Public Passenger Vehicles

License or Permit Type 

Format

 >.txt

 >.xls

PPV Driver Licenses    ( Suspended )

 >.txt

 >.xls

PPV Permits                ( Alphabetical Order )

 >.txt

 >.xls

PPV Permits                ( Numerical Order )

 >.txt

 >.xls

 Definition:

A "Public Passenger Vehicle" means a vehicle which is used for the transportation of passengers for hire, including handicapped-elderly livery, horse and surrey livery, luxury limousine, pedicab, motorcycle used for tours, motorcycle with sidecar used for tours, shuttle vehicle, and meter or zone fore taxicab.

 Exemptions:

Public passenger vehicle does not include any of the following:

• A vehicle operated on fixed routes pursuant to authority granted by the county, state or federal government.
• A vehicle which is rented to be driven by the renter or an agent.
• A vehicle operate soley as a funeral car.
• A vehicle used in a carpool operated by private individuals.
• A vehicle licensed or otherwise regulated as a human service vehicle by the state of Wisconsin used for the transportation of elderly or handicapped persons.  Vehicles operated by nonprofit organizations which are used for the transportation of elderly or handicapped persons and not licensed or othewise regulated by the state of Wisconsin shall be considered public passenger vehicles.
• A commercial motor vehicle as defined under s. 340.01 (8), Wis. Stats., as amended.

License Required:

A Public Passenger Vehicle Driver License is required of every person driving a public passenger vehicle, as defined under s. 100-3-21, MCO, including any person driving a vehicle used for the transportation of elderly or handicapped persons, regardless of whether the vehicle is licensed or otherwise regulated by the state of Wisconsin as a human service vehicle for the transportation of elderely or handicapped persons.  See s. 100-54-1-a, MCO.

View License Application. 

License Period:

Biennial.  New licenses granted in odd-numbered years expire on October 31 of the following odd-numbered year.  New licenses granted in even-numbered years expire on October 31 of the following even-numbered year. (Example: a new license granted on any date in 2007 will expire on October 31, 2009.) 

Renewal licenses expire 2 years from the expiration date of the license being renewed.

License Fee:

$75 (New); $50 (Renewal), payable at the time of license application.  Make checks payable to: CITY OF MILWAUKEE.

License Requirements:

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

• Applicants must submit with the license application 2 recent passport-sized, full-face photographs, one of which shall be attached to the license if issued.

• Applicants must comply with the fingerprinting requirements of the Milwauee Police Department.

 View Fingerprinting Requirements.

• Each public passenger vehicle driver must possess a valid state of Wisconsin motor vehicle driver's license.  Occupational permits do not meet this requirement.

• Applicants must successfully complete a Defensive Driving Course within 3 years prior to the date of application.  (The Defensive Driving Course is not required for applicants who will be driving non-motorized vehicles.)  The fee for the course is $30. Contact the Milwaukee Safety Division at (414) 935-7990 to register.

View Defensive Driving Course Schedule.

• Applicants must pass a Public Passenger Vehicle Driver Test.  The registration fee for each test is $8, payable at the City Clerk License Division at the time of license application.  Contact the Milwaukee Safety Division at (414) 935-7990 to register.

View PPV Driver Test Study Guide.

• Applicants who will be driving a vehicle used for the transportation of elderly or handicapped persons must complete a Passenger Assistance Techniques training program.

View List of Training Program Providers.

License Issuance:

If there are no objections from the Milwaukee Police Department based on the findings of the required investigation of the criminal history of an applicant, and provided the applicant has complied with all other licensing requirements, the license is issued by the License Division and mailed to the applicant.

 View Common Council & Committee Calendars.

If the Milwaukee Police Department files an objection to the issuance of a license, the applicant is scheduled to appear before the Public Safety Committee of the Common Council in order for a hearing to be conducted regarding the granting or denial of an applicant's license.  The decision of the Public Safety Committee is a recommendation that must first be approved by the full Common Council at its next regularly scheduled meeting in order for a license to be issued.

View Information related to Appearance before Public Safety Committee. 

Disqualification:

If the Common Council denies a new or renewal PPV license application based on information reported by the Milwaukee Police Department relating to the criminal history of the applicant, the applicant can not reapply for the same license within 12 months of the date the license application was denied by the Common Council.

License Fee Refund: 

If an PPV license application is withdrawn or denied, the license applicant is eligible for a refund in the amount of $25 (New) or $10 (Renewal), provided the refund is requested no later than one year from the date of withdrawal or denial of the application.

If a license is not issued, the refund must be requested no later than one year from the date of application, unless the license has been granted, in which case no later than one year from the date of granting of the license.

Duplicate License Fee:

• The fee for a duplicate license is $8. 
• License holders must present to the License Division current photo-identification in an approved form.
• Applicants must resubmit with the duplicate license request 2 recent passport-sized, full-face photographs, one of which shall be attached to the license when reissued.

 View Approved Forms of Photo ID.

 License Regulations:

Regulations related to Public Passenger Vehicles Drivers are established in Chapter 100, Milwaukee Code of Ordinances, and are available online at http://www.milwaukee.gov/ordinances or can be purchased from the Legislative Reference Bureau in City Hall, Room B-11.

 View PPV Driver Regulations Pamphlet.

 [ Top ]

Permit Required:

A Public Passenger Vehicle Permit is required of every public passenger vehicle, as defined under s. 100-3-21, MCO, operating on the streets of the city of Milwaukee, excepting vehicles licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation as human service vehicles as described in ch. Trans 301, Adm. Code; and shuttle vehicles authorized by Milwaukee County to provide in-county shuttle service for General Mitchell International Airport under s. 4.05(4), Milwaukee County Code.  See s. 100-50-1-a, MCO.

 View Permit Application.

Permit Period:

Biennial; December 1 through November 30 of odd-numbered years.

Permit Fee:

$165, payable at the time of permit application.  Make checks payable to: CITY OF MILWAUKEE.

Permit Requirements:

• No new public passenger permits for taxicabs may be issued, except when a permit holder applies to change his or her legal entity, such as by incorporating or forming a partnership; or when a permit holder applies to transfer ownership of a permit to another person.    

• Effective January 1, 2007, no new or renewal public passenger permits for taxicabs may be issued for motor vehicles of model years greater than 10 years old at the time of application and no public passenger permits for taxicabs shall be transferred to any motor vehicles of model years greater than 10 years old at the time of replacement.

• Motor vehicles relating to public passenger permits for taxicabs which do not meet the age of vehicle restriction (model years 1996 or older), may after January 1, 2007, continue to operate as taxicabs until the public passenger vehicle permits expire on November 30, 2007, or until such time the permits are transferred to replacement vehicles or other owners, whichever occur first.

• Applicants must comply with the fingerprinting requirements of the Milwauee Police Department.

 View Fingerprinting Requirements.

• Before being issued PPV permits, applicants must first receive an inspection sticker indicating that their vehicles have been thoroughly inspected by the Milwaukee Police Department and found to be in safe condition.

 View Vehicle Inspection Information.

• Permit holders have 60 days from the date their permits are granted by the Common Council to comply with all requirements relating to placing their vehicles in service.  If any permit holder fails to place his or her vehicle into service within the 60-day period, the permit can be permanently terminated without further action.

Permit Issuance:

Every new and renewal public passenger vehicle permit application to operate a taxicab must be granted by the Common Council, after first receiving a recommendation from the Public Saftey Committee related to the granting or denial of the permit.  If the permit is granted by the Common Council, and provided the applicant has complied with all other permit requirements, the permit is issued by the License Division and mailed to the applicant.

 View Common Council & Committee Calendars.

If the Milwaukee Police Department files a criminal history investigation report, the contents of which could form a basis for the denial or nonrenewal of the permit, the applicant is scheduled to appear before the Public Safety Committee of the Common Council in order for a hearing to be conducted regarding the granting or denial of the permit.  The decision of the Public Safety Committee is a recommendation that must first be approved by the full Common Council at its next regularly scheduled meeting in order for a permit to be issued.

 View Information related to Appearance before Public Safety Committee.

Disqualification:

If the Common Council denies a new or renewal PPV permit application based on information reported by the Milwaukee Police Department relating to the criminal history of the applicant, the applicant can not reapply for a public passenger vehicle permit within 12 months of the date the permit application was denied by the Common Council.

Permit Fee Refund:

If an PPV permit application is withdrawn or denied, the permit applicant is eligible for a refund in the amount of $75, provided the refund is requested no later than one year from the date of withdrawal or denial of the application.

If a permit is not issued, the refund must be requested no later than one year from the date of application, unless the permit has been granted, in which case no later than one year from the date of granting of the permit.

Duplicate Permit Fee:

• The fee for a duplicate license is $8. 
• License holders must present to the License Division current photo-identification in an approved form.

 View Approved Forms of Photo ID.

Permit Regulations:

Regulations related to Public Passenger Vehicles permits are established in Chapter 100 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances, and are available online at http://www.milwaukee.gov/ordinances or can be purchased from the Legislative Reference Bureau in City Hall, Room B-11.

 View PPV Driver Regulations Pamphlet.

 [ Top ]

Permit Required:

A Public Passenger Vehicle Permit is required of every public passenger vehicle, as defined under s. 100-3-21, MCO, operating on the streets of the city of Milwaukee, excepting vehicles licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation as human service vehicles as described in ch. Trans 301, Adm. Code; and shuttle vehicles authorized by Milwaukee County to provide in-county shuttle service for General Mitchell International Airport under s. 4.05(4), Milwaukee County Code.  See s. 100-50-1-a, MCO.

 View Permit Application.

Permit Period:

Biennial; May 1 through April 30, expiring in odd-numbered years.

Permit Fee:

$165, payable at the time of permit application.  Make checks payable to: CITY OF MILWAUKEE.

 Vehicle Definition:

"Luxury Limousine" means a category of for-hire, unmetered, unmarked ground transportation vehicles soley engaged in the business of carrying passengers on a prereserved basis only and which meets the definition of one of the following classifications:

• Stretched limousine, which is a luxury custom motor vehicle whose chassis and wheelbase have been altered, whether at the time of manufacture or after, beyond the length of the manufacturer's original specifications for the vehicle and which has safety features that comply with all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.

• Executive sedan, which is a luxury production 4-door sedan, van or sports utility vehicle that may have custom nonproduction features and which is of a make and model approved for use by the Common Council.

 View List of Approved Vehicles.

Permit Requirements:

• Depending upon the passenger-carrying capacity of the vehicle for which a public passenger vehicle permit is sought, the vehicle may be classified as either a stretched limousine, an executive sedan limousine, or a shuttle vehicle.

 View Classification Flowchart.

• Applicants must comply with the fingerprinting requirements of the Milwauee Police Department.

 View Fingerprinting Requirements.

• Before being issued PPV permits, applicants must first receive an inspection sticker indicating that their vehicles have been thoroughly inspected by the Milwaukee Police Department and found to be in safe condition.

 View Vehicle Inspection Information.

• Permit holders have 120 days from the date their permits are granted by the Common Council to comply with all requirements relating to placing their vehicles in service.  If any permit holder fails to place his or her vehicle into service within the 120-day period, the permit can be permanently terminated without further action.

Permit Issuance:

Every new and renewal public passenger vehicle permit application to operate a taxicab must be granted by the Common Council, after first receiving a recommendation from the Public Saftey Committee related to the granting or denial of the permit.  If the permit is granted by the Common Council, and provided the applicant has complied with all other permit requirements, the permit is issued by the License Division and mailed to the applicant.

 View Common Council & Committee Calendars.

If the Milwaukee Police Department files a criminal history investigation report, the contents of which could form a basis for the denial or nonrenewal of the permit, the applicant is scheduled to appear before the Public Safety Committee of the Common Council in order for a hearing to be conducted regarding the granting or denial of the permit.  The decision of the Public Safety Committee is a recommendation that must first be approved by the full Common Council at its next regularly scheduled meeting in order for a permit to be issued.

 View Information related to Appearance before Public Safety Committee.

Disqualification:

If the Common Council denies a new or renewal PPV permit application based on information reported by the Milwaukee Police Department relating to the criminal history of the applicant, the applicant can not reapply for a public passenger vehicle permit within 12 months of the date the permit application was denied by the Common Council.

Permit Fee Refund:

If an PPV permit application is withdrawn or denied, the permit applicant is eligible for a refund in the amount of $75, provided the refund is requested no later than one year from the date of withdrawal or denial of the application.

If a permit is not issued, the refund must be requested no later than one year from the date of application, unless the permit has been granted, in which case no later than one year from the date of granting of the permit.

Duplicate Permit Fee:

• The fee for a duplicate license is $8. 
• License holders must present to the License Division current photo-identification in an approved form.

 View Approved Forms of Photo ID.

Permit Regulations:

Regulations related to Public Passenger Vehicles permits are established in Chapter 100 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances, and are available online at http://www.milwaukee.gov/ordinances or can be purchased from the Legislative Reference Bureau in City Hall, Room B-11.

 View PPV Driver Regulations Pamphlet.

 [ Top ]

 Permit Required:

 View Permit Application for:

Handicapped & Elderly

Horse & Surrey Livery

Shuttle Vehicle

 Permit Period:

 Biennial; May 1 through April 30, expiring in odd-numbered years.

 Permit Fee:

$165, payable at the time of permit application.  Make checks payable to: CITY OF MILWAUKEE. 

 Vehicle Definitions:

 "Handicapped & Elderly Vehicle" means a vehicle for hire, other than a taxicab or public mass transportation vehicle, which is especially suited for the transportation of handicapped or elderly persons who by reason of physical or mental infirmity or age cannot be transported on public mass transportation vehicles.

 "Horse & Surrey Livery" means a horse-drawn surrey for hire.

• Shared ride service for hire on a fixed route and fixed schedule to and from predetermined locations; or

• Group travel service for hire on a prereserved basis only, provided that the vehicle has a passenger-carrying capacity of 11 or more persons, excluding the driver. "Passenger-carrying capacity" is the seating capacity of the vehicle which has been specified by the manufacturer, or established by the chief of police upon visual inspection of the vehicle.

 Permit Requirements:

• Horse & Surrey Livery pemit applicants are required to provide contact information of a licensed veterinarian whom will be kept on call to administer veterinary services to the applicant's horses whenever the horse and surryey livery service is operating.

•  Applicants must comply with the fingerprinting requirements of the Milwauee Police Department

 View Fingerprinting Requirements.

• Before being issued PPV permits, applicants must first receive an inspection sticker indicating that their vehicles have been thoroughly inspected by the Milwaukee Police Department and found to be in safe condition.

 View Vehicle Inspection Information.

• Permit holders have 120 days from the date their permits are granted by the Common Council to comply with all requirements relating to placing their vehicles in service.  If any permit holder fails to place his or her vehicle into service within the 120-day period, the permit can be permanently terminated without further action.

 Permit Issuance:

Every new and renewal public passenger vehicle permit application to operate a taxicab must be granted by the Common Council, after first receiving a recommendation from the Public Saftey Committee related to the granting or denial of the permit.  If the permit is granted by the Common Council, and provided the applicant has complied with all other permit requirements, the permit is issued by the License Division and mailed to the applicant.

 View Common Council & Committee Calendars.

If the Milwaukee Police Department files a criminal history investigation report, the contents of which could form a basis for the denial or nonrenewal of the permit, the applicant is scheduled to appear before the Public Safety Committee of the Common Council in order for a hearing to be conducted regarding the granting or denial of the permit.  The decision of the Public Safety Committee is a recommendation that must first be approved by the full Common Council at its next regularly scheduled meeting in order for a permit to be issued.

 View Information related to Appearance before Public Safety Committee.

 Disqualification:

If the Common Council denies a new or renewal PPV permit application based on information reported by the Milwaukee Police Department relating to the criminal history of the applicant, the applicant can not reapply for a public passenger vehicle permit within 12 months of the date the permit application was denied by the Common Council.

 Permit Fee Refund:

If an PPV permit application is withdrawn or denied, the permit applicant is eligible for a refund in the amount of $75, provided the refund is requested no later than one year from the date of withdrawal or denial of the application.

If a permit is not issued, the refund must be requested no later than one year from the date of application, unless the permit has been granted, in which case no later than one year from the date of granting of the permit.

 Duplicate Permit Fee:

• The fee for a duplicate license is $8. 
• License holders must present to the License Division current photo-identification in an approved form.

 View Approved Forms of Photo ID.

 Permit Regulations:

Regulations related to Public Passenger Vehicles permits are established in Chapter 100 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances, and are available online at http://www.milwaukee.gov/ordinances or can be purchased from the Legislative Reference Bureau in City Hall, Room B-11.

 View PPV Driver Regulations Pamphlet.

 [ Top ]

Applicants who will be driving a vehicle used for the transportation of elderly or handicapped persons must complete, in addition to all other requirements, a Passenger Assistance Techniques training program conducted by one of the following trainers:

 Training Provider

 Address

 Phone #

 Fax #

 Contact Person(s)

 Able Access Transportation

 4455 W Bradley Rd., Brown Deer, WI 53223

 (414) 354-5800

 -

 Steven Tipton

 Bell Therapy Day One

 4065 N 35th St., Milwaukee, WI 53216

 (414) 445-2112

(414) 445-5995 

 Angel Acevedo

 Community Care Organization

 1555 S Layton Blvd. Milwaukee, WI 53215

 (414) 385-6610 Ext. 343

 (414) 944-0000

 Vincent Jackson

 Laidlaw Transit

 4524 S 13th St., Milwaukee, WI 53221

 (414) 847-2743

 (414) 817-9865

 Judy Grenz

 Transit Express

 424 W Cherry St., Milwaukee, WI Ext. 237

 (414) 264-7433 Ext. 237

 (414) 264-7460

Blaine Hampton, Rosie Littlebird, Linn Nelson

 -

 3353 N 49th St., Milwaukee, WI 53216

 (414) 442-6559

 (414) 286-8938

 Larry Curie

 -

 2651 N 88 th St., Wauwatosa, WI 53226

 (414) 476-0376

 -

Robb Slawski 

The Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) is required to conduct an investigation the criminal history of all new and renewal PPV license and permit applicants. See ss. 100-54-2-i and 4, and 100-50-2-e, MCO.  If the application is filed by an individual, the individual applicant must comply with the fingerprinting requirements; if filed by a partnership, then all partners must comply; and if filed by a corporation or limited liability corporation, then the agent; each officer or director; and every stockholder owning 20% or more of the corporate stock must comply.

  [ PPV Drivers ]     [ Taxicab ]     [ Limousine ]     [ Other Vehicles ]     [ Top ]

Motion to Grant

If the Public Safety Committee's recommendation was to grant an applicant's license or permit and the Common Council approves the recommendation of the Committee, the license or permit will be mailed to the applicant on the afternoon of day on which the Common Council granted the license or permit, provided there are no holds placed on the issuance of the license or permit.

Motion to Deny (New Applicants)

If the committee's recommendation was to deny an applicant's license or permit, after the Common Council upholds the Committee's recommendation, the applicant will receive a letter advising him or her of this fact.  New applicants are not eligible to appeal the decision to deny.  Depending on the type of license or permit and the reason for denial, the applicant will generally have to wait at least 12 months from the date of denial before being permitted to reapply.  If a license or permit application was denied due to non-appearance of the applicant at the Committee, the applicant is permitted to reapply at any time (a new application and payment of the full license or permit fee is required).

 Motion to Deny or Suspend (Renewal Applicants)

If the Committee's recommendation was to deny or suspend the license or permit, the applicant will receive a letter containing Findings of Facts, Conclusions of Law and the recommendation made by the Committee.  The applicant may appeal the recommendation of the Committee as outlined in the letter he or she will receive.  If the recommendation was for suspension of the license or permit for a certain number of days, and the Common Council upholds the suspension recommendation, the suspension will begin after the current license or permit expires, or if the license or permit has already expired, the suspension will begin on the date the license or permit was granted by the Common Council.

 Motion to Hold

If the Committee's recommendation was to hold the license or permit application in Committee, the application will automatically be rescheduled for the next regularly scheduled Committee meeting.  However, if the application was held in Committee in order for certain qualifications to be met or other action by the applicant to be taken, the applicant must contact the License Division to advise when the conditions set forth by the Committee have been met.  The license or permit application will not be rescheduled unless and until the applicant first contacts the License Division. 

Example: If an application was held due to a pending criminal charge, the applicant should contact the License Division when the outcome of the pending charge is known.

 Holds on Issuance

Even though the Common Council may have granted a specific license or permit, there may be other holds placed which prevent its issuance.  Other holds preventing issuance may include the following:

• Unpaid license fees, or unsatisfied NSF check.
• Certain class requirements have not been met and/or supporting documentation has not been submitted to the License Division.
• Stipulations placed by the Committee or Common Council on the granting of a license or permit have not been satisfied.

 [ PPV Drivers ]     [ Taxicab ]     [ Limousine ]     [ Other Vehicle ]     [ Top ]

Annual Inspections

The Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) is required to conduct annual inspections of all public passenger vehicles to determine whether the vehicles are in safe condition for the transporation of passengers. All permit holders are notified as to the inspection date and time at least 2 weeks prior to the inspection.

• Scheduled annual inspections for taxicabs are conducted during the first 2 full weeks in October of each year.
• Scheduled annual inspections for luxury limousines and all other type of public passenger vehicles are conducted during the first 2 full weeks in April of each year. 

View Taxicab Inspection Checklist 

Random Inspections

Any vehicle may be directed for an additional inspection on a random selection basis, or when identified by complaint.  All permit holders required to appear for a random inspection will be notified as to date and time at least 2 days prior to inspection.

Vehicle Replacement Inspections

Any vehicle replacing a vehicle for which a public passenger vehicle permit has been issued is required to undergo an inspection prior to being placed into service.  Inspections for vehicle replacements are only conducted each Thursday between the hours of 1:00 and 2:00 p.m.

 [ Taxicab ]     [ Limousine ]     [ Other Vehicles ]     [ Top ]