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Regulations and notices
Learn more about regulations and notices for taxi, for-hire, and transportation network companies (TNCs).
King County is responsible for approving taxi, for-hire, and TNC companies and drivers who wish to operate in:
- Unincorporated King County
- The Port of Seattle, including Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (requires additional Port of Seattle authorization)
- Within the city limits of Auburn, Bellevue, Burien, Covington, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kenmore, Kent, Kirkland, Maple Valley, Redmond, Renton, Sammamish, SeaTac, Seattle, and Shoreline
Regulations
King County and the City of Seattle partner to regulate the for-hire industry under an interlocal agreement.
King County manages all for-hire driver licensing functions for both jurisdictions. Seattle manages all for-hire vehicle licensing functions for both jurisdictions. Regulations across the two jurisdictions vary slightly.
More detailed information is available online:
Public Rules
Notice of proposed rule and opportunity to comment
The director of the City of Seattle's Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) and the director of King County's Department of Executive Services (DES), acting under the authority of Seattle Municipal Code chapter 3.02 and chapter 6.311, section 6.311.470; and King County Code chapter 2.98 and chapter 6.65, section 6.65.470, respectively, propose adopting a rule concerning training requirements for regional for-hire driver's license applicants.
The general for-hire driver training course and exam required for all applicants submitting an initial application for a new regional for-hire driver's license or an enhanced regional for-hire driver's license were significantly updated in December 2025. The effect of these updates is to incorporate changes in for-hire transportation regulations adopted in December 2023, and the related rules adopted thereafter, and to address trends in code violations by for-hire drivers.
This proposed rule would add a requirement for applicants submitting a regional for-hire driver's license or enhanced regional for-hire driver's license renewal application to complete the updated training upon their first renewal on or after February 26, 2026. This proposed rule would supersede the existing Regional For-Hire Driver's License Training Requirements rule: City of Seattle FOR-HIRE TRANSPORTATION-19-2024 and King County rule FHT-16-2024-PR.
The City of Seattle and King County are seeking public comments on the draft rule. Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026 by e-mail to FAST@kingcounty.gov or in person or by regular mail using this comment form to:
King County
Department of Executive Services - Records and Licensing Services Division
Attention: Sean Bouffiou
King Street Center
201 S. Jackson St., Suite 206
Seattle, WA 98104
Adopted for-hire transportation rules
- Reimbursements from the Wheelchair Accessible Services Fund - TNC vehicles FHT-1-2024-PR
- Reimbursements from the Wheelchair Accessible Services Fund - taxicabs and for-hire vehicles FHT-2-2024-PR
- Splitting dual medallions FHT-3-2024-PR
- Temporary deactivation of medallions FHT-4-2024-PR
- Evidence of vehicle insurance and changes to insurance requirements FHT-5-2024-PR
- Vehicle color schemes and markings FHT-6-2025-PR
- Vehicle safety inspections for taxicabs and for-hire vehicles FHT-7-2024-PR
- Taximeters and smart taximeters FHT-8-2025-PR
- Vehicle size and fuel FHT-9-2024-PR
- Fares and rates for taxicabs and for-hire vehicles FHT-10-2025-PR
- Wheelchair accessible services surcharge for taxicab and for-hire vehicle medallion owners FHT-11-2024-PR
- Application dispatch systems for Transportation Network Companies FHT-12-2024-PR
- Application dispatch systems for transitional regional dispatch agencies and regional dispatch agencies FHT-13-2024-PR
- Taxicab and for-hire vehicle medallion leases FHT-14-2024-PR
- Leasing a taxicab or for-hire vehicle FHT-15-2024-PR
- Regional for-hire driver's license training requirements FHT-16-2024-PR
Legislation
The King County Council and Seattle City Council each adopted ordinances in 2023 that effectively separated taxicab and for-hire vehicle owners, drivers, and companies into a new chapter of code (KCC 6.65 and SMC 6.311), leaving in place the existing regulations on TNCs (KCC 6.64 and SMC 6.310). This summary of core policy changes provides an overview of the major changes in the ordinances. Please note these key actions that must be completed by March 31, 2026:
- All for-hire vehicle medallions must convert to taxicab medallions and must meet all taxicab requirements, including use of a smart taximeter, system by March 31, 2026
- All transitional regional dispatch agencies must adopt a smart taximeter system by March 31, 2026
If you have any questions, please email them to FAST@kingcounty.gov.