Vehicle for Hire (Taxi)

A Vehicle for Hire (Taxi) endorsement is required for any business that transports passengers for a fee in for-hire vehicles, including:

Taxicabs, which are motor vehicles that transport people for a fee and do not have a fixed route or fixed starting and ending points.
Cabulances that transport riders confined to a wheelchair or otherwise physically restricted so they cannot be safely transported by public mass transportation, taxicabs, or automobiles.
- Riders transported by cabulance must:
  - Be stable.
  - Not be incapacitated from medications.
  - Not need oxygen or medical attention en route.
Any other vehicles used for transporting passengers for payment.

Businesses that operate the following types of vehicles do not need a for hire endorsement:

Auto stages.
School buses operating exclusively under a contract to a school district.
Ride-sharing vehicles (Uber, Lyft, etc.).
Licensed limousine carriers.
Vehicles used by nonprofit organizations to transport the elderly or people with disabilities and their attendants.
Vehicles used by auto transportation companies.
Vehicles used to provide courtesy transportation at no charge to and from parking lots, hotels, and rental offices.
Vehicles licensed as excursion service carriers and charter carriers of passengers.

Business License Application.
For Hire Addendum signed by the local approving authority, or a copy of your local jurisdiction license.
Gather the following documentation:
- Vehicle registration (copy) for each vehicle.
- Certificate of Insurance.
The owner name and firm/trade name must be the same on the Business License Application, Vehicle Registration Certificate, and insurance.
The use class on the Vehicle Registration Certificate must be “F/H” or “CAB.”
The insurance information must:
- Include your policy number.
- Have policy effective and expiration dates that show current coverage.
- Display the name of the insurance company.
- Show minimum combined single limit coverage of $325,000 or split limit coverage of $300,000/$100,000/$25,000.
- Show year, make and complete VIN number of each car, which must match Vehicle Registration Certificate.
- List the certificate of holder as - State of Washington, Department of Licensing, PO Box 9039, Olympia, WA 98507-9039.

Complete the For Hire/Limousine Name or Address Change form to report a change or address. When completed, email a copy of this form and any required documents to forhire@dol.wa.gov or fax to 360-570-4954.

State endorsement	Fee
For Hire Permit (Required only if your city or county doesn’t endorse for-hire businesses.)	$110
For Hire Vehicle Certificate	$55 per vehicle
Taxi Meters	$40 per meter