Broward County Driver’s License Renewal: Documents, Fees, REAL ID

A Broward County driver’s license renewal runs through the Broward County Tax Collector, which handles licensing on behalf of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). A standard Class E renewal costs $48, lasts eight years if you’re under 80 and six years if you’re 80 or older, and can be started up to 18 months before your expiration date.¹² You can renew online through the MyDMV Portal if you qualify, or in person at a Broward County Tax Collector office.

Online or In Person

Florida allows one online “convenience” renewal between in-person visits, so you’ll need to show up at an office at least once every 16 years, or every 12 years if you’re 80 or older.¹ Logging into the MyDMV Portal at flhsmv.gov is the fastest way to find out whether this is your online cycle.³

You cannot renew online if any of these apply:

Your current license is not REAL ID-compliant. Since January 2020, non-compliant customers are locked out of the portal entirely.
Your name has changed since your last license was issued.
You established identity using an employment authorization card or proof of nonimmigrant status; those credentials must be renewed in person with updated documentation each cycle.¹

If you qualify online, the portal handles payment and verifies your Social Security number against federal records. A mismatch has to be fixed with the Social Security Administration before the renewal will go through. Your new card is mailed within two to three weeks.³

For an in-person renewal, the Broward County Tax Collector operates several service centers, including one in Plantation at 1800 N.W. 66th Avenue. A full list of locations, hours, and appointment slots is posted at browardtax.org.⁴ Walk-ins are accepted, but booking an appointment first will save you a long wait. At the counter you’ll check in, present your documents, take a vision test, and have a new photo taken. The card is mailed to your address on file and generally arrives in two to three weeks.

Documents to Bring

Florida law requires proof of identity, Social Security number, and residential address when you apply for or renew a license. For identity, bring one primary document: a valid U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, or, for non-citizens, a valid permanent resident card or employment authorization card.⁵ For your Social Security number, bring your Social Security card or another acceptable document such as a military ID.⁶

If you’re renewing a REAL ID credential, also bring two documents showing your residential address, such as a mortgage statement, lease, utility bill, or bank statement with your Broward County address. The full accepted list is on the FLHSMV “What to Bring” page at flhsmv.gov.⁷ If you already hold a REAL ID-compliant license and nothing has changed, the paperwork is lighter because the state already has your verified documents.

If your name has changed since your last license was issued, bring the original supporting document, not a photocopy: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order for any other legal change.⁷

Vision Test

Every in-person renewal includes a vision screening. You need to read at least 20/40 in each eye, with or without corrective lenses, so bring your glasses or contacts if you wear them.⁸ If you can’t pass at the office, you’ll be sent to an eye specialist and asked to return with a completed Report of Eye Examination (HSMV form 72010).⁹ If your prescription has drifted or it’s been years since your last exam, get checked before your appointment rather than after.

Fees and Payment

The base renewal fee for a Class E license is $48. If your license has already expired, a $15 delinquent fee is added, bringing the total to $63.¹⁰ Card payments carry a surcharge collected by the card companies: 2.55% for credit, a flat $1.95 for debit.

Do You Want a REAL ID?

As of May 7, 2025, a REAL ID-compliant credential is required to board domestic commercial flights and enter certain federal facilities. A standard renewal will not upgrade a non-compliant license automatically; you have to request the REAL ID and bring the full document set.⁷ And because the MyDMV Portal is closed to non-compliant customers, if you haven’t upgraded yet, an in-person visit is your only renewal path.

Issues That Can Block a Renewal

Even with the right documents and the right fee, the FLHSMV will not process a renewal if your driving privilege is suspended or revoked.¹¹ Common triggers include unpaid traffic fines, certain criminal convictions, and DUI cases.

Unpaid child support is another frequent cause. When the Florida Department of Revenue or a court flags you for nonpayment, the suspension takes effect 20 days after the order is mailed and stays in place until you comply with the court’s directives and pay any required delinquency fees.¹² Reinstatement for a support hold requires bringing certification of compliance to a driver licensing office, so it can’t be cleared online. Check your status in the MyDMV Portal before booking anything.

If Your License Has Already Expired

Driving on a license that expired within the last six months is a traffic infraction with a fine; it’s a ticket rather than a criminal charge, but it lands on your driving record.¹³

You can still renew a license that expired up to 12 months ago by paying the $48 fee plus the $15 delinquent fee, and the state may require you to pass a written exam before reissuing.¹¹ Past 12 months, the renewal path closes and you have to apply for a new license from scratch, with the full exam process. Handle a lapse quickly; every month narrows your options.

Military Members Stationed Outside Florida

Active-duty members stationed outside Florida don’t need to renew on the normal cycle. The FLHSMV issues a military extension card that keeps your Florida driving privilege valid continuously until 90 days after discharge, your return to Florida to live, or your receipt of a new license from Florida or another state. To request one, submit the Military Personnel and Dependents Affidavit (HSMV form 73641) certifying your active-duty status with a copy of your current orders.¹⁴

1
Florida Senate. Florida Code 322.18 – Original Applications, Licenses, and Renewals; Expiration of Licenses; Delinquent Licenses
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Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Fees
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Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Renew or Replace Your Florida Driver License or ID Card
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Broward County Tax Collector. Locations
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Florida Senate. Florida Code 322.08 – Application for License; Requirements for License and Identification Card Forms
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The Florida Legislature. Florida Code 322.08 – Application for License; Requirements for License and Identification Card Forms
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Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. REAL ID
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Legal Information Institute. Florida Administrative Code Annotated R. 15A-1.013 – Minimum Visual Standards for Licensing
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Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Report of Eye Examination
10
Florida Senate. Florida Code 322.21 – License Fees; Procedure for Handling and Collecting Fees
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The Florida Legislature. Florida Code 322.18 – Original Applications, Licenses, and Renewals; Expiration of Licenses; Delinquent Licenses
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The Florida Legislature. Florida Code 322.245 – Suspension of License Upon Failure of Support
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The Florida Legislature. Florida Code 322.065 – Driver License Expired for 6 Months or Less; Penalties
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Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Military and Veterans Information