As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meaning indicated:
CHIEF
The Chief of Police of the City of Havre de Grace.
CITY
The City of Havre de Grace.
COUNTY
Harford County or the entity or county department responsible
for enforcing Harford County Code Chapter 232, Taxicabs.
COMPANY
Every corporation, association, partnership, group of individuals
or individual owning, controlling, operating or managing one or more
taxicabs.
DRIVER
The same meaning as "operator" in this section.
MARYLAND DRIVER'S LICENSE
A valid Maryland driver's license issued from the Maryland
Motor Vehicle Administration, excluding a learner's permit and
provisional license.
OPERATOR
Any person engaging in driving a taxicab for which a permit
has been issued.
OWNER
The individual, partnership or company to whom a permit has
been issued.
OWNER'S PERMIT
A permit issued by the county to the owner of the company.
STATE
The State of Maryland.
TAXICAB
The same definition as provided in the Maryland Transportation
Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, including any vehicle used
in a sedan and/or van service, but excluding airport shuttles and
limousines.
TAXICAB DRIVER PERMIT
A permit issued by the county to each driver of a taxicab
operating in the city or county.
TAXICAB PERMIT
A permit issued by the county for each taxicab operating
in the City or county.
Except as hereinafter provided, the county is hereby designated
with the authority over taxicabs in the city. The county may delegate
all or any part of the county's authority to such person or persons
on the City Police Department staff as the county may deem necessary,
provided that the same be done by and with the approval of the Mayor
and City Council.
No person shall operate a taxicab company within the City without
first obtaining a permit from the county. No person shall drive or
operate a taxicab within the City without first obtaining a permit
from the county.
All drivers shall have their taxicab driver permits visibly
displayed in the taxicab at all times while operating the vehicle.
Any permit holder who intentionally defaces, removes or obliterates
any official entry made upon the permit shall be reported to the county.
There shall be maintained by the Chief and kept in the Police
Department a complete record of all permits issued to taxicab drivers
received from the county and all renewals, suspensions and revocations
thereof by the county.
Representatives of the Chief when authorized by the county may
make routine inspections of taxicabs and report violations to the
county.
No driver of any taxicab shall operate such taxicab recklessly,
in an unsafe manner or with disregard to the public, general or local
laws governing the operation of a motor vehicle. No placards or other
obstructions to view shall be attached to or rest against the windshield
or rear window, except such certificate or sticker as may be required
by law. No driver shall take or discharge passengers within the limits
of street intersections nor when it is possible for another vehicle
moving in the same direction to pass between the taxicab and the right-hand
curb, nor receive or discharge passengers through the left-hand doors
of the taxicab except on one-way streets. A violation of this rule
or of duly prescribed traffic regulations shall be reported to the
county.
Any taxicab business operating more than one taxicab within
the City of Havre de Grace, must provide a designated off-street parking
space for each taxicab. Only one vehicle assigned to a permitted taxicab
driver may be parked overnight on a City street at his or her residence.
All other taxicabs shall utilize the parking space designated and
approved for them when not actually in operation on the streets or
highways of the City. All designated parking shall be off-street and
must be approved by the Havre de Grace Police Department.
Any person or persons who violate the provisions of this chapter
or any part hereof, shall be charged with a municipal infraction subject
to a civil fine of $250 for a first offense and for any subsequent
violation shall be subject to another civil fine of $500 and charged
with a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not
more than $1,000 or confined in the Harford County Detention Center
for a period of not more than 90 days, or both, as the court may see
fit.