9-104-060 License – Application.

   Application for a new or renewed public chauffeur license shall be made in writing to the department on a form provided by the commissioner, and the application shall be signed and sworn to by the person seeking a public chauffeur license. The application form shall require the following information:

   1.   the applicant's full name and residence address;

   2.   the applicant's date of birth;

   3.   the applicant's driver's license number; and

   4.   such other information the commissioner may reasonably require in connection with the issuance or renewal of a license.

(Added Coun. J. 3-16-16, p. 20056, § 1)

9-104-070 License – Investigation, issuance and denial.

   (a)   Upon receipt of an application for the issuance or renewal of a license, the Commissioner may investigate the applicant for compliance with all applicable provisions of this Code and applicable rules.

   (b)   As part of the investigation prescribed by subsection (a), every applicant shall: (1) submit to a criminal background check as defined by Section 9-104-010; (2) submit to additional checks as the Commissioner sets forth in rules; and (3) provide photos of the applicant as required by the Commissioner. Applicants shall be responsible for the costs of the criminal background check, any additional checks, and photos.

   (c)   As part of the application process, fees sufficient to cover the costs of processing the requirements of subsection (b) shall be assessed in addition to the license fees set forth in Section 9-104-030 of this chapter. The fees will be assessed regardless of whether the license applied for is issued or denied. The amount of the fees shall be as set forth by rules promulgated by the Commissioner.

   (d)   The Commissioner may deny a license to an applicant who submits an application or any information or document that includes an omission or misstatement of material fact, or false information.

   (e)   After investigating an applicant as provided in subsection (a) and this section, the Commissioner has the authority to deny a license if the applicant does not meet the requirements for the issuance or renewal of a license. Such investigation may include, but is not limited to, a review of the applicant's application, criminal record, driving record, complaint history, and any other information that may be reasonably relied upon to issue a license.

   (f)   If an application for the issuance or renewal of a public chauffeur license is denied, the applicant may, within 10 days of the mailing of the notice of denial, make written demand upon the Commissioner for a hearing. Upon receipt of a timely written demand for a hearing, the Department shall within 30 days conduct a hearing. If at such a hearing the applicant establishes through competent evidence that the denial was based upon incorrect findings, the Commissioner shall issue the license. If at such a hearing the denial is found to have been based upon correct findings, the denial shall become final. After entry of a final denial, the applicant shall be ineligible to make a new application for a period of 12 months.

(Added Coun. J. 3-16-16, p. 20056, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. IX, § 3)

9-104-080 License – Rescission.

   (a)   The commissioner has the authority to rescind any license obtained erroneously, illegally, by fraud, by misrepresentation, by willful misstatement or omission of any material fact or statement filed with the commissioner, the city comptroller, or any city department.

   (b)   If a license is rescinded, the former licensee may, within ten days of the mailing of the notice of rescission, make written demand upon the commissioner for a hearing. Upon receipt of a timely written demand for a hearing, the department shall within 30 days conduct a hearing. If at such a hearing the applicant establishes through competent evidence that the rescission was based upon incorrect findings, the commissioner shall issue the license. If at such a hearing the rescission is found to have been based upon correct findings, the rescission shall become final. After entry of a final rescission, the applicant shall be ineligible to make a new application for a period of 12 months.

(Added Coun. J. 3-16-16, p. 20056, § 1)

9-104-090 Training course and licensing exam.

   (a)   The Commissioner is authorized to enter into agreements, with the approval of the mayor, with any state-approved vocational or technical schools that provide a training course to public chauffeurs. The agreement may specify the curriculum and tuition cost for such course.

   (b)   The Commissioner is also authorized to approve the curriculum and tuition cost for public chauffeur courses offered by any private entity not referenced in subsection (a).

   (c)   The Commissioner is authorized to prescribe, by rule, course curriculum and exam criteria specific to the training and licensing of taxi chauffeurs and restricted public chauffeurs. The training course for public chauffeurs shall include:

      (1)   Guidelines on transporting passengers in a safe manner, consistent with the City's initiative to reduce and eliminate fatalities and serious injuries from traffic crashes (Vision Zero Initiatives);

      (2)   Guidelines on driving in the City, including rules of the road specific to the City;

      (3)   Guidelines for a zero-tolerance policy regarding use of intoxicating substances while operating any vehicle with a public chauffeur license;

      (4)   Guidelines on providing service to people with disabilities;

      (5)   Guidelines on compliance with the City's laws specific to public transportation, including the City's laws regarding taxis, liveries, pedicabs, and transportation network providers; and

      (6)   Guidelines and information on compliance with other applicable laws and rules.

   (d)   The Commissioner may, by rule, authorize the issuance of temporary licenses for public chauffeurs in training.

(Added Coun. J. 3-16-16, p. 20056, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 4)

9-104-100 Reserved.

Editor's note – Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 4, repealed § 9-104-100, which pertained to taxi chauffeur rebate program.