§ 443.12 License Suspension or Revocation

   The Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses upon his or her own initiative may, and upon recommendation of the Chief of Police shall revoke or suspend any license granted under this chapter if the vehicle is used for immoral or illegal purposes or if the vehicle is not in good condition and appearance, clean and safe. Licenses revoked for the reason that the vehicle has been used for immoral or illegal business or purpose shall not be reissued again. Licenses revoked because of the condition and appearance of the vehicle shall not be reissued until the vehicle and its appearance are put in fit condition for use by the public.

(Ord. No. 1684-76. Passed 6-29-76, eff. 7-6-76)

§ 443.13 Drivers’ Licenses; Application

   Every person driving a public hack, shall be licensed as such. Each applicant for a driver’s license shall:

   (a)   Be eighteen (18) years of age or over, an American citizen, or have declared his or her intention to become such a citizen, and a bona fide resident of Cuyahoga County for thirty (30) days next preceding the date of such application;

   (b)   Present a certificate from a qualified physician that he or she is sound physically and mentally, has good eyesight, and that he or she suffers from no other infirmity of body and mind, which might render him or her unfit for the safe operation of a public vehicle;

   (c)   Be able to read and write the English language;

   (d)   Be clean in dress and person, and not be addicted to the use of intoxicating liquors or drugs;

   (e)   Produce, on forms to be provided by the Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses, two (2) character references of persons not related to applicant;

   (f)   Fill out, upon a blank form to be provided by the Commissioner, a statement giving his or her full name, residence, places of residence for five (5) years previous to moving to his or her present address, age, color, height, color of eyes and hair, place of birth, length of time he or she has resided in the City, whether a citizen of the United States, places of previous employment, whether married or single, whether he or she has ever been arrested or convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, whether he or she has been summoned to court, whether he or she has previously been licensed as a driver or chauffeur, and if so, whether his or her license has ever been revoked, and for what cause, which statement shall be signed and sworn to by the applicant, and filed with the Commissioner, as a permanent record. Any false statement made by the applicant for a license shall be promptly reported by the Commissioner to the prosecuting attorney of Cuyahoga County. The Commissioner is hereby authorized and empowered to establish such additional rules and regulations, covering the issuance of drivers’ licenses, not inconsistent herewith, as may be necessary and reasonable.

(Ord. No. 1828-77. Passed 6-8-78, eff. 6-12-78)

§ 443.131 Convictions Which Bar Issuance of Driver’s License

   No driver's license shall be issued if the applicant has been convicted of any of the following offenses:

   (a)   Manslaughter, or negligent homicide, resulting from the operating of a motor vehicle;

   (b)   Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquors or drugs. Any conviction under this subsection shall not be a bar to the issuance of a license if the conviction occurred more than five (5) years prior to the date of application; or upon a recommendation of the Commissioner more than three (3) years from the date of application for a license;

   (c)   Any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle was used;

   (d)   Failure to stop and render aid as required under the laws of this State, or leaving the scene of an accident as specified by the laws of this State;

   (e)   Perjury or false swearing in making any statement under oath in connection with his or her application for driver's license;

   (f)   Conviction, or forfeiture of bail, not vacated, upon three (3) charges of a violation of the motor vehicle laws of this state that are classified or determined by the Commissioner to be moving violations, within the most recent twelve (12) month period;

   (g)   Conviction of the violation of any law involving violence, theft or any form of stealing, or any crime involving moral turpitude that is reasonably related to the license referred to herein, within five (5) years preceding the filing of the application for such license;

   (h)   Repeated violations of the City ordinances, which affect the safety of human life or limb on the streets of the City;

   (i)   Possession by a taxicab operator within his or her taxicab of opened or unopened beer, whiskey or wine, or of drugs or other stimulants not specifically prescribed for him or her by a medical doctor for his or her private use, or of gambling equipment or paraphernalia, stolen goods or any contraband property of any kind.

(Ord. No. 598-13. Passed 5-20-13, eff. 5-23-13)

§ 443.14 Examination of Drivers

   (a)   Each applicant for a driver's license under the provisions of this chapter shall be examined by a person designated by the Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses as to his or her knowledge of the provisions of this chapter, the City Traffic Code, and the geography of the City. Each applicant must, if required by the Commissioner, demonstrate his or her skill and ability to safety handle his or her vehicle, by driving it through a crowded section of the City, accompanied by a City inspector. If the result of any examination is unsatisfactory, the applicant shall be refused a license.

   (b)   The Commissioner is authorized to require an applicant subject to an unsatisfactory examination in division (a) of this section to attend remedial driver education courses approved by the Commissioner before such applicant may again apply for a license.

   (c)   The Commissioner is authorized to develop and implement a continuing education program and require the attendance of drivers and owners as a condition of licensure. Program requirements developed under this section shall be promulgated by regulation and published in the City Record. Notice of attendance requirements to drivers and owners shall be served by United States mail, first class, to the address of record for the licensee.

(Ord. No. 598-13. Passed 5-20-13, eff. 5-23-13)

§ 443.15 Driver’s Photograph and Fingerprints – Repealed

(Ord. No. 1510-2019. Passed 12-2-19, eff. 12-4-19)

§ 443.16 Form and Terms of Drivers’ Licenses

   Upon satisfactory fulfillment of the foregoing requirements, there shall be issued to the applicant a license, which shall be in such form as to contain the photograph and name of the licensee. Any licensee who defaces, removes or obliterates any official entry made upon his or her license, shall be punished by revocation of his or her license. Drivers’ licenses shall be issued as of December 1 in each and every year, and shall be valid to and including November 30 next succeeding, unless previously revoked.

(Ord. No. 1684-76. Passed 6-29-76, eff. 7-6-76)

§ 443.17 Temporary Permit Issuance; Term; Fee

   Except when an extraordinary public emergency arises affecting transportation of the public upon the streets within the City, such temporary permits when issued shall be upon such terms and conditions as the Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses shall provide, but such temporary permit shall in no event be granted for a longer period than fifteen (15) days, and may be renewable for similar periods, as necessary, only upon the written recommendation of the Commissioner made to Council, and approved by it.

   The fee for such temporary permit shall be sixty dollars ($60.00) for the driver and seventy-five dollars ($75.00) for the hack or vehicle.

(Ord. No. 598-13. Passed 5-20-13, eff. 5-23-13)