Chicago Charter Bus & Sightseeing License Requirements
$1,000 per vehicle per year. Chicago licenses charter/sightseeing vehicles (over 9 seats including the driver, under 16-passenger capacity for this class) through BACP under Municipal Code 9-114, on a fixed license year running July 1 – June 30.
The rest of the charter-side stack
- Inspections: Illinois Certificate of Safety every six months per vehicle at an Official Testing Station.
- Drivers: a Chicago Public Chauffeur License ($40, 2-year term) — and for vehicles under 16-passenger capacity, either a CDL with passenger endorsement or a Restricted Chauffeur License. At 16+ persons including the driver, a CDL is mandatory, which brings the federal stack: DOT medical certificate, Clearinghouse annual queries, and the random drug & alcohol testing pool.
- Ground Transportation Tax: charter vehicles pay daily — $6.00/day (11–24 seats) or $9.00/day (25+). The July 2026 flat-fee change covered city livery plates only, not charter.
- MPEA departure tax at ORD/MDW: $18 (capacity 1–12), $36 (13–24), or $54 (25+) per departure — not the $4 livery rate.
- Conduct: staging only in City-designated areas; itinerary presentable on demand; no soliciting (MCC 9-114-395).
Common questions
How much is a Chicago charter or sightseeing vehicle license?
$1,000 per vehicle per year, issued by BACP under Municipal Code 9-114 on a license year running July 1–June 30, for vehicles over 9 seats and under 16-passenger capacity for this class.
What does a Chicago charter bus pay in Ground Transportation Tax?
Charter vehicles pay daily GTT — $6.00/day for 11–24 seats or $9.00/day for 25+ seats. The July 2026 flat-fee change applied to city livery plates only, not charter.
Do Chicago charter drivers need a CDL?
For vehicles under 16-passenger capacity a driver needs either a CDL with passenger endorsement or a Restricted Chauffeur License, plus the Chicago Public Chauffeur License ($40, 2-year term). At 16+ persons including the driver, a CDL is mandatory and brings the full federal stack.
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