Cars and a biker on a multi-lane road. There is also a person walking on the sidewalk.
Traffic Engineering
Yang Tao, Traffic Engineering Director

How to Become a City-Licensed Pedal Cab Operator

  1. Application

    Obtain and complete the application.

    Pedal Cab Operator License Application

  2. Insurance

    Obtain and submit insurance coverage providing for: $1 million per occurrence and listing “the City, its offices, officials and employees are named as additional insureds” [see MGO 11.06 (8)(b)] for details].

  3. Meet with Traffic Engineering Staff

    Make an appointment with Traffic Engineering staff, have your pedal cab vehicle inspected and submit insurance and application documents to Traffic Engineering staff for initial review.

  4. Apply for Drivers of Public Vehicles-Pedicab Permit

    Upon completion of step 3, apply for Permit for Drivers of Public Passenger Vehicles-Pedicab at Madison Police Records. 

    Email taxis@cityofmadison.com to request an application to complete this step.

    This process includes a criminal background check and the applicant must have a valid driver’s license from WI or other state.

  5. Letter of Approval

    If all requirements from steps 1-4 are met, an applicant will receive a letter of approval for a Provisional Pedal Cab Operator’s Permit from the City Traffic Engineer’s Office.

  6. Submit Paperwork to City Clerks Office

    Submit completed Pedal Cab Operator License Application along with Traffic Engineers letter of approval and insurance certificate to the City Clerk’s Office. The clerk will provide invoice for company application and vehicle permit license fees to be paid at Treasurer’s Office.

  7. Fees

    Pay appropriate fees at Treasurer’s Office.

  8. Receive Cab Permit Sticker

    Return to Clerk’s Office with appropriate receipts and a Provisional Pedal Cab Operator License and Pedal Cab permit sticker will be issued by Clerk’s Office staff.

  9. Transportation Commission and Common Council

    Subsequently, the Pedal Cab Operator License must be approved by Transportation Commission and Common Council. 

    Pedal cab operators may attend these meetings.

Important Pedal Cab Licensure Contacts:

For General Questions and Pedicab Vehicle Inspection:

Contact: Keith Pollock, Traffic Engineering Address: 215 MLK, Jr. Blvd, Madison Municipal Bldg. Suite 100 Phone: 266-4761 Email: kpollock@cityofmadison.com

For Company License and Vehicle Permit Sticker:

Contact: City Clerk’s Office Address: 210 Martin Luther King, City-County Building, Room 103, Phone: 266-4601 Email: clerk@cityofmadison.com

For Bicycle Registration Sticker and Payment of Fees:

Contact: City Treasurer’s Office Address: 210 Martin Luther King, City-County Building, Room 107, Phone: 266-4771 Email: treasurer@cityofmadison.com

For Permit for Drivers of Public Passenger Vehicles-Pedicab:

Contact: Madison Police Records Section Open Mon, Wed, Thurs, and Fri from 8am to 3:30pm for Permits Address: 211 S Carroll St, Room GR-10 Phone: 266-4969 Online info request 

Expiration and Fee Information

  • Pedal Cab Fees Pedal Cab Operator License

    • Initial - one year; Expires June 30th of year issued $125 
    • Initial - two year; Expire June 30th of Odd year $200 
    • Renewal - two year; Expire June 30th of Odd year $100 

  • Pedal Cab Vehicle Permit 

    • Pedal Cab Vehicle Permit (“sticker”); Expires June 30th $30 

  • Pedal Cab Driver’s Permit 

    • Permit for Drivers of Public Passenger Veh. Pedicab- Expires June 30th $25

General Pedicab Operator Rules 

  1. Licensees must adhere to routes specified in operator’s application. Operators may request additional or temporary routes from Traffic Engineering (MGO 11.06 (7)(j)1.). 
  2. No operator may drive a pedal cab for more than 10 hours in a 24 hour period (MGO 11.06 (7)(j)2.) . 
  3. Pedal-cab operation is prohibited between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Traffic Engineer may prohibit other hours of operation but does not currently (MGO 11.06 (7)(j)3.). 
  4. Pedal cab operators are required to have valid Driver’s licenses (MGO 11.06 (7)(j)5.). 
  5. Pedal cab driver’s shall comply with all State and City traffic law (MGO 11.06 (7)(j)6.). 
  6. All bicycles including pedal cab vehicle shall be required to registered with the City (Treasurer’s Office) (MGO 12.78).
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