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.

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 (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.

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.

Change in name or address

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.