No person shall operate or permit a taxicab owned or controlled by him to be operated as a vehicle for hire within the corporate limits of the town without first having obtained a license from the town for such activity. For the purpose of this chapter, the term "operate for hire within the corporate limits of the town" shall not include the transporting, by a taxicab properly licensed in a jurisdiction outside the corporate limits of the town, of a passenger or passengers for hire where any trip shall originate with the passenger or passengers being picked up outside of the corporate limits of the town and where the destination is either within or beyond the town corporate limits. The term "operate for hire within the corporate limits of the town" shall include the soliciting or picking up of a passenger or passengers within the corporate limits of the town whether the destination shall be within or outside of the corporate limits of said town. (1980 Code § 9-711)