How to become a Medallion Holder in San Francisco

A letter will be sent from the Taxi Commission when the applicant from the Medallion Waiting List becomes eligible for either a ramp or regular medallion and a medallion is available. The applicant is required to advise the Taxi Commission whether or not they have fulfilled the full-time driving requirement* at which time they are sent a Medallion Applicant Packet. Upon completion of the application and obtaining the additional information required (medical examination, DMV printout and proof of driving requirement) the applicant is to call the Taxi Commission (415) 503-2180, to schedule an examination date.

The application is accepted for review, the exam is administered and the waybills are checked and counted.  The medallion applicant file is forwarded for review and checked for completeness. After review, the applicant is put on the next Taxicab Commission hearing agenda for Notice and up for approval on the next hearing date pending any objections. 

*Current Taxicab Commission guidelines for a “Full-time Driver” is defined as “any driver actually engaged in the mechanical operation and having physical charge or custody of a motor vehicle for hire which is available for hire or actually hired for at least four hours during any 24-hour period on at least 75 percent of the business days during the calendar year or for at least 800 hours during the calendar year.”

Additionally, to qualify for issuance of a taxicab permit, an applicant must have the driving experience as specified below:

For 2007, you will need to turn in three (3) years proof of meeting the driving requirement (from 2004, 2005, 2006 and/or 2007) in order to qualify for a taxicab medallion.  In order for your application to be heard in 2007, we recommend that your application and waybills are turned into the Taxi Commission office by no later than November 1, 2007.  Note:  If you turn in your application and waybills after November 1, 2007, your application could be heard in 2008 which will require you to meet the 2008 driving requirement (4 years).

For 2008, you will need to turn in four (4) years proof of meeting the driving requirement (from 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and/or 2008) in order to qualify for a taxicab medallion.  In order for your application to be heard in 2008, we recommend that your application and waybills are turned into the Taxi Commission office by no later than November 1, 2008.  Note:  If you turn in your application and waybills after November 1, 2008, your application could be heard in 2009 which will require you to meet the 2009 driving requirement (5 years).

For 2009, you will need to turn in five (5) years proof of meeting the driving requirement as specified in Alternative 1 or Alternative 2 below:

Alternative 1:  The applicant was a full-time driver during the calendar year immediately prior to the hearing and during the four or five calendar years immediately before that calendar year.

Alternative 2:  The applicant was a full-time driver during the calendar year in which the application is heard and during the four or five calendar years immediately before that calendar year.

Ramp Taxi Permit Driving Requirement:

An applicant for a ramp taxi permit must meet the same requirements above.  Additionally, the applicant must have been a full-time driver of a ramped taxi and have completed at least 100 wheelchair pick ups as a ramped taxi driver during the six months immediately preceding the Commission’s hearing on the application.  The applicant has the burden of showing that he/she has completed this requirement and shall keep records sufficient to document his/her performance.