Miami-Dade Residents Frustrated with DMV Appointment Issues as REAL ID Deadline Looms

With the federal REAL ID deadline fast approaching, Miami-Dade residents are increasingly frustrated by their inability to secure appointments at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Long lines, scarce availability, and a rapidly approaching expiration date have left many scrambling—and speaking out. One of those residents is David Besterman, whose driver’s license is set to expire before the end of April. After failing to secure an appointment online, he decided to try his luck with a walk-in at the Mall of America DMV. His experience was grueling: eight hours in line without receiving service. “I’ve noticed it’s not just me,” Besterman said. “It’s a lot of people trying to get their license in one way or another. To me, it’s a huge problem.”

Leadership Shift and System Changes

In response to mounting complaints, Miami-Dade’s Tax Collector Dariel Fernández addressed the growing crisis. “We have a crisis here in Miami-Dade County,” he admitted. “But we are here to fix that.” Recently, in a historic move, the Tax Collector’s Office officially assumed control over DMV operations, transitioning from a state-run service to a county-controlled constitutional office. While the shift offers long-term potential for efficiency, Fernández noted that it’s a gradual process. His office currently operates only three out of the nine DMV locations in the county. Fernández emphasized new measures aimed at preventing appointment abuse. “Right now, if you have an appointment, you need to show your ID,” he explained. “Nobody can make an appointment for you.” This rule was introduced after reports surfaced of scalpers booking and reselling appointments online.

Crackdown on Appointment Scalping

To combat appointment scalping, Miami-Dade County passed a new ordinance making it illegal to sell DMV appointments. Offenders could face a $500 fine or even jail time. “We passed an ordinance here in Miami-Dade County where if people want to get an appointment online and sell it—they can be fined or arrested,” Fernández said. The rule aims to make more legitimate slots available to the public, especially as demand spikes in the lead-up to the REAL ID deadline. The federal deadline for REAL ID enforcement is just weeks away, and many residents require the updated identification to board domestic flights or enter federal facilities. The surge in demand, combined with limited appointment availability, has created a backlog that the county is urgently trying to resolve.

New Saturday Hours Offer Some Relief

To alleviate the pressure, the Tax Collector’s Office has expanded its hours to include Saturdays for walk-in services. The downtown Miami location at 200 NW Second Avenue is now available for those unable to book appointments online. While these steps offer some short-term relief, many residents remain frustrated by the delays and inefficiencies. “I would like to see more trucks around town that could help people renew their licenses, or just have some DMVs open 24 hours,” Besterman suggested. Until the transition is fully completed and additional services are implemented, Miami-Dade residents will likely continue to face challenges in navigating the DMV system.