Chapter 116 — TAXICABS

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

DRIVER or CHAUFFEUR. Every person in charge of or operating any passenger-carrying vehicles as herein defined, either as agent, employee, or otherwise, under the direction of the owner, as herein defined.

OWNER. Every person having use or control of, or right to use or control any passenger-carrying automobile. (`67 Code, § 3-10-1)

(A) No owner shall conduct or engage in the business of operating any of the vehicles defined in § 116.01 without having first obtained a permit from the city pursuant to this chapter. In addition to the requirements specified in or imposed under this chapter, each application for any such permit shall state the name and residence address of each and every person interested in the ownership, operation or control of any vehicles for which such permit is desired, together with the number of each such vehicle, the make thereof, its capacity and the address of the place of business of such applicant. The application shall contain the name, color scheme, insignia or other design to be used upon such vehicle. Also, the application shall set forth the schedule of rates.

(`67 Code, § 3-10-2)

(B) The permits herein mentioned shall entitle the holder thereof to obtain a license to engage in the business described in the permit from the City Clerk upon payment in advance of the $50 and the license fee prescribed in Chapter 110 of this Code and the City Clerk shall issue to the holder of such permit a license setting forth the kind of transportation for which such license is issued and the period for which the same shall be effective. (`67 Code, § 3-10-5)

No permit shall be granted to any person to engage in the business of operating any of the above mentioned vehicles, until it has been shown that public convenience and necessity require the operation of such vehicles. (`67 Code, § 3-10-4)

The application shall show that the owner has procured and paid in advance the annual premium upon an insurance policy with an accredited and recognized insurance company doing business in the state, whereby the owner and the driver of each of the taxicabs which the owner will operate in the city are insured against liability for injury to any person as the result of the ownership, operation, or use thereof; the minimum liability limits upon each taxicab shall be in an amount to be determined by the City Manager for personal injury to any one person, persons, or for the injury to or destruction of property.

(`67 Code, § 3-10-3)

No person granted a permit as provided herein shall maintain a stand for any vehicle for which a permit is issued upon any street, without the permittee having first obtained in writing permission from the Council, and the owner or lessee or other person in charge of the property in the front of which such stand is maintained. (`67 Code, § 3-10-6)

No person shall drive, operate or be in charge of any taxicab or automobile for hire without first having obtained a permit, in writing, so to do, from the Sheriff's Commanding Officer. Before any permit is granted the applicant therefor shall file with the Sheriff's Commanding Officer an application in writing, stating therein the name and address of such applicant, his experience in the operation of an automobile, his age and as to whether he has any physical defects, and, if so, the nature of the same and shall exhibit any operator's or chauffeur's license issued to him by the state.

(`67 Code, § 3-10-7)

(A) All chauffeurs and owners of automobiles for hire as defined by this chapter shall be governed by rules and regulations established by the City Council.

(`67 Code, § 3-10-9) (Ord. 70-7, passed 5-25-70)

(B) The Sheriff's Commanding Officer shall have power to grant the permits mentioned in § 116.06 to persons who have complied with the provisions of this chapter and any rules and regulations adopted by the Council, and he shall also have the power to suspend or revoke any permit for failure, neglect, or refusal of any such person to comply with this chapter, or any rule or regulation of the Council appertaining to the operation of motor vehicles. (`67 Code, § 3-10-8)