Specific Business Licensing Information For-hire Driver, Vehicles and Taxicabs
A King County taxicab or 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 |
$175 cash |
$175 cash |
$175 cash |
| License Fee - Renew |
$80 cash |
$80 cash |
$80 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) |
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 |
$80
|
$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 206-296-3185
For questions or comments regarding information found on this Web page, contact Jeannie Chow or call (206) 296-2710.
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