Miami-Dade Tax Collector Partners with Driving Schools

Miami-Dade County Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez met with driving school operators from across the county to establish direct communication and strengthen collaboration. The partnership prepares for new state legislation that takes effect July 1, 2026, transferring oversight of commercial driving schools to county tax collectors in conjunction with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).

The new law allows the FLHSMV to partner with county tax collectors for the regulation and compliance review of driving schools to protect the integrity of the driver license process. Fernandez highlighted the importance of driving schools having a direct resource within his office as it assumes these expanded responsibilities.

“Driving schools have an important responsibility. They are educating the people who will be sharing our roads, and the standards they maintain matter,” Fernandez said. He added that his office aims to build relationships through direct communication, ensuring schools have a clear point of contact for questions, guidance, or concerns.

The meeting provided a forum for driving school owners and representatives to engage with Fernandez and his team. Participants discussed the transition, compliance challenges, and operational issues.

Commercial driving schools currently receive licenses and oversight from the FLHSMV under Chapter 488 of Florida law. Fernandez reiterated the shared responsibility across Miami-Dade to maintain high standards and safeguard the licensing process.

“Collaboration strengthens that responsibility. We want expectations to be clear, communication to remain open, and schools to have access to the information and guidance they need to do things the right way,” Fernandez said. The goal is to create a transparent working relationship focused on compliance, accountability, safe driving, and problem-solving.