ORLANDO, Fla. – Across Florida, there is an issue of long lines at driver’s license offices, and officials say the problem may continue through 2027.
A Volusia County Tax Collector Office spokesperson told News 6 that one of the reasons behind the long lines is the state’s renewal cycle for driver’s licenses and IDs.
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In 2008, Florida made it so residents can renew driver licenses and IDs every eight years rather than six, according to a press release from the Volusia County Tax Collector Office. The spokesperson for the office said the renewal cycle will last until 2027.
“With the significant increase in demand, we want to ensure customers know their options to avoid long wait times. Renewing online is the fastest and most convenient way to keep your credential up to date,” Volusia County Tax Collector Will Roberts said in a prepared statement.
Roberts’s office expects to have nearly twice as many people needing license renewals this year when comparing it to last year, according to a press release.
Meanwhile, in South Florida another issue is causing long lines at DMVs — people selling their appointment times!
News 6 partner Local 10 spoke to Miami-Dade Tax Collector Dareil Fernandez, who said that companies are selling driver’s license office reservations, sometimes for up to $250.
Fernandez said his office discovered the “scalping” as the Tax Collector’s Office transitions to take over DMV offices, in line with other counties in Florida.
Software reportedly showed that single phone numbers were linked to multiple appointments. Those phone numbers were linked to various companies.
“When you run the report, you see that one phone number makes like 100 appointments,” Fernandez said. “So, we started looking into that, and the system red-flagged that.”
The Volusia County Tax Collector spokesperson told News 6 that the situation in Miami-Dade is very different because the state still issues driver’s licenses and IDs there, unlike most counties in Central Florida.
Lastly, another cause for long lines at DMVs may be from Floridians renewing their driver’s licenses or IDs to be REAL-ID compliant before the enforcement deadline of May 7.
“REAL ID Act,” which was passed by Congress back in 2005 after the 9/11 Commission recommended that the federal government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses and identification cards.”
On May 7, Floridians will need a REAL-ID or a passport to board commercial planes or enter federal buildings.
Florida began issuing REAL ID-compliant licenses and IDs at the start of 2010, so any driver’s licenses and IDs issued since then are likely good to go.
Per federal officials, a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID will have a star symbol in the top-right corner.
On Tuesday, Landra Womack, who works for the Orange County Tax Collector Office, spoke in front of the Ocoee City Commission to remind them about this upcoming deadline. She said a lot of people still do not have that star on their driver’s license.
“(You) definitely want to check everyone’s driver’s license, because if you come into an emergency travel issue where you have to get on a plane, you don’t want anyone to have any problems,” Womack said.
However, a spokesperson for Volusia County Tax Collector Office told News 6 that at the beginning of 2025, 99% of people in Volusia County already were REAL-ID compliant.
All in all, the best way to avoid long lines at the DMV, Roberts said, is to renew your ID or driver’s license or book an appointment online.
“Our office takes great pride in delivering excellent customer service. Sometimes that means educating the public on the most efficient ways to handle their business with us. In this case, renewing online can save time and streamline the process,” Roberts said.