5050 Wright Road
Houston, TX 77032 (View Map)
Phone: 281.233.7860  |  Fax: 281.233.2052
Monday thru Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The Transportation Section is responsible for issuing licenses and permits to the operators and drivers of several different categories of vehicles for hire that include taxicabs, limousines, private school vehicles, scheduled ground transportation and charter sightseeing vehicles. The Transportation Section also performs field enforcement ensuring compliance by the drivers and operators of vehicles for hire.

Applications
The City of Houston applications are .pdf documents, which require a FREE download of Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing and printing.

• Vehicle-for-Hire Vehicle License / Permit (revised 03.10.2008)
• Taxi / Limo Driver License Application (revised 03.04.2008)

City of Houston Code of Ordinance - Chapter 46 §§ 1-420
Vehicle-for-Hire operators should refer to the appropriate city code for specific details and requirements for operations/services.

Vehicle for Hire Terms and Fees

Taxicabs
DRIVER'S LICENSE
Term: Two (2) years from date of issuance
Fees: $39.00 Background Check Fee

VEHICLE PERMIT
Term: Three (3) years beginning 2004 (2007, 2010, 2013, etc.)
Fees: $400.00 Annual (per taxicab)
$15.00 Permit Replacement Fee

Suburban Buses
Term: Annual from date of issuance
Fees: Annual $75-$150 (according to capacity)
Franchise Fees (according to ordinance)

Sightseeing and Charter Services
Term: Ten (10) years from date of issuance
Fees: $400.00 Annual Permit Fee (per vehicle)

• Charter and Sightseeing License Insurance Form

Chauffeured Limousine Services
DRIVER'S LICENSE
Term: Two (2) years from date of issuance
Fees: $39.00 Background Check Fee

VEHICLE PERMIT
Term: Five (5) years from date of issuance
Fees: $400.00 Annual Permit Fee (per vehicle)
$15.00 Permit Replacement Fee
$50.00 30-Day Temporary Permit (per vehicle)
$25.00 Vehicle Inspection Fee (per vehicle)

• Limousine Insurance Filing Form

Private School Vehicles
Term: Five (5) years from date of issuance
Fees: $100.00 Application Fee (one time)
$10.00 Driver-Add/Drop Fee
$70.00 Annual Permit Fee (15 passenger vehicles only)
(16 passenger or greater must obtain the "Motor Carrier" license from the Texas Department of Transportation)

• School Vehicle Driver Approval Instructions
• School Bus Insurance Filing Form
• Notice to School Bus Operators (Aug. 9, 2005)

Jitneys
Term: Five (5) years from date of issuance
Fees: $100.00 Application Fee
$400.00 Annual Permit Fee (per vehicle)
$25.00 Vehicle Inspection Fee