Gilroy Municipal Code Art. V Taxicab Driver’s Permit

(a) No person shall operate any taxicab regulated by this chapter in the City of Gilroy unless the person has been issued a valid taxicab driver’s permit as hereinafter provided.

(b) Application for such permit shall be made in writing to the chief of police and verified by the applicant setting forth the following information:

(1) The applicant’s name, age, address and past experience with regard to taxicab service.

(2) Names and contact information of applicant’s employers during the previous three (3) years.

(3) Whether an operator’s or a chauffeur’s license issued to the applicant by any state or governmental agency has ever been revoked, and the reasons therefor.

(4) Whether the applicant has been convicted of any crime, misdemeanor, or violation of any municipal ordinance or state law within five (5) years prior to the date of the application, including the nature of the offenses and the punishment or penalty assessed therefor.

(5) Whether the applicant has any disease or disorder or medical history of same, or is taking any medication or treatment, which could interfere with the safe operation of a motor vehicle.

(6) The name and address of the owner by whom the applicant is to be employed or engaged under contract as a taxicab driver.

(7) Such additional information as the chief of police may require.

(Ord. No. 94-2, § II, 2-22-1994)

(a) The applicant for a taxicab driver’s permit shall provide two (2) recent photographs to the chief of police, one to be filed with the application, and the other to be permanently attached to the permit. The permit shall be posted in a place conspicuous from the passenger’s compartment of the taxicab.

(b) Prior to issuance of a taxicab driver’s permit, the applicant shall be fingerprinted by the police department.

(Ord. No. 94-2, § II, 2-22-1994)

The applicant for a taxicab driver’s permit shall submit with the application a fee as set forth in the schedule of fees established by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. No. 94-2, § II, 2-22-1994)

The chief of police, or the city council on appeal, may deny an application for a taxicab driver’s permit filed by any person:

(a) Who is under the age of eighteen (18) years.

(b) Who does not hold a valid driver’s license issued by the State of California for the type of vehicle the applicant proposes to use as a taxicab in the city.

(c) Who, because of excessive and continuing use of alcoholic liquors, is incapable of safely operating a taxicab.

(d) Who is addicted to the use of narcotic drugs or a habitual user of any other drug which renders a person incapable of safely operating a taxicab.

(e) Who has a disease, disorder or medical history of same, or is taking any medication or treatment, which could interfere with the safe operation of a motor vehicle.

(f) Who does not demonstrate either proficient knowledge of the traffic laws of the State of California and the City of Gilroy, or is determined to be a negligent or incompetent operator of a motor vehicle.

(g) Who, within five (5) years prior to the date of application, has been convicted of any offense involving the use, possession, sale or transportation of narcotics, and the commission of such offense involved the use of a motor vehicle.

(h) Who, within five (5) years prior to the date of application, has been convicted of reckless driving or driving under the influence of any drug or intoxicating liquor.

(i) Who, within five (5) years prior to the date of application, has been convicted of a crime, or is on parole or probation for a crime, and the crime is substantially related to the qualifications, functions or duties of a taxicab driver.

(j) Who has had a taxicab driver’s permit issued pursuant to this chapter revoked within three (3) years prior to the date of application.

(k) Who has failed to furnish the information required for the application for the permit, or who has knowingly made a false statement, or concealed a material fact, or otherwise committed any fraud in the application.

(Ord. No. 94-2, § II, 2-22-1994)

(a) Within a reasonable time after receipt of the application, the chief of police shall issue a taxicab driver’s permit to the applicant, if the chief determines that there is no ground for denial of the permit. The chief may impose such terms, conditions or restrictions on the permit as is deemed necessary. The duration of the permit shall be for two (2) years from the date of issuance.

(b) If the chief of police has not completed all necessary investigation of the applicant and the application, but has no reason to believe that any ground exists for denial of the permit, the chief may issue a temporary permit to the applicant for a period of six (6) months or less, which permit shall be automatically revoked upon the actual issuance or denial of the taxicab driver’s permit.

(Ord. No. 94-2, § II, 2-22-1994)

The decision of the chief of police to disregard an application for a taxicab driver’s permit may be appealed to the city council. The procedures for the appeal and the requirements of notice and hearing are set forth in Article VII of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 94-2, § II, 2-22-1994)

(a) The taxicab driver’s permit shall be automatically revoked upon the termination of the driver’s employment or contract with the owner who endorsed the permit application.

(b) Within twenty-four (24) hours after any termination of employment or contract, the owner and driver shall notify the chief of police in writing of such termination and surrender any driver’s permit in their respective possession. If said permit is unavailable, the owner and driver shall state on the notification the unavailability of the permit and the reasons therefor.

(Ord. No. 94-2, § II, 2-22-1994)

(a) The chief of police may approve reissuance of a taxicab driver’s permit to any applicant without requiring another written application or new photographs and fingerprints and without the permit fee, if the endorsement required pursuant to section 23.35(b)(7) is filed by another owner within six (6) months after the applicant’s prior employment or contract with a taxicab business owner as a driver was terminated.

(b) This section does not apply to an applicant whose employment or contract with a taxicab business as a driver was terminated for reasons which constitute any of the grounds for denial, suspension or revocation of a taxicab driver’s permit.

(Ord. No. 94-2, § II, 2-22-1994)

§ 23.43. through § 23.44. (Reserved)