Recently the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles announced a series of rule changes affecting customers who need to obtain vehicle registrations, driver licenses and commercial driver licenses. Below is a synopsis of the changes and when they take effect.
September 23, 2024
Vehicle Registration
Defines “valid passport”
As of September 23, 2024, customers filing an application for a vehicle registration must provide a valid driver license or identification card issue by the state of Florida, or a valid passport which is now defined as:
- An unexpired passport or passport card issued by the United States government; or
- An unexpired passport issued by the government of another country with:
- A stamp or mark affixed by the United States Department of Homeland Security onto the passport to evidence and authorize lawful presence in the United States; or
- An unexpired I-94 or current permanent resident card, or unexpired immigrant visa, issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security.
October 1, 2024
Driver License and ID Card
Changes to residential address requirements
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has revised the policy on providing proof of residential address for issuing credentials. Starting October 1, 2024, customer must now provide either:
- Two (2) proofs of address in their own name; or
- Two (2) proofs of address in the name of someone they live with (called the “certifier”) along with the completed Certification of Address form (3 documents total). If the customer is providing a Certification of Address form, the certifier either must be with them in person at the time of the transaction, or the form must be notarized.
- When using proof in someone else’s name, one of the two proofs provided MUST be a deed, mortgage statement, or lease agreement to prove that the certifier rents or leases the property.
- The second proof of address must be one of the following:
- Florida Voter Registration Card
- Selective Service Card
- Florida Vehicle or Vessel Documentation
- Utility Bills dated within the last 30 days (ex: water, gas, electricity, telephone/cell, cable etc.)
- Financial Statement dated within the last 30 days (ex: bank, credit card or investment account statements)
- Professional license issued by a U.S. government agency
- Employer Documentation dated within the last 30 days (ex: paycheck stub, W-2 form)
- Insurance policy or bill for Homeowner’s and/or Automobile dated within the last 30 days
- Documents issued by Federal, State, County or city government agencies dated within last 30 days
- FDLE Registration form completed by the local sheriff’s office or Department of Corrections dated within the last 30 days
October 7, 2024
Commercial Driver License and Commercial Learner’s Permit
Changes to residence requirements.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has determined that proof of residential address submitted to obtain a Commercial Driver License (CDL) or Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) does not always meet the Florida residence requirements. Therefore, in order to ensure each applicant is a “Florida Resident,” all customers applying for an original CDL or CLP must present one of the documents to establish Florida residency:
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- A current Florida Driver License or Florida Identification Card held for a period of more than six (6) consecutive months.
- A lease agreement, in the customer’s name, that has been in place for a period of more than six (6) consecutive months.
- A current residential mortgage, in the customer’s name, signed more than six (6) months ago.
- A current residential deed, in the customer’s name, signed more than six (6) months ago.
- A Florida Voter Registration Card.
- A statement of domicile. (Declarations of Domicile are filed with the Lee Clerk of Courts – Official Records Department.)
- A homestead tax exemption on property in Florida. (Proof of homestead exemption can be located by searching for the property record on leepa.org and clicking the “Exemption Renewal Letter.”)
