(a) No license shall be granted for a vehicle over four (4) years old, except that an existing license for a vehicle not more than eight (8) years old may be renewed if the Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses determines, after careful inspection of the vehicle, that it is in a thoroughly safe condition for the transportation of passengers, clean, fit, of good appearance, and well painted. For purposes of this section, the age of the vehicle shall be determined by comparing the calendar year in which the application for license is being considered to the model year of the vehicle.
(b) When licenses or renewals of existing licenses are issued for any public hacks which may have been disabled, disqualified, sold or may otherwise not be available at the time of the granting of such licenses, no such vehicle which may thereafter be acquired for use in connection with any such licenses shall be placed in operation until it has been thoroughly and carefully inspected and examined and found to be in a thoroughly safe condition for the transportation of passengers, clean, fit, of good appearance and well painted. The Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses shall thereafter make inspections of such vehicles at least semiannually and may make inspections more frequently at his or her discretion.
(c) The Commissioner shall refuse to permit the operation of any vehicle found by him or her to be unfit or unsuited for public patronage or to which a taximeter or acceptable radio receiver and transmitter is not affixed. He or she shall examine any taximeter attached to any public hack and see that the same is accurate before permitting the use thereof upon any public hack which may be placed in operation. The Commissioner is authorized and empowered to establish reasonable rules and regulations for the inspection of public hacks and their appurtenances, construction and condition of fitness.
(d) The Commissioner is authorized to charge and collect an inspection fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) per hour, or any portion thereof, for any inspection performed under this section.
(Ord. No. 1510-2019. Passed 12-2-19, eff. 12-4-19; Am. Ord. No. 1222-2022. Passed 11-28-22, eff. 11-28-22)