CHAPTER 17-6
VEHICLES FOR HIRE

17-6-1 Taxicab, Definition and Licensing.

(A)    “Taxicab” shall mean and include all vehicles furnished with a driver and carrying passengers for hire. Automobiles used exclusively for the hotel business, buses operating a fixed route and ambulances shall not be considered as taxicabs.

(B)    Any person, firm, corporation, or limited liability company wishing to operate a taxicab within Tribal jurisdiction must be licensed by the Nation.

17-6-2 Furnishing of Approved Vehicles.

The vehicles to be used as taxicabs shall be of a kind and quality reasonably suitable for such purposes and shall be kept and maintained in good mechanical repair and condition, with efficient brakes and all other appliances as required by the Tribal Code or by legally constituted regulatory agencies. Licensed operators shall keep such equipment in a safe and sanitary condition and must meet all regulatory safety requirements.

17-6-3 Cleaning of Vehicle.

Licensed operators shall see to it that taxicabs are vacuumed and the windows cleaned each day and that license plates and all lights are clearly visible; and that the cabs are washed and the floors cleaned with a disinfectant at least every other week.

17-6-4 Inspection.

The Nation reserves the right for its duly authorized agents to inspect any and all taxicabs and the operation by riding as passengers or by other reasonable means.

17-6-5 Speed Limit.

No taxicab shall exceed the designated speed limit while transporting passengers.

17-6-6 Prohibited; Abusive Language, Alcohol, Drugs.

(A)    No owner or driver of any taxicab shall assault, threaten, abuse or use profane violent or improper language toward any passengers employing the taxicab.

(B)    No owner or driver while operating a taxicab will use any alcohol or illegal drug.

17-6-7 Compliance with Laws and regulations.

Licensed operators and their drivers are required to comply with the laws of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and of applicable regulatory agencies.

17-6-8 Drivers.

All drivers for a licensed operator must:

(A)    be eighteen (18) years of age or over and have not had a license suspension within the last five (5) years;

(B)    be of sufficient eyesight and hearing and not be subject to any infirmity of body or mind which might render him or her unfit for the safe operation of the vehicle;

(C)    be able to speak, read and write the English language proficiently;

(D)    be clean of dress and person and not be addicted to the use of intoxicating liquors or narcotics; and

(E)    possess a valid commercial driver’s license.

17-6-9 Liability Insurance.

(A)    A licensed taxicab must obtain, as a prerequisite, insurance coverage with respect to the vehicle for property damages, bodily injury or death resulting from the use or operation of the vehicle as a taxi cab. The coverage provided shall be in at least the following amounts:

(1)    Property damage-$100,000.00; and

(2)    Bodily injury or death-$500,000.00 per person/$500,000.00 per occurrence.

(B)    Proof of current insurance must be in the possession of the driver of the taxicab.

17-6-10 Fares.

(A)    All person operating taxicabs shall post outside or inside of the taxi the fares for transporting passengers.

17-6-11 Fares in Advance.

Every driver of a licensed taxicab shall have the right to demand payment in advance if the charge for the fare is clearly ascertainable from the posted charges outside or inside the cab and may refuse employment unless prepaid, but no person shall refuse to convey an elderly person (i.e., any person age 65 or above) on request, unless the driver is previously engaged.

17-6-12 Receipt to Passenger.

If demanded by the passenger, the driver of the taxicab shall deliver to the person paying the fare at the time of payment a receipt for the total amount paid and the date of payment.

17-6-13 Shortest Route.

The driver of a taxicab shall transport passengers to their place of destination by the shortest route practicable under the circumstances.

17-6-14 Displays.

(A)    The licensed taxicab must prominently display on the outside of the vehicle the name of the taxicab company or the telephone number of the company where a representative can be reached during daytime work hours.

(B)    A licensed taxicab may carry an advertisement on the cab if it is carried in a neat frame and is located on the cab in an area where it will not interfere with or cover the name of the cab company or telephone number. No advertisement for intoxicating liquors of any kind shall be allowed.

17-6-15 Overloading Prohibited.

No driver of any taxicab shall at anytime overload or carry so many people that the driver’s ability to observe the roadway is diminished, or his or her ability to safely operate the vehicle is obviously impaired, or it is apparent there is not a designated seat available for each passenger.

17-6-16 Lost Articles.

Whenever any package or articles of baggage, or goods of any kind are left in any taxicab, the driver shall upon discovery, if the driver knows the name or address of the passenger or name of the establishment where the passenger was delivered, attempt to contact the passenger or deliver the package to the passenger. If the driver is unable to contact the passenger, the driver shall document any attempts and deliver the goods to the law enforcement station nearest to where the passenger was delivered and into the hands of the officer in charge.

17-6-17 Temporary and Replacement Vehicles.

A licensed taxicab may make temporary use of another vehicle to take the place of any licensed cab during any period when such licensed cab is out of service because of the necessity of repairing or servicing. The temporary taxicab must be included in the required insurance policy. Temporary cabs must meet all the requirements of a licensed taxicab.

17-6-18 Trade Name and Insignias.

Any taxicabs licensed under the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation shall state the trade name under which the applicant intends to conduct the business and the peculiar or distinguishing color scheme or design, including any monogram or insignia, intended to be used upon the vehicle.

17-6-19 Ambulance.

In no event will a licensed operator advertise or hold him or herself out to the public to be an ambulance service or capable of providing transportation service to individuals who are sick, injured, wounded, or otherwise incapacitated or helpless and in the need of medical treatment during transit or in the need of an Emergency Medical Technician.

17-6-20 Penalty.

(A)    Any licensed operator determined to be in violation of any of the sections or provisions of the Title or any other provisions of the Code is subject to license termination, revocation, or suspension or any other action determined appropriately by the Tribal Court. This can include a fine of up to five hundred dollars ($500) for each violation.