Since 9-11 there's tighter restrictions on who can get a driver's license. But a local man seeks Howard's help when the Florida DMV turns him down ... even though he's had a license for over 30 years.

(WSVN) Sepxember 11th affected alot of people..and its hit Jimmie Ross in a way you won't believe...

Jimmie Ross, who lost his license, says "Its been - excuse the expression - its been like going through hell because I don't know why I have to prove that I am a U.S citizen."

Jimmie was one of 17 children, born in 1948 in Leesburg, Florida...

On the day of his birth...he was given to Susan Hamlick, a family friend who couldn't have children...she became Jimmies mother ...

No problem ...

But after Sepxember 11th ... its become a big problem for Jimmie.

Marjorie Miller, Jimmie's Fiance, says "There's no record of him being listed as being born ... there's no register of his birth .... due to the fact that they had him in a house with a midwife ... they didn't register him."

Not having a birth certificate never affected Jimmy ...

He went to school in Miami, was issued a drivers license at 16, a draft card when he turned 18, even a social security card.

But this year when he tried to renew his drivers license...

He was told ---- if he didn't have a birth certificate to prove he was an American ... he couldn't get a license .... "They have him on file at DMV as having a drivers license since he was 15 ---- now if that not telling them something ... then they have a messed up system."

"It makes me mad .... it makes me very mad cause like I say I don't feel like I should have to prove I am a U.S. citizen."

"It's a shame --- I know that our country has been through traumatic experience -- with 9-11 --- but it's a shame that we're the ones now that have to prove our citizenship."

Even worse for Jimmy ... he's been a delivery man for Anthony's Florist for 22 years ... without a drivers license ... he won't even be able to drive to work ... much less deliver ...

"He needs a drivers license to work and we're not asking for A LOT ... we just need help getting his drivers license.."

And that's when Jimmie called Help Me Howard ...

Howard Finkelstein, 7News Legal Expert, says "The law requires that you have a birth certificate, a U.S. passport or a green card to get a drivers license. It's not a new law ... but it seems like its being strictly enforced because of Sepx. 11th. What Jimmie needs to do now, is convince vital statistics or a judge to issue him a delayed birth certificate."

Vital statistics was not able to help Jimmy ... so Howard made a phone call.

"Jimmie I want you to meet Jeff Ivashuk."

Jeff is a prominent Broward Attorney who has agreed to take Jimmie's case for free.

"We re gonna go to court ... we're gonna take him to the judge ... explain to the judge ... show him the draft card .... and you wouldn't get a draft card unless you were born in this country .... and we see someone that did have a drivers license before .... how can the judge say no."

Which makes Jimmie happy.

"I think it's great because if anyone can help me get my license I'm sure he can .... I just want a license ..... that's it."