Florida Drivers License Requirements

Need to know the Florida drivers license requirements? Your Florida drivers license allows you to drive a specified vehicle almost anywhere in the Sunshine State. That being said, a drivers license isn't given away free of charge; it requires a lot of paperwork, experience and training prior to being obtained.

1. You must be older than 18 years of age. Between the ages of fifteen and seventeen you obtain a learner's permit. A learner's permit is similar to a drivers license in that you can still drive a car, albeit with an adult. After a year of having a learner's permit, you can get a drivers license.
2. You must possess a birth certificate. Only your original birth certificate or a certified copy will suffice for identification. This is only a requirement for United States citizens applying for a Florida drivers license.
3. You should possess supporting identification. Only one piece of primary identification is needed for a drivers license in Florida. That being said, it's always good to have other pieces of ID such as a passport or certificate of citizenship. This suggestion is only for US citizens.
4. You have to have proof of SSN. As a citizen of the United States (if you are one), it's non-negotiable that you have to establish proof of your social security number to the Florida DMV. A social security card will do the trick, as will a W-2 form or 1099.
5. You need to have proof of residence. Proof of residential address is a must for all citizens of the United States applying for a Florida drivers license. A deed, voter registration card, selective service card, tax stub or vehicle registration title will suffice. You need two of these proofs to obtain a drivers license.
6. You must have a letter from the SSA. The Social Security Administration will issue a letter to those who do not have a number (when asked, of course). This requirement only applies to applicants without a SSN.
7. You need a green card. Obviously, this requirement is only applicable to immigrants. The green card (Alien Registration Receipt Card) provides proof of valid immigration into the United States.
8. You need to have parole/travel documents on hand. If you are a parolee, you need to have your I-512 to get a drivers license. Refugees, similarly, need an I-571 Travel Document to apply for a drivers license in the state of Florida.
9. You will need to have your Canadian passport. Canadian citizens need their passport with them when they go to apply. Additionally, a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is also a necessity for the application process.
10. You need you employment authorization card. An employment authorization card is issued by the Department of Homeland Security to all non-immigrants. This card (Form I688B) is necessary to apply for a drivers license.

There are a lot of things you need in order to apply for a drivers license in Florida. Of course, the majority of these requirements can usually be waived by citizenship status, age and/or naturalization.