SEBASTIAN – The Tax Collector’s Office in Sebastian, and another in Vero Beach, is now offering customers the opportunity to have their drivers’ licenses renewed or replaced. Sebastian’s branch has been doing so since Dec. 1.

The new service came just in time for employees to be trained on the equipment as state rules for licenses went into effect Jan. 1 that require drivers to provide more documentation before receiving their licenses.

“It’s quite a lot of training for staff,” said Tax Collector Carole Jean Jordan, who set up the main branch located in the County Administration complex on Nov. 1 so staff would have time to train. On Dec. 1, the Sebastian branch began offering license renewals. Come late January or early February, the West branch – located east of Interstate 95 in the Ameritrend Commerce Park – is expected to also issue licenses.

The new service means Indian River County residents needing to change the address on their license or need to renew it do not have to make an appointment at the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles office on US 1 in Vero Beach.

“This is definitely more convenient,” said customer Dorothy Davies at the Sebastian branch. She had gone to one of the Vero Beach offices to get her license but was told the wait would be shorter in Sebastian.

First-time drivers who need to take the driving test before receiving their licenses must still go through the state office.

Jordan said that she hopes to offer the written portion of the test at the Sebastian branch some time in the future.

But for now, the employees are still getting used to offering the service.

“They’re kind of getting their feet wet,” Jordan said.

Jordan said she has been working for the last several months to get the state’s approval to offer the licensing and had to wait for the state to work out the budget.

Along with wanting to offer more places for residents to get their licenses, Jordan said she wanted to be ready if and when the Florida DMV closes its US 1 office.

“We’re kind of getting ahead of it,” Jordan said.

It cost the Tax Collector’s Office about $48,000 to equip each branch, according to Jordan.

“The equipment is not cheap by any means,” she said, explaining that just the printer that crafts the license costs $11,000.

“It was an investment,” she said.

The branches have to have backup equipment, as well, including an extra camera and printer.

“They’re not the most dependable thing,” Jordan said.

To that end, the tax collector said she hopes customers who come to any of the branches to renew or replace their licenses come with patience.

“We’re not fast,” she said, “but we’re pleasant.”

Jordan also said that while customers are there to take care of their licenses, they can also register to vote – a process that takes just a couple moments.

To learn more about what you need to renew your license, visit www.GatherGoGet.com.

Where to renew/replace your driver’s license:

Phone: (772) 226-1338On the Web: www.irctax.comMain Office: 1800 27th St., Building B, County Administration Complex, Vero BeachWest Branch: 1860 82nd Ave., Suite 102, Ameritrend Commerce Park, Vero BeachSebastian Branch: 11610 US 1, Suite 1, Sebastian

What you’ll need:

Before heading to the Tax Collector’s Office, check out www.GatherGoGet.com to determine what you will need to bring with you. Below is a list of what you might need to have with you:

One original or certified copy from the following –

Certified United States birth certificate, including territories and District of Columbia

Valid United States Passport or Passport Card

Consular Report of Birth Abroad

Certificate of Naturalization, Form N-550 or Form N-570

Certificate of Citizenship, Form N-560 or Form N-561

One original or certified copy from the following –