O'Hare & Midway Pickup Rules for Limos and Black Cars
There is no special airport permit. Contrary to a common industry belief, no Chicago Department of Aviation landside "ground transportation permit" or AVI transponder requirement exists for prearranged livery and charter pickups at O'Hare or Midway — the CDA's vehicle regulations and permits govern the airfield inside the security perimeter, not the curb.
What airport access actually requires
- Your regular licensing: a BACP public vehicle license for Chicago-based operators, or Department of Finance GTT/MPEA registration emblems (free, annual, per vehicle) for suburban and out-of-state operators.
- The two tax regimes: the Ground Transportation Tax (city plates: flat $98/month since July 2026; suburban: $3.50 per airport-pickup day) and the MPEA Airport Departure Tax ($4 per livery departure; $18/$36/$54 per bus departure by capacity).
The conduct rules that do have teeth
- Every trip prearranged. A livery vehicle may not accept street hails or solicit passengers — and soliciting inside any Chicago airport is specifically unlawful (MCC 9-114-280).
- Staging only in designated areas. Charter and sightseeing vehicles may not park or stage outside City-designated locations, and drivers must present a trip itinerary on demand.
- Suburban operators: pickups within Chicago (airports included) are lawful only when prearranged and carrying passengers destined to the community where the vehicle is licensed.
Violations cross-reference MCC 9-114-410 — fines per day, with license suspension or revocation available for repeat offenses.
Common questions
Do you need a permit to pick up at O'Hare or Midway?
No. There is no Chicago Department of Aviation landside "ground transportation permit" or AVI transponder requirement for prearranged livery and charter pickups — the CDA's rules govern the airfield inside security, not the curb.
What do you actually need to pick up at a Chicago airport?
Your regular licensing — a BACP public vehicle license for Chicago-based operators, or free annual DOF GTT/MPEA emblems for suburban and out-of-state operators — plus the two tax regimes: the Ground Transportation Tax and the MPEA Airport Departure Tax.
What airport conduct rules are actually enforced?
Every trip must be prearranged — no street hails or soliciting, and soliciting inside any Chicago airport is specifically unlawful (MCC 9-114-280). Staging is allowed only in City-designated areas, with a trip itinerary presentable on demand. Violations carry per-day fines and can escalate to suspension.
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