In October of last year the state of Florida changed the people responsible for issuing state driver’s licenses. It is now the duty of the local tax collector to issue Florida driver’s licenses and some folks don’t exactly like the idea.

As you might expect, state tax collection offices already had a great number of duties to perform, now they also have to issue driver’s licenses. Fortunately these offices have been working hard to streamline the process by releasing public information notices to the public about the ability to schedule appointments in advance and remember to bring all the proper identification needed.

They have also been notifying residents about the web site available to allow a one-time renewal of their driving privileges. In all, many have said the new change to tax collectors issuing driver’s licenses has worked better than expected, even if there are still a few bugs to work out. (Many have complained about long wait times at offices.)

The best advice is to be prepared and set an appointment if at all possible:

here are the documents you need:

-A certified state copy of your birth certificate…unless you have a valid passport
-Social Security card or W-2 form
-Two proofs of your residential address (utility bills, bank statements will work.)

If you have legally changed your name by marriage or court order, you must submit the original or a certified copy of your marriage certificate(s) or court order(s). No photocopies will be accepted unless certified by the issuing authority. You must show documentation of all name changes. If you are a non-U.S. citizen, additional documentation is needed.

In addition to the information you must provide to change your name, be advised that you will also need to provide primary identification documentation. Out-of-state driver licenses will no longer be accepted as primary identification.