Taxi Inspection event with inspector talking to taxi driver

Taxi Inspection Event

Taxi Inspections


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Taxi Owners Taxi Drivers Test Information Complaints Contact Information

Taxi inspectors enforce state and local taxi laws and ordinances. Their work includes inspecting city taxi’s to ensure compliance with city regulations, issuing taxicab owner’s/driving permits and preparing reports of investigations concerning taxi owner's and driver's permit applications.

Taxi Owners

City of Raleigh Taxicab Ordinance. All eligible owners may submit a Taxi Owners Permit Application and an Authority for Release of Information form.

The City of Raleigh currently has 81 companies operating within the city limits. The city is growing every day with new restaurants, shopping centers, and event centers. With growth comes more demand for public transportation. If you are interested in starting a taxicab company within the city limits of Raleigh, please look over our City of Raleigh Taxicab Ordinance. All eligible owners may submit a Taxi Owners Permit Application and an Authority for Release of Information Form.

Permits must be submitted by Oct. 1 for the following year's permits.

For additional questions and information, please contact the Taxi Inspectors Office.

Taxi Drivers

There are currently over 850 taxicab drivers operating in the City of Raleigh. All applicants are screened thoroughly to ensure that the citizens and guest of the City of Raleigh feel safe while traveling throughout the city. To obtain your taxicab driving permit please follow the steps below:

Taxi Driver Applicants

  1. All paperwork must be filled out and printed prior to making an appointment with a taxi inspector.
  2. Drug testing form must be picked up in person at 601 Hutton Street.

Requirements for Obtaining a Taxicab Driving Permit 

  1. Complete the Drivers Permit application and pay the $50.00. Payable at Raleigh Municipal Building, 222 West Hargett St. 1st floor. Make sure that the application is stamped paid.
  2. Get page 8 of the application notarized and signed.
  3. Get two references (other than a family member) to fill out pages 9 and 10 of the application.
  4. Complete a fingerprint card at the Wake County Bureau of Identification (CCBI). Make sure you turn in your fingerprint card to the taxi inspector ASAP so that they can send them off to get your results back.
    Wake County Bureau of Identification (CCBI) to obtain fingerprints
    3301 Hammond Road Raleigh NC 27603 | 919-856-6300
    Note: CCBI shares a complex with the Wake County Detention Center
    Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Monday-Friday).
    Costs: Fingerprinting $30.00 and $5.00 for each additional card; Method Payments: Cash or Personal Checks
  5. Obtain a Certified copy of your NC driving history from the NCDMV ($11), that must include the notary seal. Computerized or photo copies will not be accepted.
  6. Get a Physical (medical) that includes a hearing and eye test completed at any clinic or your Doctor and have the Physicians' form for Physical completed by the Doctor.
  7. You must have a NC driver's license before you will receive your taxi driving permit
  8. Non- US citizens must have a current INS registration approved by Immigration. Naturalized citizens must provide' their US Naturalization certificate or US Passport.
  9. Must provide the Inspector your Social Security Card so that he can make a copy.
  10. Turn all paperwork into the Taxi Inspectors and prepare to take a 50 question test. Testing is done Tuesday mornings at 9:30 am or Thursday afternoon at 1:00 pm. You must obtain a score of at least 70% (can't get more than 15 questions wrong).
    Taxi Inspectors Office: 601 Hutton Street, Suite 105, Raleigh, NC 27606
    Taxi Inspectors are: Senior Officer W.B. Edwards
    Tel #: 919-801-8597 Office: 919-996-1461
    Hours of Operation: 8:00am-3:00pm Monday-Friday CLOSED DAILY 12:00pm to 1:15pm 
  11. Pick up Drug test request form at Taxi Inspector’s office. Drug tests are processed at LabCorp. Make sure to take the form provided by the Taxi Inspector's office. Drug test must be completed within 5 business days of receiving application. Tests not completed in the 5 days will be considered a failure.
  12. Drug Testing Sites. Costs: Drug Test $49.00
    - LabCorp - 3850 Ed Dr, Suite 125 Raleigh, NC 27612 | 919-571-6514
    - LabCorp - 8300 Health Park Suite 223 Raleigh, NC 27615 | 919-845-7025
  13. Once you have passed the Taxi test and the Taxi Inspector gets your Drug test and Finger print results back, the inspector will issue you a probationary permit that will allow you to drive until the New Driver Class. ALL NEW DRIVERS MUST ATTEND THE NEW DRIVER CLASS BEFORE THEY GET THEIR PERMANENT PERMIT. IF YOU FAIL TO ATTEND THE CLASS YOUR PERMIT WILL BE REVOKED FOR 30 DAYS.

Test Information

The written test is given on the following days and times: 

  • Tuesdays 9 a.m. to Noon
  • Thursdays 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Rules

  • Absolutely no talking while taking the test except with the test administrator.
  • There will be no use of any cell phones or other electronic devices, all devices are to be turned off or left outside of the designated testing area.
  • You have 1 ½ hours to take the test after receiving it from the test administrator. The start time and ending time will be given to the applicant prior to the beginning of the test
  • The test is not open book.
  • No tests will be allowed to be removed from the designated testing area.
  • If you receive more than 15 questions marked as incorrect you must retake another test
  • No children are allowed to accompany you while taking the test
  • Any violation as determined by the test administrator will result in a voiding of the test and the applicant must return on another testing date to retake the test

 

Sample Questions

The first 15 questions are geographical (True or False)
1. _____ West Hargett St. intersects with McDowell St.
2. _____ Raleigh Blvd. intersects with New Bern Ave.
3. _____ Durant Rd. intersects with Capital Blvd.
4. _____ Peace St. intersects with Person St.
5. _____ Six Forks Rd. intersects with Newton Rd.

The majority of questions 16-50 come from the city ordinance
1. _____ The duration for a probationary driver's permit is for:
a. 6 months
b. 60 days
c. 30 days
d. 1 year

2. _____ A taxicab driver may solicit for passengers:
a. While sitting in the driver's compartment of such a taxicab.
b. While standing within five {5) feet of the taxicab.
c. While standing within fifteen {15) feet of the taxicab.
d. Both a and b

3. _____The City of Raleigh's taxicab decal is_______ on all certified taxis.
a. Required
b. Optional
c. at the owner's discretion
d. not required

Complaints

The City of Raleigh goes to great extents to ensure that all citizens and guest of the City of Raleigh feel safe when traveling by Taxis within the City of Raleigh. All companies and drivers are required to meet standards set by city ordinances. If you feel that you have been deceived, or treated in a non-professional manner, or you have been refused service based on age, sex, race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability please complete and submit an online complaint. If your complaint is criminal in nature please call 911.

Contact Information

Taxicab Inspectors

Office Location
601 Hutton Street, Suite 105, Raleigh, NC

Visiting Rules

  • All applicants visiting the taxicab inspector’s office must be appropriately dressed and groomed.
  • Applicants wearing tee shirts, halter tops, or short pants will not be interviewed.
  • Coats and ties are not required, but you must dress accordingly.
  • Raleigh city code. Sec .12-2085 all applicants must be clean in dress and person.

Contact

 

Taxicab Inspectors

Senior Officer W.B. Edwards
919-801-8597, Office 919-996-1461

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