How to get your license: Vehicles for hire

Any business that transports passengers for a fee in for-hire vehicles must have a For Hire License, 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.
    • must not be incapacitated from medications.
    • must not need oxygen or medical attention en route.
  • Any other vehicles used for transporting passengers for payment.

License exemptions

Businesses that operate the following types of vehicles do not need a For Hire License:

  • Auto stages.
  • School buses operating exclusively under a contract to a school district.
  • Ride-sharing vehicles (RCW 46.74).
  • Licensed limousine carriers (RCW 46.72A).
  • Vehicles used by nonprofit organizations to transport the elderly or handicapped and their attendants (RCW 81.66).
  • Vehicles used by auto transportation companies (RCW 81.68).
  • 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 (RCW 81.70).

How to apply

  1. Complete the following forms:
  2. Gather the following documentation:
    • Copy of the vehicle registration for each vehicle
    • Certificate of Insurance
  3. Mail your completed application, supporting documents, and fee to us at:
    Master License Service
    Department of Licensing
    PO Box 9034
    Olympia, WA 98507-9034

Note: Please remember to enclose all necessary documents and fees with your completed application and contact our office, in writing, with any changes in address. Incomplete submissions may delay your license.

Other licensing requirements

  • The owner name and firm/trade name must be the same on the Master Business Application, Vehicle Registration Certificate, and Insurance.
  • The Use Class on the Vehicle Registration Certificate must be “F/H” or “CAB”.
  • 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 holder as Department of Licensing, Master License Service, PO Box 9034, Olympia, WA 98507.