It shall be unlawful for any person to drive any taxicab upon
or over any street within the corporate limits of the city without
having first obtained from the chief of police a city chauffeur’s
permit.
(2000 Code, sec. 7-281; Ordinance
adopting Code)
Every person who may drive any taxicab used in the business
of carrying passengers for hire upon the streets of the city must
be a bona fide resident of the county, and must not live further than
five (5) miles from the city limits.
(2000 Code, sec. 7-282)
To obtain a city chauffeur’s permit, each person shall
make a written application therefor to the chief of police of the
city, which application shall be made upon the form provided therefor
by the chief 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 by whom the applicant proposes to
be employed.
(3) The
length of local residence of the applicant in the city, county and
state and if a citizen of the United States.
(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,
both front views, with his hat on and off.
(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 a misdemeanor and full information concerning 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 same.
(8) The
applicant for a city chauffeur’s permit shall deliver to the
chief of police a certificate of the city health officer that the
applicant is not afflicted with any communicable disease or disability
which would impair his ability to drive and operate a taxicab in a
safe manner upon the streets of the city. Such certificate shall indicate
specifically the condition of the hearing and eyesight of the applicant.
(9) The
number and date of issuance of the state chauffeur’s license
issued to the applicant.
(2000 Code, sec. 7-283; Ordinance
adopting Code)
A fee, to be set from time to time by resolution of the city
council, shall be paid at the time an application for a permit required
by the provisions of this article is made, which fee shall be nonrefundable.
(2000 Code, sec. 7-284; Ordinance
adopting Code)
The chief of police shall make or cause to be made such investigations
of the character, experience and qualifications of the applicant 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 corporate limits of the city in a manner consistent with
the welfare of the citizenry of the city.
(2000 Code, sec. 7-285)
If the chief of police has made his decision and declared same,
either the applicant for such permit or any duly qualified citizen
of the city shall have the right to appeal to the city council within
ten (10) days, which appeal shall be perfected by delivering in writing
five (5) copies of same to the city council stating that an appeal
from the decision of the chief of police is desired. The city council
will then, within a period of not more than fifteen (15) days after
receiving such notice of appeal, grant a hearing thereon, and after
the hearing of such appeal shall, within a period of five (5) 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 above, his decision shall be final; otherwise the decision
of the city council shall become final.
(2000 Code, sec. 7-286; Ordinance
adopting Code)
The chauffeur’s permit, when issued, shall be valid for
a period of not to exceed two (2) years.
(2000 Code, sec. 7-287; Ordinance
adopting Code)
A city chauffeur’s permit may be renewed by the holder
of same making a formal written application for renewal to the chief
of police, and stating in such application for renewal that the applicant
has not committed any of the acts for which his city chauffeur’s
permit could be cancelled or suspended.
(2000 Code, sec. 7-288; Ordinance
adopting Code)
Chauffeur’s permits issued under the provisions of this
article shall not be transferable.
(2000 Code, sec. 7-289; Ordinance
adopting Code)
A city chauffeur’s permit granted under the provisions
of this article shall be cancelled by the city council for the violation
of any applicable provision of this code, state law or city ordinance,
rule or regulation.
(2000 Code, sec. 7-290; Ordinance
adopting Code)
The owner or operator of taxicabs shall be responsible for the
acts of negligence of any driver of a taxicab who shall drive such
taxicab with the knowledge or with the consent of such owner or operator
of taxicabs.
(2000 Code, sec. 7-291)