Thursday, December 6, 2012

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles :


Information of Interest to Florida Drivers

Have a Safe Holiday SeasonThe holiday season is a peak travel period for families nationwide. Florida, with its inviting climate and numerous vacation options, is a favorite travel destination.  The festive season typically produces a high volume of motor vehicle traffic. The Florida Highway Patrol will increase its presence on our highways and will patrol Florida’s high volume roadways during the upcoming holiday period.

Troopers will direct their enforcement efforts toward impaired driving, speeding, following too closely and other aggressive driving behavior. In addition, troopers will strictly enforce safety belt and child restraint laws. 

The Florida Highway Patrol offers safety tips to help you and your family arrive at your destination safely:
• Get plenty of rest before setting out on a long trip
• Observe and obey all speed limits
• Allow plenty of time to reach your destinations
• Drive sober, and only sober
• Buckle up!
• Eliminate distractions: Texting, talking on the phone, eating, adjusting the stereo – these are all examples of things that can take your eyes off the road, which is exactly what you want to avoid.
• Prepare your vehicle: Check fluids for proper levels, i.e. oil, gas and windshield wipers, and ensure your tires have adequate pressure and are in good condition.

May all of you have a happy and safe holiday season!

Voting on New License Plate Design Begins:  The website for voting on Florida’s new license plate, www.Vote4FloridaTag.com, is open to the public! Floridians can vote online through Dec. 14. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles wants to upgrade the basic Florida plate to a design that increases readability and features a seven character configuration.

A committee of more than 20 stakeholders, including state agency personnel, law enforcement, tax collectors and affiliated associations participated in the development of the final license plate designs. DHSMV’s in-house graphics artist created the proposed designs.

Tow-To-Go Offered During The Holidays:  AAA Auto Club South and Budweiser offer to Floridians their Tow-to-Go program from Dec. 21, 2012 through Jan. 1, 2013.  Tow-to-Go provides a confidential ride home and tow, free of charge, to anyone who may have had too much to drink.  Since 1998, the program is credited with keeping more than 20,000 drunk drivers off the roads and is designed to protect everyone on the roads from preventable car crashes, not just the intoxicated driver.  For more information, call 1-800-AAA-HELP or visit http://www.aaasouth.com/newsandsafety/tow_to_go.aspx.

Register Your Emergency Contact Information: If you are in an emergency situation, would law enforce­ment officers be able to contact your loved ones?  Give the gift of peace of mind this holiday season by registering your Emergency Contact Information. ECI allows Florida licensed drivers and identification card hold­ers to register up to two contacts to notify in the event of an emergency, such as a vehicle crash. The information can then be accessed only by law enforcement officers to find designated contacts in the case of an emergency.

More than 5 million Floridians have registered their contacts, and DHSMV wants to encourage all of Florida’s licensed drivers and ID cardholders to register their contacts. There are 16.7 million licensed drivers in the state.  Registration is simple and can be done at any computer by logging onto www.flhsmv.gov/eci. Floridians can register in any driver license office in the state, too, which includes those operated by county tax collectors.

The Department encourages you to make sure your own information is registered and to tell your friends and family members about ECI.

When Visibility is Low, Drive Slow: Visibility can change within seconds, so use extreme caution when driving in smoke and fog. To make sure drivers know what to do when you encounter smoke and fog, the Florida Highway Patrol has collaborated with the Florida Forest Service and the Florida Department of Transportation on a safety campaign. Wildfires, smoke, fog and heavy rain can lower visibility on the roads. It is important for drivers to drive as safely as possible in these conditions.
Safety tips on driving in low visibility:
• Slow down, but do not slam your brakes.
• Turn your headlights on low.
• If you must stop, pull all the way off the road and turn on your emergency flashers to let drivers know you are parked.
• Report the hazard to the local law enforcement agencies or 911.
• Check traffic conditions before traveling, by dialing 511 or visiting www.fl511.com.

About Documentation Requirements: We recommend to our customers a visit to www.GatherGoGet.com, a website dedicated to assist Floridians with the 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.

An Appointment Helps:  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 https://services.flhsmv.gov/Oasis/  for an appointment to reduce the length of the visit. 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.

Fees for Driver Licenses and Identification Card

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
Office hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday (except official holidays)

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.

Buckle Up Every Time, Everyone!