In a decisive move to curb the exploitation of public resources, the Broward County Commission has unanimously passed an ordinance, cracking down on the illicit sale of driver's license appointments. As per NBC Miami, this new legislation, Ordinance 2015-20, renders it illegal to "advertise, market or sell" these coveted time slots, which have become a source of frustration for locals facing long waits at the DMV.
Despite efforts to clamp down on these practices at the county level, the issue of appointment scalping has persisted, frequently causing Broward and Miami-Dade residents to linger in lines for hours—just when trying to renew a license. In response to this growing concern, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also signed a bill, known as HB 961, which extends the prohibition of selling DMV appointments statewide, according to Local 10. This new law, taking effect on July 1, 2026, introduces the possibility of criminal charges and potential jail time for offenders.
In Broward, those caught selling service appointments will face monetary penalties—a $250 fine for a first offense and a doubled fine for each subsequent violation. The county's stance is part of a larger initiative by the Tax Collector to revitalize driver license services, with anticipation of fully adopting these responsibilities next summer.
Addressing the issue, Tax Collector Abbey Ajayi expressed gratitude for the local and state support in the legislation's passage. "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 told Local 10. “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.”
Similar measures have already been implemented in Miami-Dade earlier this year, reflecting a regional effort to ensure public service appointments are fairly distributed, thwarting those who've turned a quick profit by snatching up and reselling spots for up to $250—a reservation.
