For-Hire Vehicle (Taxicab) Administration

For-Hire Vehicle Administration is located at 100 16th St, San Diego CA 92101 (the MTS Bus Maintenance Facility). Any in-person meetings or scheduled inspections will be conducted at this location, by appointment only. Further instructions on directions, where to park, and how to check-in will be provided upon scheduling an appointment.

Medallion Surrender Form: Permit Holders may, at any time and at no charge, place their vehicles under “temporary surrender” (non-operation) status. MTS will provide proof that the vehicle is placed in temporary surrender. Please call 619-557-4524 or e-mail Regulatory Inspector Tom Lee at Tom.Lee@sdmts.com to request an appointment. Permit holders may submit this proof to insurance companies for the purpose of suspending insurance premium payments while the vehicle is not operating. View Form


Our For-Hire Vehicle Administration team licenses and regulates for-hire vehicles in the cities of Chula Vista, El Cajon, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City, Oceanside, Poway, San Diego and Santee. Licenses are required for:

Taxicabs

  • Vehicles are inspected by certified mechanics at Bureau of Automotive Repair approved facilities to ensure passengers a comfortable trip in a safe and clean vehicle.
  • Drivers should be clean, well-groomed, neat, and suitably dressed.
  • For more information about how to be a taxi driver, contact the Sheriff’s Department Licensing Division: 858.974.2020

**Driver Training**

Required Driver Training classes are held via webinar and require a one time $30 fee payable to MTS. No Cash is accepted. Payment in the form of check or money order payable to MTS may be mailed to 100 16th St. San Diego, CA 92101. If you prefer to submit your payment in person, please call 619-398-9595 or e-mail Regulatory Inspector Mark Palmer at mark.palmer@sdmts.com to ensure staff is available to receive your payment. Training classes for Taxicab, LSV, and Jitney drivers are held every first and last Friday of each Month at 10 a.m. Training Classes for Non-emergency Medical and Charter drivers are held every last Saturday of every month at 10 a.m. In order to sign up for a training class, drivers must e-mail: MTSFHVDTraining@sdmts.com or call 619.235.2651 and provide the following information:

  • Driver Name, phone number and e-mail (training link will be sent to driver’s e-mail)
  • Sheriff ID# and expiration date (if renewing), or CDL #
  • Company Name (DBA)

Non-Emergency Medical Transports

  • "Non-emergency medical vehicle" shall mean every vehicle which: transports persons, regardless of whether specialized transportation equipment or assistance is needed, for primarily medical purposes, over the public streets of the City.  Medical purposes is defined as providing transportation services to or from the following places: hospitals, convalescent homes, retirement homes, homes receiving funding for the board and care of residents living in those homes, medical or rehabilitation clinics, senior citizen centers, and any other like social service category, over the public streets of the City.  It shall be the responsibility of the transportation provider to determine if the service is primarily for medical purposes.

Jitneys

  • Transport passengers and/or parcels over public streets, follow a fixed or flexible route of travel between specified points.  Passenger boarding is specific to locations along the jitney route.  Fares are based on a per-route, per-person fee.

Charter Vehicles

  • Transport passengers and/or parcels over public streets, with the direction of travel prearranged in writing and determined by the passenger.  Fares are based on a per-mile or per-hour basis.

Low Speed Vehicles (LSV)

  • For-Hire Vehicle Administration implemented a new LSV service in 2004.  Up to 35 LSV permits may be issued for operation solely within the downtown Civic San Diego area.  LSVs may operate by zones and/or on a prearranged basis. These vehicles are permitted to wait at designated stands, accept street hails, and operate on a prearranged basis.  LSVs may use two methods of seeking compensation, either by blocks within a zone and/or by prearranged written contract on a per-mile or per-hour basis.

Sightseeing Vehicles

  • Transport passengers for sightseeing purposes of showing points of interest over public streets.  Fares are based on a per-person or per- event basis.

Airport Taxicab Service

  • Airport service varies from taxicabs and charter vehicles with each using a separate boarding area.  Access to the airport and passenger boarding procedures are determined by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (SDCRAA).  For more information, please call SDCRAA, Ground Transportation at 619.400.2685.