Drivers are complaining more about the long wait to get appointments to renew their Florida driver’s license, which became more difficult since the new documentation requirements took effect on January 1 this year.

Broward resident, Harry Foster told the National Weekly of walking into a Fort Lauderdale driver’s license office to renew his license a few days before his birthday in early August and was told he could not have the license renewed without an appointment, despite having the required documentation.

The earliest appointment he got after applying via the Internet was on September 20. “This is ridiculous,” the Foster said. “I am a salesman and I must drive. What am I to do until September 20? Drive without a license and risk being charged?”

Prior to January 1, it was relatively easy for Florida drivers (legal immigrants and citizens) to renew their licenses over the Internet or by mail, or by visiting one of several DMV offices in the state.

Since the new rules took effect, drivers wishing to get a new license, legally change their name prior to their renewal date, or immediately replace a lost or stolen license or ID card are required to visit a DMV office and show proof of identification, Social Security Number and residential address (two items). Those simply renewing may do so by a convenience method, via the Internet or mail, one time between office renewals. The renewal following a convenience option must be in a state driver’s license office (or participating tax collector office).

The new renewal regulations apply to both citizens and permanent residents. There have been some complaints that citizens have an easier path to renew their licenses, but a DMV customer service supervisor, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the new regulations apply to both classes of residents. However, non-citizens must present more documents than citizens to prove their immigration status.

The supervisor said although there are DMV offices in Broward where one could “under normal circumstances” visit to renew one’s license, this is hardly possible since January. “Since then with many people still unfamiliar with the changes, there has been unusual demand on the offices. To streamline the demand, customers are required to make appointments either by phone or the Internet.” He also suggested that another problem is personnel shortage, since Tallahassee had not been able to expand the staff at the DMV offices because of the “state’s budgetary constraints. If there was more staff, renewal applicants would move faster.”

“On the other hand,” the supervisor said, “there should be no reason for not having an early appointment. Renewal notices are sent out 45 days before a driver’s birthday, but some ignore the notice until too late, running the risk of not getting an appointment and having the license expire. Forty-five days’ notice is ample time for someone to get an appointment to visit a DMV office before his or her birthday. The longer people take to renew their licenses, the more delay there will be.”

Raphael Salvadore, having no appointment, was turned away from a Kendall DMV office on Tuesday, with a license that expired on Thursday. He feels the offices should have more staff. “It’s a plot. The state is collecting more revenue when drivers are caught driving with expired licenses and have to pay large court fines. That revenue should make it possible to employ more people.”

Foster has since received an earlier date in Port St. Lucie. The DMV supervisor advises that drivers who are about to have, or had their licenses expire to continue calling different DMV offices in the region to get an earlier date. “Often an appointment suddenly becomes available because people cancel. So keep trying. It beats taking the risk of driving with an expired license.”