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Where you operate

One region. Three authorities.

DC, Maryland and Virginia do not work the same way, and assuming they do is the most expensive mistake a new provider makes. Here is each one, with the date we last checked it, and the authority to contact when you need them rather than us.

Start with the trip pattern, then confirm the authority stack.

What governs here

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission licenses passenger carriers across the metropolitan district. Whether its certificate applies depends on the trip pattern and any exemption, so confirm the intended service in writing before purchasing vehicles.

DC company authority and business licensing sit alongside that question, not instead of it. Different offices answer different parts of the operating stack.

What District of Columbia requires

Only what the authority publishes. Where nothing is published we say so and name who to ask, because a confident guess is worth less than a true blank.

  • 01
    Published requirementVerified August 26, 2026

    Operating authority

    WMATC certificate of authority may be part of the operating stack for covered trip patterns in the metropolitan district. Confirm applicability and exemptions directly with WMATC.

  • 02
    Published requirementVerified August 26, 2026

    Active vehicle list

    When operating under WMATC authority, each vehicle must be recorded on the carrier’s active vehicle list. Confirm the filing before placing a van in service.

  • 03
    Published requirementVerified August 26, 2026

    Business licensing

    A DC Basic Business License, handled by DLCP. Which category applies to an NEMT operator is a question for them, and the answer is worth having in writing.

  • 04
    Not establishedVerified August 26, 2026

    Vehicle-for-hire registration

    Whether DFHV treats an NEMT van as a public vehicle for hire is not settled in anything published. Ask DFHV directly before assuming either way. Their office is listed below.

Insurance: the figures WMATC publishes

  • $1.5M combined single limit for restricted certificates.
  • $5M combined single limit for unrestricted certificates.
  • An endorsement lapse causes automatic suspension of your authority. Not a warning, not a grace period.

Check which certificate class you actually hold before you buy a policy against either number. Confirm the current requirement with WMATC.

WMATC Regulation No. 58, verified against WMATC orders on August 26, 2026.

Who to call

The authority is always the final word. If what they tell you differs from what you read here, they are right and we want to know.

  • Authority record

    WMATC

    Operating authority, the active vehicle list, and insurance endorsements.

  • Authority record

    DC DFHV and DLCP

    Vehicle-for-hire questions and business licensing.

  • Authority record

    Nexo Access

    What our standard asks for, and what is missing from your file.

Start with these three

All nine documents are in Resources.

Start the conversation

Tell us which jurisdiction you intend to work and what you run today. We will tell you what that authority asks for, and what is missing from your file, before you commit anything.

Not ready to apply? Ask us a question first.