FL license ID – Driving on South Florida Highway – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Julian Prizont-Cado
Significant changes to the issue and renewal of Florida driver’s license and identity cards for non-immigrant individuals have been announced by the state of Florida.
A media release states that a non-immigrant driver’s license in Florida is one that is granted to those who are neither citizens or permanent residents of the United States but who are legally present in the state, frequently due to their immigration or visa status.
All driver licenses and identification cards issued to non-immigrants will only be valid through the expiration date specified on the applicant’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) documentation, which cannot be more than a year from now (as of May 2, 2025), according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
The validity of the credential will be restricted to one year from the date of issuance if the applicant’s immigration documents lacks an expiration date.
The shift occurs because, starting on May 7, the Transportation Security Administration will mandate that travelers present a REAL ID in order to board domestic flights.
A Florida driver’s license or state ID card with a star in the top right corner, a valid U.S. passport, or a U.S. passport card are examples of REAL ID-compliant identification.
Miami-Dade agency’s tax collector, Dariel Fernandez, stated that the agency converted three tax collectors’ offices to provide driving license services in order to meet demand.
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Melissa’s career in writing started more than 20 years ago. Today, she lives in South Florida with her husband and two boys.
