UPDATED: December 2, 2024
DUE TO PARKING CHALLENGES, oUR OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON fRIDAY DECEMBER 6TH.
FLHSMV RULE CHANGES
NEW REQUIREMENTS
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, or need to change the address on their driver license or florida iD card. 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, 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, customers 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:
- 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 homestead tax exemption on property in Florida.
We will be closed Wednesday, December 11th and Thursday December 12th for training with FLHSMV.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Resident License Discounts
Yesterday, Governor Ron DeSantis encouraged Floridians to go outdoors and explore Florida’s natural
resources. Governor DeSantis signed an executive order directing the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission (FWC) to provide a discount on hunting and fishing licenses. Beginning
October 25, 2024, and extending through January 3, 2025, a 50% discount will apply to the annual
resident Gold Sportsman license, 5-year Gold Sportsman license, and Youth Lifetime Sportsman
licenses (for ages 0-17), and the annual resident freshwater fishing / saltwater fishing
combination license will be discounted to $5.
Promotional Prices:
➢ Annual Gold Sportsman - $49.25, plus applicable fees
➢ 5-year Gold Sportsman - $246.25, plus applicable fees
➢ Lifetime Sportsman:
Age 0-4 - $200.00, plus applicable fees
Age 5-12 - $350.00, plus applicable fees
Ages 13-17 - $500.00, plus applicable fees
➢ Annual Freshwater Fishing / Saltwater Fishing Combination - $5.00, plus applicable fees
2024 Tax Roll
The 2024 Tax Roll opens Friday, November 1st.
To receive your 4% discount, pay before December 1st.
Click Here to search and pay your taxes.
The FLOW Mobile will be returning to the Dowling Park Office the first Thursday in October. It will be there October 3rd, November 7th, and December 5th. The hours will be 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Please call our office for more information. 386-362-2816.
Due to a statewide outage at the Florida Department of Health, we are unable to process requests for birth certificates at this time.
Accurate communication is critical to serve our diverse community in Suwannee County. We now offer Pocketalk translation devices to help bridge the communication barriers between our employees and customers whose primary language is not English. These two-way translation devices create connections across 82 different languages with extreme accuracy. The Pocketalk represents our commitment to be inclusive and respectful of all customers by providing valuable resources to simplify their visit with us. We are excited to offer this game changing service!
Effective July 31, 2024, original, renewal, or replacement driver license and ID cards issued will have an updated number. This one-time change using a newly-generated, random number is to better protect your personal information and is required by the Florida State Legislature. Be sure to notify organizations such as your employer, financial institutions, insurance companies, medical offices, parking facilities, etc. of this number change.
YOU CAN dOWNLOAD DRIVER HANDBOOKS AND CDL HANDBOOKS. Click the link below.
- DRIVER HANDBOOKS
- DRIVER HANDBOOKS SPANISH
- cDL HANDBOOKS
- MOTORCYCLE BASIC SAFETY COURSE
- TLSAE COURSES
- what to bring for driver license
Driver License Services and Florida ID Hours are 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM Monday through Friday
SATELLITE OFFICE LOCATIONS
Branford office:
We are in the branford office Every Tuesday
branford hours are 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM.
(closed 12:00 PM- 1:00 PM for lunch).
DOWLING PARK OFFICE:
We are in the dowling park office the first thursday of every month
our hours are 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Closed (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM for Lunch)
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, The FLOW Mobile will NOT be in Branford or dowling park.
We apologize for the inconvenience
if you have any questions, please call our office 386.362.2816
Welcome
My goal each day as Tax Collector is to provide the citizens of Suwannee County with the most courteous, friendly, efficient and professional level of service possible. I remind my staff daily of how important it is to work as a team to give the best customer service possible. I always welcome your feedback whether good or bad.
Be A Hero
Our Be a Hero Donate Life 5k is an annual event held in April. We host this event to help educate and raise awareness for the importance of Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation.
Although Donate Life Month is in April, your can be a hero all year by simply saying yes when asked "Would you like to give the gift of life and be an organ donor?"
LEARN MORE >