The DHSMV is a large, complex organization which provides a numerous amount of traffic-related services in the state of Florida. While it may seem intimidating at first to try to understand how it all works, the most frequently used services are actually very straightforward. With just a little bit of knowledge, you can accomplish nearly everything you will likely need at the DHSMV.
How to Find the DHSMV Office Near You
There are a wide range of DHSMV branches located in every county of Florida. They’ve made it easy for you to find your local branch with their online branch directory; you can even search by county. The directory also lets you know the services offered at each branch. Not all branches allow you to book an appointment, and some only provide a limited range of services, so make sure the one you are planning to go to can actually accommodate your needs. You don’t want to waste a whole trip to the HSMV, and potentially a long time of waiting in line.
Appointments with Your Local Branch
Booking an appointment with the DHSMV is just as easy as finding your local branch. You can use the special Florida OASIS booking system, which allows you to choose your location, the service you are seeking, and a range of available appointment timeslots. Florida offers appointments for a wider variety of services than most states, so if you have a busy schedule, you’re in luck. An appointment could save you hours of waiting in line during peak traffic hours, so take full advantage of the amazing convenience of this system.
DHSMV Paperwork and Forms
The DHSMV is inundated with mountains of paperwork every single day. The forms they use allow them to keep track of all the requests being processed at any given time, and make sure that everything gets where it needs to go. You can see all the forms used by the DHSMV by visiting their online document library. Here, you can download anything you need in pdf form. Printing and completing these documents before visiting the office will save you valuable minutes and ensure you didn’t forget to include anything important for processing. Learn about other common applications at Forms.
The Florida Driver License Point System
When you incur any traffic violations, they’ll not only remain on your driving record for five years from the incident date, but will also be worth a certain number of penalty points. The DHSMV uses these points to keep track of who is driving responsibly, and determining when it is necessary to remove driving privileges. If you accrue 12 or more points in a 12-monh period, your license will be suspended for 30 days. Further point violations will lead to longer suspensions, and if you accrue too many, your license can even be revoked. Violations are worth between three and six points each, depending on the severity of the infraction.
Obtaining a Copy of Your Driving Record
If you want to see how many violations and points are currently on your record, you can check the status of your driving record on the DHSMV website for free. Having your driving record is a good way to measure how you stack up as a safe, responsible driver. Employers and insurance agencies often use driving records to determine your responsibility and liability. In other words, a poor driving record may mean much higher insurance premiums, or the inability to land a job where any kind of driving is involved. This is all the more reason to be diligent about safety on the road at all times.
