Selling appointments for driver’s license services is now an illegal act in Broward County, the Broward Tax Collector’s Office announced Wednesday. This move, aimed at combating exploitation and improving public access, comes as a similar statewide law is set to take effect next year.
The Broward County Commission unanimously passed Ordinance 2025-20, making it unlawful to “advertise, market or sell appointments for public services offered by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or the Broward Tax Collector’s Office,” according to the news release.
While this county ordinance is effective immediately, Florida House Bill 961, approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 5, also makes selling driver’s license appointments illegal across the entire state. However, the state law will not go into effect until July 1, 2026.
In Broward County, individuals found in violation of the county ordinance will face a fine of $250 for a first offense, with each subsequent offense incurring a $500 fine. Those violating the state statute, once it becomes active, may face criminal charges, which could possibly lead to jail time.
“Both policies support the Tax Collector’s broader initiative to modernize and streamline driver license services ahead of taking over operations in the summer of 2026,” the news release stated.
This initiative follows widespread complaints from many South Floridians about long lines at DMV locations and individuals allegedly buying up appointment time slots online only to resell them, sometimes for as much as $250 per reservation.
In a statement issued Wednesday morning, Tax Collector Abbey Ajayi expressed gratitude for the new ordinance. “Thank you, Commissioner Hazelle Rogers, for sponsoring the county ordinance, the entire Broward County Commission, as well as Florida Legislators and the Governor for establishing these much needed policies,” Ajayi said. She added, “This is a win for our customers. Public services, like driver license issuance, must be delivered to residents with integrity and efficiency. Both the county and state policies will deter opportunists from abusing the system, making sure that more appointments are readily available to those that need them, without unjust hassle or cost.”
The Miami-Dade County Commission passed a similar ordinance earlier this year. The office of the Miami-Dade Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez announced in May that the state legislature had passed a bill making it illegal to sell service appointments with the DMV or tax collector offices, while the county commission’s legislation makes it a misdemeanor, with violators potentially receiving a $500 fine.
