Regional for-hire driver operation—Requirements
Seattle Mun. Code § 6.311.160
in effect6.311.160 - Regional for-hire driver operation—Requirements
A regional for-hire driver shall:
A. Have in the driver's possession and available upon request of the Director at any time the driver is operating a taxicab or for-hire vehicle:
1. A valid driver's license;
2. The vehicle's registration;
3. Proof of insurance as required by this Chapter 6.311; and
4. A valid regional for-hire driver's license, which shall also be on display in the vehicle and visible to passengers as prescribed by the Director.
B. Ensure that the vehicle's medallion plate or decal is valid and is displayed as required;
C. Ensure the lights, brakes, tires, steering, seat belts, any system relied on for safe operation, taximeter, and other vehicle equipment are working properly prior to each shift and while operating;
D. Maintain the vehicle interior and exterior, including exterior markings, in clean and good repair;
E. Allow the Director to inspect the vehicle without prior notice at any reasonable time or place;
F. At all times while operating a taxicab or for-hire vehicle, be signed into at least one dispatch system, smart taximeter system, or application dispatch system provided by the affiliated transitional regional dispatch agency or regional dispatch agency;
G. Provide service to passengers in wheelchairs before any other passengers when operating wheelchair accessible vehicles;
H. Activate the taximeter or smart taximeter at the beginning of each paid trip, whether the fare is computed by the taximeter, smart taximeter, application dispatch system, contract, or flat rate, and deactivate the taximeter or smart taximeter upon completion of the trip. The beginning of a trip is the point where the passenger is seated, and any materials are stowed, and the forward motion of the vehicle begins;
I. Ensure that the taximeter or smart taximeter display is visible to passengers at all times while operating a taxicab;
J. If the fare for a trip is an upfront fare or a flat rate fare, confirm the fare with the passenger before beginning the trip;
K. Operate the taxicab or for-hire vehicle with due regard for the safety, comfort, and convenience of passengers and always provide passengers with professional and courteous service. The driver shall not use threatening behavior or offensive language, expressions, or gestures to any person while operating;
L. If requested, be willing to assist a passenger entering or exiting the vehicle and placing luggage or packages that are under 50 pounds in and out of the vehicle. Upon request for this assistance, a driver must so assist a passenger or otherwise ensure the passenger's assistance request is fulfilled;
M. Use the most direct or most expedient available route on all trips unless the passenger specifically requests to change the route;
N. Record all trips, process all payments, and issue a receipt for all payments through a dispatch or payment system provided by the transitional regional dispatch agency or regional dispatch agency;
O. Be able to provide a reasonable and prudent amount of change, and, if correct change is not available, no additional charge may be made to the passenger in attempting to secure the change;
P. If dispatched by a transportation network company's application dispatch system and allowed by the transportation network company, accept payment of fares via cash payment for any trip dispatched through a transportation network company's application dispatch system;
Q. At the end of each trip, check the vehicle for any article or articles that are left behind by passenger or passengers and promptly secure the article or articles and report the found article or articles to the transitional regional dispatch agency or regional dispatch agency;
R. Comply with any license action, citation, or Director order, and pay any penalties issued under this Chapter 6.311 that are either not appealed or are upheld after review;
S. Immediately surrender the vehicle medallion plate or decal in a manner approved by the Director when the vehicle medallion is temporarily deactivated or revoked;
T. Comply with policies and procedures established by the transitional regional dispatch agency or regional dispatch agency to meet the requirements of this Chapter 6.311 and to ensure passenger satisfaction;
U. Comply with applicable business license requirements for any jurisdiction in which the driver operates; and
V. Meet any other requirement as established by the Director by rule.
(Ord. 126977, § 1, 2023.)
Source: City of Seattle, Seattle Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT6BURE_SUBTITLE_IVNELICO_CH6.311FRETRAXFREVEDR_6.311.160REFREDROPEQFetched: 11/1/2026