Steps to becoming a Licensed Public Chauffeur
City of Chicago
Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
Public Vehicles Division · 2350 W. Ogden · Chicago, IL 60608 · 312-746-4200
REQUIREMENTS
• You must be at least 21 years of age.
• You must possess a valid driver’s license from any U.S. state, district, or territory for at least three years which
has not been suspended or revoked for any time within the past five years. OR if you have not had a valid driver’s
license for at least three years, you must complete a two-hour driver-training course at a commercial driver
training school licensed by the State of Illinois.
• If you have been convicted, are on supervision, and/or are in the administrative adjudication process for one
traffic offense, you must complete a four hour safe driving class. And if you have more than one such offense,
you must complete an eight-hour safe driving class and a two-hour driver-training course.
• You must not be indebted to the City nor have outstanding parking citations.
• Contact the Department's Child Support Division (phone: 312 -744-4006) if you owe child support. You must do
this before enrolling in the Harold Washington College Public Chauffeur Training Institute.
• You must be examined by an Illinois-licensed medical doctor and have the doctor sign and date the Physical
Examination Certification form (available at 2350 W. Ogden), attesting to your fitness to drive a taxicab.
• You must also pass a vision examination with a corrected minimum of 20/40 visual acuity in each eye.
PUBLIC CHAUFFEUR TRAINING
All applicants must satisfy the Public Chauffeur Training requirement unless they meet the criteria for an exemption.
• You are required to successfully complete an English Proficiency Exam prior to registration for
chauffeur courses.
• Public chauffeur training (Taxi course) is twelve days in duration and must be completed in two
consecutive weeks. The course includes six hours of classroom time for ten days and two bus tours
both four hours each.
• Courses are held every week there is no state, city, or college holiday.
• Cost: $275 (subject to change).
• A certificate will be issued upon successful completion of the course. The certificate is valid for one year from the
issue date.
For more information, contact: Harold Washington College, Public Chauffeur Training Institute (PCTI)
30 East Lake Street, Suite 1041, Chicago, IL 60601, Phone: 312-553-3070 http://hwc.ccc.edu
APPLICATION STEPS AND EXAMINATION
Once you have completed an approved public chauffeur training course or been approved for an exemption, you must:
Pass a written examination, which will take place at 2350 W. Ogden (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, process paper work at 8:00 a.m. with test at 9:30 a.m.).
Present your certificate as proof that you have completed the training course in order to take the exam.
Submit one current photograph (1½ inches x 1½ inches) with a plain background. It must be a headshot with no
head gear or scarves.
Be fingerprinted.
A passing score is 85 percent, and you have three chances to take the exam. Results can be obtained immediately. After
passing the test, you will pay the license fee (Cost: $15 + $1 Notary fee), and be assigned a chauffeur’s number. You
will then be given an Authorization Card with specific information on it which must be presented at the drug testing facility.
Fingerprint Check will be made by the Chicago Police Department to obtain any criminal history. If you have been
convicted of a felony or an offense within five years, your application will be disqualified and no license will be issued. To
expedite the fingerprinting process, you may also wish to go to an outside agency for fingerprinting.
DRUG TEST / PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
Only those applicants testing negative for the presence of a controlled substance may be eligible for a public chauffeur
license. You must:
• Take and pass a certified drug test within twenty-four (24) hours of paying the license application fee. A list of
certified laboratories/clinics is provided with the Physical Examination Certification.
• Remember to bring the Authorization Card, your driver’s license, and another form of identification to the clinic.
• Sign a consent form for the release of drug testing information. The clinic will keep the Authorization Card after
you are tested there.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILING YOUR APPLICATION TO OBTAIN YOUR LICENSE
If your license is ready to be picked up, you must bring with you to 2350 W. Ogden:
1. An Illinois driver’s license and/or current ticket;
2. “Court Purpose” driving record issued by the Illinois Secretary of State dated within the past 30 days;
3. Physical examination form; and
4. A signed City of Chicago Indebtedness affidavit.
SUMMARY OF FEES (all subject to change)
Public Chauffeur Training Course: $275.00 Licensing Fee: $15 + $1 Notary fee
Drug Testing: $25-$35 Physical Exam Fee: approximately $30
Fingerprinting with an outside agency (optional): $25-$30
LOCATIONS AND HOURS OF OPERATION:
Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Public Vehicles Division
2350 West Ogden
Chicago, IL 60608
Phone: 312-746-4200
M-F: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.