October 2009
DHSMV NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NAMED: Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet unanimously voted to appoint Julie L. Jones of Tallahassee as executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles effective September 30, 2009.
Jones, 52, has served as the director of law enforcement for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission since 2002. As director, she was responsible for over 900 officers and employees who respond to natural disasters, dangerous wildlife escapes and other public safety emergencies, including search and rescue operations. Previously, within the same agency, she served as regional director from 1997 to 2002, law enforcement supervisor from 1986 to 1997, wildlife officer from 1983 to 1986, and biologist from 1982 to 1983. She received a bachelor and a master degree from Florida Atlantic University.
DONATE LIFE FLORIDA FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE: In an effort to continue the statewide education on the importance of organ and tissue donation, Donate Life Florida will conduct a statewide fundraiser initiative in all driver license and tax collector offices in October. The initiative, deemed the Save A Life campaign, will begin October 1 and continue throughout the month. The campaign will focus on statewide educational efforts promoting the new online Joshua Abbott Organ and Tissue Donation Registry (DonateLifeFlorida.org) and informing the public of the option to donate to the Donate Life Organ Donor Education Voluntary Contribution option, available when conducting driver license transactions. The Department is pleased to be a part of the effort to spread the word about the newest convenient way to become an organ donor.
GATHER.GO.GET: The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles continues its educational campaign Gather.Go.Get. to assist Floridians with new driver license and identification card requirements. On January 1, 2010, Floridians renewing or obtaining a new license or ID will be required to show proof of: 1) identification, 2) Social Security number and 3) residential address (two items).
The campaign is anchored by a website designed to help residents understand the new requirements. DHSMV encourages all Floridians to visit www.GatherGoGet.com to find out how and when to gather your documents, go to a driver license office and get your new card. The campaign website www.GatherGoGet.com will enable residents to:
Determine when they will need to visit a driver license or tax collector office.
Create a personalized checklist detailing documents they will need.
Obtain contact information showing where to get required documents.
Browse a list of driver license offices in their local area.
The campaign and its tools are also available in Spanish at www.ReunaVengaObtenga.com and in Creole at www.RasanbleAlePran.com.
On January 2010, the Department will begin issuing driver licenses and identification cards that meet new federal standards. Although Florida already has one of the most secure issuance processes and credentials, these changes will enhance our efforts to minimize fraud and identity theft.
DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS: Florida requires additional documents for people renewing or obtaining their Florida driver license or identification card. Everyone must provide one proof of residential address, and one form of proof of social security number, if issued. The changes are required to bring Florida into compliance with the Real ID Act of 2005.
To renew or obtain a license or identification card, residents must now have one form of proof of residential address such as:
· Deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment booklet or residential rental/lease agreement
· Florida Voter Registration Card
· Florida Vehicle Registration or Title
· A utility hook up or work order dated within 60 days of the application
· W-2 form or 1099 form
· A letter from a homeless shelter, transitional service provider, or a half-way house verifying that the customer resides at the shelter address
For a list of Proof of Residential Address documents, please visit http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/address.html.
Proof of social security number, if issued, includes one of the following:
· Social Security card
· Tax return
· W-2 form
· Pay check stub
· DD-214 (military discharge document)
· School record
· Documentation from the IRS containing your social security number
First time residents applying for a driver license or identification card must also provide proof of identity such as:
· Original or certified birth certificate (name on each document must match exactly or be accompanied by an official marriage certificate or court order)
· Valid passport
Non-US Citizens must provide additional documents such as:
· Valid permanent resident card
· Employment authorization card
The Department provides a list of acceptable documents online at http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/faqkeys.html.
KEY INFORMATION FOR PARENTS ON TEEN DRIVING: The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has a parents section on its teen driving website www.flhsmv.gov/teens. The website now provides parents with useful information to help them teach their teens to become safe drivers. Florida’s graduated driver licensing program allows teens to obtain a learner’s permit at age 15, which restricts them to driving only under certain conditions with a licensed adult. Other restrictions apply to teens with an operator’s license until their 18th birthday.
To ensure that both parents and teens have a complete understanding of the law, an explanation of each phase of the graduated licensing program and the related restrictions can be found on the website. Certain behaviors are associated with the cause of the high fatality rate of teen drivers including: inexperience and immaturity combined with speed, alcohol consumption, not wearing seatbelts, distractions, drowsiness, and driving when visibility is limited. The website includes a driving guide and a driving log to track the 50 hours of practice that teens must record to obtain their intermediate operator’s license. To visit the website, please go to: www.flhsmv.gov/teens
ELECTRONIC TITLES - The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reminds all Floridians that new titles and those held by lien holders remain recorded in an electronic format. A $2.50 service/mailing fee (or $10 for expedited service) is charged to convert titles to paper. "E-titles" are for motor vehicles, mobile homes or vessels. They eliminate the risk of losing a title and protecting it from potential fraud or theft. E-titles prove ownership the same as paper title and owner can see status via www.flhsmv.gov.
AN APPOINTMENT WILL SAVE YOU TIME! All customers who must visit one of our offices to renew, replace, or file a change of address to their driver license or identification card, are urged to secure an appointment prior to their visit. Connect via Internet at http://www.flhsmv.gov/oasis for an appointment to greatly reduce the length of the visit. Then link to the on-line pre-application and complete it before coming to one of our offices.
OUR OFFICE SCHEDULE: Driver license offices in Florida are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Testing guidelines, that continue to provide excellent customer service, call for the start of the last oral examination and CDL test to begin each day at 3:30 p.m. The last written examinations and driving tests begin each day at 4:30 p.m. Please check our website at www.flhsmv.gov/offices/ for the most up-to-date information on office locations and schedules.
DRIVER LICENSES AND IDENTIFICATION CARD FEES (Effective September 1, 2009)
Class E (original and renewal) $48.00 CDL (original and renewal) $75.00
ID Card (original and renewal) $25.00
Endorsements $ 7.00
Driver License Services at Tax Collector office Service Fee $ 6.25
For a complete listing of all new motorist services fees, including the amount of the previous fee and the date of the most recent fee change, please click here.
A combination of vehicle information is used to determine registration fees. They are the registration use, license plate type and class code. The class code is determined by the vehicle weight, body type, vehicle type and registration use. To see a sample, click here.
For a list of frequently asked questions and answers regarding Florida's new fees, click here.
No trip is too short. Buckle Up Every Time, Everyone!
