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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)
A. Direct route. Any driver employed to transport passengers to a definite point shall take the most direct route possible which will carry the passenger to the destination safely and expeditiously.
B. Receipts. Every driver, upon request, shall give a correct receipt upon payment of the correct fare. Receipts shall be given with or without request where programmable or multirate taximeters are used as required in § 11.10.300 A.
C. Refusal to pay fare. It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse to pay the lawful fare of any of the vehicles regulated by this Chapter after employing or hiring such vehicle, and any person who shall hire such vehicle with the intent to defraud the person from whom it is hired shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
D. Service. It shall be unlawful for any person operating a taxi pursuant to this Chapter to refuse service to any person seeking to employ such taxi for the reason that the distance to be traveled is considered a “short haul.” No permittee shall establish or impose upon any customer or prospective customer a minimum number of miles of travel or a minimum fare unrelated to the number of miles actually traveled nor shall service be refused to any person on the basis of such minimums. Any permittee who refuses service to any person on the basis of any “short haul” restrictions or the imposition of any minimums as set forth herein shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. In addition to any other penalties, a refusal of service for the reasons set forth in this Subchapter shall be grounds for the revocation of any permit obtained pursuant to this Chapter. All drivers shall observe the following rules when rendering service:
1. Driver shall not refuse a request for service because of driver's position in line at a taxicab zone. A passenger may select any cab in line.
2. Driver shall not refer or attempt to refer a potential patron to another taxicab or alternate means of transportation except where such referral is for an alternate fee transportation service available to the requested destination and provided the passenger willingly accepts the referral.
3. Driver shall not dismiss or discharge any passenger at a point other than the requested destination without adequate cause. If a passenger is discharged for a cause, such shall be done at a safe well-lighted place convenient to public transportation. Driver shall immediately notify dispatcher of any such incident. The permittee shall conduct an investigation into the circumstances and promptly provide a written report to the City Attorney.
4. Driver shall not attempt to influence the destination of a passenger and shall not accept fees or gratuities from anyone other than passenger or his/her agent.
5. Driver shall not refuse to transport in the taxicab any passenger's personal luggage, possessions, wheelchairs which can be folded and placed in either the passenger, driver or trunk compartments of the taxicab, groceries or packages when accompanied by a passenger, small pets in carriers or a guide dog for a blind passenger. The driver shall not be required to transport any article which would cause the taxicab to become damaged, stained or foul smelling.
6. Driver shall place passenger's luggage or packages in and out of the taxicab when requested.
7. Driver shall assist a passenger in and out of a taxicab when requested, provided the driver is not required to lift the passenger.
8. Driver shall not engage in unwanted conversation with passenger.
9. Driver shall not smoke while the taxicab is occupied, without the consent of all passengers.
10. Driver shall not permit anyone who is not a passenger to sit in the taxicab while driver is on duty except where driver is receiving training from the permittee.
E. Number of passengers. No driver of any taxicab shall accept, take into his or her vehicle, or transport any larger number of passengers than the rated seating capacity of the vehicle. The Police Department shall, at the time of inspection, determine the seating capacity of the vehicle and the maximum seating capacity shall be displayed on the permit issued by the Police Department.
F. Unattended or standing taxicabs. No taxi driver shall stand or park on any public street while awaiting employment, at any place other than at a duly designated taxi stand, nor shall the driver of any taxi leave the taxi unattended in a taxi stand for a period of time longer than five (5) minutes.
G. Exclusive use by passenger. Any person engaging a taxicab shall have the exclusive right to the full use of the taxicab. While so engaged, the driver shall not solicit or carry additional passengers without obtaining the consent of the person first engaging the taxicab.
('65 Code, § 34-12(f)) (Ord. No. 83-020 § 1; Ord. No. 83-031 §§ 2-3; Ord. No. 84-003 § 1)
Taxi stand permits may be issued to a permittee hereunder allowing taxicabs operated by the permittee, while awaiting employment, to stand in certain designated places on the public streets. No permit shall be granted except upon the application of the permittee desiring such stand, filed with the City Manager, stating the number and kind of vehicles for which the permit is sought and the proposed location of such stand or stands. The City Manager may grant permits upon the recommendation of the Chief of Police.
('65 Code, § 34-12(g)) (Ord. No. 83-020 § 1; Ord. No. 83-031 §§ 2-3; Ord. No. 84-003 § 1; Ord. No. 2006-009 § 22 (part))