Where Do I File FR-44 in Fort Lauderdale?
In Fort Lauderdale your insurer files the FR-44 electronically with the FLHSMV. You reinstate through the Broward County Tax Collector, main office at 115 S. Andrews Ave, open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
In Fort Lauderdale you do not file the FR-44 yourself. Your insurer files it electronically with the Florida FLHSMV, usually the same day you buy the policy. What you handle in person is license reinstatement, and in Broward County that runs through the Broward County Tax Collector, which handles driver-license service: the main office at 115 S. Andrews Ave, A100, Fort Lauderdale 33301, and a driver-license office in Lauderdale Lakes at 3718 W. Oakland Park Blvd, generally open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Who actually files your FR-44 in Fort Lauderdale?
Your insurance company files it, not you. When you buy an FR-44 policy, the carrier sends the certificate electronically to the FLHSMV on your behalf, which is why the filing itself is fast and you never mail a form to Tallahassee.
The step that takes a Fort Lauderdale driver in person is reinstating the license once the filing is on record. For the full statewide process, see our guide on how to get FR-44 with same-day filing, and for the local view, the Fort Lauderdale FR-44 hub.
This split confuses a lot of people, because the word file makes it sound like paperwork you carry to a counter. It is not. The FR-44 is the insurer’s responsibility, transmitted from carrier to state, and it sits apart from anything you do in person. Once that clicks, the process is easier to sequence: line up the policy so the filing goes through, then deal with the license side.
Getting the order right saves a wasted trip across the county. If you show up at a Broward office before your carrier has actually filed, there is nothing yet to reinstate against, so it pays to confirm the filing is on record before you fight traffic on I-95 or I-595 to get there.
Where do you go in Broward County to reinstate?
You go to the Broward County Tax Collector, which handles driver-license service in the county. That is a local wrinkle worth knowing, since in many Florida counties the state runs those offices directly. These verified locations handle the license side of reinstatement.
| Office | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Main office | 115 S. Andrews Ave, A100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 | Mon to Fri, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Lauderdale Lakes | 3718 W. Oakland Park Blvd, Lauderdale Lakes | Mon to Fri, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
Which one you pick usually comes down to geography and traffic. The main office on South Andrews Avenue sits in the downtown Fort Lauderdale core, close to Las Olas and Victoria Park, while the Lauderdale Lakes driver-license office on West Oakland Park Boulevard is easier for the western and northern side of the county near Sunrise and Plantation. General hours run Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Some suspensions clear online
Depending on your suspension, you may be able to reinstate online through the Broward County Tax Collector or the FLHSMV once your FR-44 is filed, which can save you the drive entirely. Check your specific case before you plan a trip downtown.
What should Fort Lauderdale drivers bring to the office?
Bring proof that your FR-44 is on file and your identification, and confirm your suspension is ready to clear before you drive over. Because a DUI reinstatement generally has more moving parts than a simpler suspension, knowing what your own case still needs is half the battle.
- Proof your carrier has filed the FR-44 with the FLHSMV
- Your identification and any documents your case requires
- Confirmation of what your specific suspension still needs cleared
- A plan to arrive well before the 5:00 PM close
Build in time for the drive, too. The offices generally close at 5:00 PM, and if you are coming across Broward on I-95, I-595, or Florida’s Turnpike at the wrong hour, traffic can eat the buffer you thought you had. Arriving in the morning is the simplest way to keep a long line from pushing you past closing and costing you another day.
How do you know your FR-44 is on file in Fort Lauderdale?
You confirm it with your insurer before you rely on it. Because the carrier submits the FR-44 electronically to the FLHSMV, the surest way to know it landed is to ask the company for confirmation that the filing was accepted, rather than assuming it went through the moment you paid.
This matters most right before a reinstatement trip. A Fort Lauderdale driver who reaches the Andrews Avenue counter expecting the filing to be on record, only to find it has not posted yet, loses the visit. A quick check that the FR-44 is accepted, plus a look at whether your suspension can clear online, turns an uncertain trip into a predictable one, and anything that looks off is far easier to sort out by phone than at the window.
Frequently asked questions
Do I file the FR-44 myself in Fort Lauderdale?
No. Your insurer files it electronically with the FLHSMV, usually the same day. In Fort Lauderdale you handle license reinstatement in person through the Broward County Tax Collector, or online when your suspension qualifies.
Which Broward County office handles FR-44 reinstatement?
The Broward County Tax Collector, which handles driver-license service. The main office is at 115 S. Andrews Ave, A100, Fort Lauderdale, and there is a driver-license office in Lauderdale Lakes at 3718 W. Oakland Park Blvd, generally open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Can I reinstate online instead of visiting a Broward office?
Some suspensions can be reinstated online through the Broward County Tax Collector or the FLHSMV once the FR-44 is filed. Check your specific case first, because not every suspension qualifies.
How fast does the FR-44 filing itself happen?
Usually the same day, because the insurer transmits the certificate electronically to the FLHSMV rather than by mail. The reinstatement step is what you schedule around the office hours.
Informational only. Not legal, financial, or insurance advice. FR-44 and SR-22 requirements are set by Florida (FLHSMV) and the courts and can change; verify your specific requirement with the FLHSMV. Pricing shown is illustrative, not a quote. FR44 Insurance of Florida is an independent insurance agency and not a government entity.