Miami-Dade Regulates Van Services for Safety

Miami-Dade County mandates transport certificates for 9-28 passenger vans and minibuses

Miami-Dade Requires Transport Permits for Vans

Miami-Dade County now requires operators of passenger vans and minibuses to obtain a certificate of transportation before providing service, transit officials said. The requirement applies to vehicles with seating capacity between 9 and 28 passengers used for prearranged transportation. Officials didn't specify when the requirement took effect or how many operators currently provide these services in the county.

Four Certificate Classes Available

The county offers four classes of certificates for different service types: contract carrier, charter service, jitney, and special operations, according to the transit agency. Officials said the certification system aims to regulate passenger motor carrier services that fall between traditional transit and private transportation. Specific details about how many certificates have been issued or how the classes differ operationally weren't available. Transit agencies typically implement such requirements to ensure safety standards and service accountability for mid-sized passenger vehicles.

Drivers Face Background Checks, Vehicle Inspections

All drivers must obtain a for-hire chauffeur registration, and vehicles must pass inspection before receiving certification, officials said. The application process includes background checks reviewing financial and criminal record history of all officers and owners. Applications typically take one to two weeks to review if submitted correctly, according to the county. All regulatory and application fees are non-refundable and must be paid by check, money order, cashier's check, or credit card, with no cash accepted. Officials didn't release specific fee amounts or inspection criteria.

Additional Business Licenses Required

Operators must also obtain a Local Business Tax from Miami-Dade County and possibly a municipal license depending on location, transit officials said. The county didn't provide details about which municipalities require additional licensing or how those requirements vary by jurisdiction. Officials said the multi-layered licensing approach ensures compliance at both county and local levels.

Regulation Affects Van Service Operators

The certification requirement affects operators providing contract, charter, jitney, and special operation passenger services throughout Miami-Dade County. Officials haven't said how many existing operators need to come into compliance or whether any grace period was provided. Riders using these mid-sized passenger services can verify operator certification status through county records, though officials didn't specify how to access that information. Moovit provides real-time updates for public transit options throughout Miami-Dade County.