Chauffeured Transportation

Helpful Resources and Information:

The below information is compiled as it specifically relates to “for-hire”, pre-arranged passenger transportation in Ohio, which is how limousine service and general chauffeured transportation are classified. The info is provided with direct links to the source as a resource for not only chauffeured transportation businesses seeking the latest knowledge but also for the general public should they wish to be more informed ahead of hiring a service.

If there is anything that you would like us to consider adding or correcting in any way, please let us know here!

Ohio Public Utilities Commission (PUCO)

  • The PUCO regulates passenger transportation for the State of Ohio. Ohio PUCO Motor Carrier Safety Guidebook - Page 3, #3; #5

  • ALL companies engaged in passenger transportation “for hire” are required to apply for and receive a PUCO number, also known as a “Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity”, or “CPCN” number. Motor Carrier Registration Q & A

  • The PUCO requires that ALL passenger transportation companies operating in the state of Ohio must also acquire and maintain a USDOT number. Motor Carrier Registration Q & A

  • The PUCO/CPCN number and intrastate DOT number must be renewed annually with the PUCO. Motor Carrier Registration Q & A

  • For interstate carriers or those “for hire” passenger carriers with an MC number, the PUCO can automatically be renewed when updating the annual Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) online. Unified Carrier Registration (UCR)

  • The minimum insurance required for bodily injury or property damage for a for-hire passenger carrier is $1.5 million. This applies to carriers with vehicles that have a total seating capacity (including driver) of 15 passengers or less. For vehicles with a total seating capacity (including driver) of 16 passengers or more, the required insurance minimum is $5 million. Ohio PUCO Motor Carrier Safety Guidebook - Page 12, Table 5

  • Anyone who drives a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) is required to obtain a physical examination at least every 24 months by a qualified examiner listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners website administered by the US Department of Transportation (USDOT); Passenger transportation carriers DO NOT qualify for the PUCO’s Provisional Medical Certification (PMC). Medical Exam

  • The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and the Ohio State Highway Patrol work to ensure that Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV) are traveling safely throughout Ohio. PUCO inspectors regularly conduct safety inspections on CMVs. Each safety inspection follows a thorough process to make sure that the driver and CMV meet necessary state and federal regulations. Vehicles and drivers that fail to meet these regulations may be placed out-of-service and cannot continue operating until they comply with the regulations. Commercial Motor Carrier Inspection Process

  • The active status of any passenger carrier’s PUCO/CPCN number can be searched using the company name or the company’s USDOT number at Search Motor Carriers (ohio.gov)

United States Department of Transportation (USDOT or DOT)

  • The U.S. Department of Transportation’s mission statement is: “To deliver the world’s leading transportation system, serving the American people and economy through the safe, efficient, sustainable, and equitable movement of people and goods.” USDOT - About

  • The USDOT consists of numerous individual Operating Administrations—several of which can have a direct and indirect relevance to the chauffeured transportation industry—like the following sub-agencies:

    • Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): Oversees all aspects of civil aviation.

    • Federal Highway Administration (FHWA): Focuses on highway development, maintenance, and safety.

      Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA): Regulates commercial motor vehicles (trucks, buses).

      National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): Sets vehicle safety standards and works to reduce traffic crashes.

  • Ohio for-hire passenger carriers must register with the DOT. Carriers have the choice of registering with the DOT as either Intrastate (transporting passengers within Ohio only) or Interstate (crossing into other states with passengers) carriers. Glossary of Terms

  • Passenger carriers that service airport passengers are technically required to register as Interstate carriers. Multi-Modal Passenger Transportation

  • The active status of any passenger carrier’s registered DOT number can be searched using the company name or the company’s USDOT number at SAFER Web - Company Snapshot (dot.gov)

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

  • As the division of the USDOT that is the lead federal government agency responsible for regulating and providing safety oversight of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), the FMCSA’s mission is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses.

  • FMCSA partners with industry, safety advocates, and state and local governments to keep our nation's roadways safe and improve CMV safety through regulation, education, enforcement, research, and technology.

  • Regulations (FMCSRs) issued by FMCSA are published in the Federal Register and compiled in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), which are viewable and searchable at Regulations | FMCSA (dot.gov)

  • There are numerous steps involved with registering with the FMCSA, which can include applying online via the Unified Registration System (URS); The URS is NOT to be confused with the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR). Getting Started with Registration

  • “For Hire” passenger carriers engaged in interstate transportation are also required by the FMCSA to apply for interstate Operating Authority (MC number) in addition to having a DOT number. Clarification of Existing Regulations for Passenger Carriers in Interstate Commerce; Get Authority to Operate (MC Number) | FMCSA (dot.gov)

  • FMCSA requires interstate operators to update their operating information at least every two years (biennial updates) via the online MCS-150 form. Updating Your Registration or Authority

  • Passenger carriers with adjusted annual operating revenue of $5 million or greater are required to annually file (by March 31st) a Form MP-1 financial and operating statistics report. File Carrier Financial and Operating Statistics | FMCSA (dot.gov)

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs)

  • Not to be confused with the FMCSA itself, the FMCSRs are the safety regulations of the FMCSA. These are specifically defined within the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) as part of Title 49 (Transportation)|Subtitle B|Chapter III|Subchapter B (Parts 350-399). Code of Federal Regulations

  • All passenger carriers—both “for hire” and private—generally are under Federal safety jurisdiction if their vehicles are operating in interstate commerce and meet the definition of a “commercial motor vehicle” (CMV). Clarification of Existing Regulations for Passenger Carriers in Interstate Commerce

  • A “CMV” is defined as a vehicle that meets one or more of the following criteria:

    • Has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) or gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,001 pounds or more; and/or

    • Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation; and/or

    • Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, regardless of whether it is used to transport passengers for compensation.

  • As defined above, a standard, non-modified sedan or SUV used in black car service is not considered a “CMV” for FMCSR purposes; Most other vehicle types will be considered a “CMV” and are therefore subject to FMCSRs.

  • Some Key FMCSRs pertaining to a “CMV” to be aware of:

    • Hours of Service

    • Vehicle inspection, repair, and maintenance

Unified Carrier Registration (UCR)

  • The UCR (Unified Carrier Registration) is a national registration system that is used by states to track motor carriers that operate in interstate commerce. About UCR

  • When counting vehicles to register, the UCR has a similar—but not exact—definition of a “Commercial Motor Vehicle” to the FMCSA. UCR - FAQs

  • The UCR registration is valid for one year and must be renewed annually online between October 1 and December 31. UCR Registration

Ohio Department of Taxation

Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)

  • Drivers of vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) are required to obtain a Commercial Driver License (CDL) with a passenger endorsement and a USDOT/FMCSA Medical Examiner’s Certificate (or “medical card”). Driver License - Commercial Driver (CDL)

  • There is no longer a specific “Chauffeur’s License” provided by the Ohio BMV to transport passengers beyond the CDL requirements. Special Licenses

  • "Chauffeur" means any operator who operates a motor vehicle, other than a taxicab, as an employee for hire; or any operator whether or not the owner of a motor vehicle, other than a taxicab, who operates such vehicle for transporting, for gain, compensation, or profit, either persons or property owned by another. Any operator of a motor vehicle who is voluntarily involved in a ridesharing arrangement is not considered an employee for hire or operating such vehicle for gain, compensation, or profit. Ohio Revised Code - Section 4501.01 (Y)

  • "Chauffeured limousine" means a motor vehicle that is designed to carry nine or fewer passengers and is operated for hire pursuant to a prearranged contract for the transportation of passengers on public roads and highways along a route under the control of the person hiring the vehicle and not over a defined and regular route. "Prearranged contract" means an agreement, made in advance of boarding, to provide transportation from a specific location in a chauffeured limousine. "Chauffeured limousine" does not include any vehicle that is used exclusively in the business of funeral directing. Ohio Revised Code - Section 4501.01 (LL)

  • Chauffeured limousines (passenger vehicles, commercial trucks, and recreational vehicles) should be registered as livery vehicles and bear license plates with the word “LIVERY” printed at the bottom of the plate. Ohio Revised Code - Section 4503.24; Ohio BMV - Organizational Plates: Limo

  • To obtain “LIVERY” plates, you must also present an ACORD certificate of liability insurance with the appropriate minimum coverage for your vehicle (only available from your commercial auto insurance provider) along with a notarized seat affidavit to the BMV. The affidavit acknowledges that the total seat count (including the driver) of each vehicle you are registering does not exceed nine (9). Ohio BMV - Seat Affidavit

City of Columbus, Ohio

  • Columbus, Ohio has additional regulations—which do not in any way supplant or supersede the PUCO and DOT requirements—and has its own Vehicle For Hire Board which determines the number of livery vehicles permitted to operate within the city and these corresponding regulations. Code of Ordinances - Chapter 585

  • Unless the driver has brought passengers from outside Columbus' corporate limits into its corporate limits and subsequently does not pick up any passengers within these corporate limits, Columbus otherwise specifically requires all of the following in order to operate a vehicle for hire (Code of Ordinances - Chapter 587.02):

    • Livery vehicle owners to obtain and keep active (not be under suspension or revocation) a City of Columbus Vehicle For Hire Owner’s License

    • Each driver of a city-licensed vehicle to obtain and keep active (not be under suspension or revocation) and properly display a City of Columbus Vehicle For Hire Driver’s License

    • A current decal issued by the License Section is to be clearly and properly displayed

    • The vehicle is equipped with State of Ohio-issued livery license plates (Code of Ordinances - Chapter 593.02(a)(5))

  • Picking up passengers within the City of Columbus without obtaining a City of Columbus Vehicle for Hire Owner’s License is ONLY allowable if ALL of the following conditions are met (Code of Ordinances - Chapter 593.02(c)):

    • The actual location where the passenger(s) are picked up occurs outside the corporate limits of the City

    • The driver picks up only the same passenger(s) who was brought into the corporate limits of the City from outside of the City

    • The livery driver possesses within the livery vehicle a written agreement signed by the passenger(s) indicating the livery is engaged in a single, roundtrip

  • City of Columbus Vehicle for Hire Driver Application

  • City of Columbus Vehicle For Hire Owner Application

Airports (within Ohio and those reasonably serviced outside of Ohio)

  • Many International airports will require their “for hire” passenger transportation companies to apply for a permit to be allowed to operate on airport grounds and will charge varying fees with specific rules and standards of operation for each airport

  • CAK (Akron/Canton Regional) - Info pending

  • CLE (Cleveland Hopkins International) - Permit required for pickup and dropoff. Commercial Vehicle Permits

  • CMH (Port Columbus International) - Info pending

  • CVG (Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky) - Info pending

  • DAY (Dayton International) - Info pending

  • LCK (Rickenbacker International) - Info pending

  • TOL (Toledo Express) - Info pending

  • DTW (Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County) - Info pending

  • ERI (Erie International) - Info pending

  • PIT (Pittsburgh International) - Info pending

  • IND (Indianapolis International) - Info pending

  • SDF (Louisville International/Standiford Field) - Info pending

  • LEX (Blue Grass) - Info pending

  • HTS (Huntington Tri-State/Milton) - Info pending

  • BUF (Buffalo Niagara International) - Info pending

Additional Links & Resources

Legal Disclaimer

The information on this page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal advice. The Ohio Chauffeured Transportation Association (OCTA) is not a law firm and does not provide legal services. You should consult with an attorney for legal advice specific to your situation.

OCTA makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information on this page. OCTA is not responsible for any errors or omissions in the information, or for any damages resulting from the use of or reliance on the information.

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