South Florida Class Action Sues DMV Over Long Waits, Appointment Resales

A class-action lawsuit has been filed against the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) and the tax collectors of Miami-Dade and Broward counties, alleging unsafe conditions, overcrowding, and long wait times at driver’s license offices due to a network of appointment resellers operating openly. Attorney Michael Pizzi, leading the lawsuit, highlighted that appointment scalpers have forced residents to endure overnight waits under unsafe and degrading conditions, including a case where a 17-year-old girl waited nearly 10 hours outside a Pompano Beach DMV office. Despite recent legislation banning the sale and advertising of appointments in Miami-Dade and Broward, the lawsuit seeks compensation for victims affected over up to ten years, with claims totaling at least $10 million. The legal action aims to hold the DMV accountable for negligence and to demand better security and safer waiting conditions for future customers. The case underscores ongoing concerns about the DMV's scheduling system and its failure to prevent exploitation and ensure public safety at its offices. The lawsuit is seeking class certification to include all similarly affected individuals.