OLDER AMERICANS MONTH: May is Older Americans Month, a great time to bring attention to the issues that affect older adults. As we age, most of us will need to take steps to ensure that we can continue to drive safely. Changes in our visual, physical and mental abilities will affect each of us in different ways. In response to these changes, many adults adjust their driving. That's why the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and its partners have created "Florida GrandDriver®." The goals of the program are to promote your continued driving safety and to enhance your ability to get around your community when and where you want. For more information please visit online information.

TEEN DRIVERS - PROM & GRADUATION: The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles encourages all students and parents to develop a driving plan to keep our teens safe as they travel on Florida roads while they celebrate their prom and graduation events. Statistics show that teen crashes increase during prom and graduation celebrations. Many of these crashes could have been avoided by practicing safe driving habits. Parents and students must remember not to drink and drive or get in a vehicle with a driver who has been drinking. Everyone in the vehicle must be buckled up and the number of passengers in the vehicle limited. Do not drive aggressively or distracted by talking on the phone or text-messaging. More helpful information on teen drivers and safety information can be found on the Department’s website.

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION: We urge everyone to provide emergency contact information to law enforcement in the event of an emergency. The information may save crucial time if ever it becomes necessary to contact family members, or other loved ones. This service is only available to individuals holding a current Florida Driver License or Florida Identification Card. To record your information please visit our registration page.

NOW ACCEPTING CREDIT CARDS: Driver license offices throughout the state are now accepting credit cards! Cards accepted include MasterCard, American Express and Discover. There will be a $1 convenience fee for each credit card transaction. We still encourage all our customers to skip the trip to an office by visiting the DHSMV website at www.GoRenew.com, and utilize our on-line services to renew their driver licenses, identifications cards, vehicle tags and change their addresses.

REAL ID: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced a final rule establishing minimum security standards for state-issued driver licenses and identification cards. REAL ID sets specific requirements that states must adopt for compliance, including: 1) information and security features incorporated to each card; 2) proof of the identity and U.S. citizenship or legal status of an applicant; 3) verification of the source documents provided by an applicant; and 4) security standards for the offices that issue licenses and ID cards. Florida already meets many of the Real ID requirements. We are on track to meet the remaining mandates and begin issuing Real ID compliant documents by January 1, 2010. For more information on REAL ID, please visit our information page.

GET AN APPOINTMENT!: We urge all those customers who must visit one of our offices to renew, replace or file a change of address to their driver license or identification card to secure an appointment prior to their visit. Customers can select the day and time that best meets their needs. Connect via Internet for an appointment to greatly reduce the length of the visit. Then link to the on-line pre-application and complete it before coming to one of our offices.

OFFICE HOURS: Most driver license offices are open 5 days a week - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Selected offices are also open on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Check our website for the most up to date information.

INFORMATION IN SPANISH: Information in Spanish about Florida driver licenses and identification cards is available on www.flhsmv.gov/Spanish/ddl/. To contact us, go to our contact page.

Buckle up your seatbelt!