Title VI Program

What is Title VI

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance. Specifically, Title VI provides that “no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” (42 U.S.C. Section 2000d). Title VI does not ordinarily provide protection against employment discrimination, under certain circumstances, when a primary purpose of a funding program or activity is employment, Title VI may apply to employment discrimination claims. Since the passage by Congress of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, additional related Nondiscrimination authorities have been promulgated. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) has developed and is implementing a Title VI Program that includes the following protected groups: race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, income-level and limited English proficiency (LEP).

Title VI Policy

The Florida FLHSMV is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation, denied benefits, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity, on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability, including income-level and LEP.

The Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles as a recipient of federal financial assistance will ensure full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, and related Nondiscrimination authorities in all FLHSMV programs and activities.

Any person who believes that he or she has been subjected to discrimination or retaliation based on their race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability, including income-level and LEP, may file a Title VI complaint. Complaints may be filed directly to FLHSMV. Complaints must be filed in writing and signed by the complainant or a representative and should include the complainants name, address, and telephone number or other means by with the complainant can be contacted. Complaints must be filed within 180 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory act.

What discrimination is prohibited by the Florida FLHSMV Title VI Program

Discrimination under our Title VI program is an act (action or inaction) whether intentional or unintentional, through which a person or group, solely because of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, income-level, or LEP has been otherwise subjected to unequal treatment or impact, under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT).

In operating USDOT-assisted programs, a recipient cannot discriminate either directly or through contractual or other means by:

Denying programs services, financial aid, or other benefits;
Providing different program services, financial aids or other benefits, or providing them in manner different from that provided to others;
Segregating or separately treating individuals or groups in any matter related to the receipt of any program service, financial aid or benefit;
Restricting in any way the enjoyment of any advantage or privilege enjoyed by others receiving any program service, financial aid or other benefits;
Denying person(s) the opportunity to participate as a member of a planning, advisory or similar body;
Denying person(s) the opportunity to participate in the program through the provision of services, or affording the opportunity to do so differently from those afforded others.