No public passenger vehicle shall be licensed until it has been thoroughly and carefully inspected pursuant to this chapter, and found to be in safe condition for the transportation of passengers; clean, fit, of good appearance, well painted and complying with the provisions of this chapter.
The chief of police, or his designee, will cause inspection of all licensed public passenger vehicles to be done on the following basis:
A. Mechanical And Physical Tests:
1. Mechanical and physical tests shall be made every six (6) months. Each testing station shall submit a report or certificate to the police chief, or his designee, and to the public passenger vehicle owner, with respect to the results of such tests. Upon passing of mechanical and physical testing, the testing station will apply a six (6) month sticker to lower driver's side windshield. The police chief, or his designee, shall establish standards for companies to qualify to administrate the mechanical and physical tests required herein. The police chief, or his designee, shall report annually by December 1 of each year to the city manager listing the standards, specifying the companies who have been reviewed under the program and indicating, for each, whether or not they were found to be qualified to administer the required tests under this section.
2. Such tests shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
Accelerator/brake pedal: Rubber pads in place.
Backup lights: Lights are present and functional.
Ball joints: No perceptible movement (unless otherwise specified in service information), free motion without noise.
Body damage: No dents, rust, mismatched paint, loose panels, missing components or shoddy repair work allowed. Paint chips larger than one-eighth inch (1/8") must be repaired. Broken/cracked light lenses must be replaced/repaired.
Brake lights: Lights present and functional including CHMSL (center high mount stop lamp).
Brakes (front): Pad friction material not less than three-thirty seconds (3/32) of an inch at thinnest point. No serious visible rust problems with rotors or calipers. No visible hydraulic system leaks or damage to brake lines and hoses. Overall wear is even side to side.
Brakes (rear): Pad or shoe friction material not less than three-thirty seconds (3/32) of an inch at thinnest point. No serious visible rust problems with drums or rotors. Drum brake hardware in serviceable condition. No visible hydraulic system leaks or damage to brake lines or hoses. Overall wear is even side to side.
Bumper: No heavy scuffing on painted surfaces.
Current month insurance sticker: Present on window.
Display rates and chauffeur license: Displayed in vehicle (visible from back seat).
Doors and latches: All door latches must be operational from inside or outside of vehicle. Door lock must be functional. Door hinges intact (no drooping doors when opened).
Emergency brake: Operational and able to hold vehicle.
Exhaust system: Properly suspended and free from leaks or excess noise.
Frame and axles: No obvious missing or damaged frame mounts or bushing that would compromise safety. Axles must be properly attached to vehicle. No structural rust damage.
Front/rear floors: Floor area must be clear and unobstructed with carpeting intact and no holes in floorboards.
Gauges, all: Operational and no illuminated warning indicators for emission control, antilock brake, traction control or supplemental restraint systems.
Hazard lights: Present and functional.
Headlights/brights: Present and functional with proper aiming.
Heat/air conditioning: HVAC system must be functional for adequate passenger comfort.
Horn and defroster: Present and functional.
ID markings: The identification number assigned to the taxicab by the company shall be affixed to the exterior of the vehicle on each front quarter panel and trunk, visible from the rear at street level. These letters must be a minimum of two inches (2") in height and one- fourth inch (1/4") brushstroke.
Interior appearance: Must be clean and free of debris or objectionable odors. No torn headliners, broken or severely damaged armrests. Matching seat covers if being used.
Linkages and seals: No serious fluid leaks should be present. Driver operated linkages such as gearshift mechanisms or parking brake mechanism must operate properly.
Meter: Proof of current calibration.
Mirrors: Interior and exterior mirrors must be present and in functioning condition, properly attached and not cracked.
Plate light: Present and functional.
Safety belts/air bags: All seat belts must be present and functional without visible tears or damage. Air bag covers must be intact and no warning lights illuminated.
Seats: Clean and clear of objects. Covers intact and cushioning in reasonable condition with no obvious tears or springs visible.
Shock absorbers: Front and rear suspension shock absorbers should be serviceable with no hydraulic fluid leaks and all mounting hardware in operational condition. Mountings that are loose or damaged must be repaired.
Spare tire: Present, correct size rim, properly inflated, and operational tread.
Springs: Serviceable, no cracked or broken springs.
Steering mechanism: Components such as linkage and steering gears must be functional. No perceptible play in steering components such as inner and outer tie rods or idler arms. Hydraulic components must be properly sealed, no excessive leakage or noise while operating. Drive belts that operate steering pumps must be in good service condition.
Taillights: Present and functional.
Taximeter: Present and functional, sealed to prevent tampering.
Tires: Safe operating condition. Wear bars that are even with tread require replacement. Any safety related defects such as bubbles, bulges, shifted belts, cuts or heavy dry rot are not permissible.
Trunk and hood: Trunk lid and hood operational (trunk lid will stay upright on its own).
Turn signals, front and rear: Present and functional.
Vehicle registration card: In vehicle at all times for VIN confirmation.
Wheel alignment: Vehicle must not exhibit any obvious wheel alignment problems such as pulling when driven or severe tire wear issues.
Wheel bearings: Must have minimal to no play and should not produce excessive noise when vehicle is in motion.
Wheels: Must be in serviceable condition and wheel covers must be present and match if vehicle has steel wheels. Aluminum rims must match.
Window operation: Windows must be clear and unobstructed. Nonstationary windows must operate through full motion intended.
Windows: Cracked or damaged glass must be replaced. Window trim must be intact.
Wipers and washers: Windshield wipers must be functional and in serviceable condition. Washer systems must operate properly.
Safety: Any problems which may impact vehicle safety as determined by the inspector that are not listed in the previous items may be noted on inspection form and can be cause for inspection failure. The vehicle will be ineligible for service until the problem is corrected.
3. The total cost of the initial mechanical and physical test shall not exceed the amount set forth in section 4-18-1 of this title and be paid for by the owner of the public passenger vehicle involved. Any mechanical repair or retest needed to pass the vehicle shall be the sole responsibility of the owner.
B. Failure To Pass Inspection:
1. Any public passenger vehicle failing to pass either the mechanical or the physical inspection will be given a period of five (5) working days to allow for repairs. The vehicle cannot be used as a public passenger vehicle for hire until repairs have been completed and it passes reinspection. If the public passenger vehicle does not pass reinspection within the five (5) working day period, the public passenger vehicle license will be suspended by direction of the chief of police.
2. There shall be a charge for a reinspection within the five (5) working days allowed for repairs to a vehicle that fails the inspection in the amount set forth in section 4-18-1 of this title.
C. Maintenance Of Vehicles:
1. All vehicles licensed under this chapter must be kept in safe, clean and sanitary condition, and must be equipped with properly working brakes, lights and warning signals, in accordance with the motor vehicle laws of this state, this chapter and the ordinances of the city.
2. If, after the inspection and approval of any public passenger vehicle, as provided for in this chapter, such public passenger vehicle shall, from any cause, become unclean or unsightly in appearance, the license of such public passenger vehicle shall be suspended by the chief of police until the public passenger vehicle and all its accessories shall be put in fit condition for public use and have been approved and inspected as provided in this chapter.
3. If at any time a public passenger vehicle appears to not be in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, it may be inspected by any police officer or community service officer. (Ord. M-19-13, 10-7-2013)