Jitney Permit

ARAVFH1003
Plan Review
Not Required
Inspection
Required
Renewal
Required
Fee
$643.30
Admin fee
$32.16
Inspection fee
$64.32
Renewal fee
$643.30
Valid Period
1 year (June 1-May 31)
Processing Time
2 business days
APPLY & INSPECTIONS QUESTIONS
Administration & Regulatory Affairs

Physical Address:
1002 Washington Ave., 1st floor
Houston, TX 77002

832.395.9632
8 am to 4 pm

About

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.

After Approval

Permit decal is placed on the windshield by ARA Regulatory Investigator at time of passed inspection. Decal must stay in place for one year.

Conditions & Exceptions

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. 

What You Need
New Company
Existing Company 
  • Vehicle add/drop form
  • Proof of insurance
  • Registration or bill of sale 
  • Payment for permit and inspection fee prior to inspection
Apply in Person
  1. Bring the required forms and payment to the Houston Permitting Center.
  2. Obtain a numbered ticket from the Information Desk. Please wait in the lobby until your number is called.
Additional Resources
What You Need

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. 

Schedule by Phone

If the company has more than 10 vehicles, customer will be notified via phone of available inspection dates.

Conditions & Exceptions

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.

What You Need
  • 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.

Renew in Person
  1. Bring the completed renewal packet and payment to the Houston Permitting Center.
  2. Obtain a numbered ticket from the Information Desk. Please wait in the lobby until your number is called.
Renew by Mail

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. 

Additional Resources
What You Need
  • 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.

Renew in Person
  1. Bring the completed renewal packet and payment to the Houston Permitting Center.
  2. Obtain a numbered ticket from the Information Desk. Please wait in the lobby until your number is called.
Renew by Mail

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. 

Additional Resources