The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has announced changes that will impact Florida drivers beginning Oct. 1. One of the principal changes will be the identification required for driver licenses.
After Oct. 1, drivers will have to present proof of social security number (for example, social security card or one of the following documents: tax returns, W-2 form, property tax statement, pay check, DD-214, school record). Passports, permanent resident cards and employment authorization cards presented as proof of identification or legal presence must be valid. Expired documents will not be accepted.
The department will no longer accept driver licenses or identification cards issued by other states as primary identification.
Another change is that drivers will be allowed to elect the school option to avoid having points assessed against their license five times in a 10-year period instead of five times in a lifetime.
Commercial driver license holders who receive a Driving Under the Influence conviction on or after Oct. 1, even while driving a personal vehicle, will be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for one year for the first offense, and permanently disqualified for the second offense. The penalties are based on convictions dates and not offense dates.
“Upcoming changes are a result of recent statutory requirements and department efforts to increase security,” said Director of the Division of Driver Licenses Sandra Lambert. “We anticipate the benefits of enhanced identity protection will far outweigh the inconvenience of providing additional proof of identification.”
In addition to identification requirements, license fees and the length of time for which certain identification cards and motor vehicle licenses are valid are changing.
For U.S. Citizens and permanent legal immigrants, Class E driver licenses, and commercial drivers licenses for Class A, B, or C will be valid for eight years except for customers 80 and older. Licenses with a hazardous materials endorsement will be valid for four years. All licenses for customers 80 and older will be valid for six years.
Identification cards for children five through 14 years of age will be valid for four years. Identification cards for anyone 15 and older will be valid for eight years.
September 18th 2008 - 11:33AM