The Florida Legislature has approved a bill aimed at strengthening oversight of commercial driving schools connected to driver license services, a measure supporters say will help protect consumers and improve roadway safety.
Senate Bill 584, sponsored by Miami legislators Sen. Bryan Avila and Rep. Omar Blanco, passed both chambers of the Legislature and now heads to the governor’s desk for final consideration.
If signed into law, the legislation would allow the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to enter into agreements with county tax collectors to delegate certain enforcement authority over driving schools operating near driver license offices.
Miami-Dade County Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez said the measure will help close oversight gaps that have allowed some operators to mislead customers or disrupt licensing operations.
“Public safety must always come first,” Fernandez said. “Many driving schools operate with professionalism and serve as valued partners in helping residents navigate the licensing process. However, when bad actors exploit gaps in oversight, mislead customers, or interfere with operations at our facilities, we must have the authority to act.”
Fernandez said the legislation would strengthen consumer protections while supporting responsible businesses that assist residents with the licensing process.
An evaluator records results during a driver road test. A newly approved Florida bill aims to strengthen oversight of commercial driving schools tied to the driver licensing process.
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“This legislation strengthens integrity, protects residents from exploitation, and ensures we can work collaboratively with responsible driving schools to maintain a driver license system that is fair, secure, and worthy of the public’s trust,” he said.
Avila said the bill aims to create consistent enforcement across the state while allowing local offices to address issues occurring at their facilities.
“This legislation ensures consistent, statewide enforcement while allowing local offices flexibility to address issues occurring directly on their premises,” Avila said. “We want to make sure that every driver on Florida’s roadways is properly trained, qualified, and lawfully licensed.”
Blanco said the proposal is ultimately about protecting the public.
“This bill is more than oversight; it is about public safety,” Blanco said. “Driving is a privilege, and Floridians deserve confidence that those receiving a driver license have earned it lawfully and are prepared to operate safely on our roads.”
If the governor signs the bill, agreements between the state and individual tax collector offices would be optional. Fernandez said the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector’s Office stands ready to work with state partners to implement the measure.