To get a Fort Lauderdale driver license, you apply in person at a Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) service center in Broward County, bring documents proving your identity, Social Security number, and residential address, pass a vision screening, a 50-question written exam, and a road test, and pay $48 for an original Class E license.1The Florida Legislature. Florida Code 322.21 – License Fees Procedure for Handling and Collecting Fees
Where to Apply Near Fort Lauderdale
No FLHSMV office sits inside Fort Lauderdale’s city limits, but several are a short drive away in neighboring Broward municipalities:2Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Broward County Locations
- Lauderdale Lakes — 3718-3 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33311
- Sunrise — 3511 N. Pine Island Road, Sunrise, FL 33351
- Margate — 1135 Banks Road, Margate, FL 33063
- Pompano Beach — 1955 Federal Hwy, Unit J209, Pompano Beach, FL 33062
- Pembroke Pines — 8001 Pembroke Road, Pembroke Pines, FL 33025
Not every location gives road tests. Confirm the office handles what you need before you go. FLHSMV also runs an online appointment system where you can choose the date, time, and location. Book one. Walk-in waits at Broward offices can run well past an hour, especially on midweek mornings.
The Broward County Tax Collector’s Office is scheduled to take over driver license services in summer 2026, so if you’re applying after that handoff, confirm the current provider before you plan your trip.3Broward County Tax Collector. Home – Broward County Tax Collector
What to Bring
Florida requires three categories of proof, and missing one sends you home empty-handed.4Florida Senate. Florida Code 322.08 – Application for License Requirements for License and Identification Card Forms
One Proof of Identity
A certified U.S. birth certificate or a valid, unexpired U.S. passport are the most common choices. Non-citizens can use a permanent resident card, an employment authorization card, or a foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa and I-94 form.
One Proof of Social Security Number
Bring an original Social Security card, a printed (not handwritten) W-2, a paycheck stub showing your full SSN, an SSA-1099 or other 1099, or a U.S. military ID that shows your number. If you’ve never been issued an SSN, bring a letter from the Social Security Administration confirming that.
Two Proofs of Residential Address
You need two separate documents showing your current Florida address. Printouts and faxes are accepted. Common ones include a lease, mortgage statement, deed, Florida voter registration card, Florida vehicle registration, a utility bill from the last 60 days, a bank or credit card statement from the last 60 days, or recent government correspondence.5Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. U.S. Citizen – What to Bring
If nothing comes to your name because you live with a spouse, parent, or roommate, that person can fill out a Certification of Address form (HSMV 71120). They either come to the office with you or sign the form before a notary, and they bring their own two address documents.
The Vision Screening and Written Exam
Florida’s minimum visual standard is 20/40 in at least one eye, corrected or uncorrected. If your vision falls below that, you’ll be referred to a licensed eye specialist before you can proceed.6Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Report of Eye Examination
The Class E knowledge exam has 50 multiple-choice questions on Florida traffic laws, safe driving, and traffic signs. You pass with 40 correct — 80 percent.7Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Class E Knowledge Exam and Driving Skills Test Questions come from the Official Florida Driver License Handbook, which FLHSMV publishes free online. People who fail most often underestimate the sign identification section, so study the shapes and colors of regulatory, warning, and guide signs.
The Driving Skills Road Test
The road test runs about 8 to 15 minutes over roughly 1.5 to 2 miles. An examiner rides with you while you demonstrate maneuvers including a three-point turn and a quick stop from 20 miles per hour. You’re scored on lane positioning, mirror and signal use, speed control, and obedience to signs and signals.
Before the test starts, the examiner inspects your car. Expired tag, defective brakes or lights, a cracked windshield that blocks visibility, missing doors, or non-working seatbelts will all end the appointment before it begins. The car also has to meet Florida bumper-height requirements.
If you fail, you can come back another day. There’s no cap on attempts, but you’ll pay a retest fee each time.
Applicants who need testing accommodations for a disability — extended time, large-print materials, or a quieter room — can request them under federal law.8ADA.gov. ADA Requirements Testing Accommodations
Cost and What You Leave With
An original Class E license costs $48, a statutory fee that includes a built-in driver education surcharge.1The Florida Legislature. Florida Code 322.21 – License Fees Procedure for Handling and Collecting Fees Some centers tack on processing or convenience fees on top of that.
Once your documents clear and you’ve passed all three tests, a technician takes your photo and signature. You walk out with a paper temporary permit good for driving right away. The permanent hard-card license is printed centrally and mailed to your address within 7 to 10 business days.9Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Renew or Replace Your Florida Driver License or ID Card
REAL ID and Your Gold Star
Federal REAL ID enforcement began on May 7, 2025. Without a REAL ID-compliant license or another accepted ID like a passport, you can’t board a domestic flight or enter certain federal facilities without paying a $45 fee at the TSA checkpoint.10Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID
Florida issues REAL ID-compliant licenses by default when you bring the required documents. That’s why the state asks for two address proofs. A compliant license has a gold star in the upper right. If your current Florida license doesn’t show the star, you can request a REAL ID upgrade at any service center by bringing the full document set.
New Residents: 30-Day Deadline
If you’ve just moved to Fort Lauderdale from another state, Florida gives you 30 days from the day you establish residency to get a Florida license.11Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. New Resident – Welcome to Florida Driving on an out-of-state license past that window puts you in the same legal position as driving unlicensed.
Transferring in still requires the full document set. You’ll take the vision screening and may need to take the written exam, though Florida often waives the road test if you surrender a valid out-of-state license. The $48 fee applies either way.
How Long the License Lasts
A standard Class E license is valid for eight years. Drivers 80 or older receive a six-year license.12The Florida Legislature. Florida Code 322.18 – Original Applications Renewals and Expiration of Licenses Renewal costs $48 and can be done online, by mail, or in person; online is the fastest.13Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Fees If your license has been expired more than six months, you’ll generally have to start over, including retesting.
Penalties for Driving Without a Valid License
Florida treats unlicensed driving as a criminal offense, not a traffic ticket, and the penalties climb with repeat violations:14Florida Senate. Florida Code 322.03 – Drivers Must Be Licensed Penalties
- First offense: second-degree misdemeanor, up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
- Second offense: first-degree misdemeanor, up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
- Third or later offense: first-degree misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum of 10 days in jail.
These penalties cover never having obtained a license or letting one lapse. Driving on a suspended or revoked license is a separate, more serious charge. A conviction stays on your record and can reach into employment, insurance rates, and future licensing.