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Florida Drivers Handbook  |  1.4. Non US Citizens

  Your License
    1.1. Classified Driver Licenses
    1.2. Licensing Information
    1.3. Identifying Yourself
    1.4. Non US Citizens
    1.5. Examination Information
    1.6. Appointments
    1.7. License Renewal
    1.8. Identification Card
    1.9. Fees
    1.10. Organ Donor Program / Voluntary Contributions


Non-United States Citizens

Florida law requires identification, proof of date of birth and social security number (if issued) from all customers before a driver license or identification card can be issued.


Immigrants

Each immigrant who applies for an original driver license or identification card must submit:

  • Alien Registration receipt card, (Green card, Form I-151 or I-551); or
  • I-551 stamp in passport or on I-94; or
  • Immigration Judges Order, with the customer’s A-number, granting asylum; or
    I-797, with the customer's A-number, stating the customer has been granted asylum; or
  • I-797 or another form from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, with the customer’s A-number, stating the customer’s application for Refugee status is approved.


Non-Immigrants

Each non-immigrant who applies for an original driver license or identification card must submit:

  • Employment authorization card issued by the United States Department of Justice (Form I688B or I-766); or
  • Proof of nonimmigrant classification provided by United States Department of Justice (Form I-94, not expired, with required supporting attachment(s). If in doubt regarding required documents, please bring all of your USCIS documentation with you.). I-94s must be accompanied by a Passport. Certain classifications require additional documentation. Some examples are:
    1. F-1 and M-1 classification must also be accompanied by an I-20.
    2. I J-1 or J-2 designation must be accompanied by an IAP-66.
    3. Refugee, asylee and parolee classifications must be accompanied by additional documentation.

The following documents will only be accepted with a supporting document, including but not limited to a Passport, Florida Driver License or Identification Card, Driver License from any other state, Employment Authorization Card, Employer Identification, Identification from home country, Identification from school or college, Social Security Card or other INS document.

  • I-571 Travel Document/Refugee Travel Permit
  • I-512 Parole Letter Accepted
  • IJO- Asylum or Cancellation of Removal - Immigration Judges Order granting Asylum r Cancellation of Removal.
  • All required and supporting documents MUST be original or certified.
  • Documents must be valid for more than 30 days from the date of issuance.
  • Non-U.S. citizens applying for an original driver license will be issued a 30-day, no hoto, paper temporary permit and a receipt. Non-U.S. citizens applying for an identification card will be issued a receipt.
  • All records are transmitted to our database in Tallahassee, where the information will be examined and run against FDLE, FBI and INS databases.
  • Upon identity and legal status verification, a driver license or identification card will e issued within 30 days from Tallahassee, mailed to the address on the driver record. The license or identification card will be issued for the period of time specified on the INS document.
  • If a problem is detected, a denial of issuance letter will be mailed to the customer.


Canadian Citizens

Under federal law, Canadian citizens are non-immigrants and are allowed to stay in the U.S. without obtaining USCIS documentation. Canadians without INS documents must provide proof of Canadian citizenship to be issued a Florida driver license or identification card by presenting two of the following documents:

  • Canadian passport
  • Canadian driver license
  • Original or certified Canadian birth certificate.
  • Canadian Naturalization Certificate

All Canadian citizens will be issued an original or renewal driver license for two calendar years from the date of issue. If you are not a Canadian citizen and have a Canadian driver license, you are required to provide the same proof of legal presence as any other non-U.S. citizen.


Renewals, Duplicates or Replacements for Non-United States Citizens

  • Any immigrant holding a driver license or identification card who needs a renewal, duplicate or replacement driver license or identification card must apply in person at a driver license office at least one time after March 1, 2002, and re-present his/her identification documents required by Florida law.
  • Any non-immigrant holding a driver license or identification card who needs arenewal, duplicate, or replacement driver license or identification card must apply in person at a driver license office and present identification and legal presence documents.
  • If you do not have the required documents showing legal presence, your driver license or identification card will be retained and a receipt issued. If you have an unexpired driver license, you will be issued a 30-day temporary permit. When you return with the required documentation, you will be processed for a renewal, duplicate or replacement license and the expiration date will be changed to the expiration date on your INS document.

Name Change for Non-United States Citizens

  • If you have legally changed your name by marriage or court order, you must have your name changed on your Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) documents. A receipt from USCIS indicating form I-90 has been filed for a name change is acceptable for a name change on your driver license or identification card.
  • Canadian Citizens: If you have legally changed your name by marriage or court rder, you must have your name changed on your Canadian license, and/or passport before applying for a name change on your driver license or identification card.

Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education

If you have never been issued a license in any jurisdiction (state or country), you are required to complete a traffic law and substance abuse education course before you will be issued a license. Consult your local phone directory for locations in your area.


Driver Education

Driver education courses can help you develop the skills you need to be a safe driver. You can obtain more information by referring to your local telephone directory under Driving Instruction or Traffic Schools.


Third Party Testing

Many driver education teachers assist the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) in licensing new drivers. Students who complete their driver license tests through DHSMV approved Driver Education Licensing Assistance Program (DELAP) courses in participating public or private schools will have the results entered into the Department’s test records by their driver education teacher.

These results will be used by the local driver license office for issuance of a learner's driver license or Class E license. DHSMV may, however, test any student on a random basis before issuing a driver license.


Restriction and Endorsement Codes on Florida Licenses

Restriction Codes

  1. CORRECTIVE LENSES means a person must wear corrective lenses at all times when operating a vehicle.

  2. OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR (LEFT SIDE) means the vehicle the person is driving must have a left outside rearview mirror on the car.

  3. BUSINESS PURPOSES ONLY means a driving privilege that is limited to any driving necessary to maintain livelihood, including driving to and from work, necessary on-the-job driving, driving for educational purposes, and driving for church and for medical purposes.

  4. EMPLOYMENT PURPOSES ONLY means a driving privilege that is limited to driving to and from work and any necessary on-the-job driving required by an employer or occupation.

  5. DAYLIGHT DRIVING ONLY means the person can only drive during daylight hours.

  6. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION means the person can only drive a vehicle that has automatic transmission.

  7. POWER STEERING means the person must drive a vehicle with power steering.

  8. DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS means a person must drive a vehicle equipped with mechanical signals.

  9. GRIP ON STEERING WHEEL means the vehicle must be equipped with a knob or grip on the steering wheel.

  10. HEARING AID means the person must wear a hearing aid at all times while driving a CDL vehicle.

  11. SEAT CUSHION means the person must use a seat cushion at all times while driving.

  12. HAND CONTROLS OR PEDAL EXTENSION means the vehicle must be equipped with hand controls or a pedal extension.

  13. LEFT FOOT ACCELERATOR means the vehicle must be equipped with a left foot accelerator.

  14. PROBATION-INTERLOCK DEVICE means the vehicle must be equipped with a device that locks the ignition at times specified by the court imposing the restriction.

  15. OTHER RESTRICTIONS means there are other restrictions imposed on this license.

  16. NO PASSENGERS ON MOTORCYCLE means the person cannot have a passenger when driving a motorcycle.

  17. MEDICAL ALERT BRACELET means the person wears a medical alert bracelet.

  18. EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY means the person can drive only for educational purposes.


Restriction Codes Appearing on Commercial Driver Licenses Only

  1. VEHICLES W/O AIR BRAKES - issued to those who have not passed the required written and/or skills tests for the operation of vehicles with air brakes.

  2. CDL-INTRASTATE ONLY (CMV) - issued to those who are authorized to operate commercial motor vehicles inside Florida only.

  3. BUS ONLY (CMV) - issued to persons who are only authorized to operate a commercial vehicle that is a bus.

  4. CMV<26,001 LBS Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

  5. NO TRACTOR/TRAILERS

  6. NO CLASS A PASSENGER VEHICLES

  7. NO CLASS B PASSENGER VEHICLES

NOTE: Drivers with a restriction on their license who do not comply with the requirements of the restriction can be issued a citation for violation of restriction and could be suspended. Offenses of this type are a second degree misdemeanor, except for violations of restriction code X.


Endorsement Codes

These endorsements are placed on Class A, B, or C commercial driver licenses.

  1. PLACARDED HAZMAT - issued to those who have passed the required written tests and who will transport placarded hazardous materials.

  2. TANK VEHICLES - issued to those who have passed the required written tests and who will drive tank vehicles.

  3. PASSENGERS - issued to those who have passed the required written and skills tests and who will drive passenger vehicles.

  4. DOUBLE/TRIPLE TRAILERS - issued to those who have passed the required written tests and who will drive double or triple tractor trailer vehicles.

  5. SCHOOL BUS - issued to those who have passed the required written and skills tests and who will drive a school bus.

  6. PLACARDED HAZMAT & TANK VEHICLES - issued to those who qualify for endorsements H and N.

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