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 through the forgery of 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, residing in the southwest area of Miami-Dade and employed by Amigos Traffic School Inc.
- Luis Alberto Vidal, 55 years old, residing in Hialeah and affiliated with Millennium Traffic School Corp.
Both were captured by agents from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office (MDSO) and face multiple charges of felonies, as reported by the television channel Local 10.
How did the scheme operate?
The investigation, initiated by the Tax Collector's Office itself 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, agents documented the modus operandi of each instructor.
In Delgado's case, it was certified that an undercover agent successfully passed the driving maneuverability test, despite the fact that the operation committed several traffic violations that should have resulted in automatic disqualification.
Vidal's conduct 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 falsification of public records.
The statements from the authorities
Dariel Fernandez was emphatic 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 moment, both offices have worked in close coordination, sharing information, reviewing documents, and following the evidence wherever it leads," stated the official.
In addition, he directly warned those who attempt 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 will have to answer to justice."
On her part, the Miami-Dade sheriff, Rosie Cordero-Stutz, emphasized that "driver's licenses are not something that can be bought, manufactured, or obtained fraudulently. They are obtained by demonstrating the necessary knowledge and skills 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 frauds
Until this Wednesday, Delgado remains detained at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGK) with a bail of $7,500. Vidal, for his part, faces a bail of $15,000 at the same facility.
Authorities indicated that the investigation is still ongoing and that agents are working to determine if other individuals, including possible intermediaries, were involved in the scheme.
This case adds to a rise in fraud related to driver's licenses in Miami-Dade during 2026.
In April, an employee from the Office of the Collector was arrested for issuing fraudulent permits in exchange for payments via Zelle.
In mid-July, three Cuban men were arrested for using hidden cameras and earphones to cheat on the computer-based exam.
A factor that has intensified the pressure on Spanish-speaking applicants is the FLHSMV regulation effective since February 6, 2026, which requires all license exams to be conducted exclusively in English, eliminating 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 additional irregularities.
"This coordinated effort sends a clear message: fraud related to Florida driver's licenses will not be tolerated in Miami-Dade County," the official concluded.
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