PCB is a code that appears on your Florida driver's license or ID card
PCB stands for "Permanent Change of Bias" and is a notation the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles uses on your license or ID. It indicates that you have requested a change to how your sex or gender marker appears on your license — and that change is permanent, meaning you will not need to renew or update it again unless you choose to.
This code appears in the remarks section of your license or ID card. It does not affect how you use your license for driving, voting, boarding flights, or any other purpose. It is straightforward a record that you have made a gender marker change through the DMV.
Florida allows you to change your sex designation on your driver's license or ID card without a court order, a medical certificate, or a letter from a doctor. You can change it once per year, and the change takes effect when ready when you receive your new card.
Key Takeaways
- PCB on your Florida license means you have changed your sex or gender marker and that change is permanent.
- You can change your sex designation to M (male), F (female), or X (non-binary) at any Florida DMV office.
- No court order, medical documentation, or doctor's letter is required to make this change.
- You can change your sex designation once per year, and the new marker takes effect when you receive your updated card.
How to request a sex or gender marker change at the DMV
To change the sex or gender marker on your Florida driver's license or ID card, visit any Florida DMV office in person. You cannot make this change online or by mail. Bring your current driver's license or ID card and one form of identification that shows your legal name if it differs from what is on your current license.
Tell the DMV staff member that you want to change your sex or gender designation. They will show you the available options: M (male), F (female), or X (non-binary). Select the marker you want, and the staff member will process the change on the spot. You will receive a new license or ID card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
There is no fee to change your sex or gender marker. If you are renewing your license at the same time, you will pay the standard renewal fee, but the marker change itself costs nothing.
What happens after you request the change
Once you request the change at the DMV, your new license or ID card will be mailed to the address on file. The card will show your new sex or gender marker, and the PCB code will appear in the remarks section to indicate that this change is permanent.
Your old license or ID card remains valid for driving until the new one arrives. Once the new card arrives, you should destroy the old one or return it to the DMV if you prefer. You do not need to do anything else — the change is complete.
If you move or change your address after requesting the change, update your address with the DMV before your new card arrives so it is mailed to the correct location.
Changing your sex marker more than once per year
Florida law allows you to change your sex or gender marker once per calendar year. If you have already made a change this year and want to make another one, you will have to wait until January 1 of the following year.
If you are unsure whether you have already made a change this year, contact your local DMV office or call the Florida DMV customer service line. They can look up your record and tell you when you last made a change and when you are may be able to access to make another one.
Using your new license with other government agencies
Your Florida driver's license is a state-issued ID. Other agencies — including federal agencies, local governments, and private businesses — may or may not recognize or update your sex or gender marker based on your new Florida license alone.
If you need to update your sex or gender marker with Social Security, the federal government, your employer, your bank, or another organization, you will need to contact that organization directly. Some may require additional documentation beyond your new Florida license. Your updated Florida license is a good starting point, but it does not automatically change your records elsewhere.
What to do if your new card does not arrive
Your new license or ID card should arrive within 7 to 10 business days of your request. If more than two weeks have passed and you have not received it, contact your local DMV office or the Florida DMV customer service line to report the delay.
Have your old license or ID card number ready when you call. The DMV can check the status of your card and reissue it if it was lost in the mail. If your card was lost or damaged, the DMV may charge a replacement fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a doctor's letter or court order to change my sex marker in Florida?
No. Florida does not require a medical certificate, a letter from a doctor, a court order, or any other documentation to change your sex or gender marker on your driver's license or ID card. You can make the change by visiting any DMV office and requesting it.
Can I change my sex marker online or by mail?
No. You must visit a Florida DMV office in person to change your sex or gender marker. You cannot make this change online, by phone, or by mail.
What does the X option mean on my license?
The X option allows you to mark your sex or gender as non-binary on your Florida driver's license or ID card. This is a legal option available to anyone who does not identify as male or female.
If I change my sex marker, do I need to update my birth certificate too?
No. Changing your sex marker on your Florida driver's license is separate from changing it on your birth certificate. You can change one without changing the other. If you want to update your birth certificate, you will need to contact the Florida Department of Health's Office of Vital Statistics.
Can I change my sex marker back to what it was before?
Yes. You can change your sex or gender marker as many times as you want, as long as you do not make more than one change per calendar year. If you want to change it back, wait until you are may be able to access and visit a DMV office to request the change.