(a) Requirement. A person may not operate a taxicab for hire in the County without a valid taxicab operator's license issued by the Department.
(b) Qualifications. A taxicab operator's license may be issued to an applicant who:
(1) is at least 21 years old;
(2) is a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien authorized to work in the United States by the United States Immigration Service;
(3) holds a valid State driver's license;
(4) demonstrates an ability to read and find locations on a map of the County and to comprehend and follow oral directions to a destination; and
(5) is not subject to an infirmity of body or mind that may render the applicant unfit for the safe operation of a taxicab.
(c) Denial. The Department may deny an operator's license if an applicant:
(1) has a record of repeated and persistent violations of motor vehicle laws;
(2) has been convicted of or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to the violation of a law involving moral turpitude, including a sexual offense, an alcohol or narcotics offense, or a gambling offense;
(3) is on parole or probation for a criminal or traffic offense;
(4) has, within three years immediately preceding the date of the application, been released from a penal or correctional institution;
(5) has diplomatic immunity;
(6) has had a taxicab operator's license or a similar permit or license permanently revoked in another jurisdiction;
(7) has had a license to operate a taxicab revoked once or suspended twice;
(8) has made a false statement under oath of a material question on a form required by the Department;
(9) filed an application within the preceding six months that was denied; or
(10) has violated provisions of this title or of County, State, or federal law.
(d) Fees. The fee for a taxicab operator's license is:
(1) $100 for the initial license;
(2) $75 for a renewal license;
(3) $25 when a licensed operator transfers to a different owner during the term of an existing license; and
(4) $25 for a duplicate license.
(e) Investigation. The Department shall forward each application to the Police Department, and the Police Department shall inquire into the qualifications of the applicant and forward to the Department a report of its findings. The Department shall determine whether to issue the operator's license.
(f) Issuance. The Department shall issue a taxicab operator's license to an applicant who has submitted all information required by the application form, paid the required fees, and met the qualifications for obtaining the license.
(g) Display. A licensee shall wear the license card issued by the Department whenever operating a taxicab for business purposes.
(h) Expiration. A taxicab operator's license expires on January 31 of each year.
(i) Renewal. An application for renewal shall be filed by January 21 of each year.
(j) Late fee. The Department may impose a $1 per day late fee for each day after January 31 that the application remains incomplete or the required fee is not paid.
(1985 Code, Art. 16, §§ 17-211, 17-212, 17-213, 17-215, 17-216, 17-217) (Bill No. 46-92; Bill No. 56-97; Bill No. 24-00; Bill No. 50-04)