Vehicle for Hire Details
What is the vehicle for hire program?
The Vehicle for Hire program regulates taxicabs, handicabs, vans, limousines and wreckers to promote the health, safety, and welfare of Hillsborough County residents. All vehicle for hire services are offered at our North Tampa office.
View Vehicle for Hire categories
Taxicab
Taxicabs are any motor-driven vehicle for hire, equipped with a taximeter, with a capacity for 9 or fewer passengers, including the driver.
Handicabs
Handicabs are a vehicle designed, constructed, reconstructed, or operated for the transportation of a person with non-emergency conditions where no medical assistance is needed or anticipated; or for a person who is unable to comfortably use standard means of transportation; or a person who cannot enter, occupy, or exit a vehicle without extensive assistance; or where specialized equipment is used for a wheelchair or stretcher service; and where the driver serves as both a driver and attendant to assist the customer.
Vans
Vans are any motor-driven vehicle for hire with a capacity of 10-15 passengers, including the driver for the transportation of passengers
Limousines
Limousines are any chauffer-driven motor vehicle not equipped with a taximeter that is for the exclusive use of the passenger, with seating for no more than 15 passengers, including the driver. The pickup is on a prearranged basis and the route and destination are controlled by the passenger.
Does the Tax Collector issue ambulatory services permits?
No. The Tax Collector’s Office does not issue permits or certificates for ambulatory services. Customers inquiring about Advance Life Services (ALS) and Basic Life Services (BLS) should contact the Hillsborough County Emergency Medical Planning Council. The Florida Department of Health’s website is another resource to find more information.
Open a Vehicle for Hire Business
To open a vehicle for hire business, you must fulfill all the requirements listed below:
Need to know the fees? View our fees list.
Note: Certificate and permit holders must have a current business tax receipt. A business tax receipt will be issued as part of your application.
To apply for a certificate/permit you will need the following:
- A properly completed Certificate/Permit Application. Access the Certificate and Permit Application for Limousines, Vans, and Handicabs (PDF).
- The business must identify & list all vehicles utilized by the business. The list shall include the year, make, model and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). There is a designated form for this section in the application document.
- Liability insurance for each vehicle. Combined Single Limit (each accident) – $300,000 OR Bodily Injury (per person) – $125,000; Bodily Injury (per accident) – $250,000; Property Damage (per accident) – $50,000. Note: All vehicles providing transportation services on property belonging to the Tampa Port Authority, must name the Tampa Port Authority as an additional insured on said motor vehicle liability insurance policy.
- Vehicle registration for each vehicle.
- An ASE Certification Form for each vehicle. Each vehicle must be inspected and certified safe by an ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified mechanic or commercial auto repair facility licensed by the State of Florida. (Form HCTC_P1)
- Identify and list all drivers utilized by the business. The list shall include the name, address, date of birth and phone number for each driver. There is a designated form for this section in the application document. Note: All drivers must be issued a driver identification badge to operate any vehicle for hire.
- Copy of current Business Tax Receipt from the Hillsborough County Tax Collectors Office. A Business Tax Receipt may be obtained at the same time of your application for the vehicle for hire certificate.
- Articles of Organization, FL Profit Corporation, or Limited Partnership, registered with the Division of Corporations at Sunbiz.org. Include fictitious name registration when applicable.
- Acknowledgement of Ordinance 17-22; Exhibit A.
- Compliance Affidavit; Exhibit B.
- Fees: Certificate – $300.00 for business; Permit – $150.00 per vehicle.
- Businesses must comply with all city, county, state, and federal laws and ordinances at all times
- Businesses must maintain motor vehicle insurance for each vehicle used by the business
- Businesses must ensure that all vehicles are up to date on inspections and valid permits
- Businesses must accept cash and major credit and debit cards as forms of payment for customers
- Taxicab businesses must provide service 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Businesses must maintain all records of vehicles used by the business, vehicle inspections, proof of insurance for all vehicles, and all drivers employed by the business for 5 years
- Businesses must cooperate with all audit requests
- Business owners must renew their certificate annually
- Business owners must notify the Hillsborough County Tax Collector in writing no later than 10 days after changing its physical address
- Business owners must not permit any person to drive any vehicle unless the person has a valid Driver Identification Badge
For a complete list of requirements, see Section 7 of Hillsborough County Ordinance 17-22.
- All vehicles must have a valid permit to be in operation
- Each vehicle must pass an inspection and be certified by an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified mechanic or commercial auto repair facility licensed by the State of Florida annually
- All vehicles must be structurally sound and be maintained in proper operating condition at all times
- All Taxicabs, Handicabs, and Vans are required to prominently display the certificate holder’s name on the exterior of the vehicle
- All vehicles must be kept clean sanitary, and free from damage
- Any vehicle exceeding 10 model years on December 31 of any year shall obtain an additional annual inspection of interior restraint and safety equipment
- All vehicles must display 2 permit stickers: one on the bottom corner of the rear window on the driver’s side and the other on the bottom corner of the front windshield on the passenger side
- All vehicles are subject to inspection at any time
Additional Vehicle requirements for handicabs:
All handicabs equipped for wheelchair transportation must
- Have a lift or ramp, operated manually, electrically and/or hydraulically, with sufficient capacity to safely and smoothly assist in the entrance and exit of passengers
- Have, for each passenger transported, 2 positive means of securely latching or locking the wheelchair to the vehicle
- Have, for each passenger transported, restraining belts or straps to securely confine passengers to wheelchairs in which they are transported
- Entry and exit doors must be equipped with secure latching devices
- Must have a minimum of 56 inches of headroom from the floor to the ceiling
- Floor covering must be one seamless piece, and side panels and covering must be sealed and bordered with rustproof, corrosion-resistant cove moldings
All handicabs equipped for stretcher transportation must:
- Have a crash stable side or center mounting style, quick-release litter fastener
- Must have 2 types of strap type restraining devices per stretcher cot and litter
- Must have a smooth floor with minimal voids or pockets
- Must have clean blankets, linen, or disposable sheets for each patient
- Must have airtight storage compartments for soiled linen
- Must have 2 attendants who have valid Public Vehicle Driver Licenses
All handicab drivers must have completed a certified standard first aid course, state certified standard CPR training course, and a defensive driving course. Drivers must maintain these required certifications and must provide evidence of such when renewing their license.
For a complete list of requirements, see Section 8 of Hillsborough County Ordinance 17-22.
All vehicles for hire, providing for-hire transportation services on property belonging to the Tampa Port Authority, must name the Tampa Port Authority as an additional insured on its motor vehicle liability insurance policy.
Insurance Requirements:
- Bodily Injury per person – $125,000
- Bodily Injury per accident – $250,000
- Property Damage per accident – $50,000