Key facts
- Limousine or executive sedan
- Contract Passenger Carrier certificate (form OA-150)[1]
- Taxicab
- DMV permit; no more than six passengers, excluding the driver[3]
- Filing fee
- Generally $50 for a certificate, permit or licence[1]
- Insurance, contract carrier
- $350,000 for 1 to 6 passengers, $1.5 million for 7 to 15[2]
- Insurance, taxicab
- $125,000 bodily injury and property damage[3]
- Plates
- For-hire plates; $3 operating authority registration fee per vehicle[2]
Does Virginia issue a chauffeur licence?
DMV's for-hire pages describe authority for the carrier, the person or company with operational control of the vehicle, and list no separate licence for the chauffeur. Its advice to carriers is to verify that drivers have the correct types of licences, have the insurer review the driving records of drivers being considered, and road-test new applicants.[1]
What does a limousine or executive sedan operator need?
A Contract Passenger Carrier certificate, applied for on form OA-150. Trips must be prearranged under a contract with a group, for no less than one hour, with a trip sheet, contract order or dispatch device in the vehicle. The operator keeps a $25,000 surety bond or letter of credit on file with DMV for three years.[1][2]
What does a taxicab need in Virginia?
A DMV permit, which covers vehicles designed for no more than six passengers excluding the driver, and operations inside Virginia only. The operator must comply with the ordinances of every city and county it works in. Anyone required to register as a sex offender for a sexually violent offence may not operate a taxicab for pay.[3]
What insurance and plates apply?
Contract passenger carriers need bodily injury and property damage cover of $350,000 for 1 to 6 passengers including the driver and $1.5 million for 7 to 15, with a higher limit for 16 or more; taxicabs need $125,000. Vehicles are registered as for-hire with for-hire plates, and there is a $3 operating authority registration fee per vehicle.[2][3]
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Virginia DMV filing fee for operating authority?
Generally $50 for a certificate, permit or licence. Non-profit and tax-exempt passenger carriers pay no filing fee.
Sources
Fees and rules change. Each source is the official page we read, with the date we read it; check it before you apply or pay.
- [1] Virginia DMV: For-hire intrastate operating authority, frequently asked questions (read 9 Oct 2026)
- [2] Virginia DMV: Contract passenger carrier (read 18 Jul 2026)
- [3] Virginia DMV: Taxicab (read 17 Apr 2026)
