School Vehicle Permit
A school vehicle permit means a permit assigned to a specific school vehicle permitted and operated under a permitted school vehicle operator.
Permit decal is placed on the windshield by ARA Regulatory Investigator. 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 $118.58, due November 1 and February 1.
New Company
- School Vehicle Operator (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.
School vehicle 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
- Other forms as instructed in the notice
- Method of payment: cash (in person only), check, cashier’s check, money order, or debit/credit card
- 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.