Department:

City of Seattle

Department of Finance and Administrative Services Rule No:

FOR-HIRE TRANSPORTATION-19-2026

Supersedes:

FOR-HIRE TRANSPORTATION-19-2024

Publication:

12/05/25 Effective:

02/02/26

Subject:

Regional For-Hire Driver's License Training and Exam Requirements Code and Section Reference(s):

SMC 6.311.090.C.3

SMC 6.311.470 (rulemaking authority)

Approved:

Division Director

Business Unit Officer

Kiersten Grove, Director

Date

Date

Date

King County / Department of Executive Services

Document Code No.: FHT-16-2026-PR

Repeals: FHT-16-2024-PR

Title: Regional For-Hire Driver License Training and Exam Requirements

Effective Date: February 2, 2026

Authorities: KCC 6.65.090.C.3 and KCC 6.65.470 (rulemaking authority)

Keywords:

Sponsoring Agency: Records and Licensing Services Division (RALS)

Director signature: ___________________________________________________________________

Date signed: ________________________________________________________________________

City of Seattle and King County For-Hire Transportation Rules

________________________________________

City of Seattle Director's Rule FOR-HIRE TRANSPORTATION-19-2026 and King County Public Rule FHT-16-2026-PR Regional For-Hire Driver's License Training and Exam Requirements

Pursuant to an interlocal agreement, the City of Seattle and King County work cooperatively to regulate for-hire passenger transportation. The City of Seattle and King County adopt this Rule as new.

I. Purpose. To establish training course and exam requirements, in addition to those required by code, for an applicant for a regional for-hire driver's license or an enhanced regional for-hire driver's license to be issued a license.

II. Definitions. For purposes of this Rule, the following definitions apply:

A. "Director" means the director of King County's Department of Executive Services and/or the City of Seattle's Director of Finance and Administrative Services, or their designees.

B. "Regional for-hire driver's license" means a license issued to an applicant for a regional for-hire driver's license who meets all criteria under King County Code (KCC) Chapter 6.65 and Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 6.311 for a regional for-hire driver's license.

C. "Enhanced regional for-hire driver's license" is a type of regional for-hire driver's license that, in addition to meeting the requirements in K.C.C. 6.65.090 and SMC 6.311.090 for a regional for-hire driver's license, requires a driver to consent to and successfully pass a fingerprint-based background check, with ongoing monitoring if available, from an entity that is approved by the director, consistent with the criteria in K.C.C. 6.65.090.H and SMC 6.311.090.H.

III. Requirements. Applicants for a regional for-hire driver's license or an enhanced regional for-hire driver's license must complete driver training including, but not limited to, a general for-hire driver training course and a defensive driving course and must successfully complete a regional for-hire driver's license examination or examinations approved by the Director.

SMC 6.311.090.C.3 and KCC 6.65.090.C.3 authorize the Director to require additional training courses. SMC 6.311.090.D and KCC 6.65.090.D authorize the Director to require examinations. In this Rule, the Director is requiring the following additional trainings and exam:

1. For-Hire Driver Training Course and Exam. The general for-hire driver training course and exam required for all applicants submitting an initial application for a new regional for-hire driver's license or an enhanced regional for-hire driver's license were significantly updated in December 2025. The effect of these updates is to incorporate changes in for-hire transportation regulations adopted in December 2023, and the related rules adopted thereafter, and to address trends in code violations by for-hire drivers.

Additionally:

a. This training and exam are required for:

i. All applicants submitting an initial application for a new regional for-hire driver's license or an enhanced regional for-hire driver's license.

ii. All applicants submitting a regional for-hire driver's license or an enhanced regional for-hire driver's license renewal application upon their first renewal on or after February 26, 2026.

b. Access to this training and exam will be available on King County's for-hire transportation website.

c. There is no fee to complete this training and exam.

d. Upon completion of the training and exam, notification of completion will be emailed to the applicant and to King County Records and Licensing Services.

e. Unless the Director determines otherwise, the Director shall only accept the email notification of completion from King County's learning management system as proof of completing the course.

f. Proof of successfully completing this training and exam is required to submit an application for a regional for-hire driver's license or enhanced regional for-hire driver's license.

2. Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Training for For-Hire Drivers. People experiencing human trafficking are frequently transported to and from venues of exploitation in for-hire transportation. This training increases awareness of human trafficking, including commercially sexually exploited victims and survivors, gives drivers indicators to help identify potential victims and survivors, and provides drivers with information on how victims and survivors might access services.

Additionally:

a. This training is required for:

i. All applicants submitting an initial application for a new regional for-hire driver's license or an enhanced regional for-hire driver's license on or after November 1, 2024.

ii. All applicants submitting a regional for-hire driver's license or an enhanced regional for-hire driver's license renewal application upon their first renewal on or after November 1, 2024.

b. Access to this training will be available on King County's for-hire transportation website.

c. There is no fee to complete this training.

d. Upon completion of the training, a certificate of completion will be issued with the name of the person completing the course and the date of completion.

e. Unless the Director determines otherwise, the Director shall only accept a certificate of completion as proof of completing the course if the certificate of completion was issued by the Director or an organization authorized by the Director.

f. Proof of successfully completing this training and exam is required to submit an application for a regional for-hire driver's license or enhanced regional for-hire driver's license.

IV. Implementation. The requirements of this Rule take effect immediately after the Director files this Rule with the Seattle City Clerk and with the King County Archives, Records Management, and Mail Services Section (ARMMS).

V. Rule Maintenance. The Director will periodically assess for-hire industry conditions and for-hire driver and passenger safety concerns to determine whether this Rule needs revision.

VI. Rule Enforcement. The Director may review written documentation and consider community feedback to ensure compliance with the requirements outlined herein.