No person shall operate a taxicab or vehicle for hire upon the
streets of this municipality without the permission of the owner of
said taxicab or vehicle, unless said taxicab or vehicle is licensed
as herein provided and unless and until said person shall have obtained
and be then in possession of a valid taxicab driver's permit
issued pursuant hereto and a valid driver's license issued by
the State of New Jersey in accordance with N.J.S.A. 39:3-10 and N.J.S.A.
39:3-10.1 as applicable.
Each applicant for a permit must conform to the following regulations:
A. Be not less than 21 years of age and a resident of the State of New
Jersey.
B. Present the certificate of a reputable physician showing that he
or she has been examined within 60 days and that he or she is of sound
physique, with good eyesight and not subject to epilepsy, vertigo,
heart trouble or any other infirmity of body or mind which might render
him or her unfit for the safe operation of a taxicab.
C. Be able to read, write and understand the English language and be
a citizen of the United States.
D. Has not been convicted of a misdemeanor, high misdemeanor, or an
indictable offense.
E. Has not been convicted of a crime or offense involving moral turpitude,
a disorderly persons offense or one of such a nature as would furnish
a reasonable basis for a determination that the applicant would pose
a threat to the safety and general welfare of the public if granted
a permit.
F. Has not received a dishonorable discharge from any branch of the Armed Services of the United States for a reason involving moral turpitude or other reason which would disqualify the applicant from receiving a permit in accordance with Subsection
E above and is not a member of any subversive group or organization advocating the overthrow of the government of the United States or the State of New Jersey.
G. Has had at least two years' driving experience as a licensed
driver in this or any other state.
H. Has a good reputation for honesty and morality in the community in
which he or she resides.
Upon receipt of the completed application meeting all requirements
hereof, the Township Clerk shall forthwith request the Police Department
to obtain the driving record and verification of driver's license
for the applicant, and the Police Department shall proceed without
delay to apply to the appropriate state agency for said information
and shall, upon receipt thereof, transmit same forthwith to the Township
Clerk, who shall then refer the application, driver's record
and other required documents, including the results of the fingerprint
investigation, to the Township Council. Conviction of a crime or offense,
excluding petty disorderly offenses and/or traffic violations, shall
constitute presumptively a lack of fitness, and other factors to be
considered for rejection of a license shall include but not be limited
to prior experience of the applicant in the area of public transportation
or in other areas of public service, complaints received from the
public as to the quality of service rendered by the applicant, complaints
from the Police Department or other enforcement officials of the municipality
as to the lack of cooperation on the part of the applicant in furnishing
transportation or other services to the public or the furnishing of
false information on the application or in connection therewith.
The permit and photograph shall be displayed in plain view in
the interior of the taxicab at all times the taxicab is being operated
by said permittee.
All permits currently in effect at the time of the enactment
of this ordinance shall expire on March 31, 2008. Thereafter, each permit
shall expire on the 31st day of March in the calendar year following
the year that the permit was first issued. A fee of $70 shall be paid
with each application for a permit, which fee shall not be refunded,
regardless of whether the permit is issued or denied. This permit
shall not be transferable. These fees are fixed and imposed for the
purpose of administration of this chapter.