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Driver Tips

Practical advice from drivers who work Chicago every day.

how to get an illinois cdl - commercial driver's license
Driver Tips3 min read

CDL Guide for Chicago Drivers: What a Commercial License Actually Requires

Shuttle, charter bus and larger commercial passenger drivers in Chicago don't fall under BACP's taxi or livery license categories at all — they need a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with the right endorsement, issued by the Illinois Secretary of State rather than the city.

Afzaal Zeb ·

How to get a chicago livery chauffeur license
Driver Tips3 min read

Chicago Livery & Black Car License Guide: How to Get Your Restricted Chauffeur License

Livery and black car drivers in Chicago need a Restricted Public Chauffeur License — a separate license type from both taxi and rideshare, built specifically for prearranged, pre-negotiated-fare rides rather than street hails.

Afzaal Zeb ·

Driver Tips3 min read

Chicago Taxi License Guide: How to Get Your Taxi Chauffeur License

Driving a licensed Chicago taxicab requires a Taxi Chauffeur License, issued directly by the city rather than through a company. It's a more involved process than the rideshare route, and it's worth understanding the steps before you start.

Afzaal Zeb ·

Chicago rideshare license guide
Driver Tips3 min read

Chicago Rideshare License Guide: How to Get Your TNP Chauffeur License

If you want to drive for Uber, Lyft or another rideshare app in Chicago, you need a TNP Chauffeur License — but the process looks different from other public chauffeur licenses in the city. Here's what actually happens.

Afzaal Zeb ·

O’Hare Airport Pickup and Drop-Off Guide for Rideshare Drivers - pickup, drop off, staging
Driver Tips5 min read

O’Hare Airport Pickup and Drop-Off Guide for Rideshare Drivers

O’Hare trips can be valuable for Chicago rideshare drivers, but airport pickups operate differently from ordinary requests. Drivers cannot select their own waiting or loading locations, and passengers arriving at certain terminals must travel to a designated rideshare zone.

Afzaal Zeb ·

Ohare taxi driver guide - stand, pickups, and drop offs
Driver Tips5 min read

O’Hare Airport Pickup and Drop-Off Guide for Taxi Drivers

O’Hare is an important service area for Chicago and suburban taxi operators. However, Chicago taxicabs and suburban taxicabs do not necessarily use the same pickup process.

Afzaal Zeb ·

Ohare livery and black car guide
Driver Tips5 min read

O’Hare Airport Pickup and Drop-Off Guide for Livery and Black Car Drivers

Livery and black car service at O’Hare is based on prearranged transportation. Unlike a taxicab, a livery driver generally cannot accept street hails or collect passengers from a taxi stand.

Afzaal Zeb ·

Ohare commercial driver guide
Driver Tips5 min read

O’Hare Airport Guide for Shuttles, Buses and Commercial Drivers

Commercial passenger transportation at O’Hare includes hotel shuttles, off-airport parking shuttles, scheduled regional buses, charter buses and other authorized operators. These vehicles do not all use the same pickup location. A hotel shuttle should not automatically follow the procedure for a re

Afzaal Zeb ·

Ohare pickup and drop off guide for friends and family
Driver Tips9 min read

O’Hare Airport Pickup and Drop-Off Guide for Friends and Family

Picking up or dropping off a friend or family member at Chicago O’Hare International Airport can be confusing, even for experienced Chicago drivers. O’Hare has four passenger terminals, separate arrivals and departures levels, heavy traffic and strict curbside rules.

Afzaal Zeb ·