DMV experience at NW 27th Ave

**Indian Barbie** · 06-25-2012, 11:26 AM

I just wanted to post a quick message about my DMV experience. I went to the one on 7900 NW 27th Ave, Ste E14, Miami 33147 (this is a very colorful neighborhood). GPS will drop you off at Walgreens but it is actually strip mall behind and to the side of Walgreens. It is pretty hidden and you can't see it form 27th. This location does not require an appointment.

They processed my request for a Florida DL within an hour. I paid 48 dollars. They do not take Visa but they will take a check, Discover, or MC. If you use a CC it is 1.50 surcharge. They were very friendly and very nice. They knew excatly what they were doing.

They fill out your application for you and take your picture, then you wait in line to pay the cashier, and then last you wait for your DL to be made. They give it to you right on the spot. No temporaries.

This was a very smooth process and everyone was very nice and helpful!

**Jess** · 06-25-2012, 11:51 AM

That is great news, thank you for such a detailed post and review.

I went to the DMV down near Tamiami airport when I had my driving test and got my license. They were very organized there also.

I am glad I don't have to repeat the experience though for a while!

**Blackford Oakes** · 06-25-2012, 12:24 PM

My experience was similar with just a snag.

Apparently, I had a parking ticket back home I wasn't aware of. FL does have ageements with some states about past due tickets. These have to be current before you get a FL liscense. That was OK -but the local DMV also required my actual SS card, which I didn't have. Had to kill a day, at a SS office to get issued a new card. WTF !

What suprised me was that no written test was required. The rules of the road, one can say are universal. The one that gets me relates to school buses. I got a ticket within a month for not stopping on an outside lane when a school bus made a stop. I beat that in court as I cited FL's negligence for not educating me or force me to study and be tested on it's road laws.

**Mario** · 06-25-2012, 05:05 PM

The DMV's in Hialeah and the one close to the Opa-Locka flea market are pretty slow due to the sheer amount of people that go there. I'm surprised to hear everything went smooth. Yep, that area is quite colorful.

**Indian Barbie** · 06-26-2012, 02:48 PM

Mario you always make me laugh. I wanted to note that I did not have my SS card either but they allowed me to my most recent W-2 record which I found very helpful. It has to be an orginal W-2 form not a duplicate. They also let me take my picture over several times until I was happy. I was shocked!

**Jess** · 06-26-2012, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by Blackford Oakes

What suprised me was that no written test was required. The rules of the road, one can say are universal. The one that gets me relates to school buses. I got a ticket within a month for not stopping on an outside lane when a school bus made a stop. I beat that in court as I cited FL's negligence for not educating me or force me to study and be tested on it's road laws.

I took my test here 2 years ago, when was yours? As I had to take a written theory test which is actually on a computer with multiple choice questions at the DMV before you go out in the car. And the school bus laws are prominent. So I doubt you'd be able to get off now if you tried as the test is mandatory.

**Doug** · 06-26-2012, 05:44 PM

Not everybody knows it, but you can go to any DMV office in the state, not necessarily one in the city you live in. So if you go to a small town, you could have a much shorter wait. The DMV in DeLand was a breeze!

**Blackford Oakes** · 06-26-2012, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by Jess

I took my test here 2 years ago, when was yours? As I had to take a written theory test which is actually on a computer with multiple choice questions at the DMV before you go out in the car. And the school bus laws are prominent. So I doubt you'd be able to get off now if you tried as the test is mandatory.

July of 04.

Doug _ that's good advice. I found myself once in Freemont,CA with a spare hr ,so I took advantage with a renewal necessary within the month.That DMV on Cole is always packed. Was out in less than 20 mins up North.

Don't know if things have changed in CA. A new picture was always required during renewal. It was a relief that the FL DL renewal only required a mailed check, and they use the photo on file.

rk · 06-26-2012, 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by Blackford Oakes

July of 04.

The date is not relevant. No test (written or driving) is required of people who hold a valid license from another state, which I assume you must have had. Only a hearing and vision test are needed (along with necessary ID).

**GandJ** · 06-26-2012, 11:29 PM

Originally Posted by rk

The date is not relevant. No test (written or driving) is required of people who hold a valid license from another state, which I assume you must have had. Only a hearing and vision test are needed (along with necessary ID).

A hearing test is required in FL? They don't do hearing tests for a driver's license in VA.

Glenn

**Jess** · 06-27-2012, 10:54 AM

They do not do hearing and vision tests in Florida.

rk · 06-27-2012, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by Jess

They do not do hearing and vision tests in Florida.

That might explain a lot about Florida drivers

But seriously, a vision test is required by all states, including Florida (and all foreign countries as far as I know). Florida follows the federal guideline of requiring 20/40 acuity. This is the excerpt from the the official website:

Class E Exam Requirements - Minimum Age 16
Road Rules
Road Signs
Driving
Vision
Hearing

Note: A new resident exchanging a valid out-of-state license for a Florida license will be required to pass the vision and hearing tests only...

The above is from: http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/geninfo.html

rk · 06-27-2012, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by GandJ

A hearing test is required in FL? They don't do hearing tests for a driver's license in VA.

Glenn, the hearing test is not required in all states, but it is in Florida. It is only used in cases where the driver has obvious hearing problems, i.e. has trouble understanding the examiner. Also, even if you fail the hearing test, it just means you get a restricted license (requiring extra rearview mirrors etc).

**Jess** · 06-27-2012, 06:33 PM

I did the test here in Florida. I had to do the 4 hour drug and alcohol exam (online), then study for the theory test which you take at the DMV before you go out in the car. But at no point at any time did they test my hearing or vision.

rk · 06-27-2012, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by Jess

... at no point at any time did they test my hearing or vision.

They may have forgotten, or thought you were applying for a major league umpire's license.

**Matt Meltzer** · 07-01-2012, 02:43 PM

That one on 27th was fast? I went there last fall and it took me a coule of hours to get through the line. And that's an area of Miami you don't see on travel brochures, to put it mildly. I wasn't scared, but I know a couple people who have been.