That makes sense if you're thinking of a drivers' license (where you have to pass a qualification test), but these licenses serve solely to restrict the supply.

That makes sense if you're thinking of a drivers' license (where you have to pass a qualification test), but these licenses serve solely to restrict the supply. It varies by the locale, but I'm not even sure if there are any qualifying tests for obtaining a taxi license (other than basic criteria, like having a commercial drivers' license in good standing, etc.) in most parts of the US. (London is an interesting exception: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxicabs_of_the_United_Kingdom https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxicabs_of_the_United_Kingdom)