How to Get a For-Hire Limousine License in Miami-Dade
To run a limo in Miami you need three Miami-Dade County credentials: a For-Hire Limousine License (the company), a per-vehicle operating permit, and a For-Hire Chauffeur Registration for each driver. And the vehicles must qualify — a "luxury sedan" must have an MSRP of at least $45,000 and be 10 years old or newer.
Why does Miami-Dade County — not Florida — license limos?
Florida deregulated for-hire passenger transport at the state level; Florida Statutes §125.01(1)(n) hands licensing and regulation of limousines to the counties. So Miami's controlling authority is Miami-Dade County Code Chapter 31, run by the DTPW Passenger Transportation Regulatory Division — not a state agency.
The three credentials you need
- For-Hire Limousine License — the company's operating authority (Code §31-602), with insurance on file and an operator background check.
- Per-vehicle operating permit — each vehicle passes a DTPW inspection and carries an operating-permit decal.
- For-Hire Chauffeur Registration — each driver registers with the county.
What vehicles qualify?
| Class | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Luxury sedan / SUV | MSRP ≥ $45,000, no more than 10 years old |
| Stretch / super-stretch limousine | Extended-length passenger vehicle |
| Limo van | Van-body limousine |
| Antique / collectible | Qualifying classic vehicle |
What do drivers need?
A For-Hire Chauffeur Registration: a valid Florida driver's license, minimum age 18, and an FDLE background check with a driving transcript. Miami-Dade exempts limo drivers from the physical exam, the DOT medical card, and the defensive-driving course — a notably lighter track than taxi drivers. A CDL with passenger endorsement is required only at 16+ passengers (49 CFR 383.91).
What does it cost?
Published DTPW inspection fees include $70 for a new inspection, $38 for a periodic one, and $20 for a replacement decal. The standard application and annual license fees weren't retrievable from a primary fee schedule — confirm current amounts with the DTPW before budgeting.
Common questions
Why does Miami-Dade County — not Florida — license limos?
Because Florida deregulated for-hire passenger transportation at the state level and, under Florida Statutes §125.01(1)(n), delegated licensing and regulation of limousines to the counties. In Miami that authority is Miami-Dade County, under Code Chapter 31, administered by the DTPW.
What licenses do you need to run a limo in Miami-Dade?
Three separate county credentials: a For-Hire Limousine License for the company (the operating authority), a per-vehicle operating permit for each vehicle (issued after a DTPW inspection and decal), and a For-Hire Chauffeur Registration for each driver.
What vehicles qualify as a limousine in Miami-Dade?
The county recognizes classes including luxury sedan/SUV, stretch, super-stretch, limo van, and antique/collectible. A distinctive rule: to qualify as a luxury sedan or SUV, the vehicle must have a manufacturer's suggested retail price of at least $45,000 and be no more than 10 years old.
Do Miami limo drivers need a physical or DOT medical card?
No. Miami-Dade exempts limousine (and taxi) drivers from the physical exam, the DOT medical card, and the defensive-driving course. A chauffeur registration requires a valid Florida license, minimum age 18, and an FDLE background check. A CDL is only required at 16 or more passengers.
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General information, not legal advice — verify against current Miami-Dade County Code (Chapters 31 and 25), Florida Statutes, and the DTPW, or counsel, before relying on it. Fees change; confirm current amounts with the county.