Information of Interest
to Florida Drivers
Have a Safe Holiday Season: The 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!
