Long Lines at DMV Offices Across South Florida Leave Residents Frustrated and Fuming
Long Lines and Frustration
Long lines at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) across South Florida are causing anger and frustration among residents who are finding it difficult to get appointments. In Margate, dozens of people have been forced to camp out overnight outside the office or in the parking lot to secure a spot in line, with some waiting for hours or even days.
Camping Out for a Spot in Line
One such individual is Marlon Rozier, who arrived at the DMV in Margate at 5 pm on Thursday and was one of only 15 people in line. He chose to sleep overnight outside the office, waiting for the line to move. "I’ve been here all night. I got here yesterday at 5 pm, and there was 15 people in line," he said.
No Choice but to Camp Out
Karen Huebner and Ria Kiddy, who were also forced to camp out, said they had no choice but to do so. They had to sleep on the hard concrete just to get a new license, a transaction that couldn’t be done online. "We just got our papers, waiting for them to bring our IDs out. This was a second visit. This is ridiculous. People with kids waiting overnight, elderly, no bathroom, no security," Kiddy said.
Appointments Hard to Come By
Huebner and Kiddy said appointments are hard to get online, which is why people like them have no choice but to camp out outside the DMV. "There’s no appointment for a month, and her birthday is the third. We had to do it. There’s no other choice, so it’s camping out, that’s it. That shouldn’t be the only option," Kiddy said.
Understaffed DMVs
According to officials, the long lines are due to the DMVs being understaffed. In North Miami, 7News cameras captured long lines and short tempers. "It’s a lot, it’s a lot. Today I had to miss a day of work," said Bianca Gonzalez.
New Initiatives to Shorten Lines
Miami-Dade’s new tax collector, Dariel Fernandez, has promised to shorten lines by adding more service windows, staff, and investing in online technology. "We started creating a customer service center that the people, before they go to the office, they are going to communicate with some of our customer service reps, and they are going to explain to them what they need," he said.
A Matter of Time Before Something Bad Happens
Residents who have been forced to camp out in line fear it’s only a matter of time before something bad happens. "Somebody needs to fix it. It’s not safe," said Huebner. "We had a young girl sitting next to us who was here for her driver’s exam. She was 18 years old."
Conclusion
The long lines at the DMV in South Florida are not only frustrating but also unsafe. Residents are calling for a solution to this problem, which is affecting many people. The new initiatives by Miami-Dade’s tax collector are a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to alleviate the situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are the DMVs understaffed?
A: According to officials, the DMVs are understaffed, leading to long lines and frustration among residents.
Q: What is being done to address the issue?
A: Miami-Dade’s new tax collector, Dariel Fernandez, has promised to add more service windows, staff, and invest in online technology to shorten lines.
Q: Is there a plan to open new DMV offices in Broward County?
A: No, there is no current plan to open new offices in Broward County.
