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August 2020

DFHV Expanded Services

As summer slowly transitions to fall, the District government continues to operate under a public health emergency due to coronavirus (COVID-19). Under the leadership of Mayor Muriel Bowser, the city's agency operations have adapted to provide critical services in a largely telework posture. The Department of For-Hire Vehicles (DFHV) is excited to announce that most of our services have transitioned online. Drivers and operators can now apply for a license, register a vehicle, and obtain other regulatory required services completely online. New customers can use this form to request a new Face ID through the online portal. Existing drivers and companies should use this form to apply for an account to access the online portal. If you already have an account, please log in to your portal to access DFHV services. Even though we have made many services available online, in-person appointments with DFHV Client Services are available and can be scheduled online and by contacting (202) 645-7300 or DFHV.ClientServices@dc.gov. Please note: appointments are required for in-person meetings. DFHV is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday (except holidays). During your appointment, safety protocols will be in place including a face covering or mask requirement, protective shields and complimentary hand sanitizer. All for-hire operators are reminded that the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) new Bus Priority Program has established Car Free Lanes in several of the District’s busiest transit corridors. Signage, pavement markings, and red paint will designate the lanes as bus only. This is an operational change that will impact for-hire ride operators, including taxis and TNCs (i.e., Uber, Lyft, Via). They cannot drive, stop, or stand in these shared bus and bicycle lanes, regardless of whether they are actively picking up or dropping off a passenger. They are only allowed to enter a Car Free Lane to make a turn at an intersection or driveway, as permitted by signage (specific exemptions for wheelchair accessible vehicles are currently under discussion). The fine for unauthorized vehicles using a Car Free Lane is $200; currently, violators are being issued warnings. For more information about the District’s Bus Priority Program, please visit ddot.dc.gov/page/bus-priority or email buspriority@dc.gov. DFHV has launched a campaign to emphasize steps to support a safe riding experience in for-hire vehicles. We must continue to care for each other as the virus still exists. Follow these guidelines: wear face coverings or masks in for-hire vehicles and public places, practice social distancing, wash your hands frequently, and stay home when you are sick. All of us must help.   Stay safe. Stay informed. Visit coronavirus.dc.gov

Driver Resources

DFHV is taking steps during to support for-hire drivers, vehicle owners, and businesses in the for-hire industry. You can take advantage of useful free resources including financial and unemployment assistance, food delivery opportunities, health care, legal services, and more. Click here to learn more

Are you interested in getting a protective barrier? Click here

Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program

This summer, DFHV participated in the Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP). The program helps District youth gain experience in the workforce. Here is a message from the student placed with the agency about what she did and learned:

This summer, I was placed with DFHV as an intern. I did administrative work like transcribing meetings and working with Excel, PowerPoint and Word documents. I also got to work on many design projects where I updated flyers, documents and social media posts. I like that I got to meet new people and learn new things, such as DFHV’s work with both taxi drivers, Uber, Lyft, Via, and limousine drivers. DFHV ensures that both residents and visitors have safe and affordable transportation options. They provide support to drivers by providing helpful information to deal with the public health emergency like providing safety tips and business assistance. If I had the opportunity, I would love to come back and work for DFHV.

These sentiments demonstrate the successful results of Mayor Bowser’s commitment to MBSYEP. The program is meeting its objective to allow DC youths to actively engage in the workforce, earn wages and develop skills that increase their future employability.

Know Your Rights

Please know your rights as a passenger and a driver. Always behave responsibly and treat each other with mutual respect. Physical and/or verbal abuse is not allowed. Mayor Bowser issued Mayor’s Order 2020-080 to require all for-hire drivers and their passengers to wear a cloth face covering or mask at all times. Passengers should sit in the backseat and handle their own baggage. Customers are encouraged to use contactless payment options when possible. Remember to wash hands with soap and water frequently and use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.  Drivers are advised to carry tissues in their vehicles.

If customers refuse to comply with safety measures, drivers may report this concern to your taxi company operator, your app rideshare company, and/or the authorities, as appropriate. If you feel uncomfortable with providing transport to a visibly sick customer for safety reasons, you can choose to refuse transport. However, discrimination against customers on the basis of race, national origin, or other reasons as described in your company’s policies, local, state, and federal law, is not allowed.

For further guidance visit coronavirus.dc.gov/healthguidance.

Need A Test. Get A Test. Then Stay Home.

Please be advised that any DC resident age 6 or older, experiencing symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), such as fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, congestion, body aches, chills, runny nose, or with known exposure to COVID-19 should get a COVID-19 test. You DO NOT need a doctor's note for any of the walk-in sites. Remember that testing and quarantine go together. So, while waiting for results, protect our community by staying home.

Stay up to date with the latest information at coronavirus.dc.gov