Operating authority licenses cover all vehicle-for-hire services. A vehicle for hire is a vehicle providing private transport or shared transport for a fee, in which passengers are generally free to choose where they start and where they are going (not including rideshares). Learn how to apply for, renew, or update an operating authority license.

What is an operating authority license?

Companies that offer vehicle-for-hire services must obtain an operating authority license to legally operate in the City of Austin. Operating authority licenses cover companies that operate:

  • Limousines
  • Charter vans (6-15 passengers)
  • Shuttle buses
  • Pedicabs
  • Horse-drawn carriages
  • Electric low-speed vehicles
  • Group cycling
  • Touring/sightseeing buses
  • Taxi cabs

There are separate applications for charter buses (more than 16 passengers) and hotel shuttles and courtesy vehicles.

Types of license

There are three different licenses for operating authority:

  • Operating authority license
  • Charter bus service license
  • Hotel shuttle/courtesy vehicle service license

Operating authority license

If your company operates:

  • Limousines
  • Charter vans (6-15 passengers)
  • Shuttle buses
  • Pedicabs
  • Horse-drawn carriages
  • Electric low-speed vehicles
  • Group cycling
  • Touring/sightseeing buses
  • Taxi cabs

Download the Operating Authority Application form (671KB).

Charter bus service license

If your company operates:

  • Charter buses (capacity of 16 passengers or more)

Download the Charter Bus Service Operating Authority Application form (248KB).

Hotel shuttle/courtesy vehicle service license

If your company operates:

  • Hotel shuttles and/or courtesy vehicles

Download the Hotel Courtesy Vehicle Service Application form (226KB).

Apply for a new license

Before applying

Applicants interested in an operating authority license, charter bus service license, or hotel shuttle/courtesy vehicle service license should note the following:

  • All applications are processed in the order as received.
  • Processing can take anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks, depending on workflow.
  • Incomplete applications are not accepted.
  • All applications must include an accord certificate of insurance that has a policy number and a fleet list attached. The certificate of insurance must be less than 30 days old.
  • The application costs $103.00.

How to apply

  1. Download and print the appropriate application form (see "Types of license").
  2. Carefully read the form before filling it out. The form lists everything you will need to submit along with your application.
  3. Gather all required materials and fill out the form.
    1. PLEASE NOTE: You must sign the form in front of a notary. Our office can notarize the form for an additional charge of $6.00.
  4. Submit your application by email, by mail, or in-person at our office.
    1. By email: Email your application and supporting documents to mobilityservices@austintexas.gov.

    2. By mail: Mail your application and supporting documents to:

      Ground Transportation Permitting Office
      1501 Toomey Rd
      Austin, TX
      78704

    3. In-person: We are currently operating by appointment only. Schedule an appointment by calling (512) 974-7857 or emailing MobilityServices@AustinTexas.gov.
  5. Pay the $103 application fee. We must receive your payment before we can review your application. We accept credit and debit card, exact cash, money order, cashier's check and personal check (as long as it is not a temporary check). Make checks payable to the City of Austin.
    1. If you are paying with credit card, you can pay over the phone. Call our cashiers at (512) 974-7857, Monday - Friday between 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. We must receive your payment before we can review your application.
    2. If you are paying with cash, check, or money order, we do not recommend mailing them to us. Please come to our office to deliver your payment. Get directions: 1501 Toomey Rd, Austin, TX, 78704.

Renew your license

Operating authority licenses (including hotel shuttle/courtesy vehicle licenses) are valid for one (1) year. Charter bus service licenses are valid for two (2) years.

City Code requires that a renewal request be submitted no later than 60 days before the expiration of the operating authority license. Please do not submit this request more than 90 days before the expiration of an operating authority license.

If the license is not renewed before expiration, the license holder will have to submit an entirely new application and await a decision before relaunching their operations around the city.

To renew any operating authority license (including charter bus service licenses and hotel shuttle/courtesy vehicle licenses), fill out the Operating Authority Renewal Application (169 KB). Submit the form, supplemental documents, and payment by email, mail, or in-person by following the steps under “How to apply.”

Make changes or additions to your license

Operating authority license holders can make changes to their license or add additional permits by filling out the forms below.

Add new or replacement vehicles on an existing license

To add new vehicles or replace existing vehicles to your ground transportation operating authority license, fill out the Report of New/Replacement Equipment form (22.9 KB). Submit the form and supplemental documents by email, mail, or in-person by following the steps under “How to apply.”

Temporary supplemental vehicle permits

If you need to temporarily add a vehicle to your licensed fleet, fill out the Temporary Supplemental Vehicle Permit application form (29.1 KB). You will need to pay a $25 fee. The permit will last no longer than five days. Submit the form, supplemental documents, and payment by email, mail, or in-person by following the steps under “How to apply.”

Special events permits - limousines, charter vans, charter buses

You can add temporary, additional vehicles to a licensed limousine, charter van, or charter bus fleet to operate during a special event in Austin.

Limousine operators, fill out the Limousine Special Event Temporary Vehicle Permit application form (140 KB).

Charter van operators, fill out the Charter Van Special Event Temporary Vehicle Permit application form (140 KB).

Charter bus operators, fill out the Charter Bus Special Event Temporary Vehicle Permit application form (113KB).

This form can be submitted up to six weeks prior to the event but no later than three working days prior to the event. There is a $75 fee for each vehicle submitted from two to six weeks prior to the event. Permits submitted less than two weeks to three working days prior to the event will incur an additional $50 expediting fee. 

The City Code limits the additional vehicles to 100% of the permitted fleet. The permit is valid during the days that the special event is scheduled, in addition to the day before and after the event, but no more than sixteen (16) days.

Submit the form and payment using the steps under "How to apply."

Pedicab/group cycle permit transfers

If a pedicab or cycle in your fleet is transferring to another fleet, both fleet operators must submit a transfer form.

Fill out the Agreement of Transfer form (171 KB). Circle the option that applies to you. Submit the form and supplemental documents by email, mail, or in-person by following the steps under “How to apply.”

Taxi cab accident report form

If you are a taxi cab company and need to report an accident, please fill out the Accident Report form (PDF, 19 KB) and email it to the Mobility Services Transportation Supervisor along with your reports by the 15th of the month.

Licensed ground transportation service providers

See our current list of licensed ground transportation service providers.

Need Help?

We are currently operating by appointment only. Schedule an appointment or contact staff by phone or email.
(512) 974-7857
MobilityServices@AustinTexas.gov