A. Taxicab Age And Usage Limitations:
1. Age Limits: Except as expressly provided herein, no vehicle that exceeds either of the following limits shall be licensed as a taxicab:
a. Age: Seven (7) years of age; or
b. Miles: Five hundred thousand (500,000) miles or more.
2. Computation: The taxicab age shall be computed using the model year of the vehicle and December 31 of the year in which the taxicab vehicle license is sought. (For example, if a vehicle is a 2004 model year and the application for a taxicab vehicle license is submitted in July 2012, that vehicle is 8 years of age.)
3. Exemptions:
a. Specified: If the safety and equipment standards and requirements contained in this article are met, the following vehicles may be licensed and used in taxicab service until the age and/or mileage limits indicated:
(1) A vehicle seven (7) years of age or older may be licensed and used in taxicab service until it reaches ten (10) years of age or one million (1,000,000) miles on the odometer, whichever occurs first, upon a determination that the vehicle meets or exceeds all standards and requirements established pursuant to subsection B7 of this section;
(2) A wheelchair accessible vehicle may be licensed and used in taxicab service until it reaches eleven (11) years of age or one million one hundred thousand (1,100,000) miles on the odometer, whichever occurs first;
(3) A clean fuel or clean air vehicle that meets or exceeds the ultra low emission vehicle standard may be licensed and used in taxicab service until it reaches eleven (11) years of age or one million one hundred thousand (1,100,000) miles on the odometer, whichever occurs first.
b. Exemption For Classic, Vintage Or Antique Vehicles:
(1) A vehicle that is determined by the Licensing Officer to qualify as a "classic", "vintage" or "antique" vehicle, pursuant to criteria developed, promulgated and published by the Licensing Officer as an administrative regulation, may qualify for an exemption to the vehicle age and usage requirements of this article.
(2) An applicant who seeks this exemption shall notify the Licensing Officer at the time of application of the intent to operate a classic, vintage or antique vehicle as a taxicab.
(3) Every classic, vintage or antique vehicle for which a taxicab vehicle license is sought shall comply with all safety and inspection requirements set forth in this article.
(4) The process of applying for a taxicab vehicle license for a classic, vintage or antique vehicle may require additional time.
(5) The Licensing Officer may, if reasonably necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare, place conditions and/or restrictions on the operation and use of a taxicab vehicle license for a classic, vintage or antique vehicle.
(6) Any person who operates a classic, vintage or antique vehicle as a taxicab and does not comply with the conditions and restrictions placed on operation of the vehicle by the Licensing Officer is guilty of an infraction, subject to penalty as provided in section 1-4-2 of this Code.
c. Inspection: Every taxicab to which any exemption may apply shall be inspected by the City shop, and must pass said inspection at the beginning of the process of application for a taxicab vehicle license.
4. Exemption: The vehicle age and usage limits contained herein shall not apply to any taxicab originally licensed prior to the effective date hereof, provided such taxicab has been licensed continuously at all times since first licensed by the City. Any lapse in the taxicab licensing or transfer of such vehicle to a different owner or entity shall automatically void this exemption to the taxicab vehicle age and usage limits.
B. Required Taxicab Inspections:
1. Quarterly: Every taxicab shall submit to a quarterly inspection to assess compliance with the standards and requirements contained in this article.
2. Pass Inspection: No vehicle shall be issued a taxicab vehicle license unless and until that vehicle has passed an inspection in accordance with the standards and requirements contained in this article.
3. Nonconformance: In addition to all other prescribed penalties for violations of this article, any person who owns, leases or operates a taxicab that does not conform to the minimum inspection standards and requirements set forth in this section shall be subject to immediate suspension or revocation of the taxicab vehicle license held by that person.
4. Annual Inspection: Every taxicab placed in service or licensed after February 2, 2012, shall submit to and pass an annual inspection conducted by the City. This annual inspection shall occur in lieu of one quarterly inspection required herein.
5. Time, Place Designated: All taxicab inspections, and all inspections of vehicles for which a taxicab vehicle license application has been filed, that are conducted by the City, shall be made at the time and place designated by the Licensing Officer.
6. Penalty: A violation of any of the provisions of this subsection B shall be a misdemeanor, subject to penalty as provided in section 1-4-1 of this Code.
7. Standards And Requirements: To pass the quarterly and annual inspections required by this article, all taxicabs shall meet or exceed the following standards and requirements, unless specifically provided otherwise within this article:
a. Tires:
(1) Tires shall not have cuts, breaks, gaps or show excessive or uneven wear.
(2) Tire wear bars shall not be showing.
(3) Tire tread depth shall be no less than two thirty-seconds (2/32) of an inch of an original tire.
(4) The vehicle shall have a spare tire that is fully inflated and meets the same requirements as tires installed on the vehicle.
(5) The vehicle shall have a jack or other device capable of lifting the vehicle to enable a tire to be changed.
(6) Tires shall all be of the same size and type (either radial or bias).
b. Body Condition:
(1) The vehicle body shall be in good condition, free of holes, excessive wear and torn metal.
(2) A front and a rear bumper shall be firmly attached.
(3) The vehicle body shall be free of any unrepaired body damage.
(4) The vehicle shall be completely and properly painted in conformance with the color scheme required by this article and approved in advance by the Licensing Officer.
c. Lights:
(1) Headlights shall be intact and operable on both high and low beam.
(2) Tail lights, parking lights, brake lights, top light and signal lights shall be intact and operable.
(3) An interior light capable of illuminating the interior shall be operable.
d. Windshield Wipers:
(1) All windshield wipers shall be operable.
(2) Windshield wiper blades shall be in good condition.
e. Brakes:
(1) Both the parking brake and all four (4) wheel brakes shall be operable and in good condition.
(2) All brake shoes and pads shall have a safe amount of wear remaining.
(3) Brake pedal travel shall not exceed two and one-half inches (21/2").
f. Steering:
(1) The steering system shall be in good mechanical order.
(2) All steering components shall meet the minimum specifications and standards set by the manufacturer.
g. Exhaust System:
(1) Mufflers shall not have any holes.
(2) Mufflers shall be firmly attached to the exhaust and tailpipes.
(3) Tailpipes shall extend beyond the passenger compartment, fully to the rear of the vehicle.
(4) All emission control devices shall be attached, and shall be in proper working order.
h. Windows:
(1) The windshield shall be completely free of cracks, and shall be free from chips or pitting that interferes with the driver's vision.
(2) Door windows shall be free of cracks and shall be operable as they were intended by the manufacturer.
i. Door Handles And Locks:
(1) All door handles and latches shall be operable from both the inside and outside of the vehicle.
(2) All door locks shall be operable by the passenger.
j. Seat Belts:
(1) The vehicle shall be equipped with sufficient operable seat belts to provide safety to each passenger.
(2) The seat belts shall comply with State law.
k. Suspension:
(1) There shall be no broken or weak springs.
(2) Shock absorbers shall not be weak or defective.
(3) All suspension components shall meet the minimum specifications and standards set by the manufacturer.
l. Appearance:
(1) The engine compartment shall be kept reasonably clean and free of uncontained combustible material.
(2) The exterior shall be kept clean and well maintained.
(3) The interior shall be kept clean and free of garbage.
(4) The seats and upholstery shall be kept clean and free of holes and tears.
(5) The vehicle shall be kept free from dirt, grime and stains.
(6) No vehicle shall have floor covering, headliner or upholstery that is worn through or torn.
(7) No vehicle shall have unauthorized signs, markings or stickers affixed thereto.
(8) Every wheel shall be covered by a matching hubcap, where there is a place for such hubcap.
(9) Every taxicab shall be maintained free of noxious, unhealthy or unpleasant odors, fumes, stenches and smells, including, but not limited to, urine, feces, smoke, fuel or vomit.
(10) Smoking within a taxicab shall be strictly prohibited as set forth in subsection 5-11-8O of this Code.
8. Emission Standards: Every taxicab shall comply with Ada County Motor Vehicle Emissions Standards and Regulations, regardless of where the vehicle itself is registered, and shall have a valid certificate of compliance, in addition to the inspection requirements listed above.
9. Performance Of Inspections:
a. When Performed: All inspections required by this section shall be performed prior to the issuance or renewal of a taxicab vehicle license, and every calendar quarter thereafter.
b. Designation Of Color: The Licensing Officer will designate each taxicab with a color, based upon the month of the taxicab's first inspection:
Color | Month Of Taxicab's First Inspection |
Green | January, April, July or October |
Blue | February, May, August or November |
Orange | March, June, September or December |
c. Inspection Based On Color: Each taxicab shall be inspected once per calendar quarter, in the month matching the vehicle's designated color, as shown in the following calendar:
First Quarter | ||
January - Green | February - Blue | March - Orange |
Second Quarter | ||
April - Green | May - Blue | June - Orange |
Third Quarter | ||
July - Green | August - Blue | September - Orange |
Fourth Quarter | ||
October - Green | November - Blue | December - Orange |
10. Rules, Guidelines For Inspections: The Licensing Officer is authorized to establish additional rules and guidelines governing the timing of, and scheduling procedure for, quarterly and annual taxicab inspections.
11. Additional Inspections: The Licensing Officer may, upon determining the existence of good cause therefor, require any taxicab vehicle applicant or licensee to submit any taxicab vehicle to an additional inspection.
12. Maintenance Required: Every requirement of this section shall be maintained throughout the inspection quarter, and throughout the term of the taxicab vehicle license.
13. Inspections Of Vehicles Seven Years Of Age Or Older; Additional Standards And Requirements:
a. Quarterly: Quarterly inspections of all vehicles seven (7) years of age or older shall be completed using inspection standards and requirements that are more stringent than those set forth herein.
b. Standards, Requirements Established: The inspection standards and requirements for taxicabs seven (7) years of age or older shall be established and promulgated by the Licensing Officer, in consultation and collaboration with the City shop.
14. Inspection Fees:
a. Required: Every initial quarterly vehicle inspection shall be accompanied by a fee in an amount established by the City Council and listed on the most current City Clerk license fee schedule.
b. Nonrefundable: All fees are nonrefundable and shall be collected in advance of the inspection.
c. Reinspection: If any inspection results in the need for reinspection of the vehicle, a reinspection fee in an amount established by the City Council and listed on the most current City Clerk license fee schedule shall be charged.
d. Additional Fee: If any reinspection requires elevation of the vehicle or any reinspection of the taximeter, an additional fee in an amount established by the City Council and listed on the most current City Clerk license fee schedule shall be charged.
15. Approved Inspection Locations:
a. Review, Approve: The Licensing Officer shall review and approve persons that inspect taxicabs pursuant to the requirements of this article.
b. Persons Approved: All inspections required by this article shall be performed by persons approved to conduct such inspections.
c. Conflicts: No person related to or affiliated with the taxicab owner or operator, or related to or affiliated with the taxicab business licensee, shall be approved to inspect taxicabs pursuant to this article.
C. Taxicab Inspection Decal:
1. Issued: Upon passing the initial or the first quarter inspection required by this article, a taxicab shall be issued two (2) identical inspection decals by the Licensing Officer.
2. Design, Color, Type: The design, color and type of inspection decal will be determined by the Licensing Officer, with the color of the inspection decal changing annually.
3. Affix: The Licensing Officer shall affix the inspection decals to the taxicab, with one inspection decal affixed on each side of the taxicab.
4. Nontransferable: Inspection decals shall not be transferable, and shall be affixed or removed only by the Licensing Officer.
D. Approved Color Scheme, Name, Trade Name And License Number:
1. Submission For Approval: Every owner of a taxicab or fleet of taxicabs shall submit a distinctive and uniform color scheme to the Licensing Officer for approval at the time of making application for a taxicab vehicle license pursuant to this article.
2. Conflicts: No color scheme shall be approved that directly conflicts with an approved color scheme, monogram, trade name, design or insignia that is already in use on another licensed taxicab.
3. Content On Outside Of Vehicle: Every taxicab shall have, on both sides and on the rear of the vehicle, either painted upon it or permanently affixed to it by means of a plate or other device approved by the Licensing Officer:
a. Trade Name: The trade name under which the taxicab is operated;
b. License Number: The taxicab vehicle license number; and
c. Telephone Number: The telephone number by which the Licensing Officer or a member of the public will have the ability to contact the licensee.
4. Lettering: All lettering required to be affixed to the exterior of a taxicab shall be at least two inches (2") in height, and shall be of a color that is in clear contrast to the dominant color of the color scheme.
5. New, Additional Vehicles: New, additional or repainted vehicles owned or operated by the same person shall conform to the same color scheme approved for that person's taxicabs, and all vehicles owned or operated by the same person shall display the same approved color scheme design, and trade name. All new, additional or repainted vehicles shall be subject to all inspection and approval requirements set forth in this article.
6. Operating As Other Than Taxicab: No vehicle that bears a taxicab color scheme, has a taxicab top light permanently affixed, is licensed as a taxicab or holds itself out to be a taxicab, regardless of license status, shall be operated as other than a taxicab, unless:
a. Top Light Covered: The taxicab top light is completely and securely covered in such a way that it is not visible; and
b. Logos, Trade Names Covered: All taxicab logos and trade names visible to the exterior of the vehicle are completely and securely covered, such that they are not visible; and
c. Approval Of Covering Devices: All covering devices used to comply with this subsection shall be approved by the Licensing Officer prior to use on the taxicab.
7. Unapproved Stickers, Signs: No taxicab shall have affixed to it any unapproved or unauthorized sticker, sign, banner or magnet.
8. Penalty: A violation of any of the provisions of this subsection D shall be an infraction, subject to penalty as provided in section 1-4-2 of this Code.
E. Taximeters:
1. Required: Every taxicab shall be equipped with, and have permanently attached thereto, a taximeter that automatically registers the amount of the fare charged. Every fare shall be:
a. Miles Traveled: Automatically computed and registered in proportion to the miles traveled by the taxicab; or
b. Combination Of Miles, Time: Automatically computed and registered by a combination of miles traveled and time elapsed.
2. Installation; Display: Every taximeter shall be installed so the taximeter and the amount of fare displayed thereon shall be plainly visible to the passengers riding in the taxicab.
3. Illumination: The face of every taximeter shall be illuminated by a suitable light, or shall bear letters and numbers that are sufficiently backlit, to be plainly visible to a passenger seated in the rear seat.
4. Connection, Operation: Every taximeter shall be connected to and operate from a wheel or from the transmission of the motor of the taxicab.
5. Calibration, Inspection, Testing: The taximeter shall be calibrated, inspected and tested for each rate or fare required and set by this article, and the taximeter case shall be sealed by the City shop or such other person designated by the Licensing Officer.
6. Conflicts: No person related to or affiliated with the taxicab owner or operator, or related to or affiliated with the taxicab business licensee, shall calibrate, inspect, test or seal any taximeter.
7. Requirement Of Owner: It shall be the duty of the owner of the taxicab to have the taximeter inspected and approved as required by this article.
F. Top Light ("For Hire" Signal):
1. Required: Every taxicab shall be equipped with a top light, which shall be connected to and activated by the taximeter to denote whether or not such taxicab is available for hire.
2. Illumination While Carrying Passengers Prohibited: It shall be unlawful for any taxicab driver, while carrying passengers or while under employment, to illuminate a top light.
3. Requirements: Every top light shall be:
a. Permanent: Permanently affixed to the roof of the taxicab.
b. Color: White or yellow, and emit only white or yellow light.
c. Daylight: Visibility: Clearly visible during daylight hours from a distance of at least one hundred fifty feet (150').
d. Night Visibility: Clearly visible at night, when illuminated, from a distance of at least three hundred feet (300').
4. Penalty: A violation of any of the provisions of this subsection F shall be an infraction, subject to penalty as provided in section 1-4-2 of this Code. (1952 Code § 5-24-10; amd. 2019 Code)