The authorities of Miami-Dade inaugurated a new driver's license office this Monday in the tax collector's building, located at the intersection of NW 2nd Avenue and 2nd Street, in downtown Miami.
This space, which was previously used for processing property and business tax payments, has been adapted to exclusively offer services related to driver's licenses and vehicle transactions.
The office will have three service counters that can assist up to 90 people per day, according to local press reports.
The county tax collector, Daniel Fernández, clarified in statements to the mentioned media outlet that no theoretical or practical driving tests will be conducted in this office.
Services will be limited to the renewal of licenses and the updating of personal information, such as change of address.
This new location is part of a $6.5 million investment aimed at reducing bureaucracy and eliminating long queues that, according to Fernández, are common in other offices like the Mall de las Américas.
"Eventually, as we start taking on the roles of other offices like North Dade Center, Mall Las Américas, and Central Office, we will see that these queues will disappear in the next three months," he assured.
The office offers 60 scheduled appointments per day and accommodates between 30 and 40 walk-ins daily. The hours of operation are from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
To streamline the process, a technological pre-check system will be implemented, allowing users to know in advance which documents they need to bring before visiting the office.
This system will be available both online and with on-site assistance staff, aiming to serve as many county residents as possible.
Recently, it was reported that the offices of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in Miami-Dade are facing a critical situation due to the rising demand, especially from migrants under programs such as humanitarian parole, CBP One, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
These programs have led to an unprecedented increase in applications for driver's licenses and official identifications, causing long lines and frustration due to delays.
The fear of immigration raids and the urgent need to obtain valid documents to access basic services have surged the number of migrants visiting DMV offices, where they wait for hours in the sun or endure entire nights camping outside the facilities to be attended to.
For migrants, having a valid license or official identification from Florida is more than an administrative necessity; it is a crucial requirement for accessing employment, medical services, and legal protection.
This situation is particularly relevant in light of the recent operations by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), supported by other agencies such as the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).
Additionally, starting from May 7, it will be mandatory to present documents that comply with the REAL ID Act requirements to board domestic flights in the United States and access certain federal facilities.
This measure also increases the pressure on DMV offices, as many immigrants need to update their documents to comply with these new regulations.
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