How to Check Your Driver's License Status in Florida
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Driving with a valid license ensures you're following the law, but how can you be sure your Florida driver's license is valid? The easiest way to do this is to check your driver's license status in Florida. Checking your license status is easy and fast, and you can do it in multiple ways.
When Do You Need to Check Your Driver's License Status?
A driver's license is one of several identification cards people carry. It gives you the legal right to drive a vehicle while also acting as a proof of identity. You should perform a Florida driver's license status check if you haven't done so in a while or suspect your license might not be active. After all, driving without a valid license is illegal and can lead to numerous problems, including fines or even jail time.
Driving is a privilege that can be taken away. Here are some of examples of how this can happen in Florida:
- Accumulating too many points
- Failing to pay required fines associated with driving
- Getting charged with driving under the influence
- Driving without an active auto insurance plan
- Failing to pay child support
- Committing too many driving offenses, including traffic citations
Checking your driver's license status can reveal if it's active or not. You shouldn't drive if the state has revoked your driver's license. Plus, you'll need a current license to get auto insurance in Florida.
Check Your Status Online
You can check your driver's license online using one of the below methods.
Access the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) Website
If you search "Check my Florida driver's license status" online, you'll find the DHSMV website (also called the FLHSMV) or through the MYDMV Portal. Once there, the site will prompt you to enter your driver's license number to check your license status. After that, it will tell you whether it's valid or not. While you're there, you can also check your driving history, see if you have any points on your license, and review your traffic violations.
If the site shows you have an inactive license, it will also tell you the status type, which might state "Revoked" or "Suspended," along with the reasons for the inactive status and the required steps to reinstate it.
Use the Mobile App for License Status Inquiries
Florida had a mobile app called the Florida Smart ID. While not available currently, they are working on updating it. When they complete the necessary updates and changes, you'll then be able to download and use it to easily check the status of your driver's license.
Contact Customer Service for Assistance
You can call the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV) to learn more about your driver's license. This department can tell you if your license is active or inactive. They can also give you information about your license plate, driving record, and any issues, if applicable.
Reinstate a Suspended or Expired License
If you discover that your license is expired, you'll need to renew it. Here are the steps to do so:
- Check the eligibility requirements for renewing your license. A Florida driver's license lasts eight years, and you must renew yours if you want to keep it past the eight-year mark. You may be required to take a vision test or driving test when renewing your license.
- Review it online, in person, or by mail. Florida makes it easy to renew your driver's license online through its MYDMV Portal. This site offers driver's license services and lets you check your driver's license status in Florida. You can also visit a driver's license service center to renew your license in person. Some people may be required to take road tests to renew their license, while others may need additional steps when renewing after license suspensions.
When renewing an expired driver's license, you'll need to provide the necessary documentation, including your birth certificate, social security card, and proof of address. You must also pay a $48 reinstatement fee plus a delinquency fee to reinstate an expired license.
Reinstating a suspended license is usually more challenging, and you may need to complete multiple steps, which may include:
- Paying fines
- Completing a traffic school course
- Completing community service hours
- Taking a drug or alcohol course
- Waiting through a probation period
You'll also need to contact insurance companies to purchase auto insurance before driving and reinstating a suspended license.
Verifying Someone Else's Driver's License
Knowing your driver's license status is important because driving without a license leads to legal consequences. But what if you want to verify someone else's? There are several reasons you might want to verify someone else's driver's license, but you cannot do this unless you have a legal exemption. The Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) prohibits people from checking other drivers' driving records. If needed, you can complete a request through mail for permission to verify someone else's driver's license. With all that said, if you have someone's permission, you can assist them with checking the status of their driver's license online.
Checking Your Florida Driver's License Status? Now's the Perfect Time to Review Your Car Insurance!
Even if you don't suspect issues with your driver's license, you should consider checking the status. When you do this, it might also be a good time to review your auto insurance policy. You can use the EverQuote's free comparison tool to compare insurance rates. It's easy and only takes a few minutes, and comparing quotes is the only way to find the best deal, especially since your license status and driving history can impact your rates.