How To

General information: The state of Florida's department for motor vehicles has 146 local service offices across the state. Most of them are open Tuesday to Friday between 7am and 6pm. Some offices, however, e.g. those in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Melbourne and Orlando, are opened Monday to Thursday between 7am and 6pm. In any case, it is advisable to schedule an appointment via the phone. Find the link to search for your local office with addresses, phone numbers, and opening hours on www.hsmv.state.fl.us/offices.

The following tests are offered on-site, not all of those will necessarily apply to you:

• Hearing test - drivers who are deaf or have difficulties following a conversation at normal volume can only get a license under certain circumstances, e.g. if they have a suitable hearing aid
• Eyesight - the eyesight test can be done right there at the desk, they have an apparatus that can heck your eyesight. In case your eyesight is below the value of 20/40, you will have to see an ophthalmologist who must issue you a certificate about your eyesight. By the way, being colorblind will not exclude you from getting a driver's license.
• Traffic signs - there's a multiple choice test with 20 questions about traffic signs. By the way, you may also test your knowledge online: www.hsmv.state.fl.us/handbooks/print.html
• Driving test - You may bring your own car for that. It has to be technically inspected and be insured. During the test, the instructor will watch how well you are driving the car and whether you observe all the traffic rules.

The driver's license handbook with all aspects about getting a driver's license is available at your local service office. It is available for free and you may even hand it in again after you are done with it so it can be given to other drivers. (Drivers Handbook: www.hsmv.state.fl.us/handbooks/English/exam.htmlrs).

What category is the right one for me and what requirements do I have to meet?

Non-Commercial driver's licenses Class E: passenger cars for transporting a maximumof 15 passengers (including the driver).

Requirements: at least 16 years of age, knowledge of the road traffic regulations, traffic signs, driving skills, eyesight and hearing test.

Please note: even if you are already holding a driver's license for another US state, you will have to take the hearing and eyesight test again in Florida. If you are under 18 and unmarried, by the way, your parents have to sign your driver's license.

• for underage people in the E-category: your driver's license will be issued for a probation period of 12 months. During this time, you may not violate the road traffic regulations and your parents have to confirm that you have spent a minimum amount of hours behind the wheel, at least ten of them during night time.

Requirements: at least 15 years of age, knowledge of the road traffic regulations, traffic signs, driving skills, eyesight and hearing test.

• Motorbikes: to drive a motorbike, you can use all driver's license categories that allow you to drive one. All persons under 21 who want to obtain a motorbike driver's license for the first time, have to take driving lessons.

The detailed requirements: minimum 16 years of age, a written test, motorbike driving test, eyesight and hearing test.

What do I need as a non-US citizen to identify myself? The law in Florida defines exactly what documents you have to present at the service office. Apart from identification documents, you need documents about your date of birth, and your social security number (provided you already have one).

Immigrants Alien Registration Receipt Card, (green card) or stamp I-551 in your passport or on your I-94.

Non-immigrants Employment Authorization Card (EAD, form I688B or I-766) or
Documentation of your status as a non-immigrant (form I-94, still valid, with the below mentioned additional documentation). By the way, in case you don't know what documents are the correct ones, simply bring everything US Citizenship and Immigration Services have sent you. Please keep in mind that your I-94 is only valid in connection with your passport, so please bring that too. A few examples of what you should also bring:
• F-1 or M-1 category, please bring the carbon copy of your I-20 that you also needed for the visa application at the US consulate.
• Your J-1 or J-2 classification should be accompanied by a valid DS-2019.
• K-3 Visa holders: please remember to bring your Parole Letter (I-512) in case of a pending I-130 process.

Additional regulations for people under 18:
• Documentation about a traffic regulations class and no-drug training
• Consent form from your parents: has to be notarized or signed with the driving instructor present

Please make sure that you also present the originals for all documents or have them notarized. They have to be valid for at least three more days when you show up at the office. You will then receive a preliminary license valid for 30 days without a photo and a confirmation of receipt.

Unfortunately (as a consequence of September 11) all data will be forwarded to Tallahassee. There your data will be checked for security reasons in a pool of different security agencies.

As soon as the check is completed you will receive your license after 30 days directly from Tallahassee to your US address (not an address abroad). You can use this document as long as your residence permit for the US is valid.

ATTENTION: If you are, for example, in Florida for three months only, your driver's license will expire at the same time your visa does. So getting a driver's license is really only worth it if you are staying for a longer period of time.

Address changes If you change your address inside Florida, please report this to your local service office in Florida within ten days. They will issue you a replacement document, you will have to hand in the original. Unfortunately, you will have to inform them about the address change in person, only US citizens may submit their new address via email, mail or phone.

The fees All non-commercial licenses cost $20 at present. Extending the E-license costs $15. Applicants with a preliminary license have to pay $20. For lost licenses, you pay $10, if your driver's license is stolen and you have a police report to prove it, you don't have to pay any fees.

Name changes If you change your name (e.g. because you are getting married), this change has to be registered on your USCIS documents. It is enough, however, to have a written confirmation about the receipt of your I-90 (I-797 Receipt Note).