Miami-Dade Taxi Licensing Maintains Service Standards
Miami-Dade taxi licenses run annually from Feb 1 to Jan 31 under medallion system
Miami-Dade Taxi Licenses Valid One Year
Miami-Dade County's taxicab for-hire licenses run for one year, from February 1 to January 31, transit officials said. The county operates a medallion system where licenses are considered intangible property and can only be obtained through a lottery or auction process after approval by the Board of County Commissioners. Specific details about how many new licenses the county plans to issue this year weren't available by publication time.
Background
The medallion system regulates the number of taxis operating in Miami-Dade County, according to the transit agency. New licenses are issued only after county commissioners approve a lottery or auction process, officials said. The county hasn't released information about how many active medallions currently operate in the system or how many applications it receives annually. Transit agencies typically use medallion systems to control taxi supply and maintain service standards in urban markets.
Key Details
All regulatory and application fees are non-refundable and must be paid by check, money order, cashier's check, or credit card, officials said. Cash isn't accepted for any taxi licensing transactions. Taxicabs must obtain valid inspection and operating permit decals from the Vehicle Inspection Station before starting operations. The county requires vehicles to transport no more than eight passengers and be equipped with a taximeter. Officials didn't provide specific fee amounts for license applications or renewals.
Timeline
License renewal forms are mailed to operators at least 60 days before expiration, transit officials said. Vehicles are scheduled for annual, semi-annual, or quarterly inspections based on vehicle age, though specific age thresholds for each inspection frequency weren't provided. Vehicles that fail safety inspections can't operate until deficiencies are corrected and they pass re-inspection.
Rider Impact
The licensing requirements ensure taxis meet safety standards including brakes, tires, lights, and cleanliness before operating on county streets. Decorative or advertising decals and complete window wrapping are prohibited on regulated vehicles, officials said. Riders can verify a taxi's compliance by checking for valid inspection and operating permit decals displayed on the vehicle. Moovit provides real-time updates for Miami-Dade transit options including taxi availability in the area.
