How to become a San Francisco Taxicab Driver

Requisites for a Drivers Permit as per Section 1089 (d) MPC

1. Be a resident of the United States, of good moral character.
2. Be the age of 21 years or older.
3. Be of sound physique, with good eyesight and not subject to any disease, condition, infirmity, or addiction to the use of alcohol or any controlled substance, which might render the applicant unfit for the safe operation of a taxicab.
4. Be able to read and write the English language.
5. Be clean in dress and person.
6. Hold a valid California Driver's License of a class sufficient for the lawful operation of the motor vehicle to be driven.

Step 1
Attend and complete a certified and approved Taxicab School training course. Obtain a Certificate of Completion and ADA (Paratransit) Certificate.

Step 2
Obtain a letter of intent to hire from a company willing to hire you.

Step 3
Obtain a printout of your driving record from Department of Motor Vehicles.
(NOTE: Printout must be dated within 30 days of application)

Step 4
Obtain a "Passport Size" color or black and white, full face photograph.
(NOTE: Absolutely no large photos, do not wear a hat, scarf, or sunglasses)

Step 5
Bring all of the above to SFPD Permits, 850 Bryant Street, Room 458 (Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.), to submit an application for Driver Public Vehicle for Hire permit plus $71.76 (seventy-one dollars and seventy-six cents) in cash for Application Filing Fee and $42.00 (forty-two dollars) in cash for Fingerprinting Fee.
The application process takes approximately one week. You will be scheduled for taxicab class on Thursday of the following week. Upon completion of the class and passing of the test, a temporary permit is issued. Once the temporary permit is issued, you may begin to work as a San Francisco taxicab driver.

Step 6
Pick-up your permanent permit, badge and "A" Card at the Tax Collector's Office at City Hall, Room 140 (Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Allow at least 8 weeks for processing from the date of issuance of your temporary permit. The Tax Collector will charge a fee of $60.00 (sixty dollars). The fee breakdown is: License Fee $45.00, Badge Fee $10.00 and Identification Card Fee $5.00. All fees are subject to be prorated.