Newcomer Information

You can also obtain applications at libraries, post offices and the Department of Motor Vehicles. A copy of the application can also be downloaded at www.pbcelections.org. You will need to provide a current and valid Florida driver’s license or Florida Identification Card number. If you do not have a valid driver’s license or identification card, you must provide the last four digits of your social security number. The voter registration books close 29 days prior to each election.

Motor Vehicle Registration

The Palm Beach County Tax Collector serves as the agent for the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) for titling and registering all motorized vehicles, boats and mobile homes (commercial and private), including motorcycles and mopeds (registrations only). The Tax Collector’s office also issues disabled person parking permits.

New residents should register their vehicle(s) and obtain a Florida license plate within 30 days of establishing legal residency, accepting employment or upon placement of a child in school. Automobiles and trucks must have at least $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) insurance and at least $10,000 property damage liability (PDL) insurance.

Registrations of privately owned vehicles and long-term leased vehicles are valid until midnight on the first registered owner’s birthday. You can renew up to three months before the expiration date. A delinquent fee is charged if the registration is not renewed by the 10th of the following month.

The DHSMV may send a courtesy reminder notice a month before your birthday. Non-receipt of the notice does not relieve registrants from their responsibility to renew on time or exempt them from paying the delinquent fee upon renewal.

Current Florida residents can renew their motor vehicle registration online up to three months in advance. Nonresidents of Florida must take their proof of valid Florida insurance, along with the title, to the Palm Beach County Tax Collector office. Visit www.pbctax.com for locations, hours and more information.

Driver License/ID Cards

Federal law now requires you to bring specific and original documen- driver license service centers and may or may not be required for the driver license or ID card you seek. The testing chart located in this information will help you determine the test(s) you will be required to complete. n Hearing – Dri ver s applying for a license who are deaf or cannot hear conversation spoken in a normal tone of voice are restricted to driving with an outside rearview mirror which should be mounted on the left side of the vehicle, or wearing of a hearing aid. n Vision – Vision testing, using an eye machine located on the counter, is conducted in all driver license serv- tation when obtaining or renewing a driver license or ID card. You must come in person to prove identity, social security and residential address. If you recently moved to Palm Beach County, the law requires you to update your driver license/ID card within 30 days.

You can renew your driver license up to 18 months in advance. Visit www.pbctax.com for a list of accepted documents, to make an appointment or to view wait times. You can also text ‘waitpbc’ to 41411 for up-to-date driver license wait times.

The following tests are given at ice centers. Individuals with visual acuity readings below 20/40 are referred to an eye specialist. Color blindness will not cause any special condition for licensing. n Knowledge Exam – 50 multiple choice questions about traffic laws and traffic signs. To prepare, review the Florida Driver License Handbook and take the Class E Knowledge Practice Test. Class E knowledge examinations are available in Arabic, Chinese, English, Haitian Creole, Russian and Spanish.

Important: Customers with Class E driver licenses that have been ex- pired for more than one year will be required to complete the Class E knowledge exam and vision exam prior to obtaining a valid Class E driver license. The Class E knowledge exam may be completed up to one year before applying for a Class E driver license. If the period between completion of the Class E knowledge exam and application for a Class E driver license exceeds one year, retesting of the knowledge exam will be required prior to issuance. n Driving Test – You must provide a vehicle for the driving test. The vehicle must have a valid tag, proof of insurance and pass a vehicle inspection. During the driving test, the examiner will observe your ability to control the vehicle and how well you obey traffic laws.

Driver license handbooks, motorcycle handbooks and commercial n Delray Beach: 501 S. Congress Ave. (M-F 8:15 – 4:30) n Greenacres: 4215 S. Military Trail (M-F 8:15 – 4:30) n Palm Beach Gardens: 3188 PGA Blvd. (M-F 8:15 – 4:30) n Westlake: 16440 Town Center Parkway South (M-F 8:15 – 4:30) n West Palm Beach: 301 N. Olive Ave. (M-F 8:15 – 4:30)

Seat Belts

The law states that the front seat passengers must wear seat belts. This law applies to any car manufactured since 1968. In addition, all passengers under 18 years old must wear a seat belt or be otherwise restrained by a child car seat. It is against the law to operate a vehicle if all the passengers do not meet these standards. The cost for a seat belt violation is and driving. Here are fines and penalties of the new Texting Law: n First-offense drivers will be fined $30, and no points will be assessed to their driving record. n Second Texting and Driving offense within five year s will be considered a moving violation and carry a $60 fine and three points on your driving record. n Texting in a School Zone: Two points added to the primary offense. n Texting resulting in a crash: Six points added to the primary offense.

Vessel Registration

Motorized vessels used in freshwater or saltwater must be registered at the Palm Beach County Tax Collector’s office. You need to provide a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO), title or its equivalent when you register the vessel.

Florida recognizes valid registration certificates and numbers issued to nonresident vessel owners by other states for 90 days. If you plan to use the vessel in Florida longer than 90 days, you need to register in Florida. Bring your out-of-state title and registration with you when you come to the Tax Collector’s office. Visit www.pbctax.com or call (561) 355-2264.

Licensing

Hunting & Fishing

driver license handbooks are available at local driver license service centers. There is no charge for handbooks and they may be returned for re-use. Additional information is available at www.flhsmv.gov.

Service Centers in Palm Beach County: n Belle Glade: 2976 State Road 15 (M-F 8:15 – 4:30)

$30. For a child that is not properly restrained, the violation is $60. For more information, visit www.dmvflorida.org.

Texting and Driving

Texting and driving is a primary offense in the state of Florida, which means you can be pulled over by law enforcement and fined for texting

The Constitutional Tax Collector is the agent of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for the sale of hunting licenses, fresh and salt-water fishing licenses, waterfowl stamps and game management permits. Purchase a hunting and fishing license online (visit www.gooutdoorsflorida.com) or purchase by phone: (888) 347-4356. Important Information about Hunting and Fishing Licenses: n Licenses purchased online are available immediately to print and also have unlimited access to reprints. n A telephone number (10 digits including area code) is required on hunting and fishing license and permit sales. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) now require this information for the purpose of improving fish and wildlife harvest data. If a telephone number is not provided, a license cannot be issued. n Popular licenses may be obtained from subagents such as sport stores, bait and tackle shops and some department stores. n Licenses are annual and expire 12 months from the date of issue. n Lifetime and Senior citizen fishing licenses are available through the Tax Collector ’s Office only. n Individuals born on or after June 1, 1975 must pass an approved hunter education course before licensed to take wildlife in Florida. n An application for a disability fishing license may be obtained. The completed application must be mailed to Tallahassee for issuance. Certain restrictions apply.

Marriage

Main Courthouse

205 N. Dixie Highway West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Both individuals must present photo identification (driver’s license, passport or identification card) to receive a marriage license. There is a three-day waiting period between the date the license is issued and the date the ceremony is performed, unless the couple has attended a pre-marital course or both are from out of state. The license fee is $86. If previously married, the date of divorce must be provided. For more information, call the Clerk & Comptroller’s West Palm Beach office at (561) 355-2996 or visit the site, www.mypalmbeachclerk.com.

Houses of Worship

The Palm Beaches provide a sanctum for most major religious denominations, and newcomers will almost certainly find one compatible with their beliefs. Area clergy and religious leaders are continually engaged in community activities and are eager to help families settle into their new homes. For further information about places of worship in Palm Beach County, consult the local telephone directory.

Pet Regulations & Vaccinations

All dogs and cats are required to wear a rabies license tag on or before the date a dog or cat is six months of age; or within 30 calendar days of acquiring a dog or cat; or within 30 calendar days after a dog or cat resides in Palm Beach County, pursuant to PBC Ordinance 98-22. The non-sterilized rabies license tag is $75, and the sterilized rabies license tag is $15. Tags are available at Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control, 7100 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach or from participating private veterinary offices.

All dogs and cats are required to be vaccinated against rabies at four months of age in accordance to Florida State Statute 828.30. Ask your veterinarian about the three-year vaccine. Animals must have a one-year history of a rabies vaccination before a three-year rabies vaccination can be administered.

The purchase of a nonsterilized tag without a hobby breeder permit certifies the pet will not be used for breeding. Breeding dogs and cats is prohibited in Palm Beach County without a special permit. For more information, call (561) 233-1209 or 1227.

Animal Care and Control encourages pet owners to have a permanent electronic identification chip implanted in their animals. For further information, call (561) 233-1200. To review the Palm Beach County Animal Ordinance 98-22 in its entirety, visit www.pbcgov.com/pubsafety/animal.

Property Appraisal Services

Florida’s Constitution mandates that all property values must be assessed at market value as of January 1 each year. Market value is typically what a property would sell for in an open and competitive market—what a property is worth to a willing buyer and willing seller. By Florida law, only sales transactions that occurred during the previous year can be used to establish values as of January 1 of the current year.

Homestead Exemption Services

In the state of Florida, a $25,000 exemption is applied to the first $50,000 of your property’s assessed value if your property is your permanent residence and you owned the property on January 1 of the tax year. This exemption applies to all taxes, including school district taxes. An additional exemption of up to $25,000 will be applied if your property’s assessed value is between at least $50,000 and $75,000. This exemption is not applied to school district taxes.

When qualifying for the Homestead Exemption, you will need the following documents for all property owners applying: n Florida Driver’s License or Florida ID if you do not dri ve n Florida car registration n Florida Voter’s ID (if you vote) n Immigration documents if not a U.S. citizen

Documents should reflect the address of your homesteaded property. For more information about the available exemptions, visit the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s website, pbcgov.com/papa, or call Exemption Services at (561) 355-2866.