Town of Secaucus, NJ Taxicabs

Taxicabs. No person shall pick up or hire any person in the Town of Secaucus unless the taxicab (and the driver thereof) are licensed pursuant to the terms of this chapter.

Limousines. No person shall conduct a limousine business in the Town of Secaucus unless such limousine (and operator) is licensed pursuant to the terms and conditions of this chapter.

[Amended 7-22-97 by Ord. No. 97-17]

No taxicab or limousine licenses may be transferred or assigned to another vehicle unless there is consent given by the Mayor and Council upon recommendation of the Chief of Police, the Director of the Secaucus Department of Consumer Affairs, or their designees.

Operator's License: No person who owns a taxicab or limousine required to be licensed under this chapter shall allow a person to operate such taxicab or limousine unless such person is licensed to operate such vehicle in accordance with this chapter. It shall be the obligation of the owners of a taxicab or limousine to determine whether such operator is licensed hereunder. It shall be a violation of this chapter for both the owner and the operator of a taxicab or limousine if the operator is not licensed properly.

§ 124-5 License fees; terms; renewal.

[Amended 8-14-84 by Ord. No. 84-35; 10-24-89 by Ord. No. 89-46]

Each taxicab or limousine registered in the Town of Secaucus shall pay a franchise fee ("White Card") of $10 per year.

The annual taxicab/limousine license fee shall be $75 per year per vehicle and shall be effective from May 1 to April 30 of each year or part thereof, and shall be apportioned as follows:

Application/Licensing Fee: $50 per vehicle.

Inspection Fee: $25 per vehicle (non-refundable).

At the time of submitting an application, the proposed licensee shall pay said $25 nonrefundable inspection fee, whereupon if the vehicle passes inspection, the $50 application/licensing fee shall be paid within five days of such time on notice of such vehicle passing such inspection, whereupon a license will be issued immediately. The town shall not inspect any vehicle wherein such application review discloses that no such license can be issued hereunder. In the event that the vehicle fails inspection, the $25 fee shall not be refunded, and there shall be an additional $25 inspection fee for any additional inspection. Written notice of the results and determination of any inspection or reinspection shall be forwarded within three business days of such inspection.

For the purpose of this chapter and this section, "inspection," "reinspection," and "spot inspection," as the case may be, shall mean any physical inspection of the subject vehicle to determine compliance with this chapter, including riding in the subject vehicle.

[Amended 7-22-97 by Ord. No. 97-17; 3-23-99 by Ord. No. 99-6; 3-10-09 by Ord. No. 2009-2; 3-9-10 by Ord. No. 2010-9]

The annual operator's license fee shall be $25 plus payment for fingerprint searches and shall be effective on May 1 to April 30 of each year or part thereof.

[Amended 3-23-99 by Ord. No. 99-6; 4-13-04 by Ord. No. 2004-8; 11-9-04 by Ord. No. 2004-30; 5-12-15 by Ord. No. 2015-21]

No fee shall be imposed for any application that is denied;

The inspection fee which shall be required to be paid prior to a vehicle inspection; any reinspection shall require a $25 inspection fee, per vehicle, to be paid prior to such reinspection.

Such inspection shall be made within 20 days of the date of application properly filed with the Office of the Town Clerk. In the event that a vehicle is not inspected within said 20 day period, or the applicant misses or cancels two appointments to inspect such vehicle, such vehicle shall be deemed to have failed the inspection and the inspection fee of $25 shall be forfeited.

[Amended 3-12-91 by Ord. No. 91-9]

Taxicab/limousine and operator's licenses are renewable upon payment of the annual fee and the filing of an annual renewal application by April 15 of the preceding year, subject to compliance with all other provisions of this chapter.

[Amended 7-22-97 by Ord. No. 97-17; 3-23-99 by Ord. No. 99-6]

Any licensed taxicab/limousine must be relicensed by May 10 of the following year. Applications for renewal for the following year may be submitted after April 1. It is expressly noted that no vehicle, regardless of whether it has been in service before, may be operated in the Town of Secaucus without a new license after said May 10.

[Amended 7-22-97 by Ord. No. 97-17; 3-23-99 by Ord. No. 99-6]

The Town Clerk or her designee shall make such rules and regulations to effectuate the licensing procedure and the scheduling of inspections or reinspections.

§ 124-6 License applications.

[Amended 8-14-84 by Ord. No. 84-35; 11-26-85 by Ord. No. 85-39; 9-23-86 by Ord. No. 86-26; 7-22-97 by Ord. No. 97-17]

Every applicant for a taxicab/limousine license or operator's license shall make application therefor on forms furnished by the Secaucus Town Clerk, and the same shall be completed and verified under oath and filed with said Secaucus Town Clerk.

Applicants for a taxicab/limousine license shall furnish the following information and any such information that from time to time is deemed necessary on forms supplied by the Secaucus Town Clerk.

[Amended 7-22-97 by Ord. No. 97-17]

The corporate or trade name of the applicant and the address of the applicant from which the taxicab/limousine business shall be conducted.

[Amended 7-22-97 by Ord. No. 97-17]

The names and addresses of all stockholders of said business.

The year, type and model, vehicle identification number and registration of the vehicle for which the license is desired.

Taxicabs shall provide evidence of an insurance policy naming the Town as an insured in the minimum amount of $50,000. The applicant shall submit the actual certificate of insurance from the insurance company naming the town as the certificate holder.

[Amended 7-22-97 by Ord. No. 97-17; 8-28-01 by Ord. No. 2001-20; 5-14-02 by Ord. No. 2002-14; 4-13-04 by Ord. No. 2004-8; 11-9-04 by Ord. No. 2004-30]

The number of persons the vehicle is designed to carry.

The location from which the vehicle will operate.

The minimum intended hours per day of operation of the vehicle.

(8)

Whether any of the stockholders or officers of the corporation or business listed in § 124-6A(2) have been convicted of any misdemeanor or felony.

(9)

The applicant shall provide a power of attorney to the town in the form provided by the town which states that the Chief Financial Officer of the town shall be appointed to accept and acknowledge service of process arising out of any complaint against the insured issued through a court of competent jurisdiction by virtue of the indemnity granted under the insurance policy filed.

[Added 7-22-97 by Ord. No. 97-17]

Applications for an operator's license shall furnish the following information on forms provided by the Secaucus Police Department:

The name and address of the applicant.

The age, height and color of eyes and hair.

A copy of the applicant's driver's license.

[Amended 7-22-97 by Ord. No. 97-17]

Whether the applicant has ever been convicted of any misdemeanor or felony.

A passport-type photograph (front view) taken within 30 days of the application, which may be taken at Secaucus Police Headquarters.

Fingerprints. A fee for such fingerprinting shall be paid as provided for by § 124-7.

[Amended 5-12-15 by Ord. No. 2015-21]

Temporary operator's license.

[Added 8-22-00 by Ord. No. 2000-20]

(a)

Any applicant who currently holds a valid taxicab/limousine operator's license from any New Jersey municipality may be issued a temporary operator's license after application. This license will be valid for a period not to exceed 90 days and can be renewed for a period not to exceed 30 days.

(b)

All other requirements must be met before the issuance of a temporary operator's license with the exception of the results of the mandated fingerprint check.

(c)

The temporary operator's license can be rescinded for cause at any time.

§ 124-6.1 New or additional licenses.

[Added 4-9-13 by Ord. No. 2013-5]

Whenever Secaucus determines to authorize the issuance of one or more new or additional taxi licenses, it shall publish a notice, in a newspaper circulating generally within the town, stating the number of new or additional licenses to be authorized and the application period for the new or additional licenses. The notice shall specify a time and day after which no further applications will be accepted. The notice shall be published at least twice and at least one week apart, with the second notice published at least 30 days prior to the time and date specified in the notice as the time and date after which no further applications will be accepted.

In any case in which a license or licenses have not been issued within six months after the closing time and date for acceptance of such applications specified in a notice, no such license or licenses shall be issued without again complying with the provisions of this section, including the notice requirements.

The governing body of the Town of Secaucus authorizes that such license or licenses shall be issued to the highest qualified bidder therefor at a sale by public auction for that purpose conducted or supervised by the Municipal Clerk and a minimum bid for such license or licenses shall be $1,000. The town reserves the right to reject all bids where the highest bid is not accepted.

Upon qualification, the successful bidder shall pay a one-time retention fee of $1,500 to the town as a condition of receiving the license.

§ 124-6.2 Application forms; power of attorney.

[Added 4-9-13 by Ord. No. 2013-05]

Applicants for a taxicab/limousine license shall furnish the following information and any such information that from time to time is deemed necessary on forms supplied by the Secaucus Town Clerk.

The corporate or trade name of the applicant and the address of the applicant from which the taxicab/limousine business shall be conducted.

The names and addresses of all stockholders of said business.

The year, type and model, vehicle identification number and registration of the vehicle for which the license is desired.

The number of persons the vehicle is designated to carry.

The location from which the vehicle will operate.

The minimum intended hours per day of operation of the vehicle.

(8)

Whether any of the stockholders or officers of the corporation or business listed in § 124-6.2A(2) have been convicted of any misdemeanor felony.

(9)

§ 124-7 Investigation of applicants; fingerprinting of applicants and fees.

[Amended 8-14-84 by Ord. No. 84-35; 11-26-85 by Ord. No. 86-39; 12-8-09 by Ord. No. 2009-20; 4-9-13 by Ord. No. 2013-5]

The Chief of Police or his designee, shall cause to be made an investigation of each applicant for a taxicab/limousine license or an operator's license upon the filing of an application.

[Amended 9-23-86 by Ord. No. 86-26; 7-22-97 by Ord. No. 97-17]

All applicants shall be fingerprinted by a company recommended and approved by the Secaucus Police Department, upon renewal.

[Amended 7-12-88 by Ord. No. 88-19; 7-22-97 by Ord. No. 97-17; 5-12-15 by Ord. No. 2015-21]

Every operator or driver of any autocab shall submit to the performance of a criminal history record background check and the cost for that background check, including all costs of administering and processing the check, shall be borne by the operator or driver of the autocab.

§ 124-8 Issuance of taxicab/limousine license; municipal consent.

[Amended 8-14-84 by Ord. No. 84-35; 10-24-89 by Ord. No. 89-46; 2-13-91 by Ord. No. 91-4; 7-22-97 by Ord. No. 97-17; 4-9-13 by Ord. No. 2013-5]

The Mayor and Council hereby designate the Town Clerk or such designee as she chooses, to review taxicab/limousine licenses. Such taxicab/limousine licenses shall be issued to all applicants who are fit, willing and able to perform such public transportation as required herein, and conform to the provisions of this chapter, including payments of proper fees and inspection of the licensed vehicles.

(Reserved)

The approval of an application shall constitute municipal consent pursuant to N.J.S.A. 48:16-2 and N.J.S.A. 48:16-17.

No such consent shall become effective until the provisions of subsections a and b of N.J.S.A. 48:16-3 have been satisfied. Those subsections are:

[Amended 5-12-15 by Ord. No. 2015-21]

The owner of the autocab shall have filed with the clerk of the municipality in which such operation is permitted, an insurance policy which shall be issued by an admitted insurance company duly licensed to transact business under the insurance laws of the this State or a company registered to do business in the State and which company is a member of the New Jersey Property-Liability Insurance Guaranty Association conditioned for the payment of a sum of not less than $10,000, the policy providing for not less than $50,000 of motor vehicle liability insurance coverage or the amount of motor vehicle liability insurance coverage required pursuant to section 1 of P.L. 1972, c. 197 (C. 39:6B01), which is greater to satisfy all claims for damages, by reason of bodily injury to, or the death of, any one person or persons resulting from or on account of an accident, and the sum of not less than $20,000 to satisfy all claims for damages, by reason of the bodily injuries to, or the death of, all persons, on account of any such accident, by reason of the ownership, operation, maintenance, or use of such autocab upon any public street, and conditioned for the payment of a sum not less than $5,000 to satisfy any claim for damages to property of any one person or persons, resulting from or on account of an accident, and a sum not less than $5,000 to satisfy all claims for damages to property of all persons, on account of any such accident, by reason of the ownership, operation, maintenance or use of such autocab upon any public street.

Nothing contained in this subsection shall prohibit the owner of an autocab from obtaining any additional amount of motor vehicle liability insurance coverage from a company licensed outside the State of New Jersey.

The consent shall become effective and operation thereunder shall be permitted only as long as the insurance policy shall remain in force to the full and collectible amounts as aforesaid.

The insurance policy shall provide for the payment of any final judgment recovered by any person on account of the ownership, maintenance, or use of the autocab or any fault in respect thereto, and shall be for the benefit of every person suffering loss, damage or injury as aforesaid.

No vehicle license shall be issued hereunder except upon certification and proof that the owner of the vehicle to be licensed has at least one driver/operator licensed hereunder.

No taxicab/limousine license shall be issued to any person who conducts such taxicab and/or limousine business at a location within the Town of Secaucus, except upon proof that such location is zoned to permit such business to be.

A person shall be disqualified from operating or driving an autocab if a criminal history record background check required pursuant to this subsection reveals a record of conviction of any of the following crimes:

In New Jersey or elsewhere any crime as follows: aggravated assault, arson, burglary, escape, extortion, homicide, kidnapping, robbery, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault or endangering the welfare of a child pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4, whether or not armed with or having in his possession any weapon enumerated in subsection r of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1, a crime pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4 and N.J.S.A. 2C:39-9, or other than a disorderly persons or petty disorderly persons offense for the unlawful use, possession or sale of a controlled dangerous substance as defined in N.J.S.A. 2C:35-2.

In any other state, territory, commonwealth, or other jurisdiction of the United States, or any country in the world, as a result of a conviction in a court of competent jurisdiction, a crime which in that other jurisdiction or country is comparable to one of the crimes enumerated in paragraph (1) of this subsection.

If a person who has been convicted of one of the crimes enumerated in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection can produce a certificate of rehabilitation issued pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:168A-8 or, if the criminal offense occurred outside New Jersey, an equivalent certificate from the jurisdiction where the criminal offense occurred, the criminal offense shall not disqualify the applicant from operating or driving an autocab.

The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to an operator or driver of an autocab who has received the consent to operate in a municipality prior to the effective date of this Ordinance No. 2013-5 (adopted April 9, 2013).

§ 124-9 Substitution of vehicles; transfer of licenses.

[Amended 8-14-84 by Ord. No. 84-35]

Vehicles listed on the license may be substituted or replaced by other vehicles only after written authorization is granted by the Town Clerk or her designee and payment of a transfer fee of $10.

No license may be sold, assigned or otherwise transferred except upon payment of a $1,500 transfer fee and with the consent of the governing body.

[Amended 3-10-09 by Ord. No. 2009-2]

§ 124-10 Issuance of operator's license.

[Amended 8-14-84 by Ord. No. 84-35; 12-8-09 by Ord. No. 2009-20]

The Chief of Police or his designee, upon consideration of an application for an operator's license and the reports made thereon, shall approve or reject the application. In the event that an application is approved, the Chief of Police or his designee shall advise the Town Clerk to issue an operator's license. In the event that an application is rejected, the Chief of Police or his designee shall advise the applicant. No licenses shall be issued in the case of any applicant.

[Amended 9-23-86 by Ord. No. 86-26]

Whose driver's license to operate a motor vehicle is suspended or revoked.

[Amended 7-22-97 by Ord. No. 97-17]

Who has been convicted of any misdemeanor, felony or crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude within three years of the date of application.

Who shall have previously been convicted of driving an automobile resulting in death to any person.

Who shall have been convicted of driving a motor vehicle while impaired or under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs within five years of the date of the application.

[Amended 9-23-86 by Ord. No. 86-26]

Who is a registered sex offender.

The Chief of Police, or his designee, upon consideration of an application for a provisional operator's license and the private investigatory reports and police reports made thereon shall approve or reject the application. In the event that an application is approved, the Chief of Police or his designee shall advise the Town Clerk to issue a provisional operator's license, subject to receipt of the results and review of a fingerprint search. In the event that an application is rejected or an unsatisfactory fingerprint search is reported, the Chief of Police shall advise the applicant and any provisional license will be immediately revoked and returned to the Town Clerk.

Upon the approval of an application for an operator's license or provisional operator's license by the Chief of Police or his designee, the Town Clerk shall issue a license upon which shall appear the name, age, height, color of eyes and hair of the holder thereof, accompanied by whom he is employed and a photo of the applicant.

§ 124-11 Display of licenses.

[Amended 12-27-88 by Ord. No. 88-49; 12-8-09 by Ord. No. 2009-20]

Each holder of a taxicab/limousine license shall post said license in a conspicuous position in the taxicab or limousine on the dashboard; if such taxicab or limousine does not have a dashboard, same shall be posted in the front of the taxicab or limousine which shall be in plain view of all passengers.

[Amended 10-27-92 by Ord. No. 92-38; 7-22-97 by Ord. No. 97-17]

Each holder of an operator's or provisional operator's license shall post said license in a conspicuous position in the taxicab or limousine, which shall be in plain view of all passengers.

[Amended 7-22-97 by Ord. No. 97-17]

In addition to the above requirements, each taxicab or limousine licensed under this chapter shall affix to the driver's side, lower portion rear windshield, a sticker provided by the town and containing such language as the town deems appropriate, which shall certify that such taxicab or limousine is licensed under this chapter.

[Amended 7-22-97 by Ord. No. 97-17]

All such licenses and stickers are the property of the Town of Secaucus and shall be surrendered upon demand of the town.

Any person displaying any license or sticker which the town has demanded be surrendered or returned to the town, shall be in violation of this chapter.

§ 124-12 (Reserved) [1]

[Repealed 2-13-91 by Ord. No. 91-2]

[1]

Editor's Note: Section 124-12, Denial of license, appeal, previously codified herein and containing portions of Ordinance No. 84-35 was repealed by Ord. No. 91-2. Denial of license; appeals may be found as Section 124-17.

§ 124-13 Suspension or revocation of taxicab/limousine license.

[Amended 7-22-97 by Ord. No. 97-17]

The Chief of Police, the Director of the Secaucus Department of Consumer Affairs, or their designees, may from time to time conduct investigations to determine that all licenses comply with the provisions of this chapter A taxicab/limousine license issued hereunder may be suspended or revoked by the Chief of Police or the Director of the Secaucus Department of Consumer affairs, or their designees, if the holder has:

[Amended 8-14-84 by Ord. No. 84-35]

Failed to operate the licensed vehicle for more than 10 days, unless for good cause shown.

Violated any town ordinance or state or federal law, the violation of which reflects unfavorably on the fitness of the licensee to hold a taxicab/limousine license.

Failed to keep in force the insurance policy and power of attorney as required by state statute.

Sold, assigned or otherwise transferred the license without prior permission of the Chief of Police or his designee.

Failed to keep a taxicab or limousine vehicle in a safe and sanitary condition.

Failed to provide the service that is required pursuant to § 127-16 of this chapter.

Charged in excess of the fee/rate schedule that is on file.

(8)

Failed to have the licensed vehicle inspected as a "spot inspection," when requested.

[Amended 10-24-89 by Ord. No. 89-46]

(9)

Operates a taxicab or limousine business from a Secaucus location in violation of the applicable zoning laws.

[Added 2-13-91 by Ord. No. 91-4]

(10)

Allows a person to operate a taxicab or limousine without an operator's license.

[Added 9-24-91 by Ord. No. 91-32]

Whenever the holder of more than one taxicab/ limousine license shall be suspended for a violation of any section of this chapter, the Chief of Police or his designee shall have the right to also suspend all other licenses held by the same person.

Prior to suspension or revocation, the licensee shall be given written notice of the proposed action to be taken and the reasons therefor, and he shall have an opportunity to be heard before the Chief of Police or his designee.

Before any revocation of a license or suspension shall become effective, the holder thereof may appeal the decision to the Mayor and Council within 15 days of the receipt of notice of the intended action.

Any vehicle license that is suspended and/or revoked, wherein the suspension and/or revocation is based upon the condition of the taxicab or limousine which is in violation of this chapter, shall only be relicensed or reinstated upon such vehicle being reinspected and payment of the applicable fees, including a reinspection fee of $25 and the application fee of $35, if applicable.

[Added 10-24-89 by Ord. No. 89-46]

Any licensed vehicle which is called in for a "spot inspection" to determine compliance with this chapter shall not be subject to an inspection fee for such inspection. For the purpose of this subparagraph a, "spot inspection" shall mean an inspection conducted/ performed to a vehicle already licensed in order to insure that the vehicle is in conformity with this chapter.

For the purpose of this chapter and this section, "inspection," "re-inspection," and "spot inspection," as the case may be, shall mean any physical inspection of the subject vehicle to determine compliance with this chapter, including riding in the subject vehicle.

[Added 10-24-89 by Ord. No. 89-46]

§ 124-14 Suspension or revocation of operator's license.

An operator's license issued hereunder may be suspended or revoked by the Chief of Police, the Director of the Secaucus Department of Consumer Affairs, or their designees, for failure to meet or continue to meet any of the provisions of this chapter, including being unable to presently qualify to hold such a license for any reason articulated in § 124-10 hereof.

[Amended 8-14-84 by Ord. No. 84-35]

Except as provided in Subsection C below, before any revocation of a license or suspension shall become effective, the holder thereof may appeal the decision to the Mayor and Council within 15 days of the receipt of notice of the intended action.

Whenever the Chief of Police or the Director of the Secaucus Department of Consumer Affairs, or their designees, determine that the acts or condition of a taxicab operator constitute an imminent danger to or jeopardize the public safety, he may suspend immediately the license of said individual; provided, however, that a hearing shall be held if requested by the licensee before the Mayor and Council on such action within five days of the suspension.

[Amended 8-14-84 by Ord. No. 84-35]

The discharge of a driver by his employer shall automatically suspend the operator's license. No fee shall be charged for an operator's license if the same individual is rehired by another licensed taxicab operator licensed in the Town of Secaucus during the same calendar year.

§ 124-15 Vehicle equipment and maintenance.

No taxicab license shall be issued unless the vehicles meet all the requirements and standards of the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles and carry a current inspection sticker issued by said Division. If the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles or any authorized inspection agency of the state, upon inspection of any vehicle regulated by this chapter, does not "pass" inspection, such vehicles shall not be permitted to operate within the town until they have successfully passed inspection.

[Amended 8-14-84 by Ord. No. 84-35; 8-28-01 by Ord. No. 2001-20; 5-14-02 by Ord. No. 2002-14]

All taxicabs shall meet the requirements set forth below and shall continue to meet the requirements set forth below for the entire licensing period.

[Amended 10-24-89 by Ord. No. 89-46]

A minimum of four operable side doors, two leading into the driver's compartment and two leading into the passenger's compartment. Each door shall have an approved operable safety lock and shall be so constructed that it may be opened from the inside and the outside when engaged.

[Amended 10-24-89 by Ord. No. 89-46]

A passenger compartment light adequate to illuminate the interior of the passenger's compartment.

[Amended 9-13-88 by Ord. No. 88-31]

Each taxicab shall bear on the outside of each front door, in black painted letters, not less than three inches in height, the name of the owner of the taxicab, the public telephone number of the owner and the number of the taxicab if the same owner operates more than one vehicle.

[Amended 9-13-88 by Ord. No. 88-31; 4-13-04 by Ord. No. 2004-8; 11-9-04 by Ord. No. 2004-30]

Each taxicab shall have a roof light permanently attached to the roof of said taxicab with the word "Taxi" inscribed thereon and illuminated when the taxi is on duty.

[Added 4-13-04 by Ord. No. 2004-8; amended 11-9-04 by Ord. No. 2004-30]

[Added 4-13-04 by Ord. No. 2004-8; repealed 11-9-04 by Ord. No. 2004-30]

All taxicabs operated under the authority of this chapter shall be equipped with taximeters fastened in front of the passengers, visible to them at all times day and night. After sundown, the face of the taximeter shall be illuminated. Such taximeters shall be operated mechanically by a device of standard design and construction, driven either from the transmission or from one of the front wheels by a flexible and permanently attached driving mechanism. Each taximeter shall have thereon a flag to denote when the vehicle is employed and when it is not employed. It shall be the duty of the driver to throw the flag of such taximeter into a recording position at the beginning of each trip and to throw the flag of such taximeter into a nonrecording position at the termination of each trip. Taximeters shall be subject to inspection from time to time by the Chief of Police or his designee. Such designee is hereby authorized, either on complaint of any person or without such complaint, to inspect any meter, and upon discovery of any inaccuracy therein, to notify the person operating such taxicab to cease operation. Thereupon, such taxicab shall be kept off the highways until the taximeter is repaired and in required working condition.

[Added 4-13-04 by Ord. No. 2004-8]

The exterior of each vehicle operating under this chapter shall be kept in a safe and sanitary condition, and shall be free from dents, missing parts, or other unsightly conditions.

The interior and upholstery of each vehicle operating under this chapter shall be kept in a safe and sanitary condition, and free from broken parts.

[Amended 9-13-88 by Ord. No. 88-31]

Limousines shall be exempt only from § 124-15B hereof.

[Amended 8-14-84 by Ord. No. 84-35]

Inspection and approval of taxis and limousines for licenses shall not mean that Secaucus is approving the mechanical fitness or safety of the vehicles inspected. Each of the owners and operators of licensed taxis and limousines shall indemnify and hold harmless the Town of Secaucus, its agents and employees for any and all liability arising out of the inspection and approval of all licensed taxis and limousines.

[Added 7-22-97 by Ord. No. 97-17]

The Chief of Police or his designee may issue a temporary vehicle inspection approval for a period not to exceed 30 days from the submission of the vehicle for inspection.

[Amended 8-28-01 by Ord. No. 2001-20; 5-14-02 by Ord. No. 2002-14]

In the event that a vehicle equipment or maintenance deficiency is a violation of both this chapter and Title 39 of the New Jersey Statutes, then a summons shall issue under Title 39 and not under this chapter. However, this explicit preemption of this chapter by Title 39 of the New Jersey Statutes shall not prohibit the denial or revocation of a taxicab license because a violation summons is issued under Title 39 of the New Jersey Statutes.

[Added 5-14-02 by Ord. No. 2002-14]

§ 124-16 Conduct and duties of drivers.

All taxicab drivers shall:

Be clean and neat in appearance.