Two instructors from private driving schools in Miami-Dade were arrested after being accused of participating in a coordinated scheme to help unqualified individuals obtain Florida driver's licenses by falsifying exam results.
The announcement was made by the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector, Dariel Fernandez, in an official statement.
The detainees are of Cuban origin and have been identified as:
- Daniel Delgado, 57 years old, resident of southwestern Miami-Dade and employee of Amigos Traffic School Inc.
- Luis Alberto Vidal, 55 years old, resident of Hialeah and affiliated with Millennium Traffic School Corp.
Both were captured by agents of the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office (MDSO) and are facing multiple felony charges, according to a report by Local 10.
How did the scheme operate?
The investigation, initiated by the Office of the Tax Collector after detecting suspicious activity, was coordinated with the MDSO, the office of State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).
During undercover operations, the agents documented the modus operandi of each instructor.
In Delgado's case, he certified that an undercover agent had successfully passed the driving maneuverability test, despite the operation committing several traffic violations that should have resulted in automatic disqualification.
Vidal's behavior was even more serious: he issued a certification of approval to an undercover agent who didn't even show up to take the required tests.
Both are facing charges for the illegal use or possession of a driver's license, misconduct by a public official, and forgery of public records.
The statements from the authorities
Fernandez was firm in describing his office's stance on these events.
"When our office identified information that raised serious concerns, we acted immediately and referred it to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office. Since that time, both offices have worked in close coordination, sharing information, reviewing documents, and following the evidence wherever it leads," the official stated.
Additionally, he directly warned those who try to take advantage of the system:
"We will not tolerate fraud, misconduct, or any attempt to undermine the integrity of the driver's license acquisition process. Anyone involved in fraudulent activities will be investigated and must answer before the law."
On her part, Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz emphasized that "driver's licenses are not something that can be bought, manufactured, or obtained fraudulently. They are earned by demonstrating the knowledge and skills necessary to operate a vehicle safely on our roads. There will be no shortcuts when it comes to the safety of our community."
Audit and Context of a Wave of Fraud
Until this Wednesday, Delgado remains in custody at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGK) with a bail of 7,500 dollars.
Vidal, for his part, faces a bail of 15,000 dollars at the same center.
Authorities indicated that the investigation is still active and that investigators are working to determine whether other individuals, including potential intermediaries, were involved in the scheme.
This case adds to a surge of frauds related to driver's licenses in Miami-Dade during 2026.
In April, an employee of the Collector's Office was arrested for issuing fraudulent permits in exchange for payments via Zelle.
On July 16, three men of Cuban nationality were arrested for using hidden cameras and earpieces to cheat on the computerized exam.
A factor that has heightened the pressure on Spanish-speaking applicants is the FLHSMV regulation effective from February 6, 2026, which requires all license exams to be taken exclusively in English, eliminating the versions in Spanish and other languages.
In light of this situation, Fernandez announced the launch of a comprehensive audit of all license transactions processed through private driving schools in the county, aiming to identify further irregularities.
"This coordinated effort sends a clear message: fraud related to Florida driver's licenses will not be tolerated in Miami-Dade County," concluded the official.
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