The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and its Florida Highway Patrol division reported key accomplishments in 2025. Over 1,600 FLHSMV personnel and nearly 2,000 State Troopers serve Florida’s 23 million residents and 143 million annual visitors.
In law enforcement and public safety:
- FHP entered a Memorandum of Agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), enabling over 1,800 troopers to perform immigration enforcement functions.
- Florida secured the highest DHS funding nationally for equipment and resources supporting immigration enforcement and trooper safety.
- FHP apprehended over 7,000 illegal aliens, including more than 1,240 with prior criminal histories involving narcotics trafficking, weapons smuggling, and organized crime.
- The Immigration Enforcement Section was established, and operations expanded under Operation Vigilant Sentry in the Florida Keys and Treasure Coast.
- State law enforcement officers received pay increases: 10% for entry-level sworn officers and 15% for veterans with at least five years of service.
- FHP assisted local agencies with Spring Break enforcement in Miami and Panama City and coordinated efforts to address street takeovers.
- Traffic fatalities continued a four-year downward trend through proactive enforcement.
- The Desk Trooper Program was implemented for remote investigation of minor crashes using drivers’ cell phones.
- 51 recruits graduated from three recruit classes, including 16 with prior U.S. military experience.
- Additional $3.3 million in funding was received for vehicle replacements, in-car video cameras, and ballistic panels.
In motorist services and systems:
- Statewide rollout of ORION’s Motor Vehicle Issuance functionality began following a successful pilot.
- Transition completed to a new National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) platform.
- First annual disaster recovery fail-over exercise was successfully conducted.
- Miami-Dade motorist services operations began transitioning to county-run Tax Collector management.
- Verification of Lawful Status (VLS)/Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program was implemented.
SOURCE: FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL
