House Bill 961 amends several sections of Florida Statutes concerning the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, introducing new requirements for driver and vehicle services. Key provisions include a mandate for commercial motor vehicle drivers in unsafe conditions to complete specific examinations and vehicle inspections. The bill also allows tax collectors to deliver certificates of title by mail or at their offices and designates them as authorized agents for processing certain applications. Notably, the validity period for disabled parking permits is extended from four years to eight years, and new fines and requirements are established for driver license applicants who cheat on examinations, including a 90-day waiting period and a $100 fine.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the role of tax collectors as exclusive agents for administering driver license services, with a transition deadline set for June 30, 2030. It allows tax collectors to process driver license transactions online and provides a mechanism for individuals to round up transaction amounts to donate to registered charities. The bill also includes provisions for individuals with temporarily disqualified commercial driving privileges to obtain a Class E driver license at no cost during the disqualification period and allows those with revoked driving privileges for nonmoving violations to petition for reinstatement after 12 months. The act is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025.

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