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Vehicle for Hire Licensing

Taxi, Livery and Limousines

Compliance Requirements

Indicates Document is Required
   Indicates Document Is Required
 Taxi Livery Limousine
1 Outside/Exterior Signage: At a MINIMUM, trade dress containing the word “TAXI” or “CAB” (A.R.S. § 28-9506 (B)). Indicates Document is Required    
2 Inside/Interior Signage: The complete permitee’s name, address, accurate representation of all fares and fare computation method as well as the driver's name must be displayed on either an interior sign that is readily visible in either a print or electronic format or on a digital network or software application  (A.R.S. § 28-9506 (A)).

Interior signage for non-emergency medical vehicles or vehicles in contract with a government agency must indicate that fares are determined by contract with a governmental agency or agencies when providing those services. Other fares that are not part of a contractual agreement with a governmental agency will still have to be posted in accordance with (R17-5-1008).
 Indicates Document is Required Indicates Document is Required  
3 Insurance and Registration: Current and correct insurance documents and vehicle registration must be carried in the vehicle at all times (A.R.S.  § 28-4039).  (ACORD and ID cards).

Please Note:

  • §2 to 8 seating capacity vehicles require a combined single limit at a minimum of $250,000
  • §9 to 15 seating capacity vehicles require a combined single limit at a minimum of $750,000 with an uninsured motorist rate of a $300,000 minimum
  • Vehicles over 8 passengers (less than 16) are required to carry a commercial registration
 Indicates Document is Required Indicates Document is Required Indicates Document is Required
4 ADOT Permit: A copy of the ADOT business permit shall be present inside the vehicle at all times (A.R.S. § 28-9503(F)). Indicates Document is Required Indicates Document is Required  
5 License Plate: The vehicle must have an ADOT/MVD-approved  license plate. A vehicle that transports passengers for hire and that has a design capacity for over 8 passengers requires a commercial license plate (A.R.S. § 28-5201(1)(e)). Indicates Document is Required Indicates Document is Required Indicates Document is Required
6 Fees: A device license fee of $24 per vehicle per 3 year permit. (A.R.S. § 28-9503). Indicates Document is Required    
7 Criminal Background: An owner of a livery vehicle, taxi or limousine license shall have available for inspection at all times by the Department written evidence of criminal background checks of any drivers operating a livery vehicle, taxi or limousine for the owner, whether as an employee or lessee. The criminal background check shall be completed prior to the driver being engaged as an employee or lessee. (A.R.S. § 28-9507(A)). Indicates Document is Required Indicates Document is Required Indicates Document is Required
8 Drug Testing Records: An owner of a livery vehicle, taxi or limousine license shall implement a zero-tolerance policy on the use of drugs and alcohol. This policy shall be on the website or in the vehicle, including procedures to file a complaint.  Upon receipt of a complaint, the driver shall immediately have access to the vehicle suspended and an investigation shall be conducted (A.R.S. § 28-9507(C)).  Enforcement records shall be maintained and available to the Department (A.R.S. § 28-9507(E)). Indicates Document is Required Indicates Document is Required Indicates Document is Required
9 Vehicle Maintenance Records: An owner of a livery vehicle, taxi or limousine licensed through the Department shall have available for inspection at all times by the Department vehicle safety and emission inspections of all the owner's livery vehicles, taxis or limousines. The safety inspection shall include, minimally, a brake and tire inspection by a qualified party.  Maintenance records shall be kept for two years (A.R.S. § 28-9507(B)). Indicates Document is Required Indicates Document is Required Indicates Document is Required
10 The Department, after providing reasonable notice to a company with a vehicle for hire company permit, may review, with or without cause, all records of a vehicle for hire company as prescribed in A.R.S. § 28-9507, at intervals determined by the Department. (A.R.S. § 28-9502A,B(1,2), Administrative Rules R17-5-1007). Indicates Document is Required Indicates Document is Required Indicates Document is Required
11 The MVD Compliance Program provides support to MVD business areas by conducting on site compliance inspections and transaction quality assurance of regulated companies and individuals. Indicates Document is Required Indicates Document is Required Indicates Document is Required
12 Good Standing with ADOT: All companies must be in good standing (i.e., no outstanding civil penalties, etc.) with ADOT prior to permitting.  (Administrative Rules R17-5-1003). Indicates Document is Required Indicates Document is Required Indicates Document is Required

Failure to comply

(A.R.S. § 28-9525) Civil penalties

  1. A person who violates this chapter, any rule of the department or any permit requirement is subject to a civil penalty imposed by the director. A person who violates this chapter, any rule of the department or any permit requirement may request a hearing to review a civil penalty imposed under this section. The department shall conduct the hearing in accordance with title 41, chapter 6, article 10. The civil penalty may not exceed one thousand five hundred dollars for each infraction at each business location.
  2. The attorney general shall bring actions to recover civil penalties pursuant to this section in the superior court in the county in which the violation occurred or in a county where the agency has its office. All monies derived from civil penalties shall be deposited, pursuant to sections 35-146 and 35-147, in the state general fund.

The Arizona Ombudsman – Citizens Aide helps you resolve ongoing issues with State Agencies.

Civil Rights

Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other nondiscrimination laws and authorities, ADOT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Persons that require a reasonable accommodation based on language or disability should contact ADOT’s Civil Rights Office at civilrightsoffice@azdot.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to ensure the State has an opportunity to address the accommodation.

De acuerdo con el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, la Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades (ADA por sus siglas en inglés) y otras normas y leyes antidiscriminatorias, el Departamento de Transporte de Arizona (ADOT) no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo, edad o discapacidad. Las personas que requieran asistencia (dentro de lo razonable) ya sea por el idioma o discapacidad deben ponerse en contacto con la Oficina de Derechos Civiles de ADOT en civilrightsoffice@azdot.gov. Las solicitudes deben hacerse lo más antes posible para asegurar que el Estado tenga la oportunidad de hacer los arreglos necesarios.