I strongly support the action announced by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to crack down on driving schools that fail to follow the rules governing commercial drivers. Operating a commercial motor vehicle is a serious responsibility, and the standards designed to protect everyone on our roads must be enforced.
Commercial drivers must be properly trained, qualified, and able to meet federal safety requirements, including English-language proficiency requirements that have existed for decades. The administration identified 110 driving schools associated with more than 5,000 drivers who failed to meet federal English-language proficiency requirements. Fraud, shortcuts, and failure to follow these standards can put lives at risk.
It is important for the public to understand that while commercial driver’s licenses are issued by the states, CDL programs operate under federal standards established by the U.S. Department of Transportation and enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. These federal requirements establish minimum standards for commercial driver training, testing, qualifications, and highway safety, while states are responsible for administering their CDL programs in compliance with those requirements.
I commend President Donald J. Trump, Secretary Sean Duffy, and our federal partners for taking action to strengthen accountability and highway safety. I am also grateful to the federal government for giving us the opportunity to work together, share our message, and continue advancing our common commitment to protecting the public and the integrity of our driver licensing system.
I am particularly encouraged that this national effort includes activity here in South Florida. The Miami Field Office is coordinating with the Florida Department of Transportation, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and the Office of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement as part of this broader enforcement effort. This type of coordination between federal, state, and local partners is essential to identifying problems, addressing fraud, and keeping our roads safe.
And this is just the beginning. Here in Miami-Dade County, we will not allow driving schools or anyone involved in the licensing process to compromise public safety, manipulate the system, or ignore the law. If you operate a driving school, you have a responsibility to follow the rules, properly train drivers, and protect the integrity of the process. We will continue strengthening oversight, identifying irregularities, and working with our state, local, and federal partners to ensure that violations and suspected fraud are addressed.
Our message is simple: the rules exist for a reason, and public safety must always come first.
Dariel Fernandez
Tax Collector
Miami-Dade County
