ARTICLE II. TAXICABS
DIVISION 1. GENERALLY
126-26 Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Administrator means the administrator of the building and safety engineering division of the community development department, or any designated agents thereof.
Approved special event means a special event that is specifically consented to officially or formally, confirmed or sanctioned by the organizers of the event.
Chief of police means the chief of the police department of the city, or any designated agents thereof.
Cruising means driving a taxicab on the streets, highways, alleys, or any other places open to the general public within the city in search of or soliciting prospective passengers for hire.
Limousine means a self-propelled motor vehicle used in the carrying of passengers and the baggage of the passengers for hire upon a public highway of this state with seating capacity of 15 passengers or less, including the driver. Limousine does not include a self-propelled motor vehicle having a seating capacity of 15 passengers or less that is used by or on behalf of an employer to transport its employees to and from their place of employment.
Limousine carrier of passengers means a person who, either directly or through any device or arrangement, holds him/herself out to the public as willing to undertake for hire to transport by limousine from place to place over the public highways of this state, persons who may choose to employ him/her for that purpose.
Reciprocity means a mutual or cooperative interchange of taxicab licensing favors or privileges; the exchange of taxicab fare rights or privileges of trade between municipalities; the exchange, recognition, or enforcement of taxicab licenses, privileges, or obligations between municipalities; or, the mutual exchange of commercial or other privileges to be in full force and effect during municipal events which require reciprocal taxicab licensing during special events to assist other municipalities with transportation.
Special event means a significant occurrence or happening, activity, contest or sports program to be arranged, conducted in, or appropriated for a particular occasion or purpose, for a specified time, in the city. Such events may be, but are not limited to: a football playoff game—Super Bowl, a baseball playoff game—World Series, a soccer playoff game—World Cup Soccer, or any event sanctioned by the city as a special event requiring taxicab reciprocity.
Street means any street, highway, avenue, alley, court, lane or any other place open to the general public within the city.
Taxicab means any motor vehicle furnishing individual service for compensation and transportation of passengers on the streets of the city between such points as may be directed by the passenger; provided, that motor vehicles used as ambulances, hearses, buses operating on a fixed route or vehicles operated by the city shall not be construed as taxicabs.
Taxicab business license means the permission granted by the city to a person authorizing the holder thereof to conduct a taxicab business in the city.
Taxicab driver’s license means the permission granted by the city to a person authorizing the holder thereof to drive a taxicab upon the streets of the city.
Taxicab license means permission granted by the city to a person authorizing the holder thereof to operate a vehicle as a taxi in the city.
Taximeter means a mechanical, electronic or other device or instrument by which the charge for hire is mechanically, electronically or otherwise calculated and upon which such charge shall be indicated by means of figures.
(Code 1985, § 20-46; Ord. No. 2187, 10-20-05)
Cross reference—Definitions generally, § 1-2.
126-27 Scope.
The provisions, regulations and requirements of this article shall govern the operation of taxicabs within the city. Any person not in compliance with the provisions of this article may bring passengers into the city, but shall not pick up any passengers or accept any business for any destination within or outside the city.
(Code 1985, § 20-47)
126-28 Authority of police.
The city police shall have the authority to confiscate any license and/or impound any vehicle upon probable cause that the continued operation of such vehicle and/or by such driver will constitute a hazard or interference with the public safety. Such license shall be returned to the licensee on the next business day after the abatement of such hazard.
(Code 1985, § 20-77)
126-29 Prohibited actions.
(a) No person shall drive or operate, or cause to be driven or operated, a taxicab in the following manner or for the following purposes:
(1) For any purpose personal to the driver, including social or recreational purposes;
(2) For the purpose of securing passengers while cruising, except as defined in section 126-26
(3) For the purpose of knowingly and willfully providing transportation for a person when engaged in unlawful undertaking;
(4) For the purpose of transporting a passenger other than in taxi service, and no passenger shall be allowed to ride in the front seat with the driver unless the rear seat of the taxicab is occupied;
(5) Carrying any other person other than the first person employing the taxicab without the consent of such first person; and
(6) Refusing to transport a passenger on account of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age or sex.
(b) No owner, taxi driver or other person representing the owner may ask the destination of any potential customer until after the customer has entered and hired the taxicab, nor may the driver refuse to deliver any orderly passenger to any destination within the city limits reasonably accessible by automobile.
(Code 1985, § 20-76)
126-30 Fares; rates; posting; meter operation.
(a) No person owning, operating or controlling any motor vehicle used as a taxicab within the limits of the city shall charge any rate of fare except in accordance with the following schedule of rates, based on a meter reading:
(1) Two dollars per meter throw.
(2) Fifty cents for each one quarter of a mile.
(3) Thirty-four cents for each minute of waiting time.
(4) Fifty dollars per bond plate issued.
(5) One hundred dollars per taxicab business license.
(b) No fare in excess of nor less than the rate of fares in accordance with this section shall be charged by any cab driver. No charge shall be made on any packages, bags, suitcases or ordinary traveling baggage.
(c) When any taxicab is used in transporting a passenger, the taxicab meter shall be used at all times and a flag on the meter shall be down, or similar device activated indicating that the cab is engaged. The flag shall be thrown up or the device deactivated when the passenger is delivered to a destination. In no case shall the driver accept the payment from the passenger without first throwing up the flag or deactivating the device on the meter.
(d) All taxicabs shall give to the passenger the exclusive right to the use and occupancy of such motor vehicle.
(e) A printed fare schedule indicating the fares set out in this section shall be placed in each taxicab so as to be plainly visible to all passengers.
(f) Fares may be changed by resolution of the city council from time to time. Copies of the current charges shall be available in the office of the city clerk.
(g) In the event gasoline prices are $2.50 per gallon or more, a surcharge of $1.50 per fare shall be in effect in an effort to defray the rising cost of gasoline.
(Code 1985, § 20-48; Ord. No. 2145, 8-22-02; Ord. No. 2187, 10-20-05)
126-31 Revocation of licenses; surrender of license; appeal.
(a) A taxicab business license, a taxicab license and/or a taxicab driver’s license may be suspended or revoked by the council or hearing officer provided for that purpose on any one of the following grounds:
(1) For violation of any of the provisions of this article;
(2) Upon the discovery of facts existing prior to or subsequent to the issuance of the current license, which facts would be cause, under the terms of this article, for refusal to issue or renew a license;
(3) For knowingly providing false, erroneous or misleading information in the application for any such license; or
(4) For operating or permitting to be operated a taxicab, or for conducting business, in such a manner as to endanger the public security, health or safety.
(b) Before suspending or revoking a license under this article, the city council shall give notice to the license holder of the reasons for the proposed action and a day and time for a hearing thereon, at which time the license holder shall have an opportunity to be heard and to show cause why the license should not be suspended or revoked. The hearing shall be public and shall be held by the council or a hearing officer appointed by the council to serve as a fact finder.
(c) A verbatim record of the hearing under this section shall be made and the decision of the council shall be based on the testimony and evidence presented at the hearing. If a hearing officer is utilized, the decision of the council shall be based upon the transcript of the proceedings before such officer. The decision of the council shall be final.
(d) Upon the decision of the council suspending or revoking a license under this article, the license holder shall immediately surrender to the administrator the license, plates, badge, or other indicia of license holding that may have been issued to the license holder by the city under this article. Failure to surrender such object shall be a violation of this article and shall be punishable as such.
(Code 1985, § 20-55)
126-32—126-40 Reserved.
DIVISION 2. BUSINESS LICENSE
126-41 Required.
(a) No person shall operate or cause to be operated a taxicab owned or controlled by such person as a vehicle for hire upon the streets of the city unless such person shall have a taxicab business license issued and held in accordance with all provisions, regulations and requirements set forth in this article; a taxicab license for each such taxicab; and each driver of such taxicab shall have a taxicab driver’s license issued and held in accordance with all provisions, regulations and requirements in this article.
(b) A taxicab operated or caused to be operated by any person not having a taxicab business license may bring passengers into the city, but shall not pick up any passengers for any destination within or outside the city.
(Code 1985, § 20-49)
126-42 Application; contents.
Any person applying for a taxicab business license under this article shall file with the administrator a written application under oath upon a form to be furnished by the administrator, which shall include the following:
(1) The name, residence and post office address of the person making the application and, if a firm or corporation, the names and post office addresses of the members of the firm or officers of the corporation, and investors in such firm or corporation as the case may be.
(2) If an individual or firm, the age of the applicant or applicants.
(3) A description of the motor vehicles to be used as taxicabs under the license, including make, model, horsepower, engine model, vehicle registration number, seating capacity and ownership.
(4) The trade name under which the taxicab is operated.
(5) Business references from five individuals or firms or corporations with whom the person has been acquainted and doing business for the past one year. This requirement may be waived by the administrator with respect to applications for renewal of license by the applicant who has in a previous application under this article or its predecessor ordinance complied with this requirement.
(6) A statement as to whether the applicant has ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor and, if so, the nature of the crime, date and place of conviction.
(7) A statement as to whether the applicant has previously been licensed to operate a taxicab, engage in the taxicab business or to drive a taxicab, and, if so, the time and place of such licensing and whether such license has ever been revoked, including the reasons therefor.
(8) Other such information as the administrator or chief of police may require in regard to the applicant’s character, business ability, responsibility and qualifications for licensing.
(Code 1985, § 20-50)
126-43 Approval or denial; qualification of applicant; fee; term.
(a) Upon receipt of a completed application in accordance with all of the requirements contained in this division, and upon payment by the applicant of any and all fees required under this division, the administrator shall refer the application to the chief of police for verification and investigation and, upon completion within a reasonable time, endorse thereon approval or denial, and in cases of denial, shall state the reasons therefor.
(b) No taxicab business license shall be issued if the applicant:
(1) Has not attained the age of 18 years;
(2) Has been found not to be of good moral character;
(3) Is addicted to the use of intoxicating liquors or narcotics; or
(4) Has shown to be lacking in business reliability and responsibility.
(c) The phrase “good moral character,” when used in this article for the purpose of licensing, shall be construed to mean the propensity on the part of the person to serve the public in the licensed area in a fair, honest and open manner.
(d) A judgment of guilt in a criminal prosecution or a judgment in a civil action shall not be used, in and of itself, as proof of a person’s lack of good moral character. It may be used as evidence in the determination, and when so used the person shall be notified and shall be permitted to rebut the evidence by showing that at the current time he has the ability and is likely to serve the public in a fair, honest and open manner, that he is rehabilitated, or that the substance of the former offense is not reasonably related to the occupation or profession for which he seeks to be licensed.
(e) The following criminal records shall not be used, examined or requested by the city in a determination of good moral character:
(1) Records of an arrest not followed by a conviction;
(2) Records of a conviction which has been reversed or vacated, including the arrest records relevant to that conviction;
(3) Records of an arrest or conviction for a misdemeanor or a felony unrelated to the person’s likelihood to serve the public in a fair, honest and open manner;
(4) Records of an arrest or conviction for a misdemeanor for the conviction of which a person may not be incarcerated in a jail or prison.
(f) When a person is found to be unqualified for a taxicab business license because of a lack of good moral character, or similar criteria, the person shall be furnished by the city clerk with a statement to that effect. The statement shall contain a complete record of the evidence upon which the determination was based. The person shall be entitled, as of right, to a rehearing on the issue before the council if he has relevant evidence not previously considered regarding his qualifications.
(g) The annual fee for each person licensed under a taxicab business license shall be in the amount as set from time to time by resolution of the council. All such licenses shall expire on May 31 of each year, unless sooner suspended or revoked as herein provided.
(Code 1985, § 20-51)
126-44 Identifying colors or insignia.
The administrator shall have the power to designate distinctive colors and/or other insignia to be used on the taxicabs of each licensee. Until such power is exercised, the color or other insignia now being used by each business licensee shall remain the same. On every taxicab, there shall be placed thereon the business name of the licensee in such size and location as directed by uniform regulations of the administrator.
(Code 1985, § 20-52)
126-45 Examination of records; criminal investigation.
All taxicab business licensees shall permit examination of their employment and all other business records where necessary for any criminal investigation by the police department without warrant during normal business hours.
(Code 1985, § 20-53)
126-46 Taxicab business to be operated full-time; exception.
(a) Full-time operation. All taxicab business licensees under this division shall make the taxicab business their principal occupation, and shall on all secular days, unless the exception provided in subsection (b) is granted, furnish 24-hour service. It is the purpose of this division to ensure the city the operation of taxicabs by licensees who will make the operation of such taxicabs their principal occupation, and to discourage the operation of taxicabs by persons who operate taxicabs as a sideline or additional occupation to their chief occupation.
(b) Part-time operation exception. The city council may, upon application of any licensee under this division, permit a licensee to operate a taxicab on a part-time basis, provided the following grounds are shown to exist:
(1) There is a substantial public interest in having a part-time taxicab service.
(2) There is an insufficient number of full-time taxicab businesses in operation.
(3) The part-time operation will provide a greater benefit to the public than not permitting it at all.
The licensee shall determine a schedule of operation specifying the hours and days of operation and submit it to the administrator for public information and shall post such schedule in any advertisement the licensee shall employ. Additionally, the schedule shall not be changed unless there is prior approval of the administrator for good cause shown. The license to operate on a part-time basis shall expire on May 31 of each year, as set forth in section 126-43.
(c) License revocable. The license to operate on either a full-time or a part-time basis may be revoked for failure to furnish services in accordance with the time requirements set out in this section. Such revocation shall be subject to the procedures of section 126-31
(Code 1985, § 20-54)
126-47—126-55 Reserved.
DIVISION 3. VEHICLE LICENSE
126-56 Taxicab license required.
(a) No vehicle shall be operated in the city without a taxicab license issued and held in accordance with the provisions, regulations and requirements of this article.
(b) The taxicab license shall be displayed at the rear of the vehicle in the general vicinity of the vehicle license plate issued by the secretary of state, readily visible from the rear.
(Code 1985, § 20-56)
126-57 Restriction on number of licenses; transfer of licenses; fee.
(a) The total number of taxicab bond plates to be issued within the City is to be 50. Such determination shall be made based upon the record of the total number of taxicabs operated by such licensee during the preceding expired license year. Where licensed taxicabs have not been operated in accordance with their scheduled full-time or part-time operation during the preceding expired certification year, no renewal certification shall be issued; except that nonuse of any taxicabs due to major repairs shall be considered in the application of the above restrictions.
(b) Any taxicab business licensee, on the approval of the council, may transfer the taxicab license on such taxicab to another business licensee. Upon furnishing evidence that the licensed taxicab is no longer to be used as such, the council may authorize the transfer of the taxicab license for the use on another taxicab of another business licensee, provided the quotas established by the council for licenses are not exceeded. Upon the death of any person owning a taxicab license under this article, the transfer of such license shall be made upon approval of the council to the legal representative of such deceased licensee. In no event shall any transfer be made or license issued or renewed unless the proposed licensee complies with all the terms and provisions of this article. For every transfer of license, a transfer fee in the amount established from time to time by resolution of the council shall be paid to the administrator for each taxicab. The council retains authority notwithstanding any other provisions contained in this article to revoke any license for any violation of this article.
(c) The city council hereby allows community development, upon notification of approved special events requiring reciprocal taxicab operations, to sell bond plates to taxicab drivers who have applied for a taxicab drivers license, whose vehicles are metered for passenger transportation and pass all necessary vehicle inspections, investigations, insurance, registration and health requirements, and any/all other requirements listed in this chapter, as amended.
(d) Reciprocity of the city taxicab ordinance will be in effect in conjunction with the timeframe defined by an approved special event.
(e) An insignia to represent an approved special event will be required to be placed on any approved taxicab to distinguish it as a cab able to function under the reciprocal taxicab ordinance.
(f) An approved insignia shall be placed on the lower left front windshield for ease of visibility.
(g) The cost of the insignia shall be determined by resolution of the city council from time to time.
(h) The business licensing bureau shall, upon receipt of approval for vehicles for hire, issue the insignias to the cabbies to affix to their taxicab vehicle.
(i) The council may allow for up to 150 taxicabs to be licensed in Pontiac in conjunction with any approved special event requiring taxicab reciprocity, when deemed necessary to accommodate city guest.
(Code 1985, § 20-57; Ord. No. 2145, 8-22-02; Ord. No. 2187, 10-20-05; Ord. No. 2296, § 1, 7-4-13)
126-58 Inspections; impoundment; fee.
(a) The city police department shall inspect or require that the applicant for or holder of a taxicab license cause to be inspected, at the applicant’s/licensee’s own expense, any taxicab being operated under such license to determine that the taxicab is in a condition of continued fitness for public use. Such inspection shall be performed once every six months or more often as may be necessary in the discretion of the city.
(b) The council may establish such rules and regulations establishing specific standards of fitness for public use for taxicabs, in addition to the requirements of this article, as it may deem necessary.
(c) Any taxicab being operated in violation of any provisions of this article or rules adopted under this article and chapter 114 of the Code may be impounded by the police, and a service charge of $25.00 shall be paid to the city in addition to the impoundment fee before the vehicle is released from the pound. The payment of such service charge shall not release the owner or driver of such vehicle from any penalty imposed for violation of the provisions of this Code.
(d) After satisfactory inspection by the city police department, and upon approval by the administrator, the administrator shall issue to each taxicab a license plate which shall be displayed at the rear of the taxicab at all times.
(e) The city may impose, and the holder of such taxicab license shall be required to pay, a fee for inspection conducted by the city. Such fee shall be set by resolution of the council.
(Code 1985, § 20-58)
126-59 Insurance requirement; amount; notice of cancellation.
(a) Before any taxicab license for a taxicab shall be issued, the applicant shall file with the administrator an insurance policy issued by an insurance company licensed to do business in this state in compliance with the motor vehicle code of the state and approved by the risk management division, providing insurance coverage for each and every taxicab owned, operated and/or leased by the applicant. Notwithstanding the requirements imposed by the motor vehicle code, the policy of insurance shall be in the sum of at least $100,000.00 for injury to one person, or $300,000.00 for injury to more than one person, and $50,000.00 property damage in any one accident through the operation of the taxicab of the applicant. Such policy of insurance shall contain a provision for a continuing liability thereunder to the full amount thereof, notwithstanding any recovery thereon, and that until the policy is revoked as herein provided, the insurance company will not be relieved from liability on account of nonpayment of premiums, failure to renew license at the end of the year, or any act or omission of the named insured.
(b) Any insurance company whose policy has been so filed, pursuant to this section, shall file a notice with the inspection services division of its intent to terminate and cancel such policy ten days prior to such termination or cancellation and give notice thereof to the named licensee. Ten days after such filing, the licensee or owner shall cease to operate or cause to operate within the city such taxicab or motor vehicle for hire and the license issued thereunder shall be automatically revoked and liability on such policy shall cease and terminate, provided that the liability of the insurance company thereon for any act or omission of the licensee or owner occurring prior to the effective date of cancellation shall not be thereby discharged or impaired. The notice of termination required in this section shall be a provision contained in the policy of insurance filed with the administrator.
(Code 1985, § 20-59)
126-60 Taximeters; inspection; fee.
(a) All taxicabs shall have affixed thereto a taximeter. The city police department shall inspect or require that the applicant for, or the holder of, a taxicab license cause to be inspected, at the applicant’s/licensee’s own expense, the taximeter on wheel or road test with respect to distance computed or actually traveled. No tolerance in deficiency and no tolerance in excess of two percent may be allowed.
(b) An inspection fee in the amount set by resolution of the council shall be charged for each inspection of a taximeter conducted by the police department.
(c) No person shall operate or permit to be operated a taxicab equipped with a taximeter not having the case thereof sealed and covered and gear thereof intact.
(d) Every taximeter shall be so affixed that the amount of the fare determined shall be plainly visible to the passengers thereof, and after sundown shall be illuminated by a suitable light.
(Code 1985, § 20-60)
126-61 Maintenance of taxicabs.
All vehicles licensed under this article shall be:
(1) Kept in good condition of repair, as to the security of its parts and equipment;
(2) Kept in good mechanical order;
(3) Free from all unnecessary odor, noise or debris while being operated;
(4) Kept in a clean, wholesome, sanitary and tidy condition; and
(5) Maintained so as to comply with all other requirements of law, this Code, and rules and regulations of the administrator.
(Code 1985, § 20-61)
126-62 Commercial advertising signs.
Commercial advertising signs may be placed on the rear of taxicabs, provided such advertising material does not obstruct the view of the driver and is not a hazard to motor vehicle traffic.
(Code 1985, § 20-62)
126-63 Multiple vehicles; separate taxicab license required for each; insurance.
Nothing in this article shall be deemed to prohibit any business licensee from owning and operating more than one taxicab, provided that separate applications and insurance policies are filed for each taxicab and that the driver thereof first secure a taxicab driver’s license and comply with all requirements imposed upon the business licensee thereof.
(Code 1985, § 20-63)
126-64 Vehicle substitution; transfer of license; notice.
Any holder of any taxicab license may substitute one vehicle for another of equal carrying capacity. If such substitution continues for more than three days, a written notice of substitution shall be filed with the administrator and notice thereof endorsed upon the license therefor issued by the administrator. All license plates and notices shall be transferred to such substituted motor vehicle. Any car substituted under the provisions of this section shall comply with the requirements of this article, including inspection and insurance.
(Code 1985, § 20-64)
126-65—126-75 Reserved.
DIVISION 4. DRIVER’S LICENSE
126-76 Required.
No person shall operate or cause or permit to be operated a taxicab as a vehicle for hire upon the streets of the city unless such operator shall have the state chauffeur’s license and the taxicab driver’s license issued and held in accordance with the provisions, regulations and requirements of this article.
(Code 1985, § 20-65)
126-77 Permitting unlicensed driver to operate taxicab.
No person shall permit any unlicensed driver or any driver whose state chauffeur’s license or city taxicab driver’s license has been suspended or revoked or otherwise not in the driver’s possession to operate any taxicab in the city.
(Code 1985, § 20-66)
126-78 Application.
(a) Each applicant for a taxicab driver’s license must make applications under oath and must:
(1) Be 18 years of age or over;
(2) Furnish a health certificate from a licensed physician certifying that the applicant is of sound physique and not addicted to the use of intoxicating liquor or drugs; has good eyesight and hearing; is not subject to heart disease, vertigo, epilepsy, or any disease which might affect the operation of a motor vehicle; and is not afflicted with any infectious disease or with any venereal disease in any communicable form;
(3) Be able to read and write the English language;
(4) Produce on forms to be provided by the administrator certificates of his good character from two reputable citizens who have known him personally and observed his conduct during the one month immediately preceding the date of application;
(5) Fill out the applicant’s form to be provided by the administrator, giving applicant’s full name, residence, place of residence for five years previous to moving to his present address, age, height, color of eyes, place of birth, place of previous employment, whether married or single, any convictions of a felony or misdemeanor, whether previously licensed as a driver or chauffeur, and if so, when and where, and whether the license was ever revoked and for what cause, which form, when completed, shall be signed and sworn to by the applicant and filed with the police department as a permanent record;
(6) Attach to the application a certified copy of the applicant’s driving record obtained from the secretary of state;
(7) File with the application three photographs of himself, two by three inches in size, in color, one of which will be attached to the applicant’s license in a manner to be determined by the administrator so as to securely and permanently affix it to the license in such a manner that it cannot be altered or removed;
(8) Have his fingerprints taken and recorded with the police department; and
(9) Possess a valid state chauffeur’s license.
(b) The investigation of all applications for licenses under this division shall be conducted by the police department.
(Code 1985, § 20-70)
126-79 Approval and issuance.
(a) Upon receipt of a completed application in accordance with all the requirements contained in this division and upon payment by the applicant of the required license fee, the administrator shall, within a reasonable time, and after investigation by the police department, endorse thereon approval or denial, and in cases of denial, note the reasons therefor thereon.
(b) No license shall be issued if the applicant:
(1) Has not attained the age of 18 years;
(2) Has not been found to be of good moral character as defined in section 126-43 of this Code;
(3) Has been convicted within the preceding five years of a violation of statutes controlling the sale, possession and use of drugs and like material;
(4) Has been convicted within the preceding five years of driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or while ability is impaired;
(5) Has accumulated more than eight points within the preceding 24 months on his driving record;
(6) Is unable to furnish a health certificate containing the certification requirement under section 126-78
(7) Is unable to read and write the English language;
(8) Is unable to produce certificates of reference as required by section 126-78(a)(4);
(9) Has previously been licensed as a driver or chauffeur and has within the preceding five years had such license revoked for reasons which would cause revocation of a license issued under this division;
(10) Submits an application containing false or misleading information; or
(11) Does not possess a valid state chauffeur’s license.
(Code 1985, § 20-71)
126-80 Display of driver’s badge.
Every driver shall have his/her taxicab driver’s badge conspicuously displayed to the satisfaction of the chief of police so that the occupants of the taxicab may easily see it, both in the day and nighttime.
(Code 1985, § 20-67; Ord. No. 2145, 8-22-02)
126-81 Display of metal bond plate.
There shall be given to the certified taxicab business for each taxicab inspected, certified, and insured a taxicab bond plate of such form and style as the administrator may prescribe, with the taxicab number and year of expiration, which must under penalty of law and/or revocation of license, be constantly displayed on or about the vehicle for hire.
(Code 1985, § 20-68; Ord. No. 2145, 8-22-02)
126-82 Temporary license.
The administrator may issue a temporary taxicab driver’s license, pending the investigation being conducted by the police department and determination made by the administrator, for a period of 30 days, but in no event shall the temporary license be extended beyond 90 days.
(Code 1985, § 20-72)
126-83 License fees; expiration.
The annual fee for a taxicab driver’s license shall be in the amount as set from time to time by resolution of the council. All such licenses shall expire on May 31 of each year, unless sooner revoked as provided in this article.
(Code 1985, § 20-73)
126-84 Driver’s records public.
The administrator shall keep a complete and public record of the issuance of each license and all renewals, suspensions, complaints, violations and revocations thereof, which record shall be filed with the original application for such license.
(Code 1985, § 20-74)
126-85 Behavior of drivers.
(a) Every person driving or operating a taxicab shall:
(1) Be courteous and respectful;
(2) Refrain from smoking while actually carrying passengers;
(3) Refrain from swearing, loud talking or boisterous conduct;
(4) Drive the motor vehicle carefully and in full compliance with all traffic laws, ordinances and regulations;
(5) Promptly answer all court notices, traffic violation notices and police notices; and
(6) Deal honestly with the public and his employer.
(b) Upon violation of any provisions of subsection (a), the administrator may immediately suspend the license of the offending driver and upon investigation may recommend to the council that such license be revoked.
(Code 1985, § 20-75)
126-86 Defacing license.
Any licensee or other person who defaces, removes or obliterates any official entry made upon a taxicab driver’s license, or defaces, removes or obliterates the photograph attached thereto, shall, in addition to any other penalty or punishment, have his license revoked by the administrator.
(Code 1985, § 20-69)