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Specific business licensing information for for-hire driver, vehicles and taxicabs

A King County taxicab for for-hire vehicle license is required of any taxicab or for-hire vehicle whose driver(s) operate(s) in the following areas: all of unincorporated King County, Sea-Tac International Airport, and the city limits of Auburn, Bellevue, Burien, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Kenmore, Kirkland, Maple Valley, Redmond, Sammamish, SeaTac, and Shoreline. Operating a taxicab is defined as picking up passengers in these jurisdictions. At this time, King County has a moratorium on the issuance of new taxicab licenses; however, licenses can be transferred.

Taxicabs and for-hire vehicles must be insured, meet safety standards, and have meters inspected and sealed.

All drivers operating King County licensed taxicabs must have a King County for-hire driver's license.

Drivers operating City of Seattle licensed taxicabs and for-hire vehicles must have a City of Seattle for-hire driver's license or a City of Seattle endorsement on their King County license. The City of Seattle contracts with King County to perform the licensing of for-hire drivers on behalf of the City.

To apply for a license, a driver must be 21 years of age, have a Washington State driver's license, pass a written examination, attend a 2-day training program, be fingerprinted, and pass a physical examination conducted by a medical doctor. In addition, those seeking a City of Seattle license must attend association training, pass an oral examination, and purchase a City of Seattle Business License.

Applications are accepted in person only at the downtown Licensing office. If you are applying for a new license, please arrive at the downtown Seattle office before 3:00 p.m. to ensure enough time for processing. Please bring the following:

	King County Only	King County/City Endorsement	City of Seattle Only
License Fee - New	$186 cash*	$236 cash*	$136 cash
License Fee - Renew	$100 cash*	$150 cash*	$50 cash
Letter from Company	Yes	Yes	Yes
For Non-US Citizens: INS Card with Employment Authorization	Yes	Yes	Yes
Washington State Driver's License	Yes	Yes	Yes
Association Training Certificate - New Only	N/A	Yes	Yes
Oral Exam Fee - New Only	$35 (paid to South Seattle Community College)	$35 (paid to South Seattle Community College)	$35 (paid to South Seattle Community College)

* Effective January 1, 2010, the King County license application fee has increased to $100 for renewal applications and to $181 for new applications.

* Per City of Seattle Ordinance #123472/Bill 117003, effective January 1, 2011, every applicant/driver with either a Seattle-only or dual Seattle/King County For Hire license will pay a $50.00 annual license fee for the city endorsement. Dual licenses will pay the $50.00 annual City of Seattle fee in addition to the regular King County fees.

Upon successful completion of the written and/or oral examination and the 2-day training, a temporary license will be issued. Final license approval requires the following:

	King County Only	King County/City Endorsement	City of Seattle Only
Physical Examination - New	Yes	Yes	Yes
Physical Examination - Renew	Every 3 years	Every 3 years	Every 3 years
City of Seattle Business License	N/A	$90	$90

The Licensing Office has received information that due to a large number of new drivers, there is a severe shortage of King County and City of Seattle taxicabs available. Read more. (PDF)

Public Disclosure Requests:
To make a public records request to the Records and Licensing Services Division, mail or fax your request to:

Sean Cockbain
King County Records and Licensing Services Division
411 King County Administration Building
500 4th Ave
Seattle, WA 98104
FAX 206-296-4029

For questions or comments regarding information found on this Web page, contact Jeannie Chow or call (206) 205-6171.

Taxicab complaints and comments

A King County for-hire driver's license requires drivers to provide professional and courteous service at all times. Other specific regulations regarding customer service and operating and vehicles safety standard and requirements, are set out in King County taxi regulations (King County Code 6.64).

Complaints or comments about taxicab trips originating within the city limits of Seattle should be emailed directly to the City of Seattle Consumer Affairs Unit at taxihotlinecomplaints@seattle.gov.

King County will thoroughly investigate any passenger complaint received and take appropriate action. Monetary penalties may be assessed in addition to requiring additional training, issuing a warning and/or suspending or revoking the license. To begin the investigation process, report online or call the Taxi Complaint Hot line at 206-296-TAXI (8294).

If you would like to compliment a taxicab or for-hire driver for excellence in providing professional and courteous service during your trip, please report online or e-mail Jeannie Chow, Inspector, at Jeannie.Chow@kingcounty.gov.