Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Taxis: Taxicabs are vehicles that transport people for compensation and accept multiple forms of payment, such as cash or credit card. The passenger controls the route and destination. The vehicles are painted one solid color and have signs or lettering that include the words "taxi," "cab," or "taxicab." Fares are recorded by a taximeter. Taxicabs may use a dispatch system, online application, or can be hailed from the street.

For-Hire Vehicles: For-hire vehicles also transport people for compensation, but are different from taxicabs because they charge a flat fee per trip, rather than a metered fare like a taxi. The driver must be able to show you the rate, based on pick up and drop off zip codes, before you start the trip. They accept multiple forms of payment, such as cash or credit card. The vehicles are painted more than one color and cannot be marked with any of the following words: "taxi," "cab," or "taxicab." For-hire vehicles may use a dispatch system, online application, or can be hailed from the street.

Transportation Network Company (TNC) Vehicles: TNC vehicles transport people for compensation. Unlike taxicabs and for-hire vehicles, they connect with passengers only through a smartphone app. Fares are set by the TNC and must be shown to passengers and paid through the online application. Cash payment is not allowed and vehicles cannot be hailed from the street.

A regional for-hire driver's license is issued to drivers who intend to drive a taxi and/or for-hire vehicle.

Drivers who use a personal vehicle for a TNC need a for-hire permit and a vehicle endorsement. 

Your TNC will tell you the status of your application throughout the process. King County does not provide the application status to individuals.

Please refer to the Fees section on this page.

No. To drive for multiple TNCs, you must apply separately with each company. However, you will only be issued one for-hire permit to drive for both companies.

All personal vehicles used for TNC operations need to be inspected by an approved mechanic. Please consult with your TNC.

If you have sold or replaced a vehicle, please notify your TNC. If you want to use the new vehicle to operate as a TNC driver, you must have your vehicle inspected and provide the updated registration to your TNC. Your TNC will provide the updated information to King County in order to obtain the vehicle endorsement (decal). The vehicle endorsement from your previous vehicle cannot be transferred to the new vehicle - you must get a new one.

Please refer to our For-Hire Permit and Decal Display page. It explains what is on the permit and decal and where to put them.

If you receive a Notice and Order of Violation from King County that includes a civil penalty, please mail your payment to:

King County Licensing
201 S. Jackson St., Suite 206
Seattle, WA 98104

Make your check or money order payable to King County Licensing. Do not mail cash. Be sure to include the FE and for-hire driver numbers from the violation notice on the payment.

If you disagree with the terms of the violation and want to appeal, complete a Statement of Appeal and mail it to the address on the back of the violation notice. Appeals must be received by the "Appeal By" date indicated on the violation.

A Notice and Order of Violation from King County will include the King County logo at the top of the page. If you do not see a King County logo, check to see if the notice has a City of Seattle or Port of Seattle logo and, if so, follow the instructions in the notice to respond.

First-time applicants are required to complete a for-hire training course and the Defensive Driving Course (DDC) Online offered by the National Safety Council (NSC) or a certified NSC instructor.

• For-Hire eTraining: King County eTraining Modules are available online and cover the following four (4) subject areas: Geography, Customer Service and Driver Safety, Customers with Disabilities, and Understanding the Regulatory Rules/Codes. This training is intended to help for-hire drivers prepare for and be aware of operating a for-hire vehicle in Seattle and King County and to prepare drivers to be successful in completing the for-hire examination. There is no fee for the eTraining. An applicant must take all four (4) training sessions in order to receive credit for the training requirement. The courses are self-paced and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• DDC: The Defensive Driving Course (DDC Online Ninth Edition, English/Spanish), a four-hour online course provided by the National Safety Council. A certificate of completion will be mailed to you in three to five business days. Provide a copy or picture of the certificate of completion to King County.

If you are applying with a TNC that is providing the DDC course to you online, the TNC will provide DDC completion information to us as part of the for-hire permit application process. There is nothing further you need to do.

If you are taking the DDC online course:

• If you pre-paid the discounted rate for the Defensive Driving Course with your for-hire driver application, you can access the course online.

OR

• If you have not pre-paid for the course, purchase the Online Defensive Driving Course using this link
• Next to NSC Defensive Driving Course (in English or Spanish), click "Add to Cart"
• Enter the information to create an account and pay for the course
• Please note, NSC will mail certificate to the name, as spelled, on the registration
• Please provide complete mailing address, including apartment number