What is a CPNC?
A CPNC, or Certificate of Public Necessity and Convenience, is required for all for-hire vehicles picking up passengers in New Orleans. Each CPNC is given a unique number which can be used to identify a vehicle.
This CPNC number must be prominently displayed on the vehicle as an assurance that it complies with municipal regulations. All CPNC vehicles must undergo inspections and are subject to the regulations outlined in New Orleans municipal code, chapter 162.
If a vehicle with a CPNC is taken out of operation, the Ground Transportation Bureau must be notified in writing and the holder must file a change of equipment application to attach that CPNC to another vehicle.
All CPNC applications must be submitted by email to gtb@nola.gov.
Steps to Obtain a CPNC
- File a CPNC application, along with required paperwork, with the Ground Transportation Bureau (GTB). Applications submitted by 4pm on the 2nd Friday of the hearing month. CPNC hearings will be held on the 4th Friday of January, April, July, and October. Applications submitted after 4pm will be heard on the next schedule hearing.
- Applicants are required to attend the hearing which is held in the City Council Chambers.
- If awarded, within three weeks of the hearing, the GTB will mail out letters with additional requirements. The applicant will have 90 days to finish the activation process for each vehicle.
- Begin the activation process. Email all required paperwork to gtb@nola.gov.
- The applicant will be informed of the CPNC number(s) assigned and must have the vehicle lettered and numbered and ready for inspection.
- To finish the activation process, the CPNC holder will receive the CPNC certificate(s) from the Ground Transportation Bureau office via mail.
NOTE: There will be no CPNC Hearing in April of 2023. The next scheduled CPNC Hearing is July 28, 2023.
Applicant Requirements
Applicants must:
- be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States
- reside in the parish of Orleans, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Plaquemines, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, or St. James. If the applicant is a corporation or partnership, the all duly registered officers of the corporation or principal partners of the partnership must meet the residency requirement.
Documentation Needed
The following documents are required for all applicants including all duly registered officers or agents if the applicant for a CPNC is a corporation:
- A complete, signed, and notarized application (required for all officers/agents of a corporation)
- Documentation of United States citizenship (birth certificate, permanent residence card)
- Documentation of proof of residency (mortgage statement, utility bill, property tax bill, or notarized rental agreement).
- A Louisiana-issued identification card or driver’s license
Once a CPNC Application is Accepted
Once a CPNC application is accepted, an applicant has ninety (90) days to activate the CPNC or request an extension in writing. All CPNCs are required to have a vehicle attached and to be in operation.
If a CPNC is not activated within the initial ninety (90) days of the acceptance letter, an extension request must be filed, and a holding fee of $50 per month must be paid in order to maintain the CPNC. Be advised extension requests can not exceed one (1) year. Any CPNC that is not activated within ninety (90) days and for which an extension is not filed shall be rescinded and considered void.
In order to complete the CPNC activation process, additional documents are required to be submitted and the vehicle must have a current and valid for-hire inspection certificate, issued by the Ground Transportation Bureau.
Documents to Activate a CPNC
The following documents are required to be submitted once a CPNC has been awarded prior to the vehicle being inspected:
- A copy of the vehicle registration (the use type must be listed as FOR-HIRE or SCHOOL BUS as applicable)
- A current certificate of liability insurance for the required amount for the CPNC/vehicle type. The City of New Orleans must be listed as a certificate holder. The certificate must list the vehicle identification number (VIN) or be covered under a fleet policy.
- Limousine CPNC holders are additionally required to maintain a fidelity bond of $10,000.
- A current occupational license issued by the City of New Orleans.
- All CPNC holders are required to maintain a business office and phone number within Orleans Parish.
- A line letter from the company/line that the vehicle will be associated with once operational.
Minimum Insurance Requirements
- Taxicabs & Accessible Taxicabs—$25,000/$50,000/$25,000
- Limousine, General Charter, Sightseeing, & Airport Shuttle
- 8 Passengers or less: $250,000/$500,000/$10,000
- 9-15 Passengers: $1,000,000 CSL
- 16 passengers or more: $1,000,000 CSL
- Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
- Auto liability: $25,000/$50,000/$25,000 or 75,000 CSL
- General liability: $100,000 CSL
- Charter Party Carrier (Party Bus)
- General liability: $1,000,000 CSL
- Animal Drawn Carriage—$1,000,000 CSL
- Pedicab—100,000/$300,000/$50,000 or $350,000 CSL
- School Bus
- Exclusively transporting children to or from school or school related activities: $1,000,000 CSL
- All other transportation services: $5,000,000 CSL
CPNC Hearing Schedule
A public hearing is required prior to issuance of a CPNC. Hearings are scheduled for 10:00 AM on the fourth (4th) Friday of the months of: January, April, July, and October (excluding holidays). A completed application with all required documentation must be submitted by 4:00PM on the second (2nd) Friday (two weeks prior to the hearing) to be placed on the hearing agenda for that month.
Applicants are required to attend the hearing. If there is no one present on behalf of the applicant, the application will not be heard at the hearing and the applicant must request in writing another hearing date.
Applicants will be notified in writing of the results of their application within approximately three (3) weeks after the hearing.
CPNC Vehicle Inspections
All vehicles for which a CPNC has been issued are subject to annual* and random inspections. A vehicle must pass an inspection before a CPNC is issued.
Individuals bringing a CPNC vehicle for inspection must possess a valid driver’s permit issued by the GTB or be an authorized agent approved to transport CPNC vehicles for repairs or inspections. Such authorized agent must be approved by the GTB prior to driving any CPNC vehicle. To be an approved agent for inspection, a copy of the agent’s driver’s license must be on file with the Inspection Station manager.
* School buses are required to be inspected semiannually.
Any vehicle with a CPNC that is found in violation of equipment standards will be issued a correction slip and will have its for-hire inspection certificate removed. The vehicle must be reinspected within 3-15 days, depending on the violation(s). The correction slip will indicate when the vehicle should be reinspected.
Inspection Station
3901 Desire Pkwy
New Orleans, LA 70126
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8:00am - 12:00pm
CPNC Renewal and Expiration Dates
All CPNCs must be renewed annually. The documents required to renew a CPNC is the same as the initial application; however, a CPNC hearing is not required for renewals.
NOTE: a CPNC cannot be renewed if the current vehicle associated with the CPNC has any outstanding parking or traffic camera fines unless;
- The fines have been paid in full;
- A payment plan has been set up with the Department of Public Works Parking Division to pay off the fines.
- The fines are in dispute.
If the payment plan falls into default, the CPNC cannot be renewed until the fines are paid in full.
- Animal Drawn Carriage, Courtesy, & Pedicab: March 31
- School Bus: April 30
- Limousine, General Charter, Sightseeing, Airport Shuttle, Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, Charter Party Carrier: June 30
- Taxicab & Accessible Taxicab: December 31
Fees
- Accessible Taxicab New Issuance & Annual Renewal: $100
- Animal Drawn Carriage New Issuance CPNC: $250
- Animal Drawn Carriage Annual Renewal CPNC: $300
- Courtesy New Issuance & Annual Renewal: $300
- Pedicab New Issuance & Annual Renewal: $100
- All other CPNC New Issuance & Annual Renewal: $150
- Vehicle Inspection/Reinspection: $50
- Vehicle Inspection Delinquency: $2 per day