MCO Cracks Down on Unpermitted Drivers Offering Cheap Rides

(ORLANDO, FLORIDA) Orlando International Airport is stepping up enforcement against unpermitted drivers who offer cheap, unauthorized rides, issuing more than double the number of Violation Notices this year compared with last. As of August 14, 2025, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority has issued 466 Violation Notices to unpermitted drivers at Orlando International Airport, far above the 185 notices recorded in all of 2024. More than 75 individuals have been trespassed from airport grounds this year for unauthorized pickups, nearly triple last year’s total.

Airport officials and Orlando police say the surge reflects a focused push to protect passengers and keep ground transportation fair for legal operators.

Increased enforcement and safety concerns

Law enforcement has intensified operations over the past few months, directing officers and airport personnel to watch for drivers who directly approach travelers at the arrivals level. These unpermitted drivers often offer on-the-spot rides at lower prices, but they operate outside the city’s permitting system.

Officials warn passengers who accept these rides may have no insurance protection if a crash occurs, because the drivers and vehicles are not vetted or covered under required policies.

Airport rules are clear: drivers and vehicles for hire must carry city-issued permits to legally pick up passengers at Orlando International Airport and within Orlando city limits. That includes taxis, limos, and private shuttles.

By contrast, app-based rides—such as Uber, Lyft, and Wridz—are covered under each platform’s agreement with the airport and do not require a separate city permit for each driver. They must, however, follow airport pick-up rules set by the authority and the apps.

Permits, penalties, and how enforcement works

The Orlando Police Department’s vehicle-for-hire division, staffed by six officers, handles both permitting and enforcement at the terminal. Officers identify unpermitted drivers mainly by behavior: they solicit rides directly from passengers rather than accepting ride requests through an app or waiting at official taxi stands.

Violations and penalties:
– Citations for unpermitted operation.
– Trespass orders barring offenders from airport property.
– In some cases, criminal charges and arrests for repeat offenders.

Officials say these consequences deter illegal operators and help safeguard travelers who may not know local rules.

Permits and fees (what operators must do)

• Driver Permit
  • Requires annual renewal
  • Background check
  • $25 application fee
• Vehicle Permit
  • Requires annual renewal
  • Vehicle inspection
  • $200 annual fee
  • $250 one-time application fee for first-time applicants

Rideshare drivers must follow platform rules and airport procedures, but individual city permits are not required under the app agreements. These measures let the airport and city track who is operating and ensure vehicles meet safety standards.

Staffing, costs, and industry response

City leaders and licensed fleet business owners say enforcement still needs more support. With violations rising, stakeholders are discussing adding two more officers to the vehicle-for-hire team. Each position is estimated to cost $50,000.

Several small business owners told officials they would accept higher permit fees if the funds pay for more enforcement, arguing that illegal operators are undercutting permitted drivers who follow the rules.

City Commissioner Jim Gray, whose district includes the airport, has been coordinating meetings among the city, the police unit, the airport authority, and business owners to address staffing gaps and budget options. Another meeting was expected in the week after August 14.

Problem extends beyond the airport

Authorities report similar curbside solicitations at major venues across Orlando, including sporting events, concerts, and theme parks. The goal is consistent enforcement wherever visitors land and gather, rather than chasing the problem in one place while it grows in another.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, insurance coverage is the central safety concern when travelers accept unauthorized rides—an issue that aligns with the airport’s public warnings. GOAA has expanded signage at baggage claim and along the arrivals curbs to remind passengers that anyone approaching them with an offer is likely an unpermitted driver.

What it means for travelers and drivers

For travelers arriving at Orlando International Airport, the guidance is simple and repeated across terminals:

• Look for official taxi stands or request rides through trusted apps.
• If someone approaches you offering a ride, decline and head to marked pick-up areas.
• If you feel pressured or unsafe, alert airport staff or a police officer immediately.
• Keep in mind: using an unpermitted driver may leave you without insurance coverage after a crash.

For drivers, the message is just as direct:
– Follow the rules or face fines, trespass orders, and possible criminal charges.
– Licensed operators should keep all permits current, carry proof of compliance, and ensure vehicles pass inspections.
– Rideshare drivers must abide by the pick-up zones and procedures defined by their platform and the airport.

Travelers and operators seeking the full rulebook can consult the airport’s official ground transportation regulations, including permitting details and curbside pick-up procedures, posted by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority at: https://flymco.com/airport-business/grt-rules-regulations-information/. This official resource outlines how Orlando International Airport manages taxis, limos, shuttles, and app-based services.

Key takeaway: demand and convenience create opportunities for unpermitted drivers to blend in at busy times—especially during Central Florida’s tourism rebound. The crackdown aims to close that safety and accountability gap.

Economic and operational impacts

Permitted drivers—many of whom are small business owners or independent operators—say illegal competition is straining earnings. They must:
– Pay permit and renewal fees
– Pass background checks
– Keep vehicles inspected
– Follow strict airport pickup patterns, especially at peak times

When unpermitted drivers skirt these costs and rules, it creates an uneven playing field. Legal operators argue that a modest increase in permit fees would be acceptable if it directly funds more officers on the ground to stop rule-breakers.

Airport and city officials emphasize that enforcement is about safety first. The permit system and vehicle checks are meant to ensure:
– Professional drivers
– Insured cars
– Traceable operations

That accountability matters when something goes wrong—a fender bender, a lost item, or worse. Without permits and platform records, there may be no easy way to find a driver later or to file a valid insurance claim.

Next steps and outlook

The next few weeks could determine how fast the crackdown expands. If the city and GOAA approve two more officer slots for the vehicle-for-hire unit, travelers should expect:
1. More uniformed presence at the arrivals level
2. More spot checks
3. Fewer curbside solicitations

Business owners also expect the city to review whether current fees cover enforcement costs, a step that could lead to fee adjustments.

Officials add that technology may soon play a larger role, including:
– Better monitoring of pick-up zones
– Data sharing with rideshare platforms
– Expanded public awareness campaigns with more signs and push messages via travel apps and airlines

For now, the core advice stands: at Orlando International Airport, use official channels and walk away from curbside offers. The crackdown is real, penalties are rising, and the risks—especially around insurance—outweigh any savings from a cheaper fare.