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City of Chicago Restricted Limo Chauffeur License Program
Frequently Asked Questions


CLASS INFORMATION, SCHEDULE AND NOTICE

Q - I SIGNED UP FOR CLASS, WHY HAVEN’T I HEARD ANYTHING FROM YOU

    A - You received a communication from us after you registered at the email you provided on your registration form. We do not update you daily! You will receive additional information/reminders approximately 5 days before class. Please make sure you white list our email addresses to be sure you receive all of our updates: info@professionalchauffeurtraining.com OR paula@professionalchauffeurtraining.com

Q - I NEED TO COME TO CLASS LATE (OR LEAVE EARLY). IS THIS POSSIBLE?

    A - No. You must complete the entire class in order to proceed with the exam. If you cannot participate in the entire 6+ hour class, please contact us
    for an alternate date.
    A rescheduling of $50 applies, and you are only permitted one time to reschedule within 30 days of your original class date. There are no refunds. 

Q - WHAT HAPPENS IF I ARRIVE LATE FOR CLASS? 

    A - If you arrive late for class, you will not be admitted under any circumstances. It is your responsibility to arrive on time. You must complete the entire class in order to proceed with the exam. You must also return from class breaks on time, or you may be removed from class.
    A rescheduling of $50 applies, and you are only permitted to reschedule one time within 30 days of your original class date. There are no refunds. 

Q - MAY MY FRIEND COME AND WAIT FOR ME WHILE I TAKE THE CLASS OR EXAM? 

    A - No. Only registered students are permitted in the class and exam area. Visitors or friends are not permitted on the premises, and will be immediately removed by security. There are no exceptions. NOTE: If a visitor refuses to leave the building, we reserve the right to also remove the student from the class/exam, and no refunds are issued.


CHAUFFEUR LICENSE ELIGIBILITY

Please refer to the BACP website for the minimum license eligibility requirements:
https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/bacp/publicvehicleinfo/publicchauffer/newapplicantforpublicchauffeurlicensechecklistjan62025.pdf
We do not issue refunds if you register for class and do not meet the City of Chicago license eligibility requirements. 

    Q - I CANNOT READ OR SPEAK ENGLISH VERY WELL.
    MAY I REQUEST THE CLASS AND EXAM IN A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE OR HAVE AN INTERPRETER?

      A- No. All classes and exams are in English only. No interpreters or interpreting equipment are permitted during classes or exams. You may only communicate in English during the class and exams. We reserve the right to remove you from a class or exam if you cannot communicate with the PCTC instructor or staff.
      You are not permitted to record our classes, take photographs or use any type of translating device. We reserve the right to remove you from a class or exam if you are found recording or using a translating device, and no class refunds are issued. Incidents are reported to the City of Chicago BACP. 

    Q - I HAVE A U.S. DRIVER'S LICENSE FOR LESS THAN 1 YEAR. DO I QUALIFY FOR A CHAUFFEUR LICENSE?

      A - No. Per City of Chicago regulations, you must have a valid, permanent driver's license from any state, district or territory of the United States, for at least one consecutive year, and shall not currently have a suspended or revoked driver's license in any state, district, or territory of the United States. There are no exceptions to this regulation. 

    Q - I NEED TO COME TO CLASS LATE (OR LEAVE EARLY). IS THIS POSSIBLE?

      A - No. You must complete the entire class in order to proceed with the exam. If you cannot participate in the entire 6+ hour class, please contact us
      for an alternate date.
      A rescheduling of $50 applies, and you are only permitted one time to reschedule within 30 days of your original class date. There are no refunds. 

    Q - I HAVE AN INTERNATIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE. DO I QUALIFY FOR A CHAUFFEUR LICENSE?

      A - No. Per City of Chicago regulations, you must have a valid, permanent driver's license from any state, district or territory of the United States, for at least one year, and shall not currently have a suspended or revoked driver's license in any state, district, or territory of the United States. There are no exceptions to this regulation.

    Q- I USED TO HAVE A CHAUFFEUR LICENSE (LIMO OR TAXI) YEARS AGO. DO I NEED TO PROVIDE FINGERPRINTS AGAIN?

      A - Yes. When a license has lapsed, City of Chicago regulations require that you must apply for a chauffeur license as a new applicant. This includes completing a class, passing the exam and submitting new application paperwork. This is a City of Chicago regulation requirement.

    Q - I USED TO HAVE A CHAUFFEUR LICENSE (LIMO OR TAXI) . WHY CAN'T I JUST TAKE THE EXAM AND SKIP THE CLASS?

      A - When your license has lapsed for more than 12 months, you must apply for a chauffeur license as a new applicant. This includes completing a class, passing the exam and submitting new application paperwork. This is a City of Chicago regulation requirement.

    Q - SHOULD I GET MY FINGERPRINTS NOW? MY FRIEND TOLD ME IT IS A GOOD IDEA?

    Q- I HAVE A PAYMENT PLAN WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO. AM I STILL ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR A CHAUFFEUR LICENSE?

      A - Yes. You will provide a copy of your payment plan to Business affairs and Consumer Protection when you apply for your license with your license application. Keep in mind that you must keep your payments current to avoid having your chauffeur license suspended.

    Q- I HAVE AN ISSUE OR CONCERN REGARDING MY BACKGROUND, WILL I BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR A LICENSE?

      A - PCTC does not issue licenses, and cannot advise you on matters regarding your license eligibility. Please call the City of Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection at 312-746-4200, or email your question to bacppv@cityofchicago.org

    Q - HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR THE CITY TO ISSUE MY CHAUFFEUR LICENSE?

      A - The license process involves multiple action steps which we will discuss in depth during class. For example, incomplete paperwork and factors such as your background check, driving record or debt/financial issues with the City could slow down the process. It has a minimum of 3 weeks from the time you submit a COMPLETE application, but keep in mind that it does vary. 

    Q - IS THERE AN EXPEDITED CHAUFFEUR LICENSE PROCESS AVAILABLE? I NEED MY LICENSE IMMEDIATELY.

      A - No. There is no expedited license application process. Refer to the answer above for additional information.

    Q - HOW DO I GET CITY LICENSE PLATES? DOES PCTC ASSIST WITH THIS PROCESS?

      A - No. The chauffeur license class is to obtain a license to drive a livery vehicle in Chicago. In order to drive your vehicle within the City of Chicago you must apply for a livery/business license. Please contact Business Affairs and Consumer Protection at 312-746-4200 for assistance. 


    CLASS BOOKS, STUDY MATERIALS AND EXAMS

    Q - WHEN DO I RECEIVE THE TRAINING MATERIALS? I WANT TO STUDY BEFORE THE CLASS

      A - We provide class materials on the day of your class. There is no pre study required for the class.

    Q - I WANT TO PICK UP THE TRAINING MATERIALS AT YOUR OFFICE BEFORE CLASS?

      A - We do not distribute training materials from our office. Please do not come to the office, as we do not have books available there. Our office hours are by appointment only.

    Q - I BORROWED AN OLD TRAINING BOOK FROM A FRIEND. IS THIS OK?

      A - No. We update our materials frequently. We are not responsible if you use outdated materials for the class.

    Q - CAN I TAKE THE EXAM ON THE SAME DAY AS THE CLASS?

      A - No. You must study the materials you learned during the class and prepare for the exam. We schedule exams 4-7 days after your class, and are typically offered on Fridays or Saturdays by appointment only.
      Exams must be completed within 45 days of your class date or you will be required to register, pay and take the class again. 

    Q - IF I FAIL THE EXAM THE FIRST TIME, MAY I RETAKE IT AGAIN ON THE SAME DAY?

      A - No. If you fail the exam the first time, you may request a retake, but it will not be on the same day. It is recommended that you do some additional study before taking the exam a second time. You are only permitted 2 exam attempts- if you fail the second time, you will fail the class.
      We report all exam scores to the City of Chicago BACP within 48 hours. 

    Q- WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL THE EXAM TWO TIMES?

      A - If you fail the exam a second time, you will fail the class. You may register, pay and take the class again if you want to pursue your license.
      We report all exam scores to the City of Chicago BACP within 48 hours. 

    Q - ARE THERE QUESTIONS WHICH I CAN MEMORIZE FOR THE EXAM? WHAT IF I MEMORIZE THE TRAINING MATERIALS?

      A- No. The actual exam questions are not provided to students. However, we do provide sample questions and electronic flash cards which you can practice; to make sure you have learned and understand the material.
      Questions on the exam are based on the material covered and discussed during class, and are not necessarily written the same way as the practice questions. Some questions are posed as situations/examples to test your understanding of the materials. Memorizing the practice questions does not guarantee that you will pass the exam. You should be prepared to take notes during each lesson, as examples are provided during the lecture. We administer multiple versions of the exam. If you do not pass the first time, you will be issued a different version of the exam for your second attempt. 

    Q - I FOUND SOME TESTS ON THE INTERNET. SHOULD I STUDY USING THESE TESTS? 

      A- We do not endorse nor recommend that you use any chauffeur license practice exams found on the internet.
      The exams online:
      - Are not published or endorsed by PCTC
      - May include inaccurate or outdated information.
      - May include information that is not covered in the PCTC course curriculum. Our course content meets the requirements of and is approved by the City of Chicago BACP.

      * PCTC assumes no responsibility if you choose to study using online tests not approved by our company. 


    STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

    The best way to reach us is by email. If you text, PLEASE include your name. We get many texts daily and may not recognize you by your phone number. If you call our office, please leave a voicemail (speak clearly) and include your name as well as the best time to call you. We have limited office hours so please be patient!

    You can also find information on the City of Chicago BACP website: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/bacp/provdrs/vehic/svcs/publicchauffeur.html

    Privacy and Confidentiality:
    To protect your privacy and respect your confidentiality, we only communicate with our registered students. We do not accept any calls or emails from employers, friends, family or anyone representing you as a translator. 

      Telephone: 773-758-0296

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