Saving time and money: ‘Operation Green Light’ benefits Pinellas drivers
Pinellas Resident Richard Walker got his driver license back as part of Operation Green Light.

Richard Walker pic
More than 1,000 people showed up.

Pinellas County drivers saved more than $100,000 last week as part of the Clerk of Court’s Operation Green Light initiative.

The three day event on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday offered individuals in Pinellas County the opportunity to reinstate driver licenses by paying overdue court and traffic fines at a discount of up to 25 percent.

More than 1,000 people participated. Another 400 are being cleared for reinstatement.

“I can definitely say this program has brought me a slice of freedom and it will help me achieve goals I couldn’t do without my license,” said Richard Walker, a driver whose license was reinstated.

The event was a win-win for both residents and the Clerk’s office as drivers were able to payback fines and fees at discounted rates and the Clerk’s office was able to recoup fees that might have otherwise gone unpaid.

Under a law passed earlier this year, Clerk’s offices statewide are required to offer a driver license reinstatement program at least once a year. The Pinellas County Clerk’s office recommends drivers or those with suspended licenses contact their office to discuss payment plan options even if they missed this year’s event. Such plans are available year round.

“Operation Green Light offered a great opportunity to customers with cases in collections and we’re happy so many people got the break they needed to get their license back,”said Pinellas County Clerk of Court Ken Burke. “The goal was to get more legal drivers out there and this initiative helped customers be able to afford it.”

The 2019 legislation sponsored by Rep. Chip LaMarca was aimed at reducing the number of would-be drivers whose licenses are suspended due to unpaid fines or fees or other easily reconciled matters.

Having a suspended driver license can launch a crippling downward spiral for some Floridians who, unable to afford fines to reinstate a license, lose jobs because they no longer have transportation or face other more serious legal troubles if they get caught driving on a suspended license.

In Florida and many other states drivers can have their license suspended for failing to pay things like speeding or parking tickets.

Janelle Irwin Taylor

Janelle Irwin Taylor has been a professional journalist covering local news and politics in Tampa Bay since 2003. Most recently, Janelle reported for the Tampa Bay Business Journal. She formerly served as senior reporter for WMNF News. Janelle has a lust for politics and policy. When she’s not bringing you the day’s news, you might find Janelle enjoying nature with her husband, children and two dogs. You can reach Janelle at [email protected].


One comment

  • gary

    October 23, 2019 at 7:44 pm

    Great. All us honest people that pay our bills. Obey the law and maintain quality auto insurance and well maintained cars…. we can go to hell! Meanwhile the irresponsible idiots get a free pass! How does this help anyone?

Comments are closed.


#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, A.G. Gancarski, Anne Geggis, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Gray Rohrer, Jesse Scheckner, Christine Sexton, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704




Sign up for Sunburn


Categories