Town of Southampton, NY Article III Operator Requirements

§ 299-11 Application for operator license.

A. General requirements. The application for an operator license shall require but not be limited to personal and business information, name, address, social security number, listing of various convictions, business federal identification number, revocation of past licenses, current driver's license, local DMV abstract if applicable, and a statement from a doctor licensed to practice medicine in the State of New York regarding the applicant's fitness to safely operate a licensed vehicle.

B. Additional requirements. Applicants shall also submit:

(1) Photographs: two identical photographs of the applicant, taken no longer than 60 days prior to submission of the application, being no more than two inches by two inches in size, showing both the head and shoulders of the applicant.

(2) Fingerprints. Unless specifically waived by the Town Clerk upon a showing of facts which, in the discretion of the Town Clerk, warrant the waiving of said requirement, the applicant shall arrange for an appointment with a fingerprint identity service or similar entity or agency authorized by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services or its successor agency for appropriate fingerprinting, and such completed fingerprint card shall thereafter be forwarded to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services for a full search. In connection with such fingerprinting requirement, or if otherwise deemed necessary to monitor the applicant's criminal record:

[Amended 4-12-2016 by L.L. No. 7-2016; 12-13-2016 by L.L. No. 14-2016; 12-21-2023 by L.L. No. 45-2023]

(a) The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services will return such criminal history record information as may exist in its files or a statement that no such relevant information exists, such record to be filed with the Town Police Department.

(b) The Town Police Department will review fingerprints and notify the Town Clerk of the determination on the license.

§ 299-12 Operator regulations.

The regulations set forth herein are the responsibility of the operator while in possession of a vehicle and of the owners as to themselves and their vehicles, operators and/or employees during all times and operations of the business.

A. Compliance. Operators shall comply with all requirements of this chapter and all other laws, ordinances, codes, rules and regulations, including but not limited to those concerning vehicles, traffic and parking of the Town of Southampton, County of Suffolk, and State of New York. Operators shall specifically be in compliance with all owner and vehicle regulations set forth in this chapter, as they may apply to operators.

B. Fares. Operators shall comply with § 299-18 of this chapter with respect to fares.

C. Identification devices. Operators shall comply with Article V of this chapter and shall not operate vehicles that do not have the required identification devices conspicuously posted and securely fastened on the interior of the vehicle.

D. Lost property. Operators shall make a thorough search of the interior of a vehicle after the discharge of each passenger and immediately turn over any lost or misplaced article(s) to the appropriate local police authorities.

E. No smoking. Smoking shall not be permitted in the vehicle when a passenger(s) occupies the vehicle so long as the same is governed and regulated by state law [Public Health Law § 1399-o].

F. Alcoholic beverages. No operator or passenger shall drink an alcoholic beverage or possess an open container containing an alcoholic beverage in a taxicab for so long as the same is governed and regulated by state law [Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1227].

G. Operator/passenger conduct. Operators shall conduct themselves in an orderly manner while operating a vehicle for hire and shall transport any person(s) conducting himself or herself in an orderly manner upon request to do so, unless then under hire by another person or unless prohibited from so doing by any other provisions of this chapter. Operators may refuse to transport those passengers who are conducting themselves in a disorderly manner, or in a manner where the operator believes that his/her safety or driving is compromised by the passenger's behavior.

H. Written logs. Operators shall comply with § 299-20 of this chapter with respect to written logs.

I. Delays. Operators shall not delay more than 10 minutes after first receiving a passenger and before proceeding to convey the passenger to his or her destination, unless the passenger so requests.

J. Improper vehicle conditions. Operators shall not operate vehicles that are not clean, sanitary, fit, of good appearance, and in a safe condition for the transportation of passengers.

K. Invalid documents. Operators shall not operate any vehicle while their Town license, chauffeur's licenses, or other appropriate state-issued licenses are not in effect, have expired, or have been suspended or revoked, and shall not operate any vehicle for which the vehicle license or business owner's license is not in effect, has expired, or has been suspended or revoked.

L. Overloading. Operators shall not use a vehicle for transporting a greater number of passengers than the rated capacity of the vehicle.

M. Parking. Operators shall not park a vehicle upon public roads or highways when not in actual operation, except in those areas designated for taxicab parking, unless they have displayed an "Off Duty" sign.

N. Peddling. Operators shall not peddle or allow the peddling of any goods or property from or near a vehicle.

O. Unattended vehicles. Operators shall not leave a vehicle unattended in any public place, except in their depot or garage or when necessary for the operator to be absent from the vehicle but in no event for more than 30 consecutive minutes, unless they have displayed an "Off Duty" sign.

P. Unauthorized operators. Operators shall not allow any other person to use their licenses.