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OPERATING REQUIREMENTS
A. Taximeters required. It shall be unlawful for any permittee or driver to operate any taxicab in the City unless such vehicle is equipped with a taximeter of such type, style, and design as may be approved by the Chief of Police. Taximeters which are capable of being programmed to carry multiple rates are prohibited unless the customer in each instance is given a receipt showing the “flag drop rate” or initial charge, the charge per mile, miles traveled and the total charge. Where such receipts are given, the permittee shall maintain a copy of each receipt which shall be maintained with a record of the number of trips taken. It shall be the responsibility of the permittee to audit such receipts and assure that a receipt was prepared for each trip. It shall be the duty of every owner operating a taxicab to keep such taximeter in good condition so that such taximeter will, at all times, accurately indicate the correct charge for the distance traveled and the waiting time. Such taximeter shall be at all times subject to inspection by an inspector appointed by the City or by any police officer. Such inspector or police officer is hereby authorized at his or her instance or upon complaint of any person to investigate, or cause to be investigated, such taximeter, and upon the discovery of any inaccuracy in such taximeter, to remove or cause to be removed such vehicle from the streets of the City until such time as the taximeter shall have been correctly adjusted and certified by the Los Angeles County Department of Weights and Measures or other person or agency approved by the Chief of Police.
B. Taximeter “For Hire” indicator. Every taximeter shall be equipped with a flag or other mechanical or electronic device which displays the words “For Hire.” Such flag or device shall be so attached and connected to the mechanism of the taximeter as to cause the mechanism not to operate when the flag or device indicates that the taxicab is for hire. The flag or device shall, when activated, start the operation of the taximeter so that the same will operate in the manner set forth hereinabove.
C. Use of “For Hire” indicator. It shall be unlawful for any driver of a taxicab, while carrying passengers to display the flag or device controlled by such taximeter which denotes that such vehicle is for hire or is not employed, or to have such flag or device in such a position as to prevent the taximeter from operating, or for any driver to operate such flag or device of a taximeter in a manner which causes the taximeter to record when such vehicle is not actually employed, or fail to operate such flag or device on a taximeter into a non-recording position at the termination of each and every service.
D. Charges—amount recorded. All charges for transportation of passengers in taxicabs operated in the City shall be based on the charges indicated on the taximeter. It shall be unlawful for any owner, driver, or operator of any taxicab to charge any passenger any sum other than the sum indicated on the taximeter, the charging or solicitation of a “flat rate fare” not recorded on the taximeter is prohibited.
E. Placement of taximeter. The taximeter shall be placed in the taxicab so the reading dial or display showing the amount to be charged shall be well lighted in not less than one-half (½) inch block numbers and shall be readily visible by the passenger unless such taximeter is equipped and operated as a receipt printing taximeter.
('65 Code, § 34-12(a)) (Ord. No. 83-020 § 1; Ord. No. 83-031 §§ 2-3; Ord. No. 84-003 § 1)
The maximum rates or fares to be charged the public for taxicab service within the City shall be fixed by the City Council by resolution. It shall be unlawful for any taxicab within the City to charge, receive or collect any rate or fare in excess of the maximum for such taxicab service. Upon the adoption of any such resolution the City Clerk shall immediately forward a certified copy thereof to the Police Department and to all permittees within the City.
('65 Code, § 34-12(b)) (Ord. No. 83-020 § 1; Ord. No. 83-031 §§ 2-3; Ord. No. 84-003 § 1)
A. Conformance to requirements. No vehicle shall be granted a permit unless it conforms to the provisions of this Chapter. Failure to maintain a taxicab in conformance with the provisions of this Chapter shall be grounds for revocation of a taxi permit issued to such vehicle.
B. Approval of taximeter. No taxicab shall be operated until the taximeter therein has been tested, approved and sealed by the Los Angeles County Department of Weights and Measures or by an agency or person approved by the Chief of Police.
C. Identification containers. Each taxicab licensed to operate in the City shall have located in a convenient place in the driver's compartment and in view of the passengers therein, two (2) lighted containers of a type and design approved by the Chief of Police. Such containers shall contain cards provided by the Chief of Police bearing the following information:
1. One container shall have a card therein bearing:
a. The name of the company to which the card is issued;
b. The decal number issued to the taxicab;
c. The date of issuance and expiration of the permit to conduct a taxicab business;
d. The state license plate number and vehicle identification number of the taxicab displaying the same;
e. The taxicab number;
f. The maximum rates established by the Council.
2. One container shall have a card therein bearing:
a. The number of the taxicab drivers permit;
b. The driver's name and California operator's license number;
c. The name of the company employing the driver;
d. Date of issuance and expiration of the taxi driver's permit; and
e. A small photograph of the driver.
3. A container with a card therein or a decal of a size approved by the Police Department shall be permanently affixed to the rear of the driver's seat and shall face the passenger seated in the rear seat. The sign or decal shall contain the following:
“This taxicab is operated under a permit from the City of Culver City. Any consumer complaints regarding charges, service or the cleanliness of this taxi may be reported by mail to:
Taxi
P.O. Box 507
City Hall, Culver City, CA 90230
P.O. Box 507
City Hall, Culver City, CA 90230
Maximum rates for Culver City must be displayed at all times. All charges must be shown on the taximeter. FLAT FEE CHARGES ARE PROHIBITED.”
D. Color, insignia, and design. All taxicabs shall conform to a color scheme approved by the City Council as required to be described in § 11.10.015a.12. of this Code.
E. Safety equipment. All taxicabs shall be equipped with:
1. A fully charged ABC Multi-purpose five (5) pound fire extinguisher;
2. Not less than twelve (12) emergency flares;
3. Complete and operable equipment necessary to change a flat tire;
4. A properly inflated spare tire that meets the requirements of Cal. Veh. Code § 27465 (tread to be not less than 1/32 of an inch);
F. Display of license seal or decal. Every taxicab shall display a seal or identification decal in manner established by the Chief of Police or by the Council.
('65 Code, § 34-12(c)) (Ord. No. 83-020 § 1; Ord. No. 83-031 §§ 2-3; Ord. No. 84-003 § 1)
A. Inspection.
1. Before a decal is issued or reissued to any owner for any taxicab, such owner shall deliver the taxicab to a place designated by the Chief of Police for inspection. The Chief of Police shall designate officers to inspect such taxicab, its equipment, and taximeter, to ascertain whether such taxicab complies with the provisions of this Chapter. Taxicabs shall be inspected at least annually and shall have been washed within twenty-four (24) hours preceding the inspection.
2. The overall appearance of the taxicab shall be such as to indicate that the taxicab is in good repair and maintenance. There shall be no broken or cracked glass. All doors, hoods and trunk lids shall latch properly and there shall be no gaps between doors and body in the closed position in excess of manufacturer's standards. There shall be no sheet metal damage in excess of twenty-five percent (25%) of the surface area on any of the following major components of the taxicab:
a. Doors.
b. Trunk.
c. Hood.
d. Roof.
e. Quarter panels.
f. Grill work.
g. Front and rear bumpers.
h. Fenders.
3. There shall be no chipped or peeling paint on the sheet metal body visible to the unaided eye in normal sunlight at a distance of twenty-five (25) feet.
B. Right of entry. Any police officer of the City shall have the right at any time after displaying proper identification to enter into or upon any taxicab for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not any of the provisions of this Chapter are being violated.
C. Unsafe or unsuitable vehicles. Any taxicab which is found to be unsafe or in any way unsuitable for taxicab service after inspection by a police officer, it shall be immediately ordered out of service by the Chief of Police and before again being placed in service shall be placed in a safe condition by the permittee and reinspected by the Police Department.
D. Sanitation. The interior of every taxicab shall be maintained in a clean condition at all times and shall be thoroughly cleaned at least once in every twenty-four (24) hours. There shall be no unrepaired rips in any of the upholstery including seats, carpeting, paneling, and head liner. Any repairs shall be finished in a workman-like manner. Door handles, arm rests, window cranks and all other interior accessory items shall be maintained in good repair. There shall be an operating interior light. The floor of the vehicle shall be covered with a clean automobile floor covering.
('65 Code, § 34-12(d)) (Ord. No. 83-020 § 1; Ord. No. 83-031 §§ 2-3; Ord. No. 84-003 § 1)
A. Permit required. It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or operate a taxicab without first obtaining a taxi driver permit to do so from the Chief of Police.
B. Application. Persons applying for taxi driver permits shall file applications with the Police Department on forms provided by the Police Department.
C. Identification card. Upon obtaining a taxi driver permit, the holder of the permit shall be issued an identification card of such design and size as will conspicuously show the information required in § 11.10.310 C.2. of this Subchapter. Such card shall be displayed within the vehicle being operated by the permittee at all times. Taxi driver permits shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance.
D. Qualifications. No permit shall be issued to any of the following persons:
1. Any person under the age of eighteen (18) years:
2. Any person who does not possess a valid California driver's license of the proper classification;
3. Any person who has been convicted of a felony, or who has been convicted of either driving a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquors or under the influence of narcotics or who has been convicted of reckless driving, unless two (2) years have elapsed since such conviction and during which time the person has maintained a good record.
E. Examination. Each applicant for a taxi driver permit shall be examined by a person designated by the Chief of Police as to the applicants knowledge of the provisions of this Chapter, the traffic regulations, and the geography of the City. If the result of the examination is unsatisfactory, the permit shall be refused.
F. Driving test. Each applicant may be required to demonstrate the skill and ability to drive safely and to safely handle the taxi vehicle by driving it through a crowded section of the City accompanied by an inspector designated by the Chief of Police.
G. Revocation-refusal to renew permits.
1. The Chief of Police shall revoke or refuse to renew a taxi driver permit if the driver or applicant has, since the granting of the permit:
a. Been convicted of a felony;
b. Had his or her California driver's license revoked or suspended;
c. Been convicted of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquors or narcotics;
d. During any continuous six (6) month period, had three (3) or more convictions for any offense involving driving;
e. Been convicted of any sexual offense.
2. The Chief of Police may revoke or refuse to renew a taxi driver permit for any reason in addition to those set forth in this Section, which in the opinion of the Chief of Police, has rendered the person unfit to drive a taxicab.
H. Appeal from revocation or refusal to renew. Any person whose taxi driver permit has been revoked or renewal refused by the Chief of Police may, within ten (10) days after receipt of notice thereof, appeal to the Committee on Permits and Licenses for a hearing thereon. The Chief of Police shall set forth in writing his reasons for the revocation or for the refusal to renew a taxi driver permit and shall transmit a copy thereof to the Committee on Permits and Licenses and to the permittee. If a timely appeal is filed with the Committee the matter shall be set on the next regular agenda for hearing. At the hearing the permittee and the Police Department may present evidence orally or in writing. The Committee shall make findings on the evidence presented and shall determine that the action of the Police Department should be sustained, reversed or modified. The action of the Committee on Permits and Licenses shall be final. If no appeal is filed within the time period provided herein by the applicant the action of the Chief of Police shall be final.
('65 Code, § 34-12(e)) (Ord. No. 83-020 § 1; Ord. No. 83-031 §§ 2-3; Ord. No. 84-003 § 1)
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