Subdivision I. In General
[Ord. of 6-3-1997, § 2.1]
Each taxicab operated upon the streets of the City and each driver who operates a taxicab for hire upon the streets of the City must be licensed in accordance with the provisions of subdivisions II and III of this division.
[Ord. of 6-3-1997, §§ 2.2.1, 2.2.2]
(a) 
Prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any owner to:
(1) 
Operate or cause to be operated in the City any taxicab without having first obtained a taxicab license provided for in subdivision II of this division; or
(2) 
Permit any unlicensed driver to operate a taxicab upon the streets of the City.
(b) 
Exception. A motor vehicle licensed by another municipality to operate as a taxicab need not be licensed by the City provided it does not pick up any passengers in the City whose destination also lies within the City.
[Ord. of 6-3-1997, § 4]
Upon the granting of a certificate of public convenience and necessity, a taxicab license may be issued by the City Clerk for each taxicab in accordance with the following requirements:
(1) 
Application forms for a taxicab license are available from the City Clerk. The applicant must compete the application and file it with the City Clerk.
(2) 
Each initial application for a taxicab license must be accompanied by written statements from:
a. 
The director of public safety or his designee stating that an inspection has been made of the taxicab for which the taxicab license is sought, and that such taxicab has been found to be safe and suitable for taxicab service in accordance with section 14-252.
b. 
A licensed insurance agency providing written documentation that the taxicab for which the taxicab license is sought is insured in accordance with section 14-253.
(3) 
Each renewal application for a taxicab license must be accompanied by written documentation from a licensed insurance agency stating that the taxicab for which the taxicab license is sought is insured in accordance with section 14-253. A statement of inspection from the director of public safety or his designee is not required for a renewal license.
(4) 
Each initial or renewal application for a taxicab license must be accompanied by an annual taxicab license fee as established by the City council.
[Ord. of 6-3-1997, § 4.1]
(a) 
Initial inspection. At the time of licensing, the director of public safety or his designee shall inspect each taxicab to determine that such taxicab meets the following criteria:
(1) 
The taxicab has a valid state motor vehicle registration.
(2) 
The taxicab has a current and valid official state inspection sticker placed in the lower lefthand corner of the windshield or in the center of the windshield in back of the rearview mirror or where required by state law.
(3) 
The taxicab meets the identifying lights and identifying design requirements of section 14-212(4).
(b) 
Periodic state inspections. Each taxicab must undergo an official state inspection every six months. Following each inspection, the taxicab must be brought within five days to City hall for the Clerk to verify that an official inspection sticker has been placed on the windshield of the vehicle.
[Ord. of 6-3-1997, § 4.2]
Each taxicab shall be insured for the period over which the taxicab license is to remain in force, insuring persons and property for injuries and damages resulting from the use and operation of such taxicab. Such insurance policy or coverage shall be issued for a principal sum sufficient to satisfy state statutes or to provide $300,000 single limit liability coverage, whichever is greater.
[Ord. of 6-3-1997, § 9.2]
The City council may, after notice to the owner and public hearing, suspend a taxicab license for a period of not more than 90 days or revoke the taxicab license of such licensee if the City council finds that:
(1) 
The rate card or taxicab license has consistently not been on display as required by section 14-184; or
(2) 
Such licensed taxicab has consistently failed to meet the standards required under section 14-252.
[Ord. of 6-3-1997, § 5.1; Amd. of 6-21-2011]
Applications for taxicab driver's licenses shall be made upon forms furnished by the City Clerk and shall require the applicant to set out such information as the City council may reasonably require. Before the City Clerk shall issue such license, the director of public safety or his designee must approve the application. To qualify, the applicant must:
(1) 
Present a valid state driver's license;
(2) 
Present a letter from a reputable physician dated not more than 30 days previous to submission stating that the applicant has no physical or mental condition, which would affect his ability to function as a taxicab driver and thereby impair the safety of himself or that of his passengers;
(3) 
Submit two passport-style photographs of self; and
(4) 
Pay the annual license fee as established by the City council of $10 for the two-year period.
[Ord. of 6-3-1997, §§ 5.2-5.6]
(a) 
No person who has been convicted of a felony or class A, B, or C offense within five years prior to the application shall be issued a taxicab license.
(b) 
No person shall be issued a license whose driver's license is revoked or has been revoked within three years prior to the application.
(c) 
No person shall be issued a license who has been convicted of any of the following offenses within five years prior to the application:
(1) 
Homicide by means of motor vehicle;
(2) 
Driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs;
(3) 
Leaving the scene, bodily injury;
(4) 
Driving to endanger;
(5) 
Speeding in excess of 25 miles per hour over the posted speed limit; or
(6) 
Eluding an officer.
(d) 
No person shall be issued a license who has been convicted of any of the following offenses within three years prior to the application:
(1) 
Leaving the scene, property damage;
(2) 
Taking a motor vehicle without consent;
(3) 
Operating after suspension or revocation;
(4) 
Loaning or altering license or permit;
(5) 
Passing a stopped school bus;
(6) 
Driving to endanger;
(7) 
Speeding in excess of 25 miles per hour over the posted speed limit; or
(8) 
Eluding an officer.
(e) 
Repeated convictions of any motor vehicle violations shall be grounds for denial of a taxicab license.
[Ord. of 6-3-1997, § 5.7]
The City Clerk shall make and keep a written record of every decision to deny an application for a taxicab driver's license in the manner required by 1 M.R.S.A. § 407.
[Ord. of 6-3-1997, § 5.8]
Any applicant denied a taxicab driver's license by the City Clerk may appeal such denial to the City council by filing with the City Clerk a written notice of appeal. The City council shall hear the appeal within 30 days of its filing and shall afford the applicant an opportunity to testify as to why he should be granted a license in the face of the Clerk's reason for denial and to challenge the validity of the Clerk's action or the underlying basis for the denial.
[Ord. of 6-3-1997, § 5.9]
A taxicab driver's license shall be signed by the City Clerk and shall be numbered in the order granted. Upon the issuance of the license, the City Clerk shall also deliver to the licensee an identification card bearing a recent photograph of the licensee, the number of the taxicab driver's license, the licensee's name, and the words "Licensed Taxicab Driver - City of Belfast, Maine." The identification card shall be conspicuously displayed in the taxicab.
[Ord. of 6-3-1997, § 5.10; Amd. of 6-21-2011]
Unless suspended or revoked under section 14-278, all taxicab drivers' licenses will continue in force until two years after the date of issuance.
[Ord. of 6-3-1997, § 5.11]
Every owner shall, on the first day of each calendar month, file with the director of public safety or his designee a current list of all taxicab drivers in his employ.
[Ord. of 6-3-1997, § 9.3]
The City Council may, after notice to the licensee and public hearing, suspend for a period of not more than 90 days, or revoke, the taxicab driver's license of such licensee if the City Council finds that:
(1) 
The licensee has been convicted of a moving violation while operating a taxicab containing a passenger; or
(2) 
The licensee has consistently failed to display his identification card as required by section 14-275.