In the past several weeks, about a million drivers have applied to the department's web site to prevent anyone from getting information off their particular file. The only recent change was a 1999 law signed by Governor Jeb Bush that increased drivers' privacy by rescinding a 1998 law allowing an exception to the state's long-standing prohibition against the sale of driver license photos.

They say they are not selling motorists' personal information despite an e-mail sent to Floridians claiming a 'new law' allows the state to sell such information.Īlthough Florida has strong open government laws, it also prohibits releasing Social Security numbers and drivers can take action to block access to other personal information, including their address. It's either a hoax or just a bad rumor that caught fire, but it's been driving officials at the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles buggy over the past several days. However, a couple of points in the brief e-mail quoted above are misleading or wrong: no 'new law' makes Florida DMV records subject to public disclosure (the law regarding disclosure of DMV records has been in place for several years), and Florida law already prohibits the release of Social Security numbers by state government agencies. (Under state law such records are subject to public disclosure unless individuals specifically limit access to them by invoking their right to 'opt out.') And it's true that the Florida DMV provides a form on their web site through which motorists can keep this information private. Origins: It's true that the state of Florida has enacted a Driver Privacy Protection Act which provides motorists with a means of limiting (with certain exceptions) who has access to their motor vehicle and driver license records. You can go to the DMV web site and block your information.

However the law also requires that DMV give individuals the opportunity to block their information (Driver Privacy Protection Act) from being sold. Under a new state law, DMV has the right to sell and distribute your personal information on file (DOB, SS#, Address, etc).

Drivers license check florida dmv