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.
Service options
Online services
You may be eligible to complete your transaction online. To see if you're eligible, visit our online services page.
You can check your driver license status through the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' 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 Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' 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
Full driver license services are available at our Driver License office. Examples of these services include written exams, road tests, and license reinstatement.
Limited driver license services
Limited driver license services are available at our Driver License office and at our DeSoto, Lakewood Ranch, and North River locations.
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
For these services, you can get a list of providers from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website.
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 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.
Out-of-state transfers
The requirements for transferring to a Florida driver license or ID card from out of state depend on your situation.
If your out-of-state driver license or ID card is in your possession, read our out-of-state driver license and ID card transfer publication for requirements.
Our original or lost out-of-state driver license publication provides the requirements for the following scenarios:
- You've never been licensed in any state.
- Your out-of-state driver license or ID card is lost or stolen.
Learner licenses (permits) and upgrades
If you would like to process your transaction at our DeSoto, Lakewood Ranch, or North River location, all required testing must be completed with a 3rd party provider. Testing services (Written Testing and the Driving Skills Road Test) are only available at our Driver License Office.
First-time learner license
If you're getting a learner license for the first time, read the following for requirements:
English:
- First-time learner license publication
- Parent/Guardian Checklist - important worksheet for learner license applicants under the age of 18 to ensure you have what is needed
- Written testing publication
Español:
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:
English:
- Learner license upgrade to Class E publication
- Driving skills road test publication
- Official Florida Driver License Handbook, available on the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' handbooks and manuals page
- Road test videos page
For weekend and after-hours testing options, read our Class E road test publication.
Español:
- Actualización de la licencia de aprendizaje a la Clase E publicación
- Información e instrucciones para el examen práctico de manejo publicación
- Manual oficial de licencias de conducir de Florida, disponible en la página de manuales y manuales de Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
- Página de video de prueba de manejo
Suspensions, revocations, cancellations
You can check your driver license status through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' driver license check page. (Due to privacy laws, we do not provide driver license status information or reinstatement requirements by phone.)
The requirements for clearing a suspended, revoked, or cancelled driver license are different based on the situation. To find out what you need to do, visit our Help Center.
If you have a DUI or need a hardship license, you must process your transaction by appointment at our Driver License office. To learn how to apply for a hardship license, read our hardship licenses publication. To make an appointment, use our online appointment system.
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 publication.
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.
Additional information
For information about transactions not covered above, visit our Help Center.