The Broward County Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division regulates all for-hire vehicles operating in Broward County, including Taxicabs, Luxury Sedans, Luxury Limousines and Transport Vans (vehicles holding up to 19 passengers).
The Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division also issues permits to for-hire vehicles to allow for prearranged pick-up of passengers from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, and/or Port Everglades. This includes permits for vehicles which come to Broward County to pick up passengers here and transport them back to their county of origin.
All permits issued by the Division expire on June 30.
Permit Categories
Taxicab & Luxury Sedan Operating Permits
The number of Broward County permits for taxicabs and luxury sedans is restricted. In order to acquire a taxicab or a luxury sedan permit, a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity is required. Each certificate entitles the certificate holder to one (1) vehicle operating permit.
- Taxicab – a motor vehicle that employs the use of a taximeter, and is designed to accommodate not more than eight (8) passengers, exclusive of the driver. The Broward County Commission has determined that 3.5% of the total taxicab certificates shall be for wheelchair-accessible taxicabs.
- Luxury Sedan – a motor vehicle with a passenger capacity of one to eight (1-8) passengers, which has not been altered from the original manufacturer's specifications with respect to seating capacity or wheelbase, and does not contain a partition or other device used to separate the driver and passenger seating areas, and is recognized by the industry as a "luxury" vehicle, such as Lincoln, Cadillac, Mercedes Benz, or other similar luxury sedan. View List of Qualifying Vehicles (PDF).
Limousine Operating Permits
The number of Broward County permits available in this category is unrestricted. A permit is required for each vehicle an applicant intends to operate.
Limousine is defined as any chauffeur-driven vehicle, that is hired on a prearranged basis, engaged for the exclusive use of the passenger, not equipped with a taximeter, and which provides seating accommodations for between six (6) and nineteen (19) passengers, exclusive of the driver. Classifications of limousines allowed to operate in Broward County include:
- Luxury Limousine – a motor vehicle with a seating capacity of six (6) to nineteen (19) passengers, excluding the driver, which has been altered from its original manufacturer's specifications with respect to wheelbase and passenger capacity, and contains a partition or other device used to separate the driver and passenger seating areas.
- Transport Van – a motor vehicle not equipped with a taximeter, with a seating capacity of nine (9) or more passengers, but not more than nineteen (19), exclusive of the driver, and where there is no separation of the driver and passenger compartments.
Airport Ground Transportation Permits (Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport)
Each luxury sedan, limousine and/or transport van with a seating capacity of up to nineteen (19) passengers, must obtain a permit to pick up passengers from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport. This permit allows a for-hire vehicle to provide pre-arranged pickups only.
NOTE: Vehicles originating from counties other than Broward County also must obtain a permit allowing for pre-arranged passenger pickup from the Airport and return to the county of origin.
Port Everglades Business Permit
All companies that operate taxicabs, luxury sedans, luxury limousines, transport vans with a seating capacity of up to nineteen (19) passengers, and courtesy vans and buses (no limit on seating capacity), must obtain a business permit to pick up passengers from Port Everglades. In addition, each vehicle that is operated in Port Everglades must have a decal affixed to the windshield. The business permit and vehicle decal allows a for-hire vehicle to provide prearranged pickups only (taxicabs excepted).
NOTE: Vehicles originating from counties other than Broward County also must obtain a business permit and vehicle decal allowing for pre-arranged passenger pickup from Port Everglades, and return to the county of origin.
Top of Page
New /Renew Permits
For Broward County Operators
For Operators Originating from Another County
Top of Page
Inspection
The Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division inspects all vehicles-for-hire that are permitted to operate within Broward County. Each taxicab, luxury sedan, limousine and transport van must be inspected prior to the issuance of an operating permit, and annually thereafter. No inspection is required for “out-of-county” vehicles that are only purchasing permits for pre-arranged pickup of passengers from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport or from Port Everglades.
Vehicles that are older than 6 model years also require a semi-annual inspection during December. Annual inspections begin during May for larger fleet operators, by appointment with the Division. For convenience, the Division will schedule inspections at the operator’s place of business. All other annual inspections are conducted during June, at a central inspection location which is determined annually.
Taxicabs and Luxury Sedans must be inspected prior to the permit expiration date of June 30, or a $50 late inspection fee applies.
To qualify for an annual inspection, all application requirements must be met and supporting documentation and fees must be received by the Division. Standards for vehicles to pass inspection are as follows:
Vehicle Inspection Standards Checklist
All Vehicles
- Vehicles must be clean and presentable.
- Painted surfaces must be free of grease and ground-in dirt (including door jambs, door pillars, door sills, hood, exterior and interior of trunk lids).
- Body should be free of significant dents, creases, nicks, and other types of damage, including both bumpers and the front spoiler/shroud.
- Windshield should be free of cracks or chips.
- Trunk interior should be covered, clean and presentable, with an intact weatherseal.
- Equipment in the trunk must be covered (spare tire, jack and other).
- Tires should have sufficient tread, at least to a depth of 2/32”.
- Mechanical equipment, listed below, must be in proper working order:
- headlights
- high beams
- front and rear directional signal lights
- emergency flashers
- tail lights
- back-up lights
- brake lights – including center-mounted (“high-hat”) lights
- interior (dome) lights – must operate automatically when doors open or close\
- tag lights
- horn
- windshield wipers (with blades free of tears or excess wear)
- air conditioning (front and rear in luxury limousines and transport vans)
- window and door operators
- NO excessive engine smoke.
- Vehicle’s interior should be clean and presentable, including the following:
- Seat covers, headliners and floor covering: no rips, tears, holes and cigarette burns, and secured under the door thresholds (sill plates)
- Door weather seals: intact
- Seat belts: properly working (one pair for each passenger the vehicle can accommodate
Taxicabs Only
- Vehicle’s interior must include a mechanism for displaying the driver’s chauffeur's registration (hack license).
- Exterior surfaces must be painted based on the color scheme this division has approved for each taxicab company; this includes the vehicle’s door jambs and door sills.
- Meter must be:
Operational, properly sealed and clearly visible to passengers.
Connected to a properly functioning tell-tale light on the roof of the vehicle.
- Rate decals must be posted on the inside of the windshield and on the inside of the rear passenger windows.
- Vehicle number must be the same as the permit number (on the rear outside panels, hood and in the vehicle’s interior).
Chapter 22 ½, Sec. 9B – Vehicle Standards (PDF)
Top of Page
Enforcement
Any person or entity that is operating in violation of Chapter 22½ of the Broward County Code of Ordinances may be subject to civil penalties as provided by chapter 8 1/2 of the Broward County Code of Ordinances, and penalties shall be imposed as set forth in the schedule of penalties therein.
Generally, where Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection inspectors find an individual or business operating in violation of the regulations, they will issue a citation. When issuing each citation, the Division inspector will indicate a hearing date and location, where the violator may appear to appeal the citation. Where an individual or business comes into compliance prior to the set hearing date, the violator may contact the Division to determine whether there exists any settlement options of the citation for a reduced fine. Violators may be subject to fines as outlined below:
Sec. 8 1/2-16. Schedule of civil penalties.
Violations of Motor Carriers Law and Regulations:
First
Violation |
Repeat
Violation |
| 1 |
Operating without a certificate sec. 22 1/2-2 |
$250.00 |
$500.00 |
| 2 |
Advertising without a certificate sec. 22 1/2-2 |
250.00 |
500.00 |
| 3 |
Operation of a vehicle by a driver not registered pursuant to sec. 22 1/2-8 also a violation of sec. 22 1/2-9Ad |
250.00 |
500.00 |
| 4 |
Operating without a current valid permit sec. 22 1/2-6A |
250.00 |
500.00 |
| 5 |
Operating without a current valid chauffeur's registration in his/her possession sec. 22 1/2-6Ba2b |
250.00 |
500.00 |
| 6 |
Failure to comply with the minimum standards of conduct sec. 22 1/2-9A |
250.00 |
500.00 |
| 7 |
Failure to comply with the minimum vehicle standards sec. 22 1/2-9B |
250.00 |
500.00 |
| 8 |
Failure to keep insurance in full force and effect sec. 22 1/2-9C |
250.00 |
500.00 |
| 9 |
Operating with a defective or inaccurate taximeter or failure to collect a fee consistent with the operating taximeter sec. 22-10 |
250.00 |
500.00 |
| 10 |
Operating without a current valid Port Everglades Business Permit sec. 22 1/2-6Da |
250.00 |
500.00 |
| 11 |
Operating without a current valid Port Everglades decal sec. 22 1/2-6Dj |
250.00 |
500.00 |
| 12 |
Operating without the proper amount of insurance required to operate in Port Everglades sec. 22 1/2-6Dk |
250.00 |
500.00 |
In addition to fines, the Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division is authorized to enforce the provisions of this ordinance by suspension or revocation of a certificate, permit, license and/or registration upon notice and hearing. Further, whenever any person has engaged in any acts or practices which constitute violations of any provision of this ordinance or the code, the state attorney or the county attorney's office may make application to the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit for an order enjoining such acts or practices and for an order granting permanent injunction, restraining order, or other order enjoining such acts or practices, said orders to be granted without bond.
Required Plug-ins: 
Adobe® Reader®
Top of Page