In Bend, a Vehicle for Hire is any vehicle that carries passengers for money. This includes taxis, rideshare cars, animal-drawn vehicles and even things like pedicabs. So, if you own a company with drivers who are driving people around town and getting paid for it, you will need to get a Vehicle For Hire Operating License for your company. This license allows your company and its drivers to legally operate within the city limits.

Driver Requirements

The following Driver Requirements apply to ALL types of Vehicle For Hire Operating Licenses:

1. Age and Credentials:
   • All drivers must be at least 21 years old.
   • All drivers need a valid driver’s license, proof of motor vehicle registration, and current automobile liability insurance that meets Bend Code Chapter 7.35 and state law requirements.
2. Accurate Records:
   • Companies must keep up-to-date records for all drivers, including those accessing the company’s digital network.
   • These records should include the driver’s name, date of birth, address, social security number, criminal background check results, driver’s license info, motor vehicle registration, and automobile insurance.
   • The City can request these records promptly if needed.
3. Background Checks:
   • Before allowing someone to drive, companies must conduct a criminal background check.
   • This check covers at least seven years of history (unless prohibited by law).
   • It includes local, state, and national criminal databases, plus accessible sex offender registries.
   • Drivers with recent felony convictions or certain offenses (like DUIs or sexual offenses) are disqualified.
4. Revoking Authority:
   • If a driver no longer meets the standards in Bend Code 7.35.030, the company must revoke their authority to operate.
   • Reinstatement is possible only when all standards are met again.
5. Chief of Police Discretion:
   • In exceptional cases, the Bend Chief of Police can allow someone to drive if public safety is not compromised.
   • If you need this exception, contact us at licensing@bendoregon.gov. 

Insurance Requirements

All Vehicles

The following Insurance Requirements apply to ALL types of Vehicle For Hire Operating Licenses:

1. Certificates of Insurance:
   • Companies must provide certificates of insurance that name the “City of Bend, its officers, agents, and employees” as additional insured parties.
   • Notify the City at least 30 calendar days before canceling, expiring, or reducing coverage. 
2. Application Essentials:
   • Include a valid certificate of insurance and the additional insured endorsement with your application.
   • Failing to provide these documents will lead to license denial.
3. Coverage Details:
   • Use insurance from a licensed insurer or an eligible surplus lines insurer in Oregon.
   • The City reviews and approves the adequacy of your coverage.
4. Continuous Coverage:
   • Maintain uninterrupted insurance throughout your license term and operations in the City.
   • Even if backdated, any lapse in coverage violates Bend Code Chapter 7.35.
5. Liability Insurance:
   • Secure commercial general liability insurance with at least $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate.
   • This covers bodily injury and property damage during your operations. 

Taxi Companies

The following Insurance Requirements apply to Taxi Company Vehicle For Hire Operating Licenses:

1. Meet all the requirements listed above in the ALL types section.
2. Coverage: You must have commercial automobile liability insurance for your vehicles.
3. Minimum Limit: The coverage should be at least $1 million per occurrence.
4. What It Covers: This insurance protects against claims related to bodily injury and property damage while operating in the City. 

Transportation Network Companies

The following Insurance Requirements apply to Transportation Network Company Vehicle For Hire Licenses:

1. Meet all of the requirements listed above in the All Vehicles section.
2. Insurance Requirements for Transportation Network Companies:
   • Period 1. Defined as the Transportation Network Company driver is logged into the app but has not accepted a ride request yet. For example, the driver is waiting for a match:
     • Minimum liability limits of:
       • $50,000 per person for death and injury.
       • $100,000 per incident for death and injury.
       • $25,000 for property damage.
     • Plus, any other state compulsory coverage.
   • Period 2. Defined as the driver has accepted a passenger match but has not picked up the passenger. They are on their way to pick them up.
   • Period 3, defined as the passenger is in the vehicle, and the ride is underway:
     • Minimum liability limits of:
       • $1 million combined single limit coverage for death, personal injury, and property damage per incident.
       • $1 million combined single limit under/uninsured motorist coverage for the same. 
   • Specific Recognition:
     • The insurance must recognize the driver’s Transporation Network Company and vehicle-for-hire services.
     • It should comply with Oregon state laws and other applicable regulations.
3. Remember, Transportation Network Company drivers are responsible for maintaining their personal automobile liability insurance as required by state law. 

Taxi Company Vehicle for Hire Operating License

Taxi companies in Bend are businesses that operate vehicles for hire. They include any person or entity, regardless of legal structure, who runs one or more taxis. These taxis can be owned by the company, leased, or owned by individual members of the entity. However, taxi companies do not include Transportation Network Companies. Remember that all taxi company vehicles must display the company name, phone number, and vehicle identification number visibly.

To apply for and obtain your Vehicle for Hire Operating License for your Taxi Company, complete the following steps:

Initial Application: Taxi Company

1Step: Obtain a valid City of Bend Business Registration

• In order to operate a Vehicle for Hire business, you first need to apply for a Business Registration. Visit the Business Registration page for more information.

2Step: Prepare and complete the required application documents

• Obtain your Certificates of Insurance.
  • Refer to the ‘Insurance Requirements’ section above for the specifics.
• Obtain a photo of your Vehicle Identification.
• Obtain a copy of your Oregon State Business Registration.
• Complete the Vehicle For Hire Operating License - Acknowledgement - Taxi Company.
• Complete the Vehicle for Hire Operating License - Alcoholic Beverage Consumption Permit Acknowledgement.
  • This is only required if you plan to allow customers to enjoy alcohol while in your vehicle, and if the vehicle is not enclosed (such as a party bus), there are specific requirements. For instance, this applies to uses like a Cycle Pub. The cost is $130 per vehicle annually. 

3Step: Submit your Vehicle for Hire Operating License Application for your Taxi Company

• In the Online Permit Center Portal, under choose the licensing type, select “Specialty Licenses and Programs.”
• On the Classification Step, select the “Vehicle for Hire” type appropriate for your business.
• Complete the rest of the form and submit the application.
  • Be sure to have all previously completed items from Step 2 above ready to upload to your application. 

Renewal Application: Taxi Company

To renew your Vehicle for Hire Operating License, complete the following steps:

1Step: Prepare and complete the required application documents

• Be sure you still have an ACTIVE Business Registration with the City of Bend.
• Obtain your Certificates of Insurance.
  • Be sure to supply us with updated Certificate(s) of Insurance if any have expired since your last license renewal.
  • Refer to the ‘Insurance Requirements’ section above for the specifics.
• Obtain a photo of your Vehicle Identification.
  • This will only be required if this has changed since your initial license application was submitted.
• Complete the Vehicle For Hire Operating License - Acknowledgement - Taxi Company.
• Complete the Vehicle for Hire Operating License - Alcoholic Beverage Consumption Permit Acknowledgement.
  • This is only required if you plan to allow customers to enjoy alcohol while in your vehicle, and if the vehicle is not enclosed (such as a party bus), there are specific requirements. For instance, this applies to uses like a Cycle Pub. The cost is $130 per vehicle annually. 

2Step: Submit your Vehicle for Hire Operating License Renewal Application for your Taxi Company

• Find your existing license in the Online Permit Center Portal to renew
  • Login to the Online Permit Center Portal
  • Access ‘My Items’ in the portal navigation
  • Click the ‘Expand All’ item
  • Find your Operating License and click the ‘Renew This License’ button
  • Complete the application and upload the pertinent items
• Be sure to have all previously completed items from Step 1 above ready to upload to your application.

Transportation Network Company Vehicle for Hire Operating License

Transportation Network Companies (also often referred to as TNCs) are defined by the City of Bend as businesses that use a mobile app to connect passengers with drivers who use their own vehicles for rides. Transporation Network Companies provide on-demand transportation services, offering convenience to riders.

General Guidelines for Transportation Network Companies:

1. Transportation Network Companies must keep records of all trips made by their drivers for at least one year. These records include details like trip origination and destination ZIP codes, vehicle miles traveled, trip times, duration, and passenger wait times from driver acceptance to pick-up. Additionally, the city may ask Transporation Network Companies to enter data sharing agreements for licensing purposes.
2. Transportation Network Company vehicles must display a recognizable ‘trade dress,’ such as a sticker or placard. Additionally, the Transporation Network Company’s app or website should show passengers details like the vehicle’s make, model, and license plate number.
3. Transportation Network Companies do not pick up passengers from the street via street hails; they only accept rides arranged through their app-based network.

To apply for and obtain your Vehicle for Hire Operating License for your Transportation Network Company, complete the following steps:

Initial Application: Transportation Network Company

1Step: Obtain a valid City of Bend Business Registration

• In order to operate a Vehicle for Hire business, you first need to apply for a Business Registration. Visit the Business Registration page for more information.

2Step: Prepare and complete the required application documents

• Obtain your Certificates of Insurance.
  • Refer to the ‘Insurance Requirements’ section above for the specifics.
• Obtain a photo of your Vehicle Identification/Trade Dress.
• Obtain a copy of your Oregon State Business Registration.
• Complete the Vehicle For Hire Operating License - Acknowledgement – Transportation Network Company.

3Step: Submit your Vehicle for Hire Operating License Application for your Transportation Network Company

• In the Online Permit Center Portal, under choose the licensing type, select “Specialty Licenses and Programs.”
• On the Classification Step, select the “Vehicle for Hire” type appropriate for your business.
• Complete the rest of the form and submit the application.
  • Be sure to have all previously completed items from Step 2 above ready to upload to your application. 

Renewal Application: Transportation Network Company

To renew your Vehicle for Hire Operating License, complete the following steps:

1Step: Prepare and complete the required application documents

• Be sure you still have an ACTIVE Business Registration with the City of Bend.
• Obtain your Certificates of Insurance.
  • Be sure to supply us with updated Certificate(s) of Insurance if any have expired since your last license renewal.
  • Refer to the ‘Insurance Requirements’ section above for the specifics.
• Obtain a photo of your Vehicle Identification/Trade Dress.
  • This will only be required if this has changed since your initial license application was submitted.
• Complete the Vehicle For Hire Operating License - Acknowledgement – Transportation Network Company.

2Step: Submit your Vehicle for Hire Operating License Renewal Application for your Transportation Network Company

• Find your existing license in the Online Permit Center Portal to renew
  • Login to the Online Permit Center Portal
  • Access ‘My Items’ in the portal navigation
  • Click the ‘Expand All’ item
  • Find your Operating License and click the ‘Renew This License’ button
  • Complete the application and upload the pertinent items
• Be sure to have all previously completed items from Step 1 above ready to upload to your application.

General Terms, Conditions and Requirements

The following terms, conditions and requirements apply to ALL types of Vehicle For Hire Operating Licenses:

1. Who Gets the License? Vehicle for Hire Operating Licenses are given to companies, not individual drivers. So, drivers no longer need their own separate license.
2. License Duration: These licenses are valid for one calendar year, starting in January and ending in December. If your license is expiring, you will need City approval for renewal to keep providing vehicle-for-hire services within Bend.
3. Zero Tolerance Policy: All companies must strictly enforce a zero-tolerance policy regarding drug or alcohol use by their drivers. This policy should be clearly posted on their website and in each vehicle. If a passenger complains about a violation, the company must promptly investigate and may suspend the driver during the inquiry.
4. Passenger Accommodations: Companies must accommodate passengers with disabilities, including those with service animals, hearing or visual impairments, and mobility devices. Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act is essential.
5. Business Registrations: Besides the VEHICLE FOR HIRE license, companies need an active Bend Business Registration and an Oregon State Business Registration.
6. Audits and Record Keeping: Here is what you need to know about audits for taxi companies in Bend:
   • Audit Frequency: The City may review taxi company records up to twice per year. They want to ensure compliance with Bend Code Chapter 7.35.
   • When and Where: Audits happen at a time and place chosen by the City.
   • Additional Records: Besides regular audits, the City might ask for specific records related to investigations or complaints. Do not worry—producing these records does not count toward the twice-per-year limit.
7. Bend Code Chapter 7.35: According to this code, vehicle-for-hire companies must obtain a Vehicle for Hire Operating License. The City can add conditions or restrictions related to routes, operating hours, or lighting. If a company’s situation warrants it, the City may waive or reduce requirements.
8. Exclusions: Certain vehicles are excluded, such as school buses, nonprofit transportation providers, courtesy shuttles, and ambulances.
9. Violation of the City Code:
   •  If a vehicle-for-hire company does not follow the Bend Code, the City can act:
     • License Consequences:
       • The City may suspend, revoke, or deny a company’s license.
       • This happens if the company violates any requirements or makes false statements.
       • The decision can be appealed to the City Council.
     • Appeal Process:
       • The company must prove it followed all the rules to keep its license.
       • The City Council’s decision is final.
     • Civil Infraction:
       • Breaking Bend Code Chapter 7.35 is a Class A civil infraction.
     • City Authority:
       • The City has the power to enforce these rules.
       • This does not affect the Bend Police Department’s authority. 

Frequently Asked Questions