The bill proposes amendments to Florida Statutes related to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, introducing a new section, 316.88, which prohibits the sale of service appointments unless authorized by the department or a tax collector. It enhances the role of tax collectors as agents of the department, allowing them to deliver certificates of title and registration documents and process certain applications. Additionally, the bill mandates the renewal of disabled parking permits for individuals certified as permanently disabled without requiring further documentation for a specified period. It also extends the completion date for the transition of driver license services to tax collectors to June 30, 2027, and designates them as exclusive agents for certain services.

In another part of the bill, CS/HB 961 addresses the disqualification and reinstatement of commercial driver licenses, allowing individuals with temporarily disqualified commercial driving privileges to obtain a Class E driver license at no cost if eligible. It emphasizes the requirement for payment of reinstatement fees by changing "shall" to "must." The bill also stipulates that individuals granted limited driving privileges after a revocation must adhere to its conditions, or risk revocation of that privilege. Furthermore, it updates regulations for driving skills tests, allowing individuals without a valid driver license to operate a vehicle during the test if they have passed necessary preliminary tests. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 961 Filed: 319.24, 320.031, 320.0848, 322.135, 322.271, 322.29, 322.66
H 961 c1: 319.24, 320.031, 320.0848, 322.251, 322.271, 322.66