The price you pay for a driver's license or a new car tag will more than double next Tuesday. Lawmakers voted to hike these fees to raise $800 million to help fill a $3 billion budget hole. Now Drivers are racing to the DMV to renew their licenses and tags before prices go up.

If a driver's license expires before February 2011 it can be renewed before Tuesday, and higher costs will be avoided. That's why drivers like Frank Fitzpatrick, who owns four vehicles and a trailer, are rushing to local DMVs before the Tuesday deadline.

The costs for registry of a new vehicle and replacement of a lost license will also more than double. Drivers who are used to paying original prices are saying the price increase is unjustified.

“It took him 10 minutes. He has all the information already in the computer. Nothing is new. I think it is ridiculous,” said Katheryn Giles.
She beat the deadline and paid $20 to renew her license. The new price will be $48.

Students are among the crowd hoping to save money as the Tuesday deadline approaches. Stephanie Sheppard recently replaced her lost license for ten bucks; the new price will be 25.

“I’m actually really grateful that I beat the deadline. Being a college student, 25 is a bit more to choke down,” said Sheppard.

Money from the increased prices will be put into the state’s bank account. The money is used to pay for everything from schools to the salaries of state employees.