Tallahassee, Florida — HB 991, signed into law in April by Governor Ron DeSantis, requires the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to indicate on a driver’s license or identification card whether a person is a U.S. citizen. The new law takes effect for Florida residents on January 1, 2027, and the requirement to include this status must be met by July 1, 2027.
Minutes after Governor DeSantis signed the law, a coalition of voting rights advocates filed a federal lawsuit challenging it, arguing that it would disenfranchise eligible individuals and create unnecessary obstacles. They pointed out that thousands of Floridians lack easy access to such documentation.
“The bill requires the DHSMV to issue, at no cost, a new or replacement license or card if the license or cardholder promptly updates their legal status by becoming a U.S. citizen,” according to the bill analysis.
This change is part of a broader election bill passed by state legislators. Florida officials say current license holders will not need to replace their cards immediately, but the citizenship designation will appear on new and renewed licenses going forward.
