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Lawful Permanent Resident (Immigrant)

THIS TRANSACTION MUST BE PROCESSED BY APPOINTMENT AT THE
DRIVER LICENSE BRANCH – 904 301 BLVD W, BRADENTON
Customers will be charged a $6.25 Tax Collector service fee for information and processing, and additional transaction fees may apply. Visit taxcollector.com to schedule your appointment. Services are for Manatee County residents and businesses only.

Step 1. Proof of Legal Presence (Identity)

 You must present one of the following original legal presence documents issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to apply for a license or ID card in the State of Florida.  If you have already submitted one of these documents after January 1, 2010, you do not need to submit it again unless you need to make changes to your personal information.

  •  I-551 Permanent Resident Card 
  •  I-551 stamp in valid passport or on I-94 
  •  Immigration Judges Order (IJO) 
  •  Order Granting Asylum 
  •  Proof of Refugee Status

Step 2. Proof of Name Change (if applicable) – Bring ALL

If your current name is different than the name as listed on your proof of legal presence, bring all that apply for proof of your legal name change (if applicable): 

  •  Original or Certified Marriage License/Certificate (must be government issued – cannot be issued by a church)
  •  Divorce Decree
  •  Court Order      

Note: Documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by a Written English Translation.  

Anytime you legally change your name due to marriage or court order, your name must first be changed with USCIS before you can apply for a name change on your Florida license or ID card.  You will still be required to present your original name change document and your new name must verify in the State of Florida system.
 

Note: You must report any name change to Social Security at least 48 hours before visiting our office so that your name verifies in the State driver license system and the Social Security Administration’s database.

Step 3. Proof of Social Security Number – Bring One

Sections 322.051 and 322.08, Florida Statutes, require customers to present proof of social security number (SSN). Proof must list full name and full SSN. You must bring one of the following documents for proof: 

  • Social Security Card or Stub
  • W-2/1099 Form (pre-printed)
  • Military ID card

If you have never been issued an SSN, you must present form L-676 that was issued by the Social Security Administration. The Form L-676 must specifically indicate “Other” to prove that an SSN was never issued to you. Note:  If you are later issued an SSN, you will need to (1) update your SSN online (or scan the QR code to access the site), or (2) provide proof to us during your next driver license/ID card transaction in order to update your record.

Step 4. Proof of Residential Address – Bring Two

Bring two physical documents for proof of your residential address – it cannot be a PO Box. The documents must show your name and your residential address.

  • Current Florida Car, Boat or Mobile Home Registration or Title 
  • Manatee County Property Tax Bill - obtain here (https://secure.taxcollector.com/ptaxweb)
  • Manatee County Voter Registration Information - obtain here (votemanatee.com/Voter-Information/Voter-Status-Information-Check-Your-Registration-Status) 
  • Deed, Mortgage Statement, or Rental/Lease Agreement 
  • Selective Service Card 
  • Current Homeowner's or Automobile insurance policy/bill 
  • Most recent W-2 or 1099
  • Utility bills (such as water, gas, electric, cell phone, cable)*
  • Automobile payment booklet*
  • Medical/Health card or medical bill* 
  • Paycheck stub*
  • Financial statements (such as bank, credit cards, investment accounts)* 
  • Documents issued by Federal, State, County or City Government Agencies*

*must be dated within the last 60 days

If you are unable to provide two (2) proofs of residential address in your name as outlined above, you must comply with one of the following options in order to establish proof of residence:

Option 1:

Customers unable to provide proof of residential address in their name (as outlined above) may have the person they reside with complete a Certification of Address form (English - flhsmv.gov/pdf/forms/71120.pdf / Spanish - flhsmv.gov/pdf/forms/71120sp.pdf) along with providing two proof of address documents as outlined on the form. The person the customer lives with must be present at the appointment OR must sign the Certification of Address form in the presence of a notary. 

Option 2:

Customers who are homeless and reside in an agency where housing services are provided (such as a homeless shelter or probation home) may provide the following:

  • a letter from an authorized Manatee County homeless shelter, transitional service provider or half-way house verifying the customers resides at the agency's address (must be dated within the last 60 days) AND
  • Section A of the Certification of Address form Certification of Address form (English - flhsmv.gov/pdf/forms/71120.pdf / Spanish - flhsmv.gov/pdf/forms/71120sp.pdf) completed by the customer, self-certifying their residential address. 

Option 3:

Customers under the age of 18 may present two proofs of residential address as outlined above in their parent or guardian's name. Proof of relationship (such as birth certificate, military dependent ID card, etc.) is required.

Step 5. Provide Your Out-of-Country Driver License

Option 1: With the presentation of your valid, unexpired Out-of-Country driver license, you will only be required to take and pass the following exams: 

  •  General Knowledge written exam (except France, Taiwan & S Korea*)
  •  Vision and Hearing exam (Be prepared with your corrective lenses if needed for distance) 

Note: Documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by a Written English Translation.  

Option 2: If you have never been licensed before, you will be required to take and pass the following exams: 

  •  Vision and Hearing exam (Be prepared with your corrective lenses if needed for distance) 

Private companies can administer the Driving Skills Road Test on weekends, after hours, or during regular business hours.  Upon successful completion of the test, the company uploads your results to the State of Florida, allowing us to use the test results on file.  This expedites the issuance of your license when you visit our office.  Contact Ault’s Driver Education Center at 941.355.4202 or by email at aults@verizon.net for details. You can also visit flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/driver-license-exams for a list of other private providers.
 
Note: If you already have a valid Florida or Out-of-State driver license, exams will be reciprocated.

Step 6. Visit Our Office to Obtain Your Florida Driver License or ID Card

 Schedule an appointment online at taxcollector.com.  We only serve Manatee County residents. 

An Online Application is REQUIRED for all transactions! To complete your driver license or ID card transaction at one of our branches, you must complete the Online Driver License & ID Card Application (https://taxcollector.jotform.com/210103795736152) – or scan the QR code to access the application – prior to your appointment. Do not print the application; an associate will access your electronic submission during your appointment. Applications are valid for 90 days.  

You will be required to take a photo per F.S. 322.142.

 

Note: If your lawful status is unable to be verified and secondary verification is required, your Florida license or ID card may be mailed from Tallahassee within 60 days. If you applied for a Florida license, you will be given a temporary driving permit to allow you to drive in the meantime. If you applied for a Florida ID, you will not be given a temporary ID. You can check on the status of your mailed license/ID online at mydmvportal.flhsmv.gov/home/en/publicweb/dlcheck.

If your license or ID card has not been mailed after 60 days, you have two options for contacting the State of Florida:

Length of Driver License/ID Card

  • Class E Driver License (79 or younger) - 8 years
  • Class E Driver License (80 or older) - 6 years
  • CDL w/o Hazmat (79 or younger) - 8 years
  • CDL w/o Hazmat (80 or older) - 6 years
  • CDL w/ Hazmat (any age) - 4 years
  • ID Card (15 or older) - 8 years
  • ID Card (14 or younger) - 4 years   

Acceptable Methods of Payment and Estimated Fees

Our office accepts cash, check, debit cards, and credit cards. A $2.50 processing fee for debit cards and a 2.5% processing fee (minimum of $2.50) for credit cards will apply. Our office does not retain any portion of this fee.

Estimate of fees for your Florida Driver License or ID Card: 

  • Service Fee - $6.25
  • Class E Driver License - $48.00
  • Commercial Driver License - $75.00
  • Hazmat - $91.00
  • Endorsements - $7.00 (each)
  • Replacement - $25.00
  • Renewal - $48.00
  • Late Fee - $15.00
  • ID Card - $25.00

Not a Manatee County Resident? Our offices are open by appointment only for Manatee County residents/businesses only.  All out-of-county residents must visit their home county for information and processing.  To find a location, visit flhsmv.gov/locations.