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Lost your driver’s license because you owe traffic fines or court fees?
You have plenty of company.
More than 782,000 Floridians have suspended driver’s licenses “not because they are dangerous drivers, but simply because they owe the state court fines and fees,” according to Sarah Couture, Florida state director of the Fines and Fees Justice Center.
A report from the organization, which advocates for reforming how penalties are levied, found that just 3 percent of license suspensions were for unsafe driving violations, such as DUIs.
“Florida punishes people by suspending their driver's license when they cannot afford to pay the steep fines and fees mandated by state law for traffic tickets, toll violations and criminal convictions,” Couture said.
Operation Greenlight offers some relief. Hosted April 9, by the Orange County Clerk’s Office of Compliance Division, with extended hours (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.) for the event, the statewide initiative is intended to facilitate driver’s license reinstatement by setting people up with manageable payment plans that have affordable downpayments and reinstatement fees. Some collection agency fees may even be waived. No pre-registration or appointments are required.
Can’t make the April 9 event? The Office of Compliance Division is open daily to help drivers with payment plans. For more information, visit MyOrangeClerk.com or call 407-836-2316.
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AT A GLANCE
WHAT: Operation Greenlight
WHEN: April 9, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
WHERE: Orange County Courthouse, 423 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 410
