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Glossary

Passenger transportation terminology, explained

Dispatch, charter services, hourly bookings and deadhead mileage: passenger transport vocabulary for the United States and Canada.

Licensing and operating rules depend on the country, state or province and the type of service. Each regulatory term below identifies the territory concerned.

All terms, in alphabetical order

Each definition has its own address: you can point a colleague or a client directly to the term that interests you.

Running your services

  • Trip

    A passenger or group’s journey from pickup to destination, with any agreed intermediate stops.

  • Dispatch

    Assigning bookings to drivers and vehicles based on timing, availability and passenger requirements.

  • Transfer

    A service between two agreed locations, such as an airport and a hotel.

  • Hourly service

    Booking a vehicle and driver for an agreed period. The quoted terms specify included time and any overtime charges.

  • Pickup

    The agreed place and time at which the driver meets the passenger to start the journey.

  • No-show

    A passenger who does not arrive for the agreed pickup. Any charge depends on the booking conditions.

  • Charter service

    A vehicle and driver booked for a group’s itinerary, rather than individual seats sold on a scheduled route.

  • Deadhead mileage

    Vehicle travel without passengers, for example to reach the next pickup. Also called deadheading.

Customers and billing

  • Quote

    A proposed price setting out the service, inclusions, possible additional charges and acceptance conditions.

  • Corporate account

    A business customer whose bookings and billing details are managed together.

  • Subcontracting

    Entrusting a service to another transport operator under agreed commercial terms and responsibilities.

  • Credit note

    A document reducing or cancelling a previously invoiced amount. Its tax treatment depends on local requirements.

Local terminology

Market-specific terms and links to the responsible public authorities.

  • Interstate operating authority

    United States · interstate commerce

    Federal authority for for-hire passenger carriers engaged in interstate commerce, subject to exemptions. This can include some airport connections even within one state; state and local permissions are separate.

    Official source · FMCSA

  • Qualified automobile

    Canada · Québec

    In Québec, a vehicle recognised under the provincial framework for remunerated passenger transport by automobile. This is a Québec-specific term, not a Canada-wide licence.

    Official source · Gouvernement du Québec

  • TCP Permit / Certificate

    United States · California

    California operating authority issued by the CPUC to a charter-party carrier, including relevant limousine and group charter businesses. The permit or certificate concerns the operator, with a scope determined by its authority type.

    Official source · CPUC

  • TLC Driver License

    United States · New York City

    New York City’s professional driver licence for taxis, black cars, livery vehicles and limousines. It concerns the driver; the vehicle and operating business have separate licensing requirements.

    Official source · NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission

  • For-Hire Vehicle License

    United States · New York City

    New York City’s TLC licence for a black car, livery or limousine vehicle. The vehicle must be affiliated with a licensed for-hire base; this licence is separate from the driver’s TLC licence.

    Official source · NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission

  • Airport ground transportation permit

    United States · airport-specific

    Permission that an airport may require for commercial pickups or other ground transportation activity. Operators check the rules of each airport separately from their state or federal operating authority.

    Official source · CPUC

  • Authorized driver’s permit

    Canada · Québec

    A permit issued by the SAAQ to a driver for remunerated passenger transportation by automobile. It is one route to qualified-driver status in Québec and is distinct from the ordinary driving licence.

    Official source · SAAQ

  • Vehicle-for-Hire Driver Licence

    Canada · Toronto, Ontario

    Toronto’s municipal driver licence for taxicab and limousine drivers. It concerns the driver and is not a Canada-wide operating licence.

    Official source · City of Toronto

  • Special Authorization Licence

    Canada · British Columbia

    British Columbia’s operating licence for services including limousines and other passenger-directed vehicles. Passenger Transportation Board approval determines the authorised service.

    Official source · Government of British Columbia

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