Renewing Your CDL in Florida

Driving a commercial vehicle comes with a lot of responsibilities: keeping a valid commercial driver license is near the top of the list. If your CDL expires soon, renew it ASAP through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).

FL CDL Renewal Eligibility

The expiration date on your Florida commercial driver license is based on your age and whether or not you have a HAZMAT endorsement, and will expire on your birthday the year of expiration.

If you hold a standard FL CDL with no endorsements and you’re:

  • Under 80 years old, your license is valid for 8 years.
  • 80 years old or older, your license is valid for 6 years.

CDLs with HAZMAT endorsements are valid for 4 years. You’re allowed to renew a HAZMAT endorsed CDL as early as 1 year before the expiration date.

There’s a good chance you can renew your Florida CDL without a HAZMAT endorsement as early as 18 months before your expiration date. Contact your local DHSMV to see if this timeline is applicable for your license.

If you certify as a non-excepted interstate OR non-excepted intrastate driver, you’re also required to keep a current Medical Examiner’s Certificate(Form MCSA-5876) on file with the DHSMV. See our page on Florida medical exams for details.

Have a HAZMAT endorsement?

The DHSMV suggests you start the renewal process at least 30 days before the expiration date to renew HAZMAT endorsed CDLs, since the background check takes some time. Check our page on applying for a Florida CDL for instructions.

How to Renew Your Florida CDL

To renew your commercial driver’s license in Florida, you’ll need to make a trip to your local DHSMV office.

There you MAY be asked to provide your:

  • Current or recently expired CDL.
  • Current:
    • Medical Examiner’s Report (Form MCSA-5875), for non-excepted drivers.
    • Medical Examiner’s Certificate (Form MCSA-5876), for non-excepted drivers.
  • Proof of:
    • Insurance.
    • Florida residency.
    • Social Security number.
    • Lawful U.S. presence.
  • Payment for the CDL renewal fee(s). See the fees section below for a breakdown of costs.

If you have a HAZMAT endorsement, you will start the background check process when you renew.

Contact your local DHSMV for exact requirements and any questions you may have about the process.

Florida CDL Renewal Fees

Here is a list of the fees involved with renewing a Florida commercial driver license:

  • CDL: $75.
  • CDL for school bus drivers: $48.
  • Endorsement: $7.
  • HAZMAT background check: $91.
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