(1) The Department oversees and licenses all CDS, except CTDS licensed by the CIE. All private (non-public) CTDS are required to be licensed pursuant to Florida Statutes Chapter 1005 No person, group, organization, institution, business entity, or corporate entity may engage in the business of operating a driver’s school without first obtaining a license from the Department or from CIE pursuant to Florida Statutes Chapter 1005

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    (2) All owners or all officers or partners, desiring to engage in the business of conducting a CDS shall, prior to engaging in such business, secure a License from the Department by filing an application on form HSMV77074S (Rev. 9/10), which is available as provided in Fl. Admin. Code R. 15A-11.012
    (3) Every owner, officer, or partner of the school shall provide one set of finger prints for a fingerprint-based criminal background check, the cost of which is borne by the applicant.
    (4) Every application for a license must be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee of fifty dollars ($50) along with a license fee of two hundred dollars ($200) and shall be paid by money order, certified check or company check, to the Department.
    (5) Each original license shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance.
    (6) The license shall not be transferable in the event of a change of school ownership. Application for a new license shall be made by the new owner and the old license and all instructor certificates previously issued shall be surrendered to the Department before a license will be issued to the new owner. Additionally, if the school is a previously licensed CTDS, a copy of the new CIE license must be furnished to the Department.
    (7) The license or a legible copy must be retained in each place of business operated by the CDS.
    (8) A CDS license is only operational at the address listed in the license.
    (9) Application for renewal of a CDS license shall be made at least forty-five (45) days prior to the certificate’s expiration date on form HSMV 77074S (Rev. 9/10), which is available as provided in Fl. Admin. Code R. 15A-11.012, and accompanied by a fee of one hundred dollars ($100) payable to the Department by money order, personal check, certified check or company check. The renewal period for a CDS license is one year. Owners who permit their license to expire shall not be permitted to operate their school and shall have to apply for a new license as set forth above.
Rulemaking Authority 488.02 FS. Law Implemented 488.01, 488.06 FS. History-New 9-20-10.