(a) A person authorized and licensed to operate a taxicab under this chapter shall not permit, hire or employ any individual to drive a taxicab under his or her control unless such individual has obtained a driver's permit as provided by this chapter.
(b) No person shall drive or physically operate a taxicab upon City streets without obtaining a permit to do so as provided by this chapter, provided, however, any person licensed to operate or permitted to operate or drive a taxicab in any other municipality may carry passengers from such municipality to any place or point within the City and may enter and temporarily travel upon the streets and thoroughfares of the City for that purpose without the need to procure a license under this chapter, but such operator or driver shall not solicit business on the streets of this City or otherwise do business within the City without a license from the City.
(c) An application for a permit to operate or drive a taxicab upon the streets of the City shall be made to the Police Department of the City upon blanks furnished by the City Clerk. Each applicant shall state his or her name, age, residence and length of residence in the City, how long he or she has been engaged in driving an automobile and whether or not he or she has ever been convicted of or pled guilty to a violation of any ordinance or statute and, if so, giving the nature of the offense. Each applicant shall be of good character and shall give as references to his or her character the names and addresses of three residents of the City.
(d) The Police Department shall make an examination as to whether such applicant is worthy, capable, of good moral character and properly qualified by experience to operate and drive a taxicab and shall, as soon as the examination required by this section has been concluded, return such application with its report to the City Clerk.
(e) The examination required by this section shall be based on the knowledge of the provisions of the Michigan Vehicle Code, as amended, the Uniform Traffic Code as adopted by the City, and the rules and regulations provided in this chapter. In addition, the applicant shall be tested as to his or her ability to operate a taxicab vehicle. If an applicant fails to pass the examination, no permit shall be granted to him or her. However, he or she shall be given an opportunity for re-examination within three months from the date of the first examination if he or she requests the same in writing.
(Ord. 16-95. Passed 6-20-95; Ord. 7-01. Passed 6-19-01.)