Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Information of Interest to Florida Drivers


Sandy Lambert Sets Sail for New Adventures:  Sandy Lambert is excited about the adventures awaiting her as she retires from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Having spent the last 17 years as the Director of the Division of Driver Licenses (recently merged to become the Division of Motorist Services) in a fast-paced whirlwind of activity full of challenges and change, she is looking forward to enjoying a new phase in her life.

Sandy’s career at DHSMV began on a one-year grant to develop a supervisory training program for the Department. Thirty-one years later, she is still here. She also served as Chief of Staff for the Division of Motor Vehicles and oversaw the design and issuance of the first specialty license plate... The Challenger. University plates and the Medal of Honor were right behind, and Sandy brought all nine Florida Medal of Honor recipients to Tallahassee for a ceremony.

Sandy was appointed Director, Division of Driver Licenses, in January 1995, making her the first female to hold the position. Immediately, she faced a budget reduction; 24 driver license offices were closed and 167 positions were eliminated. However, the division moved forward, installed new equipment and began to issue the first digitized driver license.  Under Lambert’s leadership, the Florida accomplished many milestones: Florida passed the first Graduated Driver License law in the country, the Department offered Saturday operations in large metropolitan areas, mini-Florida Licensing On Wheels went into operation, field issuance offices opened five days per week, the Department began to accept credit cards, and Florida was one of the first states to issue Real ID compliant credentials. In 2011, the Divisions of Driver Licenses and Motor Vehicles merged, and Sandy became Director of Motorist Services.

Thank you for your dedicated service to the residents of Florida.

Boyd Walden Leads Motorist Services: DHSMV Executive Director Julie Jones named Boyd Walden as the new Director of the Division of Motorist Services. Boyd has more than 25 years of experience with the Department and has been the deputy director of the division since the merger of the divisions of Driver Licenses and Motor Vehicles last year.  When asked about his new role, Walden said, “I’m looking forward to meeting the challenges of our core mission of providing driver license and motor vehicle services to our customers. Our success depends on creating a work environment that provides the tools and resources to our members to get the job done efficiently. We’re also looking at opportunities to strengthen our relationships with stakeholders.” 

Walden is a graduate of Florida State University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science. He joined the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles as a computer programmer. While serving in the Information System Administration, he managed several high-profile projects.  In June 2001, he broadened his horizons by serving as the data processing manager of driver licenses. In 2003, he became the chief of the Bureau of Titles and Registrations and then became deputy director of Motorist Services in 2011.

Please join in DHSMV in congratulating and welcoming Boyd as he leads Motorist Services into the future!

DHSMV Closes and Consolidates Offices, Saves State Millions: The Department closed three driver license offices between January and March as driver license services transition to county tax collectors continue. Closures in Pensacola, Defuniak Springs and Tampa will lead to an estimated annual savings of $282,992.

In Broward County, one of three counties where DHSMV will continue to provide driver license services, the Department closed the driver license office in Fort Lauderdale Jan. 20. The office will merge with the Lauderdale Lakes driver license office and reopen in May. By consolidating the two offices, the state will save nearly $2.5 million during the next 10 years, in lieu of procuring two individual offices.

Troopers Make an Impression: Sgt. Thomas Pikul and Trooper Jose Sanchez of the Florida Highway Patrol’s Troop E received a thank you letter from Kim Ferreira, the SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) sponsor at Dr. Michael Krop Senior High School. In her letter, Ferreira states, “Over 450 students were able to learn a very simple life saving lesson today: ‘Buckle Up!’ Your rollover simulator presentation was educational and something desperately needed for our youth.” She even included comments from students following the presentation, such as, “I’m going to wear my seatbelt all the time. I used to wear it only sometimes,” and, “Now, my friends will always buckle up if they want to drive in my car!”

Get an Inside Look at the Florida Highway Patrol: The Florida Highway Patrol recently announced the release of Troopers – Inside the Florida Highway Patrol, a documentary that features recruits on the path to becoming a state trooper. The Center for Faith and Freedom, Inc., doing business as Salt & Light Productions, produced the 92-minute video that follows the 118th recruit class through the training academy, highlights the many duties performed by the Patrol on an everyday basis and includes touching footage of a law enforcement funeral. The video demonstrates the breadth and depth of the statewide law enforcement agency’s role in achieving the vision of a Safer Florida.

Stuart J. Roth, Founder and President of the Lakewood Ranch based Salt & Light Productions noted, “I felt it was important for citizens all over our state to understand the dedication and commitment to public service that is exemplified by the FHP. Unfortunately, we often take for granted those individuals whose primary responsibility is ensuring public safety. This documentary will serve to remind us of the sacrifice being made on a daily basis by the men and women of the FHP.”  The DVD is available for purchase at www.Amazon.com.

Florida Highway Patrol Focuses on Aggressive Cars and Trucks:  Drivers on Florida roadways may want to practice some relaxation techniques before hitting the road. The Florida Highway Patrol announced an education and enforcement campaign to ticket aggressive truck and car drivers. In crashes involving cars and commercial trucks, actions by drivers account for 88 percent of the crashes. Only 12 percent of the crashes are the result of vehicle defects, road conditions or inclement weather.  The campaign aims to reduce commercial motor vehicle-related crashes, injuries and fatalities by combining outreach and education with enforcement activities to raise awareness among car and truck drivers about safe driving behaviors.

Troopers statewide are on the lookout for violations attributed to aggressive driving such as: following too closely, unsafe lane change and speeding; committed by truck and car drivers as they interact on Florida highways.
An Appointment Makes It a Breeze!  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 www.flhsmv.gov/oasis for an appointment to reduce the length of the visit. Then link to the on-line pre-application and complete it before coming to one of our offices. Driver license offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
  
Please check our website at www.flhsmv.gov/offices/ for the most up-to-date information on office locations and schedules.
Documents Online Assistance: DHSMV recommends our customers visit www.GatherGoGet.com, a website dedicated to assist Floridians with new driver license and identification card requirements. Floridians renewing or obtaining a new license or ID are required to show proof of: 1) identification, 2) Social Security number and 3) residential address (two items).

The website and its tools are also available in Spanish at www.ReunaVengaObtenga.com and in Creole at www.RasanbleAlePran.com.

The Department is issuing driver licenses and identification cards that meet new federal standards. This will enhance our efforts to minimize fraud and identity theft.

Driver Licenses and Identification Card Fees
Class E (original and renewal)                                                             $48     
Commercial Driver License (original and renewal)                               $75         
ID Card (original and renewal)                                                            $25    
Replacement License or ID                                                                 $25
Endorsements                                                                                     $  7
Driver License Services at Tax Collector Office Service Fees               $ 6.25

For a complete listing of all motorist services fees, please click here


The Department uses a combination of vehicle information to determine registration fees. This includes 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 fees, click here.    
                        
Buckle Up Every Time, Everyone!

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