Drivers: New fees adding up fast

A fee increase is raising big money for one state agency, but it’s also costing people more than just money.

Thousands of cars in Orange County should be sitting idle because owners can't afford to legally drive them.

For more than a year, nearly everyone walking into a local tag office is paying more money.

Sometimes it's just a few dollars, while other times it's hundreds more.

Whatever the increase, drivers said new fees are adding up fast.

"Absolutely, the fee itself is pretty significant and then having to pay an additional fee on top of it can be an inconvenience to a lot of people," said Tonya Dorisca.

For thousands of drivers across the state, the fee increase has been a lot more than just an inconvenience though.

According to state statistics compiled over the last year, the number of registered vehicles statewide has dropped.

Orange County has nearly 30,000 less vehicles on the street, while there are 6,000 less in Volusia and 3,500 fewer in Brevard.

Why the decrease? One man said he couldn't afford to tag his Chevy Tahoe.

"It’s outrageous,” the man said. “I mean, it’s highway robbery. The state is already making enough money."

The money raised at county offices isn't staying in the agency.

The extra $600 million raised by the new fees is being used to fund budget shortfalls in education, construction projects and the state’s general fund.

It's a decision some agree with and others don't.

Statewide, the number of registered vehicles dropped by more than 220,000.

The biggest drop is in Orange County.

On the flip side, local law enforcement agencies have not reported an increase in the number of tickets issued from driving without proper registration.