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Home / Manage a business / State endorsements / Vehicle for Hire (Taxi)

Vehicle for Hire (Taxi)

Learn more about the Department of Licensing's response to COVID-19.

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.

Endorsement exemptions
 

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.
  • 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.

Licensing requirements and additional supporting documents
 

  • 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.
       

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

Additional fees

State tax registration $0
Registering your business name as a trade name $5
Business License Application fee Variable fee

 

How to apply

Online

  • Add a state endorsement to your business
  • Apply for a new business license

Online assistance
Setting up your business licensing and tax account
​
How to add a state endorsement

By mail

Complete the licensing requirements above and mail to:

Business Licensing Service
P.O. Box 9034
Olympia, WA 98507-9034
 

Resources

Business Licensing Service
360-705-6741

Regulatory questions
 

Department of Licensing
Phone: 360-664-6466
Fax: 360-570-7053

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