Miami-Dade Expands Luxury Limo Access

Miami-Dade County now offers unlimited luxury sedan limo licenses to qualified applicants

Miami-Dade Opens Luxury Sedan Limo Licenses

Miami-Dade County's opened unlimited luxury sedan for-hire licenses to qualified applicants starting September 1, 2022, transit officials said. The county regulates limousine services countywide under Chapter 31, Article VI of the County Code, with applications now accepted weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Walk-in applications are processed with same-day decal issuance available for those meeting all requirements, though officials didn't specify how many licenses have been issued since the program began.

Background

The county offers various limousine license categories including luxury sedans, SUVs, stretch vehicles, limo vans, and ancient, antique, and collectible vehicles, according to the transit agency. All limousines must be pre-arranged through written, electronic or telephone reservations made in advance by the person requesting service, and vehicles aren't equipped with meters. Officials said the licensing system ensures proper regulation of for-hire transportation services across the county. The application review process typically takes two to four weeks depending on how complete the application is at submission, though officials haven't said whether processing times have improved since the unlimited licensing began.

Requirements

Luxury sedan or SUV limousines must have a Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price of $45,000 or higher, and vehicles can't be older than 10 model years of age, officials said. All vehicles placed into service must be inspected before receiving operating permits. Additional requirements include obtaining a Local Business Tax issued by Miami-Dade County, valid inspection and operating permit decals, and valid chauffeur registration for all drivers. Operators must first obtain a chauffeur's license prior to operating a for-hire limousine, according to county regulations.

Implementation

The unlimited licensing program took effect September 1, 2022, removing previous caps on luxury sedan for-hire licenses. Officials said qualified applicants can now obtain licenses without waiting for availability, though they didn't provide data on how many operators have entered the market since the change. The county accepts applications Monday through Friday during business hours, with same-day processing available for complete applications.

Rider Impact

The expanded licensing could increase availability of luxury sedan limousine service across Miami-Dade County, though officials haven't said whether the number of licensed vehicles has grown significantly. Riders must pre-arrange limousine service in advance through reservations and can't hail vehicles on the street like taxis. Moovit provides real-time transit information and trip planning for Miami-Dade County transportation options.