How to become a San Francisco Taxicab Driver

Author: San Fracisco City Hall

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.  Approved schools include Cab College, Flag-A-Cab Taxi School and Taxi Driver Institute.  Obtain a Certificate of Completion and ADA (Paratransit) Certificate.

(NOTE: Certificates must be dated within one year of application.)

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

(NOTE:  Letter must be dated within 30 days of application)

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 and the application & fingerprinting fees to SFPD Permits, 850 Bryant Street, Room 458 (Tuesday - Thursday, 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.  For the current Public Passenger Vehicle Driver application fee and fingerprinting fee.

You will be scheduled for taxicab class on Thursday of the same week if you apply on Tuesday or Wednesday or the following Thursday if you apply on Thursday. 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 110 (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.  

List of approved Taxicab Schools: 

Cab College                                                        (415) 240-6758

1095 Market Street, Suite 408                              Tuition: $125.00

San Francisco, CA 94103                                       (incl. map & Green Book)

Website:  www.cabcollege.com

Day Class:  Monday thru Thursday, 9am - 4pm      davedoering@cabcollege.com

Night Class:  by arrangement                                davidtrotman@cabcollege.com

Flag-A-Cab Taxi School                                      (415) 382-TAXI (8294)

Yellow Cab Co-Op                                                (415) 285-6375

1200 Mississippi Street   

San Francisco, CA 94107                                      Tuition: $185.00 (CASH)

                                                                          (incl. map & Green Book)

Website:  www.flagacab.org

Course: 4-days, Monday thru Thursday, 9am – 4pm

Taxi Driver Institute                                          (415) 701-TAXI (8294)

2940 – 16th Street, Room 314                              Tuition: $125.00

San Francisco, CA 94103                                    

(Cash or Money Order)

Website:  www.taxidriverinstitute.org

Course: 4-day, Tuesday thru Friday, 9am – 5pm

How to get on the Regular/Ramp Medallion Waiting List

Complete the Application for Public Convenience and Necessity for Motor Vehicle for Hire Permit at the SFPD Taxi Detail, 850 Bryant Street, Room 458, San Francisco, CA.   For the current PC&N application fee, see Fee Schedule.  (NOTE: All applicants must have held a driver’s permit pursuant to Section 1089 of the San Francisco Municipal Police Code for two years immediately preceding the date of application for a taxicab permit.)