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Delays in obtaining or renewing a driver's license in Miami-Dade persist amid reports of irregularities, mistreatment, and poor service at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices.
The DMV in Florida emphasizes that Miami is the busiest location in the entire state due to the volume of people it serves daily.
Users claim that despite going several times, their issues remain unresolved, while others state that they try to reach out by phone and receive no response. There are also those who, driven by necessity, spend the night outside the establishments to be the first in line the following day.
Dariel Fernández, tax collector of Miami-Dade, expressed to Telemundo 51 that the problem was "inherited" when he took office five weeks ago in the county.
"Many of the things we have observed are due to a lack of employees, so we will need to hire and invest in technology," he noted.
It was also mentioned that they will improve the system to prevent a person from booking more than one appointment and then selling it to someone else, because, additionally, "they either arrive early in the evening and mark their place in line. We will eliminate all of this."
Fernández acknowledged that many people work and need to complete these procedures, but they are unable to do so. Therefore, there are plans to extend office hours, which currently close at 5:00 PM. However, he did not address another complaint from users, which is that sometimes they close at 3:00 PM.
Those interested in obtaining their permit indicate that there is a wait of between two and three months to secure an appointment on the website.
The tax collector confirmed that nine additional offices will be established in Miami to handle certain processes related to licenses and IDs.
The problems with obtaining a driver's license in Miami began in 2023 when Governor Ron DeSantis invalidated licenses issued to undocumented migrants in Florida from five other states.
In September, a Cuban reported on TikTok the long lines formed in Miami to obtain the ID. Starting at 6:00 PM the day before and throughout the night, people, mostly Cubans, gather to secure a spot in line.
"They even rent out chairs in case you don't want to stand," commented the TikToker, who noted that during the wait they sell coffee, empanadas, and other food.
In August 2023, residents in Miami-Dade reported long wait times and even the resale of appointments to obtain a driver's license at the county's DMV offices.
The DVM said he was aware of the situation, pointed out that the appointments are free, and that the wait times have been shortened to "a few weeks" in Broward and Miami-Dade.
Some workers said they lost several days at work trying to resolve what seemed to be a simple procedure, but they were unable to obtain the document.
Frequently Asked Questions about Delays in Obtaining Driver's Licenses in Miami-Dade
Why are there delays in obtaining or renewing a driver's license in Miami-Dade?
Delays are due to the high volume of people visiting the DMV offices in Miami daily, as well as a lack of staff and the need to improve the system to prevent appointment fraud. Additionally, the situation has worsened due to the massive influx of immigrants to the city, which has increased the demand for services at the DMV.
What measures are being taken to improve the service at the DMV in Miami-Dade?
The Miami-Dade tax collector, Dariel Fernández, has announced that more staff will be hired and investments will be made in technology to improve service efficiency. Additionally, extended office hours and the addition of nine more offices to handle licensing and identification processes are planned.
What challenges do Cuban immigrants face when trying to obtain a driver's license in Miami?
Cuban immigrants face long lines and waits since the night before to get an appointment, in addition to dealing with a system that may be less accessible for those who do not speak English. The situation is also impacted by practices of reselling appointments and the need to carry out procedures without proper assistance for those who do not speak the local language.
How does Florida's immigration policy affect the acquisition of driver's licenses?
The immigration policy in Florida, particularly under Ron DeSantis's administration, has tightened the conditions for undocumented immigrants. This includes the invalidation of licenses granted to migrants in other states, which has increased the pressure on the local DMV system and has contributed to the current delays in the process of obtaining and renewing driver's licenses.
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