# Division 6. Certificate of Registration for Taxicabs Codified through Bill No. CB-018-2026, adopted May 12, 2026, effective July 24, 2026. Source: Municode, Supplement 2026 Update 2. Editorial notes and legislative history omitted. ## Division 6. Certificate of Registration for Taxicabs ### Sec. 20-148. Application for required certificate Prince George's County, Md., Code § 20-148 (2026) (a) Any owner of a taxicab, including owners who are also drivers, shall not drive or allow the same to be driven within the County, on or off-duty, unless such owner has a valid certificate for each such taxicab issued under the provisions of this Division. (b) Application for a certificate to authorize the use of a vehicle as a taxicab shall be made under oath by the prospective certificate holder to the Director upon a form provided by the Director. The applicant shall provide the following information: (1) The full name and the home and business address and telephone numbers of the applicant. If the applicant is a corporation, a certified copy of the articles of incorporation shall be provided. (2) The trade name and the telephone number(s) under which the applicant does, or proposes to do, business. (3) A sworn statement of the financial status and responsibility of the applicant including evidence of the ability to acquire and maintain the vehicle(s) for which the certificates and registration authority is sought. (4) Each criminal conviction, guilty plea, or plea of nolo contendere of the applicant, or agents or officers of the applicant. (5) The names of all drivers, their license numbers, and home addresses. (6) The ownership, seating capacity, design and proposed color scheme, and make and serial number of each vehicle. (7) The make and number of each meter in each vehicle. (8) The nature and location of depots, terminals, and garages to be used, if any. (9) A description of the communications system to be used, if any. (10) The specific experience of the applicant in the transportation of passengers for hire. (11) Description of service(s) to be rendered, including time(s) of operation. (12) Evidence of insurance as set forth hereinafter. (13) A copy of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration vehicle registration indicating new certificate holder as owner of the taxicab. (14) A Certificate of Good Standing from the State of Maryland. (15) A copy of any contract, fee structure, leasing or rental rates or other operating agreement between a certificate holder and driver. The certificate holder or applicant shall provide to the Director within three (3) business days any change in such document provided. (16) Such other information as the Director may require in order to administer these regulations. ### Sec. 20-149. Investigation of applicant Prince George's County, Md., Code § 20-149 (2026) (a) The Director or his agent shall have an investigation made of the information furnished in the application for a certificate. A memorandum of the investigative findings shall be kept on file as a public record. (b) Any vehicle which has not been operated for hire as a taxicab in Prince George's County, Maryland, for a period of more than six (6) months prior to the date of the application for a certificate shall be inspected at a duly licensed Maryland State Inspection Station before the applicant can be issued a certificate of registration. The inspection shall include all items which are normally required prior to transfer of title of a motor vehicle under the provisions of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The applicant for a certificate of registration shall deliver to the Director a report signed by an authorized vehicle inspector certifying the results of the inspection. If any such vehicle is found to be in an unsafe condition, the applicant shall have the necessary repairs made to the vehicle and shall have the vehicle certified as satisfactory by an authorized state inspector before the applicant can be issued a certificate of registration. ### Sec. 20-150. Insurance requirements Prince George's County, Md., Code § 20-150 (2026) (a) Before issuing any certificate under this Subtitle, the Director shall ascertain, as to each vehicle, that the owner has insurance or surety bond for the vehicle covering bodily injury or death to any passenger or other person in one accident in the amount of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000), multiple deaths or injury in one accident in the amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000), and property damage in one accident in the amount of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000), or the amounts required by the financial responsibility laws of the State of Maryland, whichever are higher, and further that such insurance or surety covers the full period for which the vehicle is to be licensed. (b) Each taxicab must contain sufficient copies of a summary of insurance information, in a form approved by the Director, that may be given to passengers, members of the public, and law enforcement officers. The summary must include the following information: (1) the name and address of the vehicle owner; (2) the vehicle's license tag number; (3) the name, address, office hours and telephone number of the insurance claims office responsible for adjusting any insurance claim arising from use of the vehicle; and (4) the name, address, and telephone number of the Department and any other governmental agency where complaints regarding insurance claims handling may be filed. ### Sec. 20-151. Lapse of insurance Prince George's County, Md., Code § 20-151 (2026) If at any time for any reason the insurance or surety coverage shall lapse, the certificate shall be immediately suspended without a notice of hearing and the Director shall proceed immediately to obtain possession of the certificate, until the insurance or surety bond requirements are fully met. If insurance is canceled, the certificate holder shall deliver or cause to be delivered a copy of the cancellation notice to the Director within 48 hours after said notice is received. ### Sec. 20-152. Issuance of certificate card Prince George's County, Md., Code § 20-152 (2026) (a) The Director shall issue the following classes of certificates: (1) Individual owner certificate; and (2) Multiple owner certificate. The Director is authorized to reissue all certificates, upon renewal, in the appropriate class of certificate starting October 1, 2010. (b) If the application is approved, the Director shall, for each vehicle, issue a certificate which shall be valid for one year. The certificate remains the property of Prince George's County and must be returned to the County immediately upon final removal of the vehicle from service, unless otherwise transferred under Section 20-155 of this Code. (c) The certificate issued must be held by an applicant for a minimum of three years before it may be transferred in accordance with Section 20-155 of this Code. (d) Any holder of a certificate acquired pursuant to the transfer provisions of this Subtitle must hold the certificate a minimum of three years before it may be transferred again. (e) No person, including an individual or multiple owner providing taxicab service in the County, other than the person to whom it is issued shall use a certificate. The certificate shall not be subleased and may only be transferred pursuant to Sec. 20-155 of the Code. ### Sec. 20-152.01. Certificate Holder Association or Company Fees and Charges Prince George's County, Md., Code § 20-152.01 (2026) (a) By December 31 of each year, each Certificate Holder, Association or Company shall provide the Director with a complete listing of all costs, charges, fees or assessments imposed on any driver and a sample of any lease, sublease or other agreement utilized with a driver. (b) A Certificate Holder, Association or Company shall not impose on a driver or licensee a charge of one percent (1%) over a bank fee, a merchant service fee, or an equipment provider fee on any credit card transaction by the driver or licensee. (1) A Certificate Holder, Association or Company may not require a driver or licensee to use a specific system for processing credit card transactions. (2) No additional fees or surcharges shall be imposed on a driver or licensee. (c) All costs, charges, fees or assessments in this subsection, shall be subject to a cap as of the effective date of this Act. (1) Each year, any increase in the sum of all costs, charges, fees or assessments shall not exceed the product of multiplying: (A) The sum of all costs, charges, fees or assessments charged by a Certificate Holder, Association or Company as of December 31 st annually; and, (B) The average percentage growth in the Consumer Price Index over the preceding twelve (12) months. (C) Rates shall remain in effect until December 31 st each year. (2) If there is a decline or no growth in the Consumer Price Index, the fees and associated costs shall remain unchanged. (3) Any increase in the total costs, charges and fees of this subsection may not be greater than 5% of the total costs effective in the previous year. (4) Any proposed increases above the Consumer Price Index of any lease, sublease or affiliation agreement, including any charges that a licensee may charge a driver, must be proposed by the County Executive by resolution for approval by the County Council. (5) Each violation of the cap set by this Section, shall be subject to the penalty clause set forth in Section 20-164. ### Sec. 20-153. Color scheme and insignia Prince George's County, Md., Code § 20-153 (2026) (a) Every vehicle covered by a certificate shall have a color scheme, insignia and cruising light of a design approved by the Director. Each such color scheme shall be clearly distinguishable from that used by other associations or owners. (b) The Director shall designate a color scheme exclusively for vehicles that have met the standards required as of January 1, 2020. (c) Changes in color scheme, insignia, cruise light design, or the addition of advertising or advertising devices or bumper stickers, shall have prior approval of the Director. (d) The name of the taxicab company, owner or association shall be clearly painted on both sides of all taxicabs in letters at least three (3) inches in height. (e) A medallion issued by the Director and the number of the certificate preceded by the "PG" designation shall be displayed on the driver side front panel and rear trunk of the vehicle. The certificate number shall be displayed in figures at least three (3) inches in height, and contrasting in color from the background colors as follows: PG 900. (f) The Director shall issue a medallion in a color scheme to differentiate between an individual owner certificate and multiple owner certificate required under Sec. 20-152 of this Subtitle. ### Sec. 20-154. Termination of service Prince George's County, Md., Code § 20-154 (2026) The certificate holder of a vehicle permanently removed from service must notify the Director of such action in writing within forty-eight (48) hours, indicating whether the owner "junks" the vehicle, sells it or transfers title to it, no longer uses it for hire, or whether the tags have been stolen, or the registration of the vehicle has been revoked by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. When the vehicle is so out of service, all registration cards and other papers issued by the Director to the owner shall be returned by the owner with notice that the vehicle is out of service. The certificate holder shall paint out all identifying marks and numbers indicating that the vehicle was used as a taxicab. The Director shall hold the certificate until its normal expiration date, or until the holder applies for transfer of the certificate to another vehicle prior to such date and within a period of ninety (90) days. If a vehicle is not placed in service under the certificate within ninety (90) days, the certificate may be revoked. The certificate holder shall notify the Director when any taxicab covered by a certificate is temporarily taken out of service for a period longer than five (5) days, explaining why the vehicle is out of service. ### Sec. 20-155. Transfer of certificates Prince George's County, Md., Code § 20-155 (2026) (a) When the owner of a vehicle registered under these regulations has transferred the title of the vehicle to a new owner, or has otherwise relinquished the use of the vehicle for hire, upon sufficient proof thereof to the Director, the certificate holder may have the certificate transferred to another vehicle to be used by him for hire in accordance with this Subtitle and State law, and thereupon the Director, upon receipt of payment of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00), shall issue a new certificate to the owner for the replacement vehicle for the balance of the registration year, provided that the replacement vehicle meets all the requirements of this Subtitle. The payment for issuance of a new certificate from a non-accessible vehicle to an accessible taxi shall be waived. (b) A certificate may be transferred, provided that the following requirements have been met: (1) The certificate holder notifies the Department in writing of the proposed transfer at least forty-five (45) calendar days prior to the date of the proposed transfer; (2) Notification includes the terms and conditions of the proposed transfer and the name of the proposed transferee; (3) The transferee satisfies all of the requirements of this Subtitle; (4) The certificate is not under suspension or revocation or under appeal from a suspension or revocation and does not have any outstanding fines, fees, or penalties; (5) The Director has approved the proposed transfer of the certificate and the transferee has paid a transfer fee to the County of Three Thousand Five Hundred ($3,500) plus all other routine fees for the issuance of a certificate. The transfer fee for the transfer of a certificate from a non-accessible vehicle to an accessible taxi shall be waived. (6) The transferee has assumed any debts and other obligations to the County of the transferor related to the taxicab business. (7) A certificate that is assigned to an accessible taxi can only be transferred for the operation of an accessible taxi. (c) In those cases where the individual certificate holder wishes to transfer a certificate to a company or a corporate entity entirely owned by the certificate holder and his immediate family, there shall be no transfer fees involved except for the full annual certificate fee which shall be paid at the time of the transfer. (d) The transferred certificate shall be reissued for a period of one year and any previously paid annual certificate fee shall not be refunded. (e) A certificate may only be transferred once in any three year period under any provisions of this Subtitle. (f) Any company or corporate entity which transfers a certificate or certificates by sale by its owner or owners shall pay fees associated with the transfer provisions in proportion to the number of certificates held and the percentage change of company ownership. ### Sec. 20-156. Limitation on number of certificates Prince George's County, Md., Code § 20-156 (2026) (a) The Director shall issue to the owner for each taxicab a certificate containing the information required by this Subtitle. The number of valid certificates is limited at any given time to one thousand forty four (1,044), of which fifteen (15) certificates shall be designated for taxicabs specially equipped for the transportation of passengers in wheelchairs. The Director may issue an additional fifteen (15) certificates for taxicabs equipped to transport passengers in wheelchairs and an additional one hundred (100) certificates each calendar year beginning on October 1, 2011 pursuant to subsection (b) below, unless the number of valid certificates would exceed a ratio of one per thousand (1/1,000) population in the County, as computed in the most recent decennial U.S. Census or update published by the appropriate federal agency. The County Council shall, annually review by July 15th, with consultation with the Director and Taxicab Board, the allocation the total number of certificates by the appropriate class under Sec. 20-152 of this Subtitle. (b) The Director shall maintain a list, available to the public in alphabetical order, for the lottery for certificates. In any calendar year, whenever there are less than the maximum permitted number of such certificates outstanding, the Director shall conduct a lottery and issue certificates to those drivers chosen by the lottery. The number of certificates available in the annual lottery shall equal the maximum number permitted under subsection (a) above. To participate in the lottery, applicants shall pay an annual fee of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) and complete a registration form, under oath, provided by the Department. Participation in the lottery is limited to active drivers who have been licensed as drivers in the County for a period of at least two years and who have not been issued a certificate. Certificates cannot be subleased and may only be transferred pursuant to Sec. 20-155 of this Subtitle. (c) The Director shall restrict the number of individual owner and multiple owner certificates such that: (1) the number of individual owner certificates will be no lower than twenty-five percent (25%) and no higher than seventy-five percent (75%) of the total number of certificates issued; and (2) the number of multiple owner certificates will be no lower than twenty-five percent (25%) and no higher than seventy-five percent (75%) of the total number of certificates issued. ### Sec. 20-156.01. Required service to County Prince George's County, Md., Code § 20-156.01 (2026) (a) More than ninety percent (90%) of the trips of each driver's working calendar day in any vehicle for which a certificate is issued pursuant to Section 20-156 must be to or from locations within Prince George's County. (b) In order for a certificate to be renewed, the certificate holder must demonstrate that the vehicle for which the certificate has been issued and any replacement vehicle to which the certificate has been reassigned have been driven for a combined total of 26,000 miles in the previous twelve (12) months. ### Sec. 20-156.02. Continuous Operation Prince George's County, Md., Code § 20-156.02 (2026) (a) Each licensee must keep each licensed taxicab in continuous operation as defined by applicable regulation. (b) The Director shall issue regulations by June 1, 2017 defining continuous operation using a formula that: (1) Uses calendar-quarterly reports submitted by each certificate holder showing mileage driven by each vehicle associated with a certificate held by, or affiliated with, an association, company or individual owner; and (2) Requires average per-vehicle mileage to be at least sixty (60%) of the County-wide average for each quarter. The Director, by written request, may waive the requirement for a vehicle if provided documentation of mechanical or safety deficiencies in need of repair. (c) Each certificate holder must notify the Department in writing at any time that: (a) A taxicab held by or affiliated with them will be or has been out of service for more than 30 days; or (b) An average of more than 15% of the taxicabs whose certificates are held by that association or company have been inactive during the previous calendar month. (d) Each notice must: (a) Explain the reasons for each period of inactivity; and (b) Show why the Director should not revoke the license of each inactive taxicab for lack of use. (e) If a taxicab licensee does not meet the criteria set forth in this Section, the licensee's certificate is subject to revocation. (f) A revoked certificate shall immediately be reissued with assignment prioritized for: (1) use for accessible vehicles; (2) use by an individual owner; or (3) other applicants. ### Sec. 20-157. Certificate fee Prince George's County, Md., Code § 20-157 (2026) Every certificate holder shall pay an annual certificate fee to the County for each year during which the certificate is to valid. The nonrefundable fee shall be in the amount of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250) per certificate per year. ### Sec. 20-158. Renewal Prince George's County, Md., Code § 20-158 (2026) All valid certificates outstanding prior to the effective date of this Act shall remain valid and shall be renewed, from year to year, upon the expiration date of each such certificate by payment of the certificate fee set forth in Section 20-157 above and satisfactory completion of a renewal application form prescribed by the Director. ### Sec. 20-159. Taxicabs from other jurisdictions and other unauthorized vehicles Prince George's County, Md., Code § 20-159 (2026) (a) The right of a taxicab operator, whose vehicle is duly registered in any other jurisdiction of this State or in any other state or the District of Columbia, to bring a passenger or passengers into this County when the trip has originated in the other jurisdiction is hereby recognized. If the engagement of a taxicab has been what is known as a "waiting time" agreement the passenger or passengers so brought into this County may be taken there from by the same taxicab and operator, provided that the operator shall enter the facts as to the trip upon his manifest and shall have included the waiting time in his charge for the trip, and that the operator shall remain with the taxicab at the place of discharge of passengers until the return trip is begun. (b) Operators of taxicabs registered in another jurisdiction shall have no rights to solicit business or transport other passengers in this County. The County Executive may enter into reciprocal agreements regarding taxicab service with other jurisdictions subject to County Council approval by resolution. Law enforcement authorities shall give full force and effect to the provisions of this subsection by issuing a citation to all taxicabs that operate in violation of these provisions. This requirement shall apply to all locations within Prince George's County where taxicab service is provided. The fine for each such violation shall be One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).