Jitney Permit
Jitney means a motorized passenger vehicle having a manufacturer's rated seating capacity of not less than nine and no more than 15 persons including the driver, that is operated in a zone carrying passengers from place to place in exchange for a fee.
A jitney permit authorizes a specific vehicle to be operated by a licensed for hire jitney company within the City of Houston.
Permit decal is placed on the windshield by ARA Regulatory Investigator at time of passed inspection. Decal must stay in place for one year.
An applicant must not be the owner of a revoked vehicles for hire company within the previous year.
All required documentation must be presented at the time of application.
Vehicle inspection is required. Vehicle must meet parameters in the ordinance.
Permit fee may be paid in two installments of $296.45 due June 1 and $296.44 due September 1. Permits issued after December 1 will be prorated at $296.45.
New Company
- Jitney Company Application
- Payment for permit and inspection fee prior to inspection
Existing Company
- Vehicle add/drop form
- Proof of insurance
- Registration or bill of sale
- Payment for permit and inspection fee prior to inspection
- Bring the required forms and payment to the Houston Permitting Center.
- Obtain a numbered ticket from the Information Desk. Please wait in the lobby until your number is called.
Jitney inspections are required when placing a new vehicle into service and annually thereafter at permit renewal. This is done after all paperwork is submitted for the permit to the customer service representative, and payment for the permit and inspection has been made.
Present vehicle at ARA inspection location in Lot W, 100 Bagby St. Vehicle must comply with all requirements in the ordinance for that vehicle type.
If the company has more than 10 vehicles, customer will be notified via phone of available inspection dates.
Inspections are done on a first come, first served basis in the inspection line. Scheduled inspections for more than 10 vehicles may be done at the company's location rather than ARA inspection line.
If inspection failed, the applicant may make the repairs and come back for re-inspection.
- Renewal packet (mailed 45-60 days prior to expiration date), including:
- Vehicle add/drop form
- Proof of insurance
- Registration or bill of sale submitted
- Other forms as instructed in the notice
- Method of payment: cash (in person only), check, cashier’s check, money order, or debit/credit card
It is the responsibility of the owner/operator to contact the ARA department prior to expiration date if renewal packet is not received.
- Bring the completed renewal packet and payment to the Houston Permitting Center.
- Obtain a numbered ticket from the Information Desk. Please wait in the lobby until your number is called.
Mail the completed renewal packet and payment (check or money order only) to:
City of Houston
ARA - Vehicles for Hire
PO Box 1561
Houston, TX 77251-1561
A customer service representative will provide verification when renewal is successfully processed and when to return for vehicle inspection.