(a) Annually. Annually, each taxicab shall be inspected at an inspection station licensed by the State.
(b) Semiannually. Semiannually, the Department shall inspect each taxicab for general safety and cleanliness and to determine the proper functioning of the taximeter.
(c) Failure to pass Departmental inspection. If a taxicab is not in proper physical and mechanical condition to render safe, adequate, and convenient public service, the owner shall be notified of the nature of the defect, the owner shall return the vehicle license to the Department, and the vehicle may not operate as a taxicab until the condition has been remedied. Upon notification from the owner that the condition has been remedied, the Department shall re-inspect the vehicle and, if the condition has been remedied, the vehicle license shall be returned to the owner. If a taxicab is not clean and sanitary, the Department shall give the owner and taxicab operator a reasonable time to remedy the condition and shall re-inspect the vehicle after that time has elapsed. If the re-inspection reveals that the taxicab is still not clean and sanitary, the owner shall return the vehicle license to the Department until the condition is remedied.
(d) Fees. A $25 fee shall be charged for failure to make a taxicab available for a scheduled inspection and for each re-inspection.
(e) Inspection by police. After first displaying their badges to the operator, the County Police may enter or inspect a taxicab to determine compliance with this title.
(1985 Code, Art. 16, § 17-402) (Bill No. 56-97; Bill No. 24-00)