Driver's license in Florida for immigrants: how to get it in 2024

The Florida driver's license for immigrants is currently available to those who can prove legal residency in the state. For now, undocumented immigrants cannot obtain the document.

In this state, undocumented people, who do not have their papers in order or who for some reason are considered illegal, cannot process an immigrant license in Florida.

Unfortunately, Florida is not one of the states that gives driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants, Only immigrants who have their papers in order and meet the legal residency requirements can obtain it.

This is because the laws of the state and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) still do not allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a driver's license in Florida, despite being a state with more of 680,000 people in this condition.

Keep reading: How to obtain a driver's license for undocumented immigrants in the United States

Requirements to obtain a driver's license for immigrants in Florida

If you are an immigrant, but have your papers in order, you can get an immigrant driver's license in Florida. The requirements are the following:

  • Identity proof
  • Proof of social security
  • Proof of residency in the state of Florida

Identity proof

To obtain a driver's license for immigrants in Florida you must prove your identity with one of the following documents:

  • Proof of resident registration (residency card or Form I-551, i.e. Permanent Resident Green Card)
  • I-551 stamp on Form I-94 or in passport
  • Form I-797, with the admission number of the country of origin, indicating that Asylum status has been guaranteed
  • Form I-797 or any other document issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which has the admission number of the country of origin, indicating that the Refugee application is approved
  • An order issued by an Immigration Judge guaranteeing Asylum status and having the admission number of the country of origin

Proof of social security

The applicant for a driver's license in Florida for immigrants must present at least one of the following documents:

  • Social Security Administration Insurance Card
  • Form W-2. Can be obtained online in the tax forms management system, if the employer is registered
  • Form SSA-1099. It can be obtained on the social security website
  • Any 1099 form that is not handwritten
  • Proof of payroll payment

Proof of residency in the state of Florida

To apply for an immigrant license in Florida you will have to prove your residency with two of the following documents:

  • Mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment stub, title deed or rental agreement
  • Florida vehicle registration or vehicle title
  • Utility payment bill
  • A work order
  • Military Service Card
  • Medical or health card with address
  • Property insurance bill
  • Florida auto insurance policy or bill
  • Notes issued by an educational institution
  • Current professional license issued by a government agency in the United States
  • Tax Form W-2 or Form 1099
  • A letter issued by a homeless shelter
  • Correspondence from financial institutions including account statements
  • Federal, state or county government correspondence

Now that you know the requirements to obtain a driver's license for immigrants in Florida, we will tell you what the procedure is to follow.

Continue reading: Requirements to obtain a CDL license in Florida

How to get a driver's license for immigrants in Florida?

After gathering all the necessary documents, you can apply for an immigrant driver's license in Florida by following these steps:

1. Substance abuse course

If you have never had a license before and are applying for a Class E driver's license (which is the most common, non-commercial license), you will need to take a course and pass the Florida substance abuse and traffic laws exam ( TLSAE).

2. Locate an office to apply for a driver's license for immigrants in Florida

Locate an office to apply for an immigrant license in Florida by clicking on this link and selecting the county.

The page can be translated into Spanish in a button located at the top right.

Retrieved from flhsmv.gov

The available offices will be shown. Get information about the FLHSMV office you are visiting. Those that require an appointment will have the link in the comments column.

Retrieved from flhsmv.gov

3. Go to the FLHSMV office to apply for an immigrant license in Florida

Assist with the paperwork at the FLHSMV office to perform the following tests:

You'll also have to take a photo, provide your fingerprints, and pay a $48 fee.

Payment can generally be made in cash, credit or debit card, personal check, company check, or money order.

The license they grant you will be valid for 8 years.

Keep reading: Can you obtain a CDL License for undocumented immigrants?

Can an undocumented person obtain a license in Florida?

No, to obtain a license in Florida you must have your papers in order, whether you are an immigrant or not. There is no license for undocumented immigrants in Florida.

What states grant driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants near Miami Florida?

Currently, neither of the two border states (Georgia and Alabama) grant driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants.

What is a temporary license in Florida?

People who have immigration status as nonimmigrants (visitors) with legal permission to stay in the country have the word “TEMPORARY” in red on their driver's license or identification card.