Bill: Accept Military ID’s For Florida Driver’s License Identification

January 9, 2015

Senator Don Gaetz today joined Iraq war veteran Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) in introducing a bill to require government offices to recognize military-issued ID’s as valid identification in applying for Florida drivers’ licenses.
The companion bill in the House has been introduced by Representative Matt Gaetz (R-Fort Walton Beach).

“In Northwest Florida, men and women in uniform or who are retired military have access to secure bases where the most sophisticated weapons are designed and tested and from which highly sensitive and secret missions are launched,” according to Senator Gaetz (R-Niceville). “The vetting and clearances they undergo are certainly more detailed than getting a passport or birth certificate or other forms of identification. Yet, under current law, a military ID is not sufficient proof of identity to apply for or renew a driver’s license. That just doesn’t make sense and this bill will remedy the problem.”

The bill would ensure that active or retired military personnel with an identification card issued by the United States government would not have to produce any other form of identification in order to obtain a Florida driver’s license.

“Our bill not only clears out unnecessary bureaucratic underbrush, but it also shows respect to our uniformed military, many thousands of whom live and work in our area,” said Representative Gaetz. “We are proud to work on this issue with Senator Brandes, whose combat record as an infantry captain during the Iraq war and whose experience as a veteran make him highly sensitive to the needs and concerns of military members. This bill is part of our ongoing initiative to make Florida the ‘welcome home state’ for America’s military.”

Comments

7 Responses to “Bill: Accept Military ID’s For Florida Driver’s License Identification”

  1. Mikey on January 10th, 2015 2:43 am

    Don’t stop there. Continue the spread of common sense and revamp this Byzantine process for all citizens.

  2. Susan on January 9th, 2015 8:30 pm

    The local tax office under the Dept. of Highway Safety would not accept my TWA (Transportaion Worker Identification Card) or my Mariner’s license through the coast guard. Both come under Homeland Security. I had to get a passport to renew my driver license due to my married name being different from my birth certificate even though I brought the marriage license in also. The process was insane.

  3. BT on January 9th, 2015 3:16 pm

    That Nick Sample sure takes a better driver license photo than I do.

  4. Molino Mom on January 9th, 2015 10:33 am

    Finally ! What I had to go thru to renew was ridiculous! I understand why at the time, but it was still a pain.

  5. Claire on January 9th, 2015 10:09 am

    Would that include family members, and retirees that also have assess to secure bases?

  6. Betty on January 9th, 2015 4:58 am

    About time someone got smart.

  7. E on January 9th, 2015 4:41 am

    About time common sense prevails.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News