Setting up for the event!

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and the Division of Driver Licenses (DDL) combined resources at the November 3rd Downtown GetDown event in Tallahassee in an effort to help spread the word about a recent change in the law regarding identification cards for children.

DDL Director Sandy Lambert
watches over the activities.

Effective October 1, 2006, Florida law changed to allow children ages 5 and older to receive a state issued identification card. This will give law enforcement and parents an opportunity to have a current digital photo of children as well as other pertinent personal information on hand in case of an emergency.

The DHSMV’s FLOW (Florida Licensing on Wheels) mobile and a crack team from the DDL were also on hand to issue free I.D. cards to eligible kids. To encourage participation, Hancock Bank pledged to pay for the first 100 local children interested in getting the identification.

The identification card, which costs $3 dollars, can be obtained at any state driver license office. Children must bring their original or a certified copy of their birth certificate and a second form of identification, such as a social security card, to receive the ID.

Lt. John Bagnardi shows a visitor
how the Seatbelt Convincer works.

Additionally, FHP Major Ernie Duarte and Lieutenant John Bagnardi utilized the Seatbelt Convincer to help educate children and adults about the dangers of not buckling up.