How to Obtain a Driver’s License in Florida as a Foreigner: Required Documents and Process

In Florida, undocumented immigrants cannot obtain a driver’s license, but this document can be processed by all those foreigners who can provide proof of legal presence in the country. In this sense, both immigrants with legal status who reside in the state and foreigners who are temporarily in the territory (for work or study) can request this document at the offices of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV, for its acronym in English).

The application process for a driver’s license in Florida as a foreigner start with the filing of documents, which boil down to three main sources: ID, residence, and Social Security Number (SSN). Those people who cannot gather the documents will not be able to continue with the process either and, therefore, will not qualify to present the corresponding evaluations.

What documents do I need to obtain a driver’s license in Florida as a foreigner?

The documents necessary to process a driver’s license in Florida as a foreigner may be slightly different, depending on the applicant’s stay in the territory. Below is the list for each possible case extracted from the official information offered by the FLHSMV on its official website:

Immigrant

1. Main Identification

An original from one of the following documents with full name:

• Valid proof of resident registration (Green Card or Form I-551).
• Stamp the I-551 in the passport, or on the I-94 form.
• Order issued by an Immigration Judge guaranteeing Asylum status, containing the number of admission to the client’s country (Number that begins with the letter A).
• Form I-797, containing the client’s country admission number, indicating that Asylum status has been granted to the client.
• Form I-797 or any other document issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which includes the client’s admission number to the country, indicating that the Refugee application made by the client has been approved.

2. Proof of Social Security

original from one of the following documents with full name and Social Security Number:

• Social Security Card (with current customer name).
• W-2 form (not handwritten).
• Proof of payroll.
• Form SSA-1099.
• Any 1099 form (not handwritten).

Customers without an SSN can find help at our What to Bring FAQ page.

3. Proof of Residence Address

• Real estate title deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment stub or real estate rental contract.
• Florida vehicle registration or vehicle title (you can print a duplicate vehicle registration at the following link MyDMV Portal).
• Invoice for payment of home services.
• A work order for services at home, no older than 60 days prior to the date of the request.
• Car payment book.
• Military Service Card.
• Medical or Health card with printed address.
• Invoice or current insurance policy of the property.
• Current automobile insurance policy or bill.
• Transcripts of the current school year issued by an Educational Institution.
• Current professional license issued by a government agency in the United States.
• W-2 Tax Form or 1099 form.
• Form DS2019, Certificate of Eligibility for an Exchange Visitor (J-1).
• A letter issued by a homeless shelter, transitional (temporary) service provider, or temporary help center; verifying that the client’s correspondence is received there. The letter must be accompanied by a form of residency certification.
• Correspondence from financial institutions including checking, savings or investment account statements.
• Correspondence from Federal, State, County, City Government Agencies.
• Completed Florida Police Department registration form issued by a local police office.

nonimmigrant

1. Main Identification

An original from one of the following documents with full name:

• Valid Work Authorization Card issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) (Forms I-688B or I-766).
• Current document issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) showing the corresponding immigration status classification (Form I-94), attaching the respective document(s) that support the immigration status. When a client is not sure of the necessary documentation, she should bring with her all the documents that she has received from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Forms I-94 must be accompanied by a current and valid passport showing the stamp with the date of entry into the country. Certain immigration status classifications will require additional documents. Some examples of them are:
  • Immigration statuses classified as F-1 and M-1 must be accompanied by the I-20 form
  • Designations of J-1 or J-2 immigration status must be accompanied by the DS2019 form.
  • Immigration statuses classified as Refugee, Asylum or Parole must be accompanied by additional documentation.
• Form I-571, which is the document to be able to travel, or the travel permit for Refugees.
• Form I-512, Parole Acceptance Letter.
• The order issued by an Immigration Judge guaranteeing Asylum or the Cancellation of Removal order.

2. Proof of Social Security

original of one of the following documents with full name and Social Security Number:

• Social Security Card (with current customer name).
• W-2 form (not handwritten).
• Proof of payroll.
• Form SSA-1099.
• Any 1099 form (not handwritten).

Customers without an SSN can find help at the What to Bring FAQ page.

3. Proof of Residence Address

Proof of residence address includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Real estate title deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment stub or real estate rental contract.
• Florida vehicle registration or vehicle title (you can print a duplicate vehicle registration at the following link MyDMV Portal).
• Invoice for payment of home services.
• A work order for services at home, no older than 60 days prior to the date of the request.
• Car payment book.
• Military Service Card.
• Medical or Health card with printed address.
• Invoice or current insurance policy of the property.
• Current automobile insurance policy or bill.
• Transcripts of the current school year issued by an Educational Institution.
• Current professional license issued by a government agency in the United States.
• W-2 Tax Form or 1099 form.
• Form DS2019, Certificate of Eligibility for an Exchange Visitor (J-1).
• A letter issued by a homeless shelter, transitional (temporary) service provider, or temporary help center; verifying that the client’s correspondence is received there. The letter must be accompanied by a form of Address Certification.
• Correspondence from financial institutions including checking, savings or investment account statements.
• Correspondence from Federal, State, County, City Government Agencies.
• Completed Florida Police Department registration form issued by a local police office.

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