The DC Taxicab Commission (DCTC) announces a one-time settlement program for limousine owners that have failed to renew their Certificates of Operating Authority, a violation of regulatory requirements applicable to both limousine organizations and independent owners. The program will give delinquent owners a chance to come into full compliance with regulations, and thereby avoid all penalties. Operating without current authority exposes owners to serious penalties – including civil fines up to $500, as well as cease and desist orders shutting down their operations. In order to take advantage of this settlement program payment must be received no later than 3 pm Friday, May 31, 2013.

To participate in the program, limousine owners must come to DCTC to renew their Certificates of Operating Authority. Those independent owners who owe for the current year of 2013 must pay a fee of $250. Those organizations who owe for 2013 must pay a fee of $475. Those operators in arrears for more than one year will be assessed an additional fee of $250 for independent owners and $475 for organizations. All penalties will be waived for those who participate in this program.

Any limousine organization or independent owner that fails to participate in the program will be subject to enforcement action. The Commission will seek full payment from these delinquent owners, including the unpaid application fees of $250 for each year for independent owners, and $475 for each year for organizations, and may seek a civil fine up to $500 per year against both organizations and independent owners for failure to file, as well as a fine against organizations for failure to update their filed information (an additional $250 fine). In addition, vehicles tags will no longer be issued through the Department of Motor Vehicles without prior DCTC approval, which includes having current operating authority.

This notice will be mailed to the addresses on file for limousine owners. This notice serves as a reminder to owners that they are required by regulation to maintain a current address with the Commission. The failure to maintain a current address with the Commission will lead to the assessment of a civil fine of $100.

Limousine owners may renew their Certificates of Operating Authority at DCTC, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 3 pm, at 2041 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE, Suite 234, Washington, DC 20020. Payment must be made by May 31, 2013 by check, money order or credit card (MasterCard and Visa only).