Getting Your Driver License
Gather documents that verify your identity, Social Security Number, U.S. citizenship or lawful presence status, and proof of Florida residency.
Apply in person at any driver license office, bring your required documents and fees.
Check for the star
Beginning May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States. Check if your Florida driver license is REAL ID complaint by checking for the gold star in the upper right corner of your license.
If you are not yet REAL ID compliant, you will need to bring documents that prove your identity to update your license. Click here to find out what all you will need to bring.
What You’ll Need
IMPORTANT NOTE: Effective August 1, 2025, new teen drivers in Florida must complete additional courses for their learner’s permit. View full requirements and exemptions.
A person who holds a Learner’s license must be accompanied by a licensed driver, 21 years of age or older, who occupies the front passenger seat closest to the right of the driver.
Class E – Learner’s Exam Requirements
- You are required to complete:
To apply for a learners license, you must be at least 15 years old.- Complete a Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course.
- Parental Consent Form signed by a parent or guardian in the presence of a driver license examiner or notarized if the parent or guardian will not be present.
- REAL ID documents to establish your identity, proof of legal presence, proof of social security number (if issued) and two proofs of residential address.
- Class E Knowledge exam consisting of 50 questions on traffic laws and signs. You must have 40 correct answers to pass (80%).
- Vision test using an eye machine. You must have 20/40 or better in each and both eyes, with or without corrective lenses, to pass.
- Hearing test.
- Motorcycle Endorsement:
- Drivers with a learner’s license are ineligible for a motorcycle endorsement
- No one under 16 years of age may legally operate or be licensed to operate a two or three wheel motorcycle, moped or motorized scooter with an engine size of 50 cc. on Florida roads, streets or highways.
- Florida residents are required to complete the “Basic Rider Course” 15 hour motorcycle safety course approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Click here for more information.
- Drivers under 18 years of age:
- Must have signature of one parent (or guardian) on the parental consent form.
- Must present required documents: Primary identification, Proof of Social Security Number and Proof of Residential Address.
- Must be in compliance with school attendance.
Class E driver license is designated for any non-commercial motor vehicles with Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) less than 26,001 pounds, including passenger cars, 15 passenger vans including the driver, trucks or recreational vehicles and two or three wheel motor vehicles 50 cc or less, such as mopeds or small scooters.
Farmers and drivers of authorized emergency vehicles who are exempt from obtaining a commercial driver license must obtain a Class E license.
Class E Exam Requirements – (Minimum age 16)
Intermediate License (Ages 16-17)
To get your intermediate driver’s license, you must:
- Be at least 16 years old
- Have held a learner’s permit for a full year with a clean driving record (no traffic violations)
Upgrade FL Learners to Class E Requirements
Applicant under the age of 18, must have held a learner’s permit for a minimum of one year.
Driving Test
- Take and pass the Driving Skills Road Test. For more information about the Road Test, check out our how-to video here.
- Be at least 16 years of age to be eligible to take the Driving Skills Road Test. If you are under 18 years old, you must have held a Learner License for at least 1 year conviction-free.
- If under 18 years old, your parent, guardian, or another responsible adult 21 years old or older must be present with their identification to certify that you have had 50 hours of driving experience; 10 of which must include nighttime driving. If such person cannot be present, they must complete Certification of Driving Experience of a Minor.
- Pay $6.25 to upgrade your Learner License to a Class E License plus any exam retake fees. If your Learner License is lost/stolen or you have changes to make to your personal information, you must pay $31.25 plus any exam retake fees.
- Note: If 18 years of age or older, you have the option of completing the Learner License requirements and upgrading it to a Class E License without first being issued a Learner License. If you opt to do so, it must be completed in two steps. You would first be required to pass all written exams, then make an appointment to take the Driving Skills Road Test.
Document Requirements
- All applicants, who are not Real ID compliant, are required to present primary identification, proof of social security number, and proof of Florida residential address. For information on what documents are accepted please visit What to Bring.
Never Licensed in any state Requirements
Driving Test
- You must provide a vehicle for the driving test. The vehicle must have a valid tag, proof of insurance, and pass a vehicle inspection. During the driving test, the examiner will observe your ability to control the vehicle and how well you obey traffic laws. The Hendry County Tax collector’s office offers driving test at both the Clewiston and LaBelle offices. Road Test services are available by appointment only and to Hendry and Glades County residents only. For an additional fee, customers can contact a state-approved third-party test site. Click here to see the full list of approved testing facilities.
Other Required Tests
Written Test
- 50 Questions – 45 multiple choice questions about traffic laws & 5 multiple choice questions testing knowledge of different road sign meanings
*Must have 40 correct answers to pass.
Vision Test
- Using an eye machine you must pass with or without corrective lenses.
Beginning August 1, 2025, all teen drivers ages 15-17 must complete the New 6-Hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) Course. This comprehensive course replaces the previous 4-hour TLSAE course for teen drivers.
Applicants 18 and over must complete Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education Course – This course is NOT offered in our offices and must be done with a third party. If you were previously licensed in another country this may be waived.
Document Requirements
- All applicants are required to present primary identification, proof of social security number, and proof of Florida residential address. For information on what documents are accepted please visit What to Bring.
Motorcycle Endorsement
- Drivers with a learner’s license are ineligible for a motorcycle endorsement
- No one under 16 years of age may legally operate or be licensed to operate a two or three wheel motorcycle, moped or motorized scooter with an engine size of 50 cc. on Florida roads, streets or highways.
- Florida residents are required to complete the “Basic Rider Course” 15 hour motorcycle safety course approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Click here for more information.
Transferring out of state to FL Class E (non-CDL)
Required Test
- Vision Test – Using an eye machine you must pass with or without corrective lenses.
Document Requirements
- All applicants are required to present primary identification, proof of social security number, and proof of Florida residential address. For information on what documents are accepted please visit What to Bring.
Required Documentation
For a list of the required documentation you will need to obtain a Florida driver license or Florida ID card, please click on your applicable residency status below:
- Driver License Status Check
- Emergency Contact Information
- Vital Records – Birth Certificates
- FL Organ and Tissue Donor Registry
- Traffic Law & Substance Abuse Education Course Schools
- Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) Frequently Asked Questions
- Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) Approved Providers
Step-by-Step Process
Gather Documents
Gather documents that verify your identity, Social Security Number, U.S. citizenship or lawful presence status, and proof of Florida residency.
Apply in Person
Apply in person at any driver license office and bring your required documents and fees.
Review Checklist
Fees & Payments
Driver’s License/ID Cards
Applications for driver’s licenses/ID cards must be made in person at any local office offering driver licenses services. When applying for a driver license, you will be given a vision test, however you may be eligible to receive a license without taking a written or road test.
The fee for an initial Florida Class E license (including learner’s permit) is $48.00, a commercial driver license (Class A) license is $75.00 and endorsements are $7.00 each. The fee for an ID Card is $25.00. Most local Tax Collector offices also charge a $6.25 service fee. For a complete list of driver license fees, click here.
Driver License Fees
An additional $6.25 service fee may apply to any credential issued in a tax collector office. Veterans that provide or have previously provided evidence of veteran status will not be charged the $6.25 service fee in a tax collector office for the below transactions with an asterisk*
Driver License Fees
Fee Type
Current Amount
Fee Type
Current Amount
Original Class E (includes Learner’s license)*
$48.00
Original/Renewal Commercial Driver License*
Original School Board Commercial Driver License*
Renewal Class E*
$48.00
Renewal School Board Commercial Driver License*
$48.00
Replacement license (Free to veterans only adding the “Veteran” designation)*
$25.00
Late Fee
$15.00
Endorsements
$7.00
Knowledge retest*
$10.00
Skill retest*
$20.00
Identification Cards (Original, Renewal & Replacement)*
$25.00
$130.00
D-6 Suspension – DHSMV
$60.00
Disqualification
$75.00
$75.00
$45.00
Court Ordered Child Support Suspension
$60.00
Department of Revenue (DOR) Child Support Suspension
$45.00
Worthless Check Suspension
$55.00
Filing Fee for hardship hearing
$12.00
Filing Fee for Formal/Informal review
$25.00
DUI program fee (assessed by the program)
$15.00
Interlock Fee (assessed by the vendor)
$12.00
Operator License
Fee
Operator License
Fee
Original
$54.25
Renewal
$54.25
Replacement
$31.25
Endorsements (fee applies to each endorsement)
$7.00
Commercial License (CDL)
Fee
Commercial License (CDL)
Fee
Original
$81.25
Renewal
$81.25
Original School Bus Driver (w/proof of employment)
$54.25*
Renewal School Bus Driver (w/proof of employment)
$54.25*
Replacement
$31.25
Endorsements (fee applies to each endorsement)
$7.00
Identification Card
Fee
Identification Card
Fee
Original
$31.25
Renewal
$31.25
Replacement
$31.25
Additional Fees
Fee
Additional Fees
Fee
Address Change
$31.25
Delinquent Renewal
$69.25
Stolen (w/police report and no other changes to license/ID)
$6.25
Written Exam Retake
$16.25
Drivers Transcript/Driving Record
$16.25
Failed Vehicle Inspection for Skills Test
$6.25
Skills Test Retake
$26.25
1st Written Test
$6.25
1st Skills Test
$6.25
Sanctions (Reinstatements)
Fee
Sanctions (Reinstatements)
Fee
$51.25
FR Suspension – Liability
$21.25
FR Suspension – PIP First Offense
$156.25
FR Suspension – PIP 2nd Offense within 3 years
$256.25
FR Suspension – PIP 3rd Offense within 3 years
$506.25
CDL Disqualifications
$81.25
Administrative Fee for Drug & Alcohol Offenses
$136.25
Revocation
$81.25
D6
$66.25
Court Ordered Child Support Suspension
$66.25
Department of Revenue Child Support Suspension
$51.25
Worthless Check
$61.25
Note: Some people may not qualify to use online services. (ie. those who do not have a digital image on file and non-U.S. Citizens)
This service is offered in conjunction with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. When you click on the button below to start the transaction, you will be directed to their website.
Any questions related to the online renewal options should be directed to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles at 850-617-2000.
Once a transaction has been processed through the Internet neither this office nor the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles can cancel the transaction.
Important Information:
- You may renew your driver license up to 18 months prior to expiration.
- You may renew your ID card up to 12 months prior to expiration.
- Click here to see if you are eligible to renew online.
FAQs
The Tax Collector’s office is an independent Constitutional officer acting as an agent for Department of Motor Vehicle. Our office provides in-person services for driver license and identification card transactions, including original issuance, renewals, replacements, address or name changes, and license reinstatements, as authorized by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).
Required documents vary by transaction type. Generally, you should be prepared to provide:
- Proof of identity
- Proof of Social Security number (if applicable)
- Two proofs of Florida residential address
- Legal name change documents (if applicable)
We recommend reviewing your specific requirements before visiting to ensure you bring the correct documentation.
Many customers may be eligible to renew online through the MyDMV Portal. If you are not eligible to renew online, you will need to visit an office in person.
Our office accepts cash, checks, and most major credit and debit cards. Additional convenience fees may apply for card payments. The Tax Collector does not retain any portion of the convenience fees. This is a charge initiated by the credit card processor.
If processing in the office, in most cases, you will receive your credentials the same day. If processing online, most customers receive their credential within 7–14 business days after completing their transaction.
Yes. Address and name changes can be completed in person. Legal name changes require original or certified supporting documentation, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
You may request a replacement license or ID at any Tax Collector office. Be sure to bring acceptable identification and any required supporting documents.
Road skills tests are administered by appointment only and eligibility requirements must be met. Teens must complete all state-required education and testing before scheduling a driving exam.
Certain CDL services are available; however, some transactions must be completed directly through FLHSMV. CDL customers should review requirements in advance to determine where their service must be completed. Link to CDL page.
Our team is here to help. If you are unsure what documents to bring or which service you need, we encourage you to contact our office or review the Driver License & ID section of our website before arriving.
Ready to Get Started?
Our team is here to help make your visit as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Visit one of our convenient Hendry County Tax Collector locations in LaBelle or Clewiston to complete your transaction, or contact us if you have questions about what to bring.
