Why are Miami-area DMV appointments hard to find? Curious305 is on the case
Editor’s Note: This article was inspired by a question Miami Herald reader Bob Williamson submitted through Curious305, our community-powered reporting series that solicits questions from readers about Miami-Dade, Broward, the Florida Keys and the rest of the Sunshine State. Submit your question here or scroll down to fill out our form.
Hey, Curious305: Why did Florida eliminate appointments to get, replace or renew driver licenses in Miami-Dade County?
Appointments aren’t eliminated. But they sure are difficult to come by.
As Florida’s population grows, driver’s license offices in Miami-Dade and Broward have seen a significant increase in demand, said Aaron Keller, director of communications at Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Though there’s another issue — a scam service.
Third-party companies are reserving the free appointments to resell them to customers, Keller said. This has led to a shortage of appointments and increased the “no show” rate.
“We are discouraged that these third parties are taking advantage of the situation and are, in turn, making the situation worse,” Keller said.
READ NEXT: Will car insurance cover frozen iguana damage in South Florida? Curious305 investigates
To combat the issue, the department has been reviewing appointment requests, Keller said. It now cancels about 1,000 fake appointments every day.
The department, Keller said, has extended office hours, opened locations on Saturdays and accepts walk-in customers to alleviate the appointment shortage.
Keller also urged the public to consider completing services online, an option that was expanded in the last year. However, some services, like taking the driver license exam, may still require a visit to an office.
READ MORE: I renewed my Florida’s driver’s license online during COVID. Can I do it again next time?
How to navigate a visit
Keller recommends customers create an account on MyDMV Portal, where you can check if the service you need can be conducted online.
If you have an urgent issue and can’t make an appointment or visit an office, you can request a temporary driving permit. You can also check your driver’s license status and your car’s registration and information online.
If you have to visit an office, check the service centers list or call 305-229-6333 for information on local offices, hours, addresses and services offered. You should also read through the What to Bring checklist to ensure you have all required documents before your visit.
