Before you pack the car or head to the airport this holiday season, take one quick step that can save your trip: check your driver’s license.

The Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office (FCTC) sees many residents who discover their license has expired right as they’re preparing to travel. And while that moment can be stressful, there are some important things families should know—especially during the holidays.

One of the questions Shelly Edmonson, Flagler County Tax Collector, often hears is whether someone can still fly with an expired license. As she explained during our conversation, “TSA will accept a Real ID Compliant driver’s license that has been expired less than 2 years,” but she added an important reminder: “You can’t legally drive with it.”

So if you’re traveling and realize your license has recently expired, you may still be able to board your flight—but you will need to renew it as soon as possible when you return to Flagler County.

To help make your holiday travel smoother, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Renew early—holiday delays happen

The holidays often bring mailing delays, and many families may not realize that many services can be renewed online. However, some items cannot always be completed online. Depending on your situation, you may be prompted to make an in-person visit—for example, if you are not Real ID–compliant or need to provide proof of insurance.

Update your address before renewing

Many replacement licenses never reach residents simply because the address wasn’t updated. Verifying your address is correct takes under a minute—and prevents headaches later.

Keep your emergency contact updated

Florida allows drivers to store an emergency contact digitally in their driver record. It’s not printed on the license, but law enforcement can access it instantly after a crash.
This is especially important if your teen will be driving during winter break.

Check the live webcams before visiting

FCTC offers real-time webcams showing how busy each office is. Holiday weeks—and Mondays in particular—see higher walk-in traffic.

Edmonson noted that “people are renewing their tags online, but many others are still coming into the office,” especially older residents who prefer in-person visits. So a quick webcam check can help you plan your timing.

Teens home for break? Handle license needs now

Winter break is an ideal time to take care of:

  • Learner’s permits

  • Lost or stolen IDs

  • Address changes

  • Transfers of out-of-state licenses

FCTC staff handle each situation individually. As Edmonson noted, “No two transactions are the same.”

Whether you’re flying north, road-tripping south, or hosting family, a five-minute license check now can prevent major travel complications. And no matter what you need, the Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office is ready to help. As Edmonson shared, “Customer service is still our number one priority.”