STORAGE NAME: h0961.GOS
DATE: 4/8/2025
1
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILL ANALYSIS
This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: HB 961
TITLE: Department of Highway Safety and Motor
Vehicles
SPONSOR(S): Maney
COMPANION BILL: CS/SB 1348 (Trumbull)
LINKED BILLS: None
RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
Government Operations
Transportation & Economic
Development Budget
State Affairs
SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill makes various revisions to Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) processes,
including:
Requiring a driver operating a commercial motor vehicle in an unduly hazardous condition to complete a
specified examination and undergo a vehicle inspection.
Authorizing tax collectors to deliver certain documents by mail or make them available at their office.
Extending the period for which a disabled parking permit is valid from four to eight years.
Revising the deadline by which the transition of driver license issuance services to tax collectors be
complete from 2015 to 2030.
Providing additional penalties for a Class E or commercial driver license applicant that cheats on his or her
driver license exams.
Authorizing tax collectors to process specified transactions using the DHSMV’s online license and
registration portal and offer licensees certain charitable donation options.
Authorizing persons whose driving privileges have been revoked based solely on nonmoving violations to
petition the DHSMV for reinstatement of driving privileges.
Increasing the fee certain drivers must pay to reinstate a suspended driver license.
Fiscal or Economic Impact:
The bill will have an indeterminate fiscal impact on state and local government and the private sector.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
Commercial Drivers
Unduly Hazardous Operating Condition
The bill requires a driver who holds a Florida-issued commercial driver license or temporary commercial
instruction permit whose vehicle is found upon inspection to be in an unduly hazardous operating condition to
complete:
A written test assessing a driver’s knowledge of traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices; and
A vehicle inspection conducted by a licensed third-party provider. (Section 1)
Temporary Disqualification of a Commercial Driver License
The bill clarifies that only an eligible person whose privilege to operate a commercial motor vehicle is temporarily
disqualified, may, upon surrendering his or her commercial driver license, be issued a Class E driver license that is
valid for the length of his or her unexpired commercial license at no cost. (Section 9)
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
2
Tax Collector Issuance and Delivery of Documents
The bill allows tax collectors, as authorized agents of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
(DHSMV), to:
Deliver original certificates of title and corrected certificates by mail or make such certificates available to
applicants at tax collectors’ offices.
Issue duplicate copies of a certificate of title and provide such duplicate registration via mail to the
applicants address.
Deliver in person at the request of the applicant: registration certificates, renewals, duplicate registration
certificates, license plates, mobile home stickers, and validation stickers. (Sections 2, 3 and 4)
Disabled Parking Permits
The bill extends the period that a disabled parking permit is valid from four to eight years. (Section 5)
Transition of Driver License Issuance Services from the DHSMV to Tax Collectors
The bill provides that the transition of driver license issuance services from the DHSMV to tax collectors, including
the transition to the recently elected tax collectors in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, must be completed no
later than June 30, 2030. The bill also repeals an existing provision that states that the transition of services to
appointed charter county tax collectors may occur on a limited basis as directed by the DHSMV. (Section 6)
Driver License Examinations
The bill provides that a Class E driver license applicant who is found to have cheated during or otherwise
circumvented any portion of the driver license examination must retake the examination, but may not retake the
examination for a period of 30 days. Additionally, the bill provides that a Class E driver license applicant who is
found to have cheated during or otherwise circumvented the written knowledge driver license examination must
pay a fine of $25, to be deposited into the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund, before he or she may retake the
test. If the test is administered by the tax collector, the tax collector must retain $15 less the general revenue
service charge, and the remainder must be deposited into the General Revenue Fund. (Section 7)
The bill provides that a commercial driver license applicant who is found to have cheated during or otherwise
circumvented any portion of the driver license examination must retake the examination, but may not retake the
examination for a period of 90 days. Additionally, a commercial driver license applicant who is found to have
cheated during or otherwise circumvented the commercial driver written knowledge examination must pay a fine
of $100, to be deposited into the Highway Safety and Operating Trust Fund, before he or she may retake the test. If
the test is administered by the tax collector, the tax collector must retain $28 less the general revenue, and the
remainder must be deposited into the General Revenue Fund. (Section 7)
Tax Collectors and the Online License and Registration Portal
The bill allows tax collectors to process driver license and identification card transactions using the DHSMV’s
online license and registration portal (MyDMV Portal). The bill also allows tax collectors to offer a licensee or
prospective licensee the option to increase the amount of his or her transaction to the next whole dollar amount to
donate the amount of the increase to a charity registered with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services. (Section 8)
Restricted Driver Licenses for Habitual Offenders
The bill provides that a person whose driving privilege has been revoked as a habitual offender, based solely on
convictions for nonmoving violations, may petition the DHSMV for reinstatement of his or her driving privilege
after a period of 12 months has passed.
If the person is granted a limited driving privilege and subsequently
violates the conditions of the restricted driving privilege, the restricted driving privilege must be revoked and the
person is not eligible for any driving privilege for the remaining duration of the five-year period after his or her
initial license revocation. (Section 10)
Return of Certain Suspended Driver Licenses
The bill requires the payment of an existing $60 service fee for reinstatement of a suspended driver license that
was suspended due to failure to comply with certain traffic infraction penalties or hearings; driver improvement JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
3
school requirements; court directives; child support obligations; or financial obligations in criminal cases. This $60
is in addition to the $45 or $75 driver license reinstatement fee. (Section 11)
Effective Date
The bill is effective on July 1, 2025. (Section 13)
FISCAL OR ECONOMIC IMPACT:
STATE GOVERNMENT:
The bill will have an indeterminate positive fiscal impact on the DHSMV as the department will benefit from:
Any fines processed for the penalties relating to Class E or commercial drivers who cheat on their driver
license exams.
The additional fee that specified drivers must pay to reinstate a suspended driver license.
However, the DHSMV has indicated that it will incur programming costs relating to:
Extending the expiration duration to eight years on permanent disabled parking permits.
Providing additional penalties for certain driver license applicants that cheat on exams.
Modifying the payment process to include the $60 service fee when a driver has paid the $45 or $75 fees to
reinstate their driving privileges.
Creating processes that will allow the Florida Highway Patrol to send commercial driver license exam
retake notices and track the third-party inspections needed to put commercial motor vehicles back in
service.
1
Additionally, the DHSMV has indicated that the increased penalties for those who cheat on certain driver license
exams will likely increase the need for administrative hearings. The DHSMV identifies that if this is the case, then
additional resources will be required.
2
LOCAL GOVERNMENT:
The bill will have a positive, but indeterminate impact on tax collectors as such entities will benefit from:
Any fine processed for the penalties relating to Class E or commercial drivers who cheat on their driver
license exam.
The additional fee for certain drivers who must pay to reinstate a suspended driver license.
PRIVATE SECTOR:
The DHSMV estimates that commercial driver license (CDL) drivers found to be operating a commercial motor
vehicle in an unduly hazardous condition may have to pay $600 to retake the appropriate driver licenses
examinations as required by the bill. There may also be a cost to CDL drivers associated with being inspected by a
third-party provider if found to be operating in an unduly hazardous condition.
3
Certain charities may see an increase of revenues to the extent that a licensee or prospective licensee at a tax
collector’s office chooses to increase the amount of his or her transaction to the next whole dollar amount to
donate to a charity registered with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
1
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Agency Analysis of House Bill 961, p.14 (Mar. 20, 2025)
2
Id.
3
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Agency Analysis of House Bill 961, p.13 (Mar. 20, 2025)
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
4
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Commercial Drivers
Unduly Hazardous Operating Condition
Current law authorizes any law enforcement officer of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
(DHSMV) or duly appointed agent who holds a current safety inspector certification from the Commercial Vehicle
Safety Alliance
4 to require the driver of any commercial vehicle operated on the highways of this state to stop and
submit to an inspection of the vehicle or the driver's records. If the vehicle or driver is found to be operating in an
unsafe condition, or if any required part or equipment is not present or is not in proper repair or adjustment, and
the continued operation would present an unduly hazardous operating condition, the officer or agent may require
the vehicle or the driver to be removed from service pursuant to the North American Standard Out-of-Service
Criteria, until corrected. However, if continuous operation would not present an unduly hazardous operating
condition, the officer or agent may give written notice requiring correction of the condition within 15 days.
5
Temporary Disqualification of a Commercial Driver License
A person whose privilege to operate a commercial motor vehicle is temporarily disqualified may, upon
surrendering his or her commercial driver license, be issued a Class E driver license, valid for the length of his or
her unexpired commercial driver license, at no cost.
6 After the period of disqualification ends, the person may be
issued a commercial driver license for the remainder of his or her unexpired license period.
7 Eligible persons must
pay the reinstatement fee before being issued a commercial driver license.
8
Issuance of Certificates of Title and other Documents
An application for a certificate of title must be filed with the DHSMV, and must be accompanied by the required fee
of $75.25.
9 A duly authorized person must sign the original certificate of title and each corrected certificate and, if
there are no liens or encumbrances on the motor vehicle or mobile home deliver the certificate to the applicant or
to another person as directed by the applicant or person, agent, or attorney submitting the application.
10
If a certificate of title is lost or destroyed, a sworn application for a duplicate copy must be made to the DHSMV by
the owner of the motor vehicle or mobile home or the holder of a lien on a form prescribed by the DHSMV and
accompanied by the applicable fee.
11 The DHSMV must issue a duplicate copy of the certificate of title to the person
entitled to receive the certificate of title.
12
The DHSMV and tax collectors may, at the request of the applicant, use the United States Postal Service to deliver
registration certificates and renewals, license plates, mobile home stickers, and validation stickers to applicants.
13
4
Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CSVA), Understanding the North American Standard Inspection Program (last visited Apr.
4, 2025). The CSVA is a nonprofit organization that aims to prevent commercial motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities.
The CSVA provides inspection procedures and criteria known as the North American Standard Inspection Program. The
program identifies critical inspection items and unsafe conditions that place vehicles and drivers out of service through a
uniform inspection process. Critical vehicle inspection items associated with the following systems, devices, components,
items or parts will result in the commercial motor vehicle being placed out of service: brake systems; cargo securement;
coupling devices; driver's seat (missing); exhaust systems; frames; fuel systems; lighting devices; steering mechanisms;
suspensions; tires; van and open-top trailer bodies; wheels, rims and hubs; and windshield wipers. Additionally, drivers found
to be in violation of operating without the proper driver credentials, in possession of drugs or alcohol, or in violation of hours-
of-service rules may be placed out of service.
5
S. 316.302(9), F.S.
6
S. 322.251(4), F.S.
7
Id.
8
Id.
9
S. 319.23(1), F.S. See also DHSMV, Fees (last visited Apr. 5, 2025).
10
S. 319.24(2), F.S.
11
S. 319.29(1), F.S.
12
Id.
13
S. 320.031(1), F.S. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
5
Disabled Parking Permits
The DHSMV or its authorized agents must, upon application and receipt of the required fee, issue a disabled
parking permit for a period of up to four years to any person who has long-term mobility impairment.
14 A
certificate of disability is required for an original and renewal disabled parking permit and must be provided by a
licensed physician, podiatrist, optometrist, advanced registered nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, or a
similarly licensed physician from another state.
15 There is no charge for a permanent disabled parking permit.
16
Transition of Driver License Issuance Services from the DHSMV to Tax Collectors
Tax collectors may be designated the exclusive agent of the DHSMV to implement and administer driver license
issuance services.
17 Current law provides that the intent is to transition driver license issuance services from the
DHSMV to the tax collectors no later than June 30, 2015.
18 The transition of services to appointed charter county
tax collectors may occur on a limited basis as directed by the DHSMV.
19
On November 6, 2018, Florida voters approved Amendment 10 to the Florida Constitution, which provided for the
election of tax collectors in all counties,
20 including the counties of Volusia, Broward, and Miami-Dade, who had yet
to elect tax collectors in their respective counties. A tax collector for Volusia County was elected in 2021 and began
to assume the duties of issuing driver’s licenses in its two offices, which was completed at the end of January 2022.
Broward and Miami-Dade counties elected new tax collectors in November 2024, and as of March 2025, have
begun the transition of those duties from the DHSMV. Until the transition is complete for Miami-Dade and Broward
counties, the DHSMV will continue its driver license services in its eight offices in Miami-Dade County, and its five
offices in Broward County. As of March 2025, Miami-Dade County has assumed operation of one of the DHSMV’s
driver license offices.
21
Driver License Examinations
The DHSMV is required to conduct an examination of every applicant for a driver license, including an applicant
who is licensed in another state or country, except under certain conditions.
22
Class E Driver License
An applicant for a Class E driver license examination includes all of the following:
A test of the applicant’s eyesight given by the driver license examiner designated by the DHSMV or by a
licensed ophthalmologist, optometrist, or physician.
23
A test of the applicant’s hearing given by a driver license examiner or a licensed physician.
24
A test of the applicant’s ability to read and understand highway signs regulating, warning, and directing
traffic; his or her knowledge of the traffic laws of this state, including laws regulating driving under the
influence of alcohol or controlled substances, driving with an unlawful blood-alcohol level, and driving
while intoxicated; and his or her knowledge of the effects of alcohol and controlled substances upon
persons and the dangers of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or controlled
substances.
25
An actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor
vehicle.
26
14
S. 320.0848(1)(a), F.S.
15
S. 320.0848(1)(b), F.S.
16
S. 320.0848(1)(a), F.S.
17
S. 322.02(5), F.S.
18
S. 322.02(1), F.S.
19
Id.
20
Art. VIII, S. 1(d), FLA. CONST.
21
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Agency Analysis of House Bill 961, p.4 (Mar. 20, 2025)
22
S. 322.12(2), F.S.
23
S. 322.12(3)(a), F.S.
24
S. 322.12(3)(b), F.S.
25
S. 322.12(3)(c), F.S.
26
S. 322.12(3)(d), F.S. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
6
Commercial Driver License
The examination for an applicant for a commercial driver license must include the following:
A test of the applicant’s eyesight given by a driver license examiner designated by the DHSMV or by a
licensed ophthalmologist, optometrist, or physician and a test of the applicant’s hearing given by a driver
license examiner or a licensed physician.
A test of the applicant’s ability to read and understand highway signs regulating, warning, and directing
traffic; his or her knowledge of the traffic laws of this state pertaining to the class of motor vehicle that he
or she is applying to be licensed to operate, including laws regulating driving under the influence of alcohol
or controlled substances, driving with an unlawful blood-alcohol level, and driving while intoxicated; his or
her knowledge of the effects of alcohol and controlled substances and the dangers of driving a motor
vehicle after having consumed alcohol or controlled substances; and his or her knowledge of any special
skills, requirements, or precautions necessary for the safe operation of the class of vehicle that he or she is
applying to be licensed to operate.
An actual demonstration of the applicant’s ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the safe
operation of a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles of the type covered by the license classification that
the applicant is seeking, including an examination of the applicant’s ability to perform an inspection of his
or her vehicle.
27
The portion of the examination that tests an applicant’s safe driving ability must be administered by the DHSMV or
by an entity authorized by the DHSMV to administer such examination. Such an examination must be administered
at a location approved by the DHSMV.
28
A person who seeks to retain a hazardous-materials endorsement must, upon renewal, pass the test for such
endorsement if the person has not taken and passed the hazardous-materials test within two years preceding his
or her application for a commercial driver license in this state.
29
If the DHSMV has sufficient evidence that an applicant has cheated on an examination, the DHSMV may suspend a
person’s driver license for one year. When an applicant returns to take the examination, such applicant is charged
$20 for each subsequent examination. If the test is administered by a tax collector, the tax collector retains the $20
fee, less the general revenue service fee. The tax collector may also charge a $6.25 service fee.
30
Online License and Registration Portal
The DHSMV is required to authorize by interagency agreement the tax collectors, in accordance with rules of the
department, to serve as its agent for the provision of specified driver license services.
31 The services provided by
tax collectors are limited to the issuance of driver licenses and identification cards.
32
The DHSMVs online license and registration portal (MyDMV Portal) is a customer facing portal that allows Florida
residents to renew or replace a driver license, identification card, and vehicle registrations. According to the
DHSMV, the department previously agreed it will build functionality into the MyDMV Portal to allow customers the
option to order a credential online and pick it up at their local tax collector’s office the same day, if the customer is
willing to pay the additional $6.25 tax collector service fee.
33
Currently, customers do not have the option of rounding up their transaction amount to the next dollar amount
and donating those funds to charity. However, customers are allowed to make a voluntary contribution when
renewing a driver’s license or motor vehicle registration to statutorily approved organizations.
34
27
S. 322.12(4), F.S.
28
S. 322.12(4)(a), F.S.
29
S. 322.12(4)(b), F.S.
30
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Agency Analysis of House Bill 961, p. 5 (Mar. 20, 2025)
31
S. 322.135(1), F.S.
32
S. 322.135(1)(a), F.S.
33
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Agency Analysis of House Bill 961, p. 10 (Mar. 20, 2025)
34
S. 322.08(8), F.S. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
7
Restricted Driver Licenses for Habitual Offenders
A person whose driving privilege has been revoked for being a habitual offender,
35 may petition the DHSMV for
reinstatement of his or her driving privileges after a period of 12 months has passed.
36 Upon such petition and
after investigation of the person’s qualification, fitness, and need to drive, the DHSMV must hold a hearing to
determine whether the driving privilege should be reinstated on a restricted basis solely for business or
employment purposes.
37
Current law defines the term “habitual offender” as any person whose record, as maintained by the DHSMV, shows
that such person has accumulated the specified number of convictions for offenses described below within a five-
year period:
Three or more convictions of any one or more of the following offenses arising out of separate acts:
o Voluntary or involuntary manslaughter resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle;
o Any violation relating to driving under the influence;
o Any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used;
o Driving a motor vehicle while his or her license is suspended or revoked;
o Failing to stop and render aid as required under the laws of this state in the event of a motor vehicle
crash resulting in the death or personal injury of another; or
o Driving a commercial motor vehicle while his or her privilege is disqualified.
Fifteen convictions for moving traffic offenses for which points may be assessed.
38
Return of Certain Suspended Driver Licenses
A person applying for the return of a license suspended under certain conditions
39 must present the DHSMV with
certification from the court that he or she has complied with all obligations and penalties imposed pursuant to the
conditions, and that he or she has complied with all the directives of the court, and pay to the DHSMV a
nonrefundable service fee of $60, of which $37.50 is deposited into the General Revenue Fund and $22.50 is
deposited into the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund.
40 If reinstated by the clerk of the court or tax collector,
$37.50 must be retained and $22.50 must be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Highway
Safety Operating Trust Fund.
41 Drivers whose licenses are suspended or revoked are required to pay a $45 fee or
$75 fee, to reinstate a suspended or revoked license.
42 However, if the $45 or $75 fee is paid, the DHSMV will not
charge the $60 fee.
43
35
S. 322.27(5), F.S., provides that DHSMV must revoke the license of any person designated a habitual offender, and such
person is not eligible to be relicensed for a minimum of five years from the date of revocation. Any person whose license is
revoked may, by petition to DHSMV, show cause why his or her license should not be revoked.
36
S. 322.271(1)(b), F.S.
37
Id.
38
S. 322.264, F.S.
39
Ss. 318.15 and 322.245, F.S., provides that certain conditions for license suspension include those relating to failing to
comply with certain traffic infraction penalties or hearings; driver improvement school; court directives; child support
obligations; and financial obligations in criminal cases.
40
S. 322.29(2), F.S.
41
Id.
42
S. 322.21(8), F.S.
43
S. 322.29(2), F.S. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
8
BILL HISTORY
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE
STAFF
DIRECTOR/
POLICY CHIEF
ANALYSIS
PREPARED BY
Government Operations
Subcommittee
Toliver Walker
Transportation & Economic
Development Budget
Subcommittee
State Affairs Committee