Proposed Rules & Regulations Changes for Public Chauffeurs
The following lists the old rule(s) followed by the proposed rule(s). Due to the length of these rules, we will continue with these rules in later postings.

Old Rule No. 1
General qualifications.
Applicants for a Chicago Public Chauffeur License or a Chicago Restricted Public Chauffeur License must meet the requirements in Chapter 9-104, § 9-104-030 MCC, as amended, for age, English fluency, health and prior criminal record, and must possess a valid Illinois drivers license.

New Rule No. 1.01
General qualifications.
All new applicants for a Public Chauffeur License or a Restricted Public Chauffeur License must meet the requirements in Chapter 9-104 MCC.


Old Rule No. 1.1
Indebtedness to City.
Applicants for a Chicago Public Chauffeur License or a Chicago Restricted Public Chauffeur License must submit an affidavit as required by Chapter 4-4, Section 4-4-150 of the Municipal Code of Chicago, and may not be indebted to the City or have acquired outstanding parking violation complaints, except as permitted under the section.

New Rule No. 1.02
Indebtedness to City and Child Support Delinquencies.
All new applicants for a Public Chauffeur License or a Restricted Public Chauffeur License must submit an affidavit as required by Section 4-4-150 MCC. Applicants also must not be delinquent in child support payments as required by Section 4-4-152 MCC.


Old Rule No. 1.2
Restricted Public Chauffeur Licenses
A Restricted Public Chauffeur License may be obtained by an applicant as authorization to drive a City of Chicago licensed Public Passenger Vehicle other than a taxicab. Restricted Public Chauffeur Licenses may be issued, in the discretion of the Commissioner, to applicants who are employed by or who lease vehicles from Public Passenger Vehicle License Holders who require that their employees or lessees complete a safe driving program approved by the Commissioner. Applicants for a Restricted Public Chauffeur License must satisfy all the requirements for a Public Chauffeur License except:
a. Applicants for a Restricted Public Chauffeur License will complete a different course of study as outlined in Rule 2.1 of these Rules and Regulations; and
b. Applicants for a Restricted Public Chauffeur License will be given a different exam.

New Rule No. 2.01
Restricted Public Chauffeur Licenses.
Per the discretion of the Commissioner, Restricted Public Chauffeur Licenses may be issued to applicants who are employed by or who lease vehicles other than taxicabs from Public Passenger Vehicle license holders. New applicants for a Restricted Public Chauffeur License must satisfy all the requirements for a Public Chauffeur License except:
a. New applicants for a Restricted Public Chauffeur License will complete a different training course; and
b. New applicants for a Restricted Public Chauffeur License will be given a different written exam.


Old Rule No. 2
Written examination.
Applicants must pass a written examination as prescribed by the Commissioner. Applicants must present proof that they have completed an approved public chauffeur training course before they may take the exam for the public chauffeur license. Applicants must present proof that they have completed an approved restricted public chauffeur training course before they may take the exam for a restricted public chauffeur license. A minimum passing grade for a public chauffeur license is 85%. A minimum passing grade for a restricted public chauffeur license is 80%. An applicant may take the written examination three times. If the applicant fails the examination three times, he may take the examination again only if, after two months, he retakes the training course, and then the applicant may take the exam three more times.

Any applicant who, while taking the examination, engages in dishonest conduct, including but not limited to such acts as using unauthorized notes, talking to another person during the examination, assistance with the examination, or having another person take the examination in his place, shall have his application for his license denied. An applicant may appeal such denial pursuant to Section 9-104-030 of the Municipal Code of Chicago.

New Rule No. 1.05
Written Examination – Public Chauffeur License.
A new applicant must pass a written examination as prescribed by the Commissioner. Applicants must present proof that they have completed an approved Public Chauffeur Training Course or have been granted an exemption, as outlined in Rule 1.04, before they may take the written examination for the Public Chauffeur License. A minimum passing grade in the written examination for a Public Chauffeur License is 85%

An applicant may take the written examination three times. If the applicant fails the examination three times, he may take the examination again only if, after two months, he retakes the Public Chauffeur Training Course, and then the applicant may take the exam three more times. If the applicant fails the examination three times after having re-taken the Public Chauffeur Training Course, the applicant may not attempt to apply for a license until three (3) years have passed since the last examination taken.


Old Rule No. 2.1
Course of study.
Effective September 1, 2000, any person offering a public chauffeur training course or a restricted public chauffeur training course for which certification is required under Section 9-104-030 of the Municipal Code of Chicago shall submit to the Commissioner for his approval on an annual basis the following information no later than sixty (60) days prior to the date the course is to be offered:

1. The proposed curriculum and a detailed lesson plan. The minimum hours of instruction shall be 68 hours for a public chauffeur training course and 6.5 hours for a restricted public chauffeur training course;
2. The names, addresses and qualifications of the teaching staff;
3. The location at which the instruction is to take place; and
4. The fee that will be charged for the course, including charges for materials, shall not exceed $240 for the public chauffeur training course and $50 for the restricted public chauffeur training course.
5. Persons offering a public chauffeur training course may screen applicants for a public chauffeur license as to the applicant’s requisite knowledge of the English language to successfully complete the course and operate as a public chauffeur. If an applicant is found to be deficient in English language skills, the person offering the course may provide additional training in English language skills at a cost not to exceed $50 as a prerequisite for taking the public chauffeur training course.

New Rule No. 4.01
Course of Study.
a. Any person offering a Public Chauffeur Training Course or a Restricted Public Chauffeur Training Course for which certification is required under Section 9-104-030 MCC shall submit to the Commissioner for approval on an annual basis the following information no later than sixty (60) days prior to the beginning of the course:
1. The proposed curriculum and a detailed lesson plan. The minimum hours of instruction shall be 68 hours and the maximum hours of instruction shall be 102 hours for a Public Chauffeur Training Course. The minimum hours of instruction shall be 6.5 hours and the maximum hours of instruction shall be 13 hours for a Restricted Public Chauffeur Training Course;
2. The names, addresses and qualifications of the teaching staff;
3. The location at which the instruction is to take place; and
4. The fees that will be changed for the course, including charges for materials.

b. Persons offering a Public Chauffeur Training Course may screen applicants for a Public Chauffeur License as to the applicant’s requisite knowledge of the English language to successfully complete the course and operate as a Chauffeur. If an applicant is found to be deficient in English language skills, the person offering the course may provide additional training in English language skills as a prerequisite for taking the Public Chauffeur Training Course.



Old Rule No. 2.2 – 8
Safe Driving School Requirement
A) No new applicant for a public chauffeur license or a restricted public chauffeur license who has not possessed a valid Illinois State driver’s license, or a valid driver’s license of another state, district or territory of the United States, for at least three years prior to the application for a public chauffeur license or restricted public chauffeur license, shall be issued such license unless he completes a driver training course conducted by a commercial driver training school licensed by the Illinois Secretary of State and consisting of a minimum of two hours of instruction where the applicant is operating a motor vehicle in the presence of a driver training instructor licensed by the Illinois Secretary of State.
B) Every applicant whose driving record indicates that he/she has been convicted or placed on supervision by a court and/or an administrative adjudication process for one offense involving traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles during the past twelve months shall complete an eight hour safe driving class approved by the Commissioner before being issued a license. The completion of a safe driving course consisting of eight hours or more instruction, which was required of the driver by a court or administrative process pursuant to the disposition of the traffic offense involved shall satisfy the requirement in this paragraph.
C) Every applicant whose driving record indicates that he/she has been convicted or placed on supervision by a court and/or an administrative adjudication process for more than one offense involving traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles during the past twelve months shall complete:
(i) an eight hour safe driving class approved by the Commissioner before being issued a license; and
(ii) a driver training course conducted by a commercial driver training school licensed by the Illinois Secretary of State and consisting of a minimum of two hours instruction where the applicant is operating a motor vehicle in the presence of a driver training instructor licensed by the Illinois Secretary of State.

Rule No. 2.3 Physical Examination Requirement for Public Chauffeur Applicants
Effective July 1, 1998, all applicants for a new public chauffeur license or a restricted public chauffeur license shall submit, on a form designated by the Commissioner, certification by an Illinois-licensed physician that he has conducted a physical exam of the applicant and has found the applicant capable of operating a public vehicle safely. Applicants holding an Illinois commercial driver’s license are exempt from this requirement.

Rule No. 2.4 Drug Test Requirement for Public Chauffeur Applicants
Effective July 1, 1998, all applicants for a new public chauffeur license or restricted public chauffeur license shall, within twenty-four hours of paying the license application fee, take an appropriate chemical detection test, conducted by authorities approved by the Commissioner, to ascertain whether the applicant is using a controlled substance, as defined by 720 ILCS 570/201 et seq., or cannabis, as defined by 720 ILCS 550/3. Only those applicants testing negative for the presence of a controlled substance or cannabis shall be eligible for a license.

Rule No. 3 Vision examination.
Applicants must pass a vision examination by meeting the following standard with or without glasses or contact lenses;
a. minimum of 20/40 visual acuity in each eye; or
b. if an applicant fails to pass this examination, he may provide either a doctor's signed statement indicating that his vision does not substantially impair his ability to operate a Public Passenger Vehicle or the results of a doctor's vision examination meeting the requirements in Rule 3(a) above.

Rule No. 4 Disabilities.
If an applicant has a physical or mental disability, he must submit a statement from a physician indicating the applicant's physical or mental condition does not substantially impair his ability to operate a Public Passenger Vehicle.

Rule No. 5 Photographs.
Applicants must submit four current photographs (1 1/2 inches x 1 1/2 inches) with a plain background, to be head shots with no head gear or scarves.
a. Dark glasses or sunglasses may be worn in the photographs only if prescribed by an Illinois licensed doctor for use while driving.
b. All other glasses may be worn in the photographs only if applicant needs them to pass the vision examination.

Rule No. 6 Fingerprints.
A fingerprint check will be made by the Chicago Police Department to ascertain criminal history, if any. If the applicant has been convicted of a forcible felony or of any other offense that by statute or ordinance would preclude the issuance of a license, and less than five (5) years have elapsed from time of discharge from any sentence imposed therefrom, no license will be issued.

Rule No. 7 False statements.
Material omission or misstatement of fact will result in denial of license or, if discovered after a license has been issued, in revocation of license.

Rule No. 8 Processing fees.
Applicant shall pay a non-refundable original processing fee as set by city ordinance.


New Rule No. 1.07 – 1.15
Safe Driving School Requirement.
a. A new applicant for a Public Chauffeur License or a Restricted Public Chauffeur License who has not possessed a valid Illinois State Driver’s license, or a valid driver’s license of another state, district or territory of the United States, for at least three years prior to the application for a Public Chauffeur License or Restricted Public Chauffeur License, must complete a Driver Training Course before being issued such license.
b. A new applicant whose driving record indicates that he has been convicted or placed on supervision by a court and/or an administrative adjudication process for any offense involving traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles during the past twelve months shall complete a Four Hour Safe Driving Class before being issued a temporary or permanent license. The completion of a safe driving course, consisting of four hours or more instruction, which was required of the driver by a court or administrative process pursuant to the disposition of the traffic offense involved shall satisfy the requirement in this paragraph.
c. A new applicant whose driving record indicates that he has been convicted or placed on supervision by a court and/or an administrative adjudication process for more than one offense involving traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles during the past twelve months shall complete the following before being issued a temporary or permanent license:
(1) An Eight Hour Safe Driving Class; and
(2) A Driver Training Course.
d. A new applicant whose driving record indicates that he has been convicted or placed on supervision by a court and/or an administrative adjudication process for more than two offenses involving traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles during the past twelve months will not be issued a license.
e. No on-line classes or courses will be accepted in place of any of the above requirements unless approved by the Commissioner.

Rule 1.08 Physical Examination Requirement.
All new applicants for a Public Chauffeur License or a Restricted Public Chauffeur License shall submit, on a form designated by the Commissioner, certification by an Illinois-licensed physician that he has conducted a physical exam of the applicant and has found the applicant capable of operating a Public Passenger Vehicle safely. Applicants holding an Illinois commercial driver’s license are exempt from this requirement.

Rule 1.09 Drug Test Requirement.
All new applicants for a Public Chauffeur License or Restricted Public Chauffeur License shall take a chemical detection test, conducted by authorities approved by the Commissioner, to ascertain whether the applicant is using a controlled substance, as defined by 720 ILCS 570/201 et seq., or cannabis, as defined by 720 ILCS 550/3. Only those applicants testing negative for the presence of a controlled substance or cannabis shall be eligible for a license.

Rule 1.10 Vision Examination.
All new applicants must pass a vision examination by meeting a minimum of 20/40 visual acuity in each eye with or without glasses or contact lenses.

Rule 1.11 Disabilities.
If a new applicant has a physical or mental disability or does not meet the application criteria listed in 9-104-030(2)(d), he must submit a statement from a state of Illinois licensed physician indicating the applicant’s physical or mental condition does not substantially impair his ability to operate a Public Passenger Vehicle.

Rule 1.12 Photographs.
All new applicants must submit four current photographs (1 ½ inches X 1 ½ inches) with a plain background, to be head shots with no head gear or scarves.
a. Dark glasses may be worn in the photographs only if prescribed by an Illinois licensed doctor for use while driving.
b. All other glasses may be worn in the photographs only if applicant needs them to pass the vision examination.

Rule 1.13 Fingerprints.
A fingerprint check will be made to ascertain criminal history, if any. If the applicant has been convicted of, or is currently under investigation for, a forcible felony or of any other offense that by statute or ordinance would preclude the issuance of a license, and less than five (5) years have elapsed from time of discharge from any sentence imposed therefrom, no license will be issued.

Rule 1.14 False Statements.
Material omission or misstatement of fact will result in denial of license or, if discovered after a license has been issued, in revocation of license. Any person who violates this rule shall be banned from applying or receiving a license.

Rule 1.15 License Application Fee.
All new applicants shall pay a non-refundable license application fee as set by city ordinance.