Three taxicab companies are authorized to operate 654 taxicabs in Fairfax County. These companies, which are identified below, and their drivers are regulated under Chapter 84.1 of the Fairfax County Code. Chapter 84.1 lists the current taxicab fares, rates, and charges. It also addresses public safety matters such as insurance coverage, vehicle inspection and driver licensing.
The Regulation and Licensing Branch, Department of Cable and Consumer Services, issues operator certificates to taxicab companies, hacker’s licenses to taxicab drivers, inspects each taxicab for safety and cleanliness, and checks taximeters for accuracy annually.
All first-time applicants with Regulation and Licensing Branch are required to submit fingerprints to Fairfax County Police and pay an additional fingerprinting fee of $10. All fingerprints are held on file in the Northern Virginia Regional Information System, the region's fingerprint repository. Applicants are provided with a fingerprint card and instructions by staff after filing a license application. Applicants should not attempt to submit fingerprints prior to filing a license application. This step must be completed after filing an application with the branch.
Only drivers who hold a current hacker's license by Fairfax County may operate a Fairfax County taxicab. The hacker's license must be displayed in full view of passengers in each taxicab.
- Consumer Feedback: Complaints, Compliments, and Survey
- Authorized Rates
- Authorized Taxicab Companies
- Taxicab Subsidy Programs
- Plan Ahead to Avoid Delays
- Information for Prospective Drivers
For Consumers
Feedback
Let us know what you think:
- Submit a complaint
- Email a compliment about taxi service to county staff, or call 703-324-5966
- Fill out this short survey to help us improve taxicab service in the county
A complete list of authorized rates can be found in Article 6 of Chapter 84.1 of the Fairfax County Code. The driver must accept any credit card or other form of electronic payment identified by decal on the taxicab’s rear passenger window.
Authorized Taxicab Companies
Shown below are the three taxicab companies that are authorized to operate in Fairfax County. The Department of Cable and Consumer Services, Regulation and Licensing Branch, issues operator certificates to taxicab companies, hacker’s licenses to taxicab drivers, inspects each taxicab for safety and cleanliness, and checks taximeters for accuracy annually.
Fairfax Yellow Cab
11 Hillwood Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046
Reservations: 703-534-1111
Fairfax Red Top Cab
11 Hillwood Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046
Reservations:703-333-3333
Springfield Yellow Cab
11 Hillwood Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046
Reservations: 703-451-2255
Taxicab Subsidy Programs
The county operates three programs which help make taxicab service more affordable for certain county residents.
- TaxiAccess provides subsidized taxicab service to county residents who are registered with MetroAccess.
- Dial-a-Ride provides subsidized taxicab service for income-eligible county residents.
- Seniors-on-the-Go! offers subsidized taxicab service to seniors 65 years of age or older who meet certain income criteria.
Plan Ahead to Avoid Delays
The majority of taxicabs dispatched in Fairfax County arrive within 15 to 20 minutes, or less. A number of factors can delay a taxi's arrival, however.
- Time of day, such as morning or evening rush hours or late-night weekend hours, when traffic is congested and/or demand for service is high;
- Severe weather, such as heavy rain or snow, which tends to increase demand for service at the same time that weather conditions impeded traffic; and
- Special requests, such as those for large sedans or wheel-chair accessible vehicles, as these vehicles may be on other calls when request for service is received.
Customers who know their location and pick-up time in advance can minimize their chance of delay by calling ahead.
Taxicab companies will accept reservations up to 24 hours or more in advance. Even a few hours' advance notice to the taxicab company can be beneficial when these common causes for delay exist.
For Prospective Drivers
Only drivers who hold a current hacker's license issued by Fairfax County may operate a Fairfax County taxicab. Before an individual can apply to Fairfax County for a hack license, he or she must first contact one of the four authorized taxicab companies and request sponsorship. A prospective driver will receive an application to apply for a hacker's license when the taxicab company agrees to sponsor him or her.
Sponsored individuals may submit their applications to the Regulation and Licensing Branch, located in Suite 127 of the Fairfax County Government Center. Applications are accepted Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Applicants will be required to complete various forms, pay fees, and pass a test on knowledge of Chapter 84.1 of the Fairfax County Code, regarding taxicab regulation.