Flagler County drivers who’ve had their license revoked have had until now to find a way to travel to Volusia County to have an administratiove hearing and attempt to have a hardship driver’s license so they can at least drive to and from work.
No longer.
Flagler County Tax Collector Suzanne Johnston is opening a hardship-hearing office within her offices at the Government Services Building in Bunnell, starting Jan. 7.
“I believe that government should serve the people,” Mrs. Johnston said. “This will make it much easier for people who have had their license revoked to get a hearing before a State Hearing Officer.”
Johnston is working with the state’s Administrative Review Office to launch the service at her office. The service will be available every Tuesday (and only on Tuesdays), from 9:30 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
The hearing officer will review drivers’ situation and possibly make a determination to issue a hardship license to residents whose license has been revoked. Once approved, individuals would then be able to drive to and from work or to medical appointments, but the remainder of their driving rights would still be suspended.
For more information, call Johntson’s office at 313-4160 during regular business hours.
Anonymous says
…And if the people who get these “hardship” privileges extended are found to be abusing them, what will the penalties and consequences for that be? How will their conduct be supervised to make sure they are not continuing to commit the same offenses and behaviors that caused them to have their licenses revoked in the first place?
fruitcake says
It’s refreshing to read about a government official doing something FOR the people !
HonkeyDude says
There are already laws in place. Read the article.
All that is changing is Location. It would be like in order to vote, u would have to go to daytona, and wait in line to vote, with all of voulsia in one location.
dlf says
Not only are they doing something for the people but we are not hiring an army to do, looks like she will do it with current staff. Great plan.
Anonymous says
I thought so many people in this area believed in SMALLER government…We are expanding services to serve individuals who have demonstrated disregard for the law and the safety of others to the extent that they have had their licenses revoked? This surely IS a group that deserves extra consideration…Give me a break!
rickg says
Tax Collectors all over the state do things like this but it rarely gets covered. Thanks to Ms. Johnston and I appreciate the active part she is taking on behalf of her constituents.
IvaHadit says
You sound like a mean cranky-pants. Try being less judgmental — everyone makes mistakes.