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Manatee County DMV: Book the Right Office First

Florida doesn’t have a “DMV” you can walk into. In Bradenton, licenses, titles and tags go through the Manatee County Tax Collector, every branch is appointment-only, and the two limited branches send some driver license visits to a different office. Here’s which office does what.

Which office? Book an appointment

Tax Collector branches serve Manatee County residents only, by appointment. Before you leave, check the live wait times on the Tax Collector’s Plan Your Visit page.

HoursMon–Fri 9–5All three branches

AppointmentsRequiredtaxcollector.com/appointments

Call(941) 741-4800Tax Collector main line

Saturdays9 a.m.–2 p.m.Private tag agencies, tags & titles only

Where to go

Which office do you need?

Three Tax Collector branches, plus two private tag agencies that take walk-ins for tags and titles.

Driver License Branch

Tax Collector branch

904 301 Blvd W, Bradenton 34205

Full driver license service: written exams, road tests, commercial (CDL) licenses including Hazmat, suspensions, non-US citizens and lost out-of-state licenses. No tags or titles.

Mon–Fri 9–5 · appointment

West Manatee Branch

Tax Collector branch

819 301 Blvd W, Bradenton 34205
Older listings call it the DeSoto office

Titles, tags and registration, dealer work and limited driver license services. Registration kiosk and a drive-thru drop box.

Mon–Fri 9–5 · appointment

East Manatee Branch

Tax Collector branch

10705 Technology Terrace, Bradenton 34211
Just off Lakewood Ranch Blvd

Titles, tags, limited driver license services and Class E road tests (US citizens). Covered VIN-verification drive-through, kiosk and drop box.

Mon–Fri 9–5 · appointment

First Manatee South County Tag Agency

Private tag agency

5756 14th St W, Bradenton 34207
(941) 782-6050

Tags and titles only, for any county. Extra fees. No driver licenses.

Mon–Fri 9–6 · Sat 9–2 · walk-ins

Express Auto Tags North River

Private tag agency

4333 US 301 N, Ellenton 34222
(941) 623-9196

Tags and titles only, for any county. Extra fees. No driver licenses.

Mon–Fri 9–6 · Sat 9–2 · walk-ins

Sources: Manatee County Tax Collector: Plan Your Visit, FLHSMV Manatee County locations and the East Manatee Branch announcement. The private agencies run under the Tax Collector’s authority but set their own fees.

Don’t drive to the old offices

The North River and Lakewood Ranch Tax Collector branches closed for good in early September 2024. The East Manatee Branch opened Sept. 24, 2024, to replace both. Some maps still show the old offices, and 4333 US 301 N is now a private tag agency that doesn’t do driver licenses. (Tax Collector)

Got a ticket or court date?

Traffic tickets are handled by the Clerk of the Court, not the Tax Collector: 1115 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, (941) 741-4060, Mon–Fri 8:30–4:30. (FLHSMV)

Driver licenses

Limited branch or Driver License Branch?

This is the part that sends people back across town. The West and East Manatee branches handle the common driver license visits; everything else goes to 904 301 Blvd W.

West or East Manatee can do it

For US and naturalized citizens:

Renew a license
Replace a lost Florida license
Change your address or name
Transfer an out-of-state license to Florida
Learner license, when you’ve already passed the exam

East Manatee also gives the Class E road test (US citizens).

Driver License Branch only

Written (knowledge) exams
Commercial licenses (CDL), including Hazmat
Suspensions and revocations
Non-US citizens
Lost out-of-state license, which needs your old state’s driving record

Every visit carries a $6.25 Tax Collector service fee, even if you only have a question.

Source: Tax Collector: Referred to the Driver License Branch.

Before you go

Book it once, do it once

Tax Collector appointment

5 steps that save a second trip

Check whether you need to go at allRenewals, replacements and address changes are often done online. See Skip the trip.
Book the right branchAt taxcollector.com/appointments, for Manatee County residents and businesses only. Each person getting a license needs their own appointment.
Fill in the online license application firstRequired for driver license visits. Don’t print it; the clerk pulls it up at your appointment.
Bring the right documentsMoving here? Our new-resident guide lists the REAL ID documents and fees. Getting a first license? See the teen license guide.
Check live wait times before you leaveThe Tax Collector posts them on its Plan Your Visit page. Payment: cash, check, debit (+$2.75) or credit (+2.75%, minimum $2.75).

Sources: Plan Your Visit, Tax Collector fee schedule (learner license page).

Skip the trip

Do it online or at a kiosk

Plenty of “DMV” errands never need a counter.

Licenses: MyDMV Portal

Renew a license or ID up to 12 months early, order a replacement, change your address, check for suspensions or unpaid tickets, reinstate most suspensions and order driving transcripts. mydmvportal.flhsmv.gov

Tags: renew online

Renew a vehicle, boat or mobile home registration for up to 2 years at renewexpress.com/manatee. Self-service renewal kiosks are in the West and East branch lobbies and at participating Publix stores.

Drive-thru drop boxes

The West and East Manatee branches have drive-thru drop boxes for registration renewals, property tax payments and voter registration applications, usable during or after hours.

Sources: Tax Collector: Save a Trip, Process Online, Plan Your Visit.

By situation

Find your situation

Just moved here

New to Manatee County

Transfer your license, title and tag: documents, fees, deadlines and the insurance card mistake.

Read the guide

Permit to road test

Teen Driver License

The DETS course, the English-only exam, learner rules and where to take the road test.

Read the guide

Here for the winter

Winter Residents Car Guide

When Florida plates and a license are required, and the 90-day insurance rule.

Read the guide

Guide sponsor · Firkins Automotive

Tag in hand? Find the car to put it on.

Firkins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is on US-41 just south of downtown, with new and used inventory, trade-in values and online pre-approval.

Firkins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram 2700 1st St (US-41), Bradenton, FL 34208, just south of downtown
(941) 203-1405 · Directions

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Offers and inventory are set by Firkins Automotive and change often. See firkins.com or the dealership for current details.

Questions

Manatee County DMV FAQ

Is there a DMV in Bradenton?

Florida doesn’t run DMV offices you walk into. In Manatee County, driver licenses, titles and tags are handled by the Manatee County Tax Collector, which has three branches in Bradenton: the Driver License Branch (904 301 Blvd W), the West Manatee Branch (819 301 Blvd W) and the East Manatee Branch (10705 Technology Terrace).

Do I need an appointment at the Manatee County DMV?

Yes. The Tax Collector says all in-person services at its branches require an appointment, booked at taxcollector.com/appointments, and they’re for Manatee County residents and businesses only.

Can I walk in anywhere for a tag or title?

Yes, at the two privately owned tag agencies: First Manatee South County Tag Agency (5756 14th St W, Bradenton) and Express Auto Tags North River (4333 US 301 N, Ellenton). Both take walk-ins, are open Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., serve any county and charge extra fees. They don’t do driver licenses.

What are the Manatee County Tax Collector’s hours?

All three branches are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed weekends and major holidays.

What is the phone number for the Manatee County DMV?

The Tax Collector’s main line is (941) 741-4800. Its website suggests checking the online Help Center first.

Where can I take a driving test in Manatee County?

At the Driver License Branch or the East Manatee Branch, by appointment, for Manatee County residents. Private third-party providers can also give the road test, including on weekends and after hours.

What happened to the North River and Lakewood Ranch offices?

Both Tax Collector branches closed permanently in early September 2024. The East Manatee Branch at 10705 Technology Terrace opened Sept. 24, 2024, to replace them. The North River address is now a private tag agency that handles tags and titles only.

I don’t live in Manatee County. Can I use these offices?

Not the Tax Collector branches, which serve Manatee County residents only. The two private tag agencies handle titles and tags for any county. For a driver license, go to your home county’s office.

Is there a DMV in Lakewood Ranch?

Yes. The Tax Collector’s East Manatee Branch at 10705 Technology Terrace, just off Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, replaced the old Lakewood Ranch branch, which closed in September 2024. It handles titles, tags, limited driver license services and Class E road tests, by appointment.

Is there a DMV in Palmetto or Ellenton?

There’s no Tax Collector branch in Palmetto or Ellenton. For a driver license, book one of the Bradenton branches on 301 Blvd W or the East Manatee Branch. For tags and titles, Express Auto Tags North River at 4333 US 301 N in Ellenton takes walk-ins, including Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Official sources

Go straight to the source

Last updated October 21, 2026. Details change, and the offices above have the final word.