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)