Sightseeing Carrier

Type of Operation

Sightseeing Carrier

Description

A person who transports the general public to and from points of interest in Virginia primarily for the passengers' experience and enjoyment and/or to promote tourism.

Authority Document

Certificate

Required Documents

Operating Requirements

  • This certificate authorizes your operations only in Virginia.
  • You must provide services to the general public without discrimination.
  • You may not refuse service without good cause.
  • You must operate only on a round -trip basis.
  • You must issue a ticket that must display the points of interest and the round-trip fare.
  • The number of this certificate must appear in any advertisement for this service.
  • Advertisements for your services may not contain untrue, misleading or deceptive information.

Insurance Requirements

Bodily Injury and Property Damage:

$350,000 - 1 to 6 passengers (including driver)

$1,500,000 - 7 to 15 passengers (including driver)

$5,000,000 - 16 or more passengers (including driver)

Bond Requirements

You must keep a $25,000 surety bond or letter of credit on file with DMV's Motor Carrier Services for three years from the date your operating authority certificate is issued. Refer to Passenger Carrier and Passenger Broker Bond (Form OA 435) or the Passenger Irrevocable Letter of Credit (Form OA 447).

Registration and License Plate Requirements

See Registration and License Plate Requirements.

License Plates: For-Hire license plates

Vehicle Registration: Must be registered as for-hire

Operating Authority Registration:

  • Non-apportioned (not IRP registered vehicles) - The operating authority information will be displayed on the vehicle registration card when the for-hire license plates are issued.

Fees

$50 filing fee

$3 Operating Authority Registration fee per vehicle

$3 for a duplicate certificate

Miscellaneous Requirements

Address Change - You must report any new address to DMV's Motor Carriers Services within 30 days.

Discontinuing Service - If you go out of business or stop providing the service authorized, you must notify DMV in writing within 30 days.

Federal Employer ID Number (FEIN) verification from the IRS, if applicable