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Highlands Today

New Laws Motorists Should Know

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: September 30, 2008

SEBRING - Motorists who violate any of several new state laws will face heavy fines and or suspensions starting on Oct. 1, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The new laws enacted by the Florida Legislature will "hopefully dissuade motorists from driving erratically or recklessly," according to an FHP press release.

The new law allows for driver's license suspensions and heavy fines for drivers who exceed speed limits by 50 mph or more. The fine for the first offense is $1,000 and $2,500 for the second offense and with suspension of the driver's license for one year.

A third offense will result in a felony charge, a $5,000 fine and revoking of the driver's license for 10 years.

Also in effect Oct. 1 is a new motorcycle law making it illegal to pop a wheelie on a public road. Drivers must keep both wheels on the road at all times.

"The proper way to drive a motorcycle is with both wheels on the ground, unless you're in some kind of competition where you're not on public roads and you lift the wheel up," said Lt. James Potter, with the Florida Highway Patrol.

Also, motorcyclists will be required to affix their license plate horizontally to the ground and it cannot be flipped up to obscure it from view.

"On the motorcycle they could reach back and flip it or put it at an angle so you can't read it," Potter said.

After Oct. 1, car owners better make sure the people they're loaning their cars to have a valid driver's license, according to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

The new law states, "A person who knowingly loans a vehicle to a driver whose driver license is suspended and a crash results which causes bodily injury or death, the person who loaned the vehicle shall have their driver's license suspended for one year."

As of Oct. 1, a person may make no more than five traffic school elections within 10 years.

Effective Oct. 1, people also will be required to show proof of their Social Security number when they apply for an initial Florida driver's license or to renew their Florida driver's license or a Florida identification card.

This proof can be the Social Security card, W-2 form, pay check, DD-214 or school records. The state will no longer accept Social Security numbers verbally. For a complete list of acceptable documents, visit http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/faqkeys.html .

Applicants will no longer be able to use an out-of-state license as a primary means of identification document, but may provide a certified United States birth certificate, including territories and District of Columbia, a valid unexpired United States passport or Certificate of Naturalization.

The breath/blood alcohol level for enhanced penalties is lowered to .15.

Drivers with commercial driver's licenses who had a conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) while driving a personal vehicle prior to Oct. 1, and who were suspended for six months can obtain a CDL after they have waited out the time.

However, CDL holders who receive a DUI conviction on or after Oct. 1, even while driving a personal vehicle, will be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for one year for the first offense, and will be permanently disqualified for the second offense, the DHSMV Web site stated.

After Oct. 1, drivers will be allowed to renew one time by a convenience method such as the Internet, mail or phone. On the next renewal, drivers must renew their licenses in a driver's license office.

"For example, if you renew your driver's license in October online, you will need to visit a driver license office for your next renewal," the Web site stated.

"Every driver who visits a driver's license office to renew will have to take the vision test; other testing may be applicable based on the driver demonstrating something that indicates they may not be able to safely drive a vehicle."

Drivers age 79 and younger will be issued eight-year licenses while drivers 80 and older will continue to receive six-year licenses.

"These changes will strengthen our ability to verify an applicant's identity and legal presence as we continue to protect our citizens and visitors while improving domestic security," according to the state's Web site.

To see a complete listing of motor vehicle laws, check out www.flhsmv.gov or www.flsenate.gov .

Joe Seelig can be reached at (863) 386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com .

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