Information on the requirements to drive a taxi in the state of Virginia and on whether these requirements are the same for airport taxi drivers [USA20678.E]

According to an information officer at the Department of Motor Vehicles Commisionner Office in Richmond Virginia, there are no other requirements than owning a normal driver's license to drive a taxi in the state of Virginia (24 May 1995). The source stated that if the vehicle carries 16 passengers or more, then a driver with a commercial license is needed.

A standard driver's license is issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles only if the driver has successfully passed a written exam, a vision test and a road test, all done on the same day (ibid.). To the information officer's knowledge, there are no special requirements for an airport taxi driver.

The above information was corroborated by the manager at Groome Transportation, one of Richmond's largest taxicab companies (24 May 1995). The manager stated that no other requirements are necessary, besides a State of Virginia driver's license which can be obtained at the Department of Motor Vehicles. The same requirement is necessary for an airport taxicab driver. The manager also reported that a "clean" driver's record or history would be needed if the driver wishes to be hired by a taxicab company.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References


Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner's Office, Richmond, Va. 24 May 1995. Telephone interview with an information officer.

Groome Transportation Co. Richmond, Va. 24 May 1995. Telephone interview with a manager.