For the purposes of this article, the following words and phrases have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
Driver.
An individual who drives or operates a taxicab.
Holder.
A person who is granted an annual operating permit to operate a taxicab service under the provisions of this article.
Operate.
To drive or be in control of a taxicab.
Operating permit.
Permission granted by the city to operate a taxicab service inside the city for a period of one (1) year, renewable under the provisions of this article.
Operator.
The driver of a taxicab, the owner of a taxicab or the holder of an annual operating permit.
Person.
An individual, corporation, agency, trust, partnership or two (2) or more persons having a joint or common economic interest.
Taxicab.
A chauffeured motor vehicle used to transport persons for hire on a call or demand basis upon the streets of the city, with the following exceptions:
(1) 
A vehicle being operated pursuant to a permit issued by the city or pursuant to a franchise or permit legally issued by the railroad commission of the state or pursuant to permission duly granted by the proper authority of the city for a vehicle to operate over a regular route, upon a set schedule, or pursuant to any permission duly granted by the city council, or a vehicle being operated as a chartered bus under a contract to carry twelve (12) or more passengers;
(2) 
Vehicles being used as ambulances;
(3) 
Vehicles rented or leased for self-operation by the person actually driving the same, unless such a vehicle is transporting for compensation persons other than the one who actually rented or leased the same.
Taxicab driver’s license.
A license issued to a person by the city authorizing that person to operate a taxicab in the city.
Taxicab service.
A passenger transportation service operated for hire that uses taxicabs in the operation of the service and includes (but is not limited to) a facility from which the service is operated, taxicabs used in the operation and a person who owns, controls or operates the service.
Taximeter.
A device that automatically computes a taxi fare based upon the distance traveled or the time the taxicab is engaged or both.
(2002 Code, sec. 4.1201)
(a) 
Anyone licensed by the City of Dallas or the Dallas/Fort Worth Regional Airport Authority to operate a taxicab is deemed to have been issued a taxicab driver’s license by the city under the provisions of this article.
(b) 
Any taxicab inspected and qualified by the City of Dallas or the Dallas/Fort Worth Regional Airport Authority shall be deemed to have been duly inspected and qualified by the city under the provisions of this article.
(c) 
Any person deemed to have been issued a taxicab driver’s license under the provisions of this section shall be subject to revocation as set forth in section 8.15.063. Any person deemed to have been issued a taxicab driver’s license under the provisions of this section shall be subject to revocation of that privilege in the event the City of Dallas or Dallas/Fort Worth Regional Airport Authority revokes his taxicab driver’s license. Any taxicab deemed to have been duly inspected and qualified may be disqualified if it fails to meet the requirements of section 8.15.004 or if it is the disqualified by the City of Dallas or the Dallas/Fort Worth Regional Airport Authority.
(2002 Code, sec. 4.1210)
Before being allowed to operate upon the streets of the city, each taxicab shall be inspected and approved annually by the chief of police or his representative. No taxicab shall be driven or operated upon the streets of the city unless the same is in safe condition and free from mechanical defects, and it must further meet the following requirements:
(1) 
Have a current valid state inspection sticker and be in compliance with the safety requirements of the Texas Transportation Code as amended;
(2) 
Be not more than five (5) years old when it is initially qualified for service, and when it is over five (5) years old, be capable of passing an inspection which determines that the paint and body condition, interior, seating and upholstery, as well as all safety and mechanical equipment, are in good condition before it can continue to serve as a taxicab;
(3) 
Have a seat belt for each passenger;
(4) 
Have an operating heater and air conditioner;
(5) 
Have a two-way radio on the holder’s dispatch frequency;
(6) 
Have a current valid taxicab sticker issued by the city affixed to the windshield; and
(7) 
Have painted on both sides the trade name of the organization under whose operating permit such taxicab is being operated, the taxicab unit number and the business telephone number of the holder of the operating permit. Such letters and numbers shall be not less than three (3) inches high with one-half-inch stroke, painted on each taxicab with permanent, non-washable paint of a color sharply contrasting to the color of the taxicab so that the same can be readily apparent. Each holder of an operating permit for taxicab service in the city shall cause each taxicab to be painted in such a manner to properly distinguish it from private vehicles and taxicabs operated by different taxicab services. The color combinations to be used shall be filed with the city secretary, and no two (2) such taxicab services shall be permitted to use the same or similar color combinations. Provided, however, painted numbers may be exempted where an approved magnetic sign is affixed to both sides of such taxicab in accordance with the requirements set forth in this section.
(2002 Code, sec. 4.1214)
(a) 
Every taxicab operating under an operating permit granted by the city shall have affixed thereto a taximeter which shall calculate fares in accordance with services rendered and rates established by the city council.
(b) 
The rates to be charged for taxicab service in the city shall be established by the city council as it may from time to time determine by resolution.
(2002 Code, sec. 4.1215)
(a) 
While operating a taxicab, a driver shall not refuse to convey a person who requests service unless:
(1) 
The person is disorderly;
(2) 
The driver is engaged in answering a previous request for service; or
(3) 
The driver is in fear of his personal safety.
(b) 
While operating a taxicab, a driver shall not refuse service requested by a radio dispatch when the location for pickup is within a reasonable distance from the location of the taxicab.
(2002 Code, sec. 4.1216)
Every taxicab operator shall post in each taxicab operated by him, in a conspicuous place in view of the passengers to be conveyed, a schedule of fares to be charged for service. Such schedule shall be printed on a card in not less than twenty-four point boldface type letter spaced and giving the rates and distances for which such rates apply.
(2002 Code, sec. 4.1217)