Any person who operates a motor vehicle for hire to transport people must obtain a license from the Department of Excise and Licenses.
Motor vehicles for hire to transport people include taxi cabs, vans and limousines. Taxi cabs are passenger automobiles that have been issued a certificate by the State of Colorado Public Utilities Commission. Vans are vehicles that have a seating capacity of more than five (5) persons, not including the driver. Limousines are vehicles that have been issued a certificate by the State of Colorado Public Utilities Commission.
Motor vehicles for hire do not include:
--buses (motor vehicles for the transport of people with a minimum capacity of 16 passengers)
--no-charge hotel courtesy vans to the airport
--buses or vans that transport passengers from the airport to a location outside of Denver without stopping in Denver.
Operators of Super Shuttle Services that pick people up in various Denver locations to go to the airport, and charge a flat rate based on the location of pick-up, must be licensed. Those drivers, however, take the limousine test rather than the taxi/limo test (see below).
You may apply either in person or by mail.
If you apply in person, you may be able to complete the process while you wait if there are no problems with your paperwork or your background check.
If you apply by mail, you will still need to come in to the office to finalize the process -- pick up the license, take the taxi/limo test (see below) and have a photo I.D. prepared.
PREREQUISITES
(1) For renewals, a Current Head Tax Receipt, also known as Denver's Occupational Privilege Tax must be presented at time of renewal. This can be obtained at the Treasurer's Office in the McNichols building at 144 W. Colfax Avenue.
(2) Current Motor Vehicle Driving Record (less than 90 days old). You can obtain your driving record by going to the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles, click here. [If you go to the motor vehicle web site, you will be leaving this website. To return here, you must use the “Back” key.] You can order your driving record by mail, which has a 10-14 day turnaround time. You may obtain the driving record more quickly by visiting a Colorado Motor Vehicle office, which are listed on the link above.
APPLICATION FORMS
Taxi or Limo Driver Application, click here.
Criminal History form, click here.
2 Letters of Reference (from 2 unrelated people who has known the individual for more than 1 year,
click here.
Medical Examination (within 60 days),
click here. (All applicants may bring in their non-expired DOT card to substitue for a Medical Exam.)
Limousine and Shuttle Company applicants must bring in a letter from the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) showing that the company is registered.
If this is the first time that you've applied for a license, an Affidavit of Lawful Presence must be completed, click here. If you apply by mail, you must submit a notarized Affidavit of Lawful Presence and a notarized copy of a photo ID.
A CBI background check must be submitted. You can do this in three different ways:
--Traditionally, the Taxi Company have supplied these to employees, please check with your employer to find out their policy
OR
-- This is a credit card transaction for $6.85. You come to the Wellington Web Building and go to the Business Assistance Center (BAC) (it is located on the 1st floor) before coming to the Excise and Licenses Office. Let the BAC know that you need to get a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Name Check. This will be done with their assistance.
OR
-- You can order your CBI Name Check yourself by going to the CBI web site, click here. (To return to this site, please use your "Back" button). .
Make sure that you bring these results when applying for a License.
FEES
Application fee: $50.00
Annual License fee: $25.00
TAXI or LIMO TEST REQUIREMENT
All taxi, limousine, and shuttle drivers drivers must pass a test that is administered by the Department of Excise and Licenses at:
Wellington Webb Building
201 W. Colfax Avenue, Dept. 206
Denver, CO 80202
TAXI or LIMO TESTS WILL ONLY BE ADMINISTERED ON MONDAYS THROUGH FRIDAY between the hours of 8:00 AM and 2:30 PM.
All applicants can process, pay and take the trst even if all applications are not completed. If applications are not complete and applicant passes the test, the license will not be processed until application is complete. The application process takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Please schedule your time accordingly.
If a Letter Of Hire and Physical Exam is not presented prior to testing, this office will not process for the license.
On a Motor Vehicle Record that shows any negative background or too many points, our DPD Detective will review the background check.
The Department will provide a Denver Map Guide for use in taking the test. Applicants may not take their own map book into the testing room. No other materials will be permitted into the testing room. Cell phones are not allowed in the testing room.
-- If applicant does not pass the first test, he or she can come back and re-test one week from the date of the first attempt.
-- If applicant does not pass the second test, he or she can come back and re-test 30 days from the date of the second attempt.
-- If applicant does not pass the third test, he or she will need to re-apply and re-test as a new applicant, one year from the date of the third attempt.
Oral English Comprehension Test
--If applicant does not pass the first test, he or she can come back and re-test 30 days from the date of the first attempt.
--If applicant does not pass the second test, he or she can come back and retest 60 days from the date of the second attempt.
--If applicant does not pass the third test, he or she will need to re-apply and re-test as a new applicant, one year from the date of the third attempt.
CHEATING
-- If an applicant cheats while taking the test, he or she will not be eligible to re-apply or re-test for six months from the date of the incident, at which time a new application will be required.
-- If an applicant cheats a second time while taking the test, he or she will not be eligible to re-apply or re-test for two years from the date of the second incident, at which time a new application will be required.
-- If an applicant cheats a third time while taking the test, he or she will not be eligible to re-apply or re-test for five years from the date of the third incident, at which time a new application will be required.