — Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)
6. Renew or Replace Your Florida Driver License or ID Card (flhsmv.gov) — Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)
7. Florida Driver License Handbook (Revised August 2023) (flhsmv.gov) — Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)
8. General Information - Frequently Asked Questions (flhsmv.gov) — Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)