Getting A Chauffeur's Or Public Passenger Chauffeur's License
Indiana issues both chauffeur's licenses and public passenger chauffeur's licenses. A chauffeur's license allows the holder to transport property but not paying passengers. A public passenger chauffeur's license allows the holder to transport paying passengers under certain conditions.
Getting a chauffeur's license
A chauffeur's license grants the holder all the privileges of a driver's license. In addition, the holder of a chauffeur's license is permitted to operate vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 16,000 pounds (whether single vehicle or combined gross vehicle weight) when used to transport property. The holder of a chauffeur's license may also operate a private bus that transports passengers for religious, fraternal, charitable, or other benevolent organizations, youth associations, or public or private institutions of higher education.
The chauffeur's license does not permit the holder to transport passengers for hire, whether in a bus or a taxicab. For those uses, Indiana residents should apply for a public passenger chauffeur's license.
To get a chauffeur's license, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age;
- Present documents of identification proving your identity, Indiana residency status and Social Security number;
- Have at least one year of driving experience as a licensed driver;
- Pass a chauffeur written knowledge test;
- Pass a vision screening.
A chauffeur written knowledge test is not required when you renew a chauffeur's license, unless you have accumulated six or more points on your driver record since your previous renewal.
Getting a public passenger chauffeur's license
A public passenger chauffeur's license grants the holder all the privileges of a driver's license. In addition, the holder of a public passenger chauffeur's license is permitted to transport passengers for hire as long as the vehicle he or she is operating is not designed or used to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
To get a public passenger chauffeur's license, you must meet all the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age;
- Present documents of identification proving your identity, residency status and Social Security number;
- Have at least two years of driving experience as a licensed driver,
- Pass a public passenger chauffeur written knowledge test (Under certain conditions, a driver's license test may also be required);
- Pass a vision screening;
- Submit Medical Certification - State Form 3337 within 30 days of applying for the public passenger chauffeur's license. This form must be completedy by a licensed physician indicating that you do not suffer from any mental or physical impairment that would adversely affect your ability to operate a public passenger vehicle.
When renewing a public passenger chauffeur's license you must submit a completed Medical Certification - State Form 3337, and you must successfully pass the standard vision test. A chauffeur written knowledge test is not required when you renew a public passenger chauffeur's license, unless you have accumulated six or more points on your driver record since your previous renewal.
