It shall be unlawful for any person to drive a taxicab upon or over any street within the city without having first obtained from the city manager or designee a city taxicab driver’s license, unless the fare originates outside the city. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person driving a taxicab upon the streets of the city shall not be deemed to be in violation of this section if such person has been issued and holds a valid and current taxicab driver’s license from the City of Houston.
(1991 Code, sec. 30-87; Ordinance 90-439, sec. I, adopted 7/12/90; Ordinance 00-554, secs. 5, 6, adopted 2/24/00; 2007 Code, sec. 48-112; Ordinance adopting 2022 Code)
Every person who may drive or operate any taxicab in the city shall be legally authorized to work in the city and must have resided in the state for at least six months next immediately preceding the date of his application for a city license.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-68; 1991 Code, sec. 30-88; 2007 Code, sec. 48-113)
Any person desiring a license required by this division shall make a written application therefor to the chief of police, which application shall be made upon a form provided by the city and which shall contain the following information:
(1) 
The full name, age and specific address of the applicant.
(2) 
The full name of the person or owner for whom the applicant proposes to be employed.
(3) 
The length of local residence of the applicant in the city and proof of United States citizenship and length of residence in the state.
(4) 
A full personal description of the applicant including his age, height, size, race, color of eyes, complexion and color of hair, body and facial marks, defects, his full fingerprints and his photograph with his hat off, taken not more than three months before the submission of the application.
(5) 
The experience that the applicant has had in rendering such service and if married or single and how many children in his immediate family and the specific address of his mother and father and where born.
(6) 
Whether the applicant has been convicted of a felony and full information concerning same; likewise if the applicant has a police record with conviction of misdemeanor and full information concerning the same.
(7) 
Whether the applicant has been convicted of violations of the law in the operation of motor vehicles, and if so, full information concerning the same.
(8) 
The number and date of issuance of the state chauffeur’s license issued to the applicant.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-69; 1991 Code, sec. 30-89; Ordinance 90-439, sec. I, adopted 7/12/90; 2007 Code, sec. 48-114)
The chief of police shall make, or cause to be made, such investigations of the character, experience and qualifications of the applicant for a license required by this division as may be deemed consistent and judicious, and shall determine whether or not the applicant is fit and proper to drive and operate a taxicab within the city in a manner consistent with the welfare of the citizenry of the city.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-71; 1991 Code, sec. 30-91; 2007 Code, sec. 48-115)
If the chief of police shall find that the applicant is a fit person and properly qualified to receive a city chauffeur’s license, he shall so certify to the city manager or designee and such license shall be granted.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-72; 1991 Code, sec. 30-92; 2007 Code, sec. 48-116; Ordinance adopting 2022 Code)
If the chief of police has made his decision and declared same either the applicant for license under this division, or any duly qualified citizen of the city, shall have the right to appeal to the city council within ten days, which appeal shall be perfected by delivering, in writing, five copies of same to the city council, stating that an appeal from the decision of the chief of police is desired and the facts regarding same. The city council will then, within a period of not more than 15 days, after receiving such notice of appeal, grant a hearing thereon, and after the hearing of the appeal, shall within a period of five days, sustain or reverse the decision of the chief of police. If no appeal is taken from the findings made by the chief of police, within the time provided in this section, the decision of the officer shall be final; otherwise, the decision of the city council shall become final.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-73; 1991 Code, sec. 30-93; 2007 Code, sec. 48-117)
(a) 
Upon compliance with this division and the issuance of a license, the applicant shall be issued at the time of actual issuance of such license, two identification cards, which shall contain the full-view photograph of the applicant along with his complete description, residence address and his fingerprints and classification.
(b) 
One of such cards shall be displayed inside the taxicab so as to be conspicuous to passengers, and the other shall be carried on the person of the licensee at all times he is engaged in driving a taxicab within the city.
(c) 
The photographs mentioned in subsection (a) of this section shall be furnished by and at the expense of the applicant.
(d) 
Upon separation from the taxicab company, the driver shall relinquish the identification cards to the business owner.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-74; 1991 Code, sec. 30-94; Ordinance 90-439, sec. I, adopted 7/12/90; 2007 Code, sec. 48-118)
Every license issued under this division shall be valid for a period of 12 months from its date of issuance.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-76; 1991 Code, sec. 30-96; 2007 Code, sec. 48-120)
A fee shall be charged, as currently established or as hereafter adopted by resolution of the city council from time to time, for the issuance of a license under this division.
(1991 Code, sec. 30-97; Ordinance 90-439, sec. I, adopted 7/12/90; 2007 Code, sec. 48-121)
It shall be the responsibility of every person operating a taxicab business or service in the city to require the drivers in his employ to be neat and clean in appearance while on duty.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-78; 1991 Code, sec. 30-98; 2007 Code, sec. 48-122)
No driver of a taxicab shall solicit patronage in a loud or annoying tone of voice or in any manner annoy any person or obstruct the movement of any person or follow any person for the purpose of soliciting patronage.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-79; 1991 Code, sec. 30-99; 2007 Code, sec. 48-123)
All drivers of taxicabs shall promptly deliver to the police department, or to authorized agencies of their companies, all property left in such vehicles by passengers.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-80; 1991 Code, sec. 30-100; 2007 Code, sec. 48-124)