Updated May 24, 2025
DFHV Newsletter May 2025:
Non-District Limousine (NDL) Survey: We want to hear from you! Take part in our Non-District Limousine (NDL) Survey which will close on Saturday, May 31, 2025.
World Pride 2025 in Washington, DC has officially begun! This year marks the 50th Anniversary of Pride celebrations in the city. The Capital Pride Alliance in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) Affairs has planned several activities and events to commemorate this milestone. Because there will be visitors from across the globe you can expect an increased demand for trips, road closures, and traffic delays. Information regarding Pick-Up and Drop-Off (PUDO) Zones for special events can be found on dfhv.dc.gov and godcgo.com. For more information visit: worldpridedc.org. Get real-time alerts and updates by texting WorldPrideDC to 888-777.
Special Events Permits for World Pride 2025: The Department of For-Hire Vehicles (DFHV) will offer Special Events Permits to for-hire vehicle operators to allow the transporting of passengers during authorized events in the District of Columbia. Special Permits are required only for vehicles of licensed operators not currently regulated by DFHV. Current Limousine and Non-District permit holders do not need a special event permit for the upcoming World Pride 2025 events.
Applications for Special Permits for World Pride 2025 events are open and will close on Friday, June 7, at 3:00 PM EST. The Special Events Permit fee is $250.00 per vehicle. Applicants will receive a link to submit payment once the application has been approved.
Non-District Limousine (NDL) Company Fireside Chat: The Department of For-Hire Vehicles cordially invites Non-District Limousine company owners and operators to a Fireside Chat to discuss NDL survey results and ways to enhance the NDL program.
WHEN: Monday, June 16 at 10:00 am
WHERE: 2235 Shannon Place SE, Washington, DC 20020
2nd Floor Hearing Room
Join Meeting Now
If you have questions, please contact Karl Muhammad.Digital Taxicab Solution (DTS) Operating Authority Applications: Completed DTS operating authority applications are due and must be submitted into your Company's Portal no later than midnight on Tuesday, July 1. Late submissions will not be accepted. Drivers must select or renew their DTS no later than September 1. For more information, visit: DTS/OPT General and Technical Requirements
Dates to Remember:
- DFHV offices will be closed on Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day.
- Monthly Meetup with Taxi Drivers
Monday, June 2
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
400 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
- NDL Fireside Chat
Monday, June 16
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
2235 Shannon Place SE, Washington, DC 20020
2nd Floor Hearing Room
- Avoid covering your license plate with obstructive covers. Vehicles with obstructed tags are subject to a $50 fine.
- All taxis must accept credit cards and electronic payments. Customers told to pay only in cash may file complaints with DFHV. Drivers not accepting electronic payments may face $100 fines. Taxi drivers must use their meters; failure to do so or being caught using faulty meters can result in a $500 fine. Signs requesting cash only are also not allowed.
- Keep Bus Lanes Clear! The District Department of Transportation’s (DDOT) Clear Lanes program enforces bus zone and lane rules. Avoid fines by staying out of bus zones and red bus lanes and using side streets for picking up and dropping off customers. Drivers caught conducting illegal actions in bus lanes (marked by red paint and signage) and bus zones (areas along the curb 20 feet near a bus stop flag) will receive a $100 fine, including taxi and limo drivers. Learn more: https://ddot.dc.gov/release/clear-lane-bus-lane-and-zone-enforcement-expanding-new-locations. For more information, visit https://ddot.dc.gov/clearlanesprogram.
Vision Zero Safety Reminders
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month
- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2023, distracted driving claimed the lives of 3,275 people. Now is a good time to reevaluate your driving habits to help reduce traffic accidents and fatalities on the road. To safeguard yourself and passengers, follow these simple tips:
- Stow your phone. If you must place an emergency call or send a text message, pull over.
- Prepare your GPS and any other features before your trip.
- Avoid scrolling through apps while driving.
- Avoid eating and drinking while driving.
- Limit conversations with passengers while driving.
- Do not drive while tired.
Keep these road safety reminders in mind:
- U-turns are illegal and can be dangerous.
- Slow down and obey the speed limit. Higher speeds are more likely to cause injury or death.
- Give bicyclists space. Don’t Park in the bike lane or double park, this forces bicyclists into busy roads.
- Blocking bike lanes, bus lanes, or traffic lanes is dangerous for all users. Use designated pick-up and drop-off areas instead.
- Always stop at stop signs and look for pedestrians and bicyclists. Always stop for pedestrians at crossings and wait for them to cross before continuing.
- Passengers, remember to remain alert of your surroundings, travel with friends, and know your driver. If you’re taking a taxi or rideshare service, make note of your driver’s ID or tag number and always let your friends and family know where you are.
Taxi Butler Locations: Yellow Cab services over 50 locations with Taxi Butler technology. Please be familiar with all locations for you convenience . See all Taxi Butler locations.
New PG Zones: IN response to numerous driver requests and to better assist dispatching, sections of Prince George's County within the Capital Beltway were didved into dispatch zones. This change will allow us to dispatch a driver more timely to pickup addresses for certain accounts within the extended area. See the new revised Zone Map.
EMPOWER: Ride Share: Please be advised that EMPOWER is not registered with DFHV and is not authorized to operate as a ride share provider in the District. Therefore, driving for EMPOWER will subject drivers to DFHV enforcement including vehicle impoundment. Also, DFHV discourages the public from accepting rides on the EMPOWER APP as there could be seriously negative consequences for the passengers.
Vehicle Age and Mileage Criteria:
- Maximum vehicle age for internal combustion engine vehicles: increased from 10 to 15 years
- Maximum vehicle age for EV, Hybris and WAVs: increased from 10 to 20 years. To continue operating from 15 years up to 20 years, owners of these vehicles will have to submit an annual application verifying the suitability of the vehicle.
- Maximum mileage to enter service for new drivers: increased from 65,000 to 150,000 miles
- Maximum mileage limit: none:
Technical Support: Drivers in need of technical support must complete this request form before any services are provided. This is a measure to ensure we are tracking, and working to rectify, all ongoing driver issues. If you are accessing this page from ycdrivers.com, click on the 'Need Help' button on the home page.
DFHV Will Impound Taxis Operating Without Approved DTS Meter: District law mandates that all taxis have working digital meters. This includes accepting digital forms of payment such as credit cards. DFHV is increasing enforcement of this requirement and will impound taxis caught refusing credit card payments or operating without an approved digital meter. Taxi drivers must use an approved meter for each passenger trip. Each trip from the past 24 hours must appear in the trip history (trip manifest) in your DTS meter.
DFHV Online Services: Please take advantage of DFHV online services including the Online Business Portal to submit License Applications, One Stop Vehicle Registrations, and Vehicle Case Management. Online services save you time and allow you to access services from the safety of your home. And if you need further assistance you may call (202) 645-7300 or use the chat feature on the website. Visit the Online Business Portal
The Transportation Alliance ‘Media Watch’: With TTA’s ‘Media Watch’, a source that compiles the most relevant articles in transportation news, drivers will be able to stay up to date on the latest happenings in the industry. View news articles updated daily here.
Taxicab ADA Brochure Frequently Asked Questions on Taxi PDF version: This brochure outlines in question and answer format taxicab companies’ responsibilities under the ADA and is geared toward managers and owners.