A.
License required.
(1)
No person shall drive a taxicab or limousine or permit
any other person to drive a taxicab or limousine within the City without
having obtained and having in force and effect a taxicab or limousine
driver's license issued under the provisions of this chapter. In the
event that this requirement is violated, both the driver and the owner
of the taxicab or limousine shall be deemed in violation, and the
vehicle shall be impounded.
[Amended 9-27-2005]
(2)
Each applicant shall agree to be fingerprinted under
the direction and supervision of the Chief of Police, and said fingerprint
card and applicable processing fees shall be forwarded to the New
York State Division of Criminal Justice Services for a full search.
Nonrefundable fees, payable to the New York State Division of Criminal
Justice Services, shall be in addition to any and all fees stated
herein. The Chief of Police or his designee shall review the criminal
history report generated from the New York State Division of Criminal
Justice Services to make any determinations as to licensure.
(3)
Each applicant will be required to produce a statement
from a doctor licensed to practice medicine in the State of New York
stating that said doctor has thoroughly examined the applicant within
30 days of the application, that said applicant demonstrates no affliction
of any physical or mental disease or infirmity which might make him
or her an unsafe or unsatisfactory license holder and no drug or alcohol
dependency or use other than by prescription, together with the results
of urine testing.
B.
Qualifications of applicant. Each applicant for a
driver's license shall be 18 years of age or over, be able to read
and write the English language, be of good moral character and of
sound physique and good eyesight, and not be subject to any infirmity
of body or mind which might render him or her unfit as a taxicab or
limousine driver.
A.
Form; contents.
(1)
An application for a taxicab or limousine driver's
license shall be made upon blank forms to be furnished by the Chief
of Police and shall contain:
(a)
The full name of the applicant.
(b)
His or her chauffeur's registration number.
(c)
His or her age, color, height, weight, color
of eyes and hair.
(d)
Place of birth.
(e)
Home address.
(f)
Social Security number.
(g)
Whether a citizen of the United States.
(h)
Places of previous employment for at least 10
years preceding the application.
(i)
A listing of all crimes, to include felonies,
misdemeanors, and/or Vehicle and Traffic Law violations, for which
the applicant has been arrested or convicted in the last five years,
stating the name and location of the court and the date of conviction
and penalty.
(j)
Whether he or she has previously been licensed
as a driver or chauffeur; and, if so, whether his or her license has
ever been revoked and for what cause.
(2)
The application shall be signed and sworn to by the
applicant.
B.
Accompanying information. Each application shall be
accompanied by two recent, unmounted photographs of the applicant,
three inches by three inches in size, showing frontal face view, and
by the fingerprints of the applicant.
A.
Issuance. Upon certification by the Chief of Police
as to his or her fitness and upon payment to the Chief of Police of
the license fee hereinafter set forth, a license shall be issued to
the applicant in the manner prescribed by this chapter.
B.
Renewal. The Chief of Police, upon receipt of the
annual renewal fee hereinafter set forth, may renew a taxicab or limousine
driver's license from year to year by appropriate endorsement thereon,
provided that the Chief of Police shall certify as to the driver's
skill, fitness and ability. Application for renewal of license shall
be made by the driver upon a form to be furnished by the Chief of
Police which shall be filled out with the applicant's full name, address,
original license number and date upon which his or her original license
was granted.
C.
Additional requirements.
(1)
A taxicab or limousine driver's license shall be denied
to any applicant that has been convicted within the last five years
of an offense of any portion of New York State Penal Law Article 220
(controlled substances) or Article 221 (offenses involving marihuana);
or has been convicted within the last five years of either a felony
offense of driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled
substance, or two misdemeanor offenses of driving while intoxicated
or under the influence of a controlled substance. These disqualifiers
are applicable unless the disqualifier has been removed as provided
for in the Correction Law.
(2)
Any false statements on an application under this
chapter, whenever discovered, shall result in the denial of the application,
or the revocation of the license in the event that one has already
been issued.
(3)
Conviction of any crime or misdemeanor involving the
following shall result in the denial of the application, or the revocation
of the license in the event that one has already been issued:
[Added 2-8-2005]
A taxicab or limousine driver's license shall
be issued as of July 1 and shall expire on the 30th day of June next
succeeding, unless sooner suspended or revoked by the Chief of Police
or the City Council.
The annual license fee for a taxicab or limousine
driver's license shall be as set forth from time to time by the City
Council.
Taxicab and limousine driver's licenses issued
under this chapter may be suspended or revoked by the Chief of Police
for violation of any of the provisions of this chapter. No driver
whose license has been revoked shall again be licensed in the City
unless upon presentation of reasons satisfactory to the Chief of Police.
Before revocation of any license issued under
this chapter, the Chief of Police shall conduct a hearing, after written
notice to the holder of such license, which notice shall contain the
charges against such licensee and the date of such hearing, which
shall be held a reasonable time after service of such notice. Such
service shall be made either personally upon the licensee or by registered
mail addressed to the licensee at the address named in the register.
