Consumer Affairs

Welcome to the Consumer Affairs web site. We hope that businesses and consumers in Seattle will find the site informative and helpful.

Taxicab And For Hire Vehicle Regulation

Consumer Affairs inspects all taxicabs and for-hire vehicles. In addition we test drivers to insure that they can safely transport passengers. Taximeters are tested to verify that they are accurate and passengers are not overcharged. Cameras are tested for accuracy to enhance driver and public safety. Inspectors check taxicabs and for-hire vehicles on the street days, evenings, and weekends to make certain that taxicabs and drivers conform to standards contained in the taxi code.

• Inspectors conduct safety inspections, taximeter tests and camera tests for approximately 929 Seattle and King County taxicabs.
• Inspectors conduct safety inspections and camera tests for approximately 258 Seattle and King County for-hire vehicles.
• Inspectors investigate passenger complaints reported (e.g., short trip refusals, overcharges, lost items).
• Inspectors enforce taxi code requirements on the street (e.g., trip sheets, display of license enlargements, receipts). Issue monetary penalties for violations.
• Issue taxicab and for-hire vehicle licenses and taxicab association licenses. License requirements: vehicle inspection by ASE certified mechanic, minimum vehicle size limit (large), maximum vehicle age limit (7 years), minimum vehicle insurance ($100,000/$300,000 liability, $25,000 property damage, $25,000/$50,000 underinsured motorist).

Limousine Inspection Program

Consumer Affairs inspects all limousines that conduct business within the City of Seattle. In addition, we ensure that limousines have valid insurance. Inspectors check limousines on the street days, evenings, and weekends to make certain that limousines and chauffeurs conform to standards contained in the limousine ordinance.

• Inspectors investigate service complaints reported (e.g., customer service, trips not prearranged).
• Inspectors conduct limousine street enforcement (e.g., trips not prearranged, office audits, manifests). Issue criminal complaints for violations.
• Issue limousine carrier City of Seattle business licenses. Limousine carriers conducting business within the City of Seattle.
• Monitor insurance for validity and ensuring combined single limit for bodily injury liability and property damage for one accident is $1,050,000.00.
• Issue chauffeurs City of Seattle business licenses to chauffeurs that are not limousine carrier company employees and are conducting business with the city of Seattle.

Weight and Measures Inspection Program

Consumer Affairs inspects and tests all weighing and measuring equipment in commercial use to assure that consumers get what they pay for and businesses have a "level playing field" for competition. Inspectors check packaged products to verify compliance with weights and measures code requirements addressing net content declarations, method of sale, labeling, and unit pricing. Price scanning systems are tested to verify pricing accuracy.

• Inspectors conduct unannounced tests of commercial weighing and measuring devices (e.g., scales, gas pumps, taximeters) located within the city.
• Inspectors investigate consumer complaints - normally within 24 hours (e.g., short weight, price scanning).
• Inspectors verify that the net contents of packaged goods are the same as the labeled net contents.
• Inspectors check pricing accuracy of price scanning systems.
• Inspectors enforce a variety of packaging requirements including: labeling, method of sale, tare, net contents, and unit pricing.

SPD Impound Agreement

Consumer Affairs administers the SPD impound agreement to monitor compliance for the protection of vehicle owners and to meet the needs of the Seattle Police Department. Complaints about towing damage and charges are investigated promptly.

• Inspect storage lots, audit impound records. Investigate owner complaints (e.g., damage to vehicle, tow charges).
• Authorize release of vehicles or property to persons other than registered owners.
• Review appeals for unticketed impounds (e.g., evidence holds, stolen recoveries) to decide whether impounds and charges are proper.
• Monitor tow contractor compliance with SPD impound contract (e.g., response times, evidence hold reports).

Private Impound Law

Consumer Affairs administers the City of Seattle Private Impound Law. The City ensures that tow businesses are in compliance with city law regarding privately towed vehicles of proper impound and storage charges for the protection of the public.

• Investigate complaints of privately impounded vehicles. (e.g., impound and storage charges exceeding City of Seattle regulated private impound rate).
• Audit tow company businesses for city compliance regarding obtaining proper city licenses and licensing requirements.
• Audit tow company businesses for city compliance regarding privately impounded vehicles being properly documented.
• Audit tow company businesses regarding proper private vehicle impound redemption notification to the Seattle Police Department. (e.g., Redeemed Vehicle List).

Consumer Protection

Consumer Affairs hosts the Consumer Protection web site. The Consumer Protection web site provides the public with consumer information and access to some consumer agency complaint processes.

For more information on consumer protection contact:
City of Seattle at: (206) 386-1298
Washington at: (360) 902-1857

We welcome your comments. If you have a specific question you would like answered, please send us E-Mail at: seattle.consumer-affairs@seattle.gov

Taxicab & For-Hire Vehicles Regulatory Program

Limousine Inspection Program

Seattle Weights & Measures Program

SPD Impound Agreement

Private Impound Law

Consumer Protection

Consumer Affairs Staff

File Taxicab Complaint Or (206)296-TAXI Or Complaint Information