RELEASE DATE: May 27, 2026
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Polk County Tax Collector Joe G. Tedder, frustrated with the State’s failing ‘Orion’ system for DMV services, issued a statement on Wednesday. The Tax Collector’s staff has faced numerous issues when trying to conduct Driver License and other DMV services for customers through the State’s computer system. Errors have caused delays and have even forced staff to turn customers away, at times.
“The lack of this system’s reliability has been crippling our ability to take care of our citizens in a manner they are accustomed to,” Polk County Tax Collector Joe G. Tedder stated.
“Customers are burdened with increased wait-times because of the computer system issues we face, some exceeding three hours as opposed to 20 minutes or less,” he continued, “and this is unacceptable. My Office is required to use this State computer system to do the basics like, you know, work.”
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) rolled out the new system for conducting Driver License and other DMV services in January. Since then, issues have become increasingly more frequent. Of the 18 business days so far in May, there have been 12 days of software crashes or delays.
“So, I urge citizens to reach out to the FLHSMV to voice their concerns and frustrations,” he remarked. “I am calling on the FLHSMV to seek solutions and take responsibility for the impacts this issue is having on people that need help. As a Conservative, I join others in the call for less government. But, shouldn’t the State focus on government that works?”
Citizens can voice their service concerns regarding the software issues by contacting FLHSMV directly, at (850) 617-2000, and by submitting an email form at https://flhsmv.service-now.com/csp.
While the Tax Collector understands the public’s increased frustrations, he asks that customers be patient with staff as “they are working to the best of their abilities to do everything possible to serve the people of Polk County,” he says.
