Hundreds of disabled parking permits in Miami-Dade under investigation for possible fraud
The Miami-Dade County Tax Collector’s Office has identified hundreds of applications for disabled parking permits that are now under investigation to determine whether they were obtained fraudulently, the office announced Monday in a statement.
This effort is part of a massive audit of all permanent and temporary permits issued over the past 12 months, which began in December 2025. Authorities had previously announced that the audit would apply to permits issued over the past 24 months.
According to officials, the initial review covered a total of 2,340 applications. Of these, 682 require “an immediate and thorough investigation, with possible revocation.”
“Every application receives two full and independent reviews.”
“The second review is now underway. Any application suspected of fraud will be referred to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.”
Additionally, Fernández noted that “as part of this process, letters are currently being sent to individuals whose disabled parking permits were improperly issued or obtained fraudulently. These letters clearly state that the permits have been canceled and must be returned immediately.
Under Florida law, providing false information to obtain one of these permits is a first-degree misdemeanor. Penalties include fines of $1,000 and up to one year in jail, and offenders may also be disqualified from obtaining a permit for four years. Even using another person’s permit can result in a $500 fine.
“Disabled parking permits are a lifeline. Every fraudulent permit represents a space stolen from a senior citizen, a veteran, or a resident with serious mobility challenges,” Fernández’s statement continued. “We will continue enforcing a zero-tolerance approach to protect those who depend on this program.”
In Miami-Dade, permits require medical certification, Florida identification, and proof of insurance. Permanent permits are free and valid for four years, while temporary permits cost $15 and are valid for up to six months.
