New Florida Driver's License Rules

Okay, based on personal experience with this, I had to laugh at this news item.

I understand the need for tighter restrictions for obtaining a license, since it is used as a primary id for almost everything in the US. But please, could they not have looked at making it harder to get a license, so that drivers were actually safer on the road? The threat to security is nothing in comparison to the accident rate and death toll on Florida's roads. It's insane and I know, I am now living in China and even though driving here is crazy, they rarely hurt each other.

TALLAHASSEE
New Florida driver's license rules go into effect Oct. 1
Posted on Thu, Sep. 11, 2008

Miami Herald Staff Report



Starting Oct. 1, the state will make it harder for Floridians to receive a new or renewed driver's license.

'We anticipate the benefits of enhanced identity protection will far outweigh the inconvenience of providing additional proof of identification,' said Sandra Lambert, director of the state division of driver licenses.

Starting Oct. 1:

• The Department of Motor Vehicles will no longer accept driver's licenses or identification cards issued by other states as primary identification.

• All customers must present proof of a Social Security number, including Social Security cards, tax returns, W-2 forms, property tax statements, paychecks, DD-214, school records.

• All passports, permanent resident cards and employment authorization cards presented as identification or proof of legal residence must be valid.

Several other changes in state law will go into effect on Oct. 1:

• A person will be allowed to elect school to avoid points 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 will be disqualified from operating a commercial vehicle for one year for the first offense -- even if the conviction stems from driving a personal vehicle. They will be permanently disqualified for a second conviction. Penalties are based on date of conviction, not date of the offense.

Other changes going into effect on Oct. 1:

• Class E licenses will be valid for eight years except for drivers 80 and older.

• Class A, B and C commercial licenses will be valid for eight years except for drivers 80 and older. Hazardous materials endorsements will be valid for four years.

• All licenses for drivers 80 and older will be valid for six years.

• Identification cards for children between 5 and 14 will be valid for four years. ID cards for anyone 15 and older will be valid for eight years.

• Fees are also rising. An original Class E license will cost $27, renewals, $20. New and renewal commercial licenses will cost $67, ID cards $10, replacement Class E licenses $10, and all endorsements $7.