April 2012
Information of Interest to Florida Drivers
Sandy Lambert Sets Sail for New Adventures: Sandy Lambert is excited about the adventures
awaiting her as she retires from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Having spent
the last 17 years as the Director of the Division of Driver Licenses (recently merged to become the
Division of Motorist Services) in a fast-paced whirlwind of activity full of challenges and change, she is
looking forward to enjoying a new phase in her life.
Sandy‟s career at DHSMV began on a one-year grant to develop a supervisory training program for
the Department. Thirty-one years later, she is still here. She also served as Chief of Staff for the
Division of Motor Vehicles and oversaw the design and issuance of the first specialty license plate...
The Challenger. University plates and the Medal of Honor were right behind, and Sandy brought all
nine Florida Medal of Honor recipients to Tallahassee for a ceremony.
Sandy was appointed Director, Division of Driver Licenses, in January 1995, making her the first
female to hold the position. Immediately, she faced a budget reduction; 24 driver license offices were
closed and 167 positions were eliminated. However, the division moved forward, installed new
equipment and began to issue the first digitized driver license. Under Lambert‟s leadership, the
Florida accomplished many milestones: Florida passed the first Graduated Driver License law in the
country, the Department offered Saturday operations in large metropolitan areas, mini-Florida
Licensing On Wheels went into operation, field issuance offices opened five days per week, the
Department began to accept credit cards, and Florida was one of the first states to issue Real ID
compliant credentials. In 2011, the Divisions of Driver Licenses and Motor Vehicles merged, and
Sandy became Director of Motorist Services.
Thank you for your dedicated service to the residents of Florida.
Boyd Walden Leads Motorist Services: DHSMV Executive Director Julie Jones named Boyd
Walden as the new Director of the Division of Motorist Services. Boyd has more than 25 years of
experience with the Department and has been the deputy director of the division since the merger of
the divisions of Driver Licenses and Motor Vehicles last year. When asked about his new role,
Walden said, “I‟m looking forward to meeting the challenges of our core mission of providing driver
license and motor vehicle services to our customers. Our success depends on creating a work
environment that provides the tools and resources to our members to get the job done efficiently.
We‟re also looking at opportunities to strengthen our relationships with stakeholders.”
Walden is a graduate of Florida State University. He holds a bachelor‟s degree in computer science.
He joined the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles as a computer programmer. While
serving in the Information System Administration, he managed several high-profile projects. In June
2001, he broadened his horizons by serving as the data processing manager of driver licenses. In
2003, he became the chief of the Bureau of Titles and Registrations and then became deputy director
of Motorist Services in 2011.
Please join in DHSMV in congratulating and welcoming Boyd as he leads Motorist Services into the
future!
DHSMV Closes and Consolidates Offices, Saves State Millions: The Department closed three
driver license offices between January and March as driver license services transition to county tax
collectors continue. Closures in Pensacola, Defuniak Springs and Tampa will lead to an estimated
annual savings of $282,992.
In Broward County, one of three counties where DHSMV will continue to provide driver license
services, the Department closed the driver license office in Fort Lauderdale Jan. 20. The office will
merge with the Lauderdale Lakes driver license office and reopen in May. By consolidating the two
offices, the state will save nearly $2.5 million during the next 10 years, in lieu of procuring two
individual offices.
Troopers Make an Impression: Sgt. Thomas Pikul and Trooper Jose Sanchez of the Florida
Highway Patrol‟s Troop E received a thank you letter from Kim Ferreira, the SADD (Students Against
Destructive Decisions) sponsor at Dr. Michael Krop Senior High School. In her letter, Ferreira states,
“Over 450 students were able to learn a very simple life saving lesson today: „Buckle Up!‟ Your
rollover simulator presentation was educational and something desperately needed for our youth.”
She even included comments from students following the presentation, such as, “I‟m going to wear
my seatbelt all the time. I used to wear it only sometimes,” and, “Now, my friends will always buckle
up if they want to drive in my car!”
Get an Inside Look at the Florida Highway Patrol: The Florida Highway Patrol recently announced
the release of Troopers – Inside the Florida Highway Patrol, a documentary that features recruits on
the path to becoming a state trooper. The Center for Faith and Freedom, Inc., doing business as Salt
& Light Productions, produced the 92-minute video that follows the 118th recruit class through the
training academy, highlights the many duties performed by the Patrol on an everyday basis and
includes touching footage of a law enforcement funeral. The video demonstrates the breadth and
depth of the statewide law enforcement agency‟s role in achieving the vision of a Safer Florida.
Stuart J. Roth, Founder and President of the Lakewood Ranch based Salt & Light Productions noted,
“I felt it was important for citizens all over our state to understand the dedication and commitment to
public service that is exemplified by the FHP. Unfortunately, we often take for granted those
individuals whose primary responsibility is ensuring public safety. This documentary will serve to
remind us of the sacrifice being made on a daily basis by the men and women of the FHP.” The DVD
is available for purchase at www.Amazon.com.
Florida Highway Patrol Focuses on Aggressive Cars and Trucks: Drivers on Florida roadways
may want to practice some relaxation techniques before hitting the road. The Florida Highway Patrol
announced an education and enforcement campaign to ticket aggressive truck and car drivers. In
crashes involving cars and commercial trucks, actions by drivers account for 88 percent of the
crashes. Only 12 percent of the crashes are the result of vehicle defects, road conditions or inclement
weather. The campaign aims to reduce commercial motor vehicle-related crashes, injuries and
fatalities by combining outreach and education with enforcement activities to raise awareness among
car and truck drivers about safe driving behaviors.
Troopers statewide are on the lookout for violations attributed to aggressive driving such as: following
too closely, unsafe lane change and speeding; committed by truck and car drivers as they interact on
Florida highways.
An Appointment Makes It a Breeze! All customers who must visit one of our offices to renew,
replace, or file a change of address to their driver license or identification card, are urged to secure an
appointment prior to their visit. Connect via Internet at www.flhsmv.gov/oasis for an appointment to
reduce the length of the visit. Then link to the on-line pre-application and complete it before coming
to one of our offices. Driver license offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Please check our website at www.flhsmv.gov/offices/ for the most up-to-date information on office
locations and schedules.
Documents Online Assistance: DHSMV recommends our customers visit
www.GatherGoGet.com, a website dedicated to assist Floridians with new driver license and
identification card requirements. Floridians renewing or obtaining a new license or ID are required to
show proof of: 1) identification, 2) Social Security number and 3) residential address (two items).
The website and its tools are also available in Spanish at www.ReunaVengaObtenga.com and in
Creole at www.RasanbleAlePran.com.
The Department is issuing driver licenses and identification cards that meet new federal standards.
This will enhance our efforts to minimize fraud and identity theft.
Driver Licenses and Identification Card Fees
Class E (original and renewal)
$48 Commercial Driver License (original and renewal) $75
ID Card (original and renewal)
$25
Replacement License or ID
$25
Endorsements
$ 7
Driver License Services at Tax Collector Office Service Fees $ 6.25
For a complete listing of all motorist services fees, please click here.
The Department uses a combination of vehicle information to determine registration fees. This
includes registration use, license plate type and class code. The class code is determined by the
vehicle weight, body type, vehicle type and registration use. To see a sample, click here.
For a list of frequently asked questions and answers regarding Florida's fees, click here.
Buckle Up Every Time, Everyone!
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