(A) Every person who shall drive or operate any taxicab for wages or hire in the service of a permit holder shall first obtain a license therefor. No license shall be issued until an application shall have been made in writing accompanied by a certificate of character and the certificate shall enumerate the following:
(1) Occupation and employment pursued over the next preceding five-year period;
(2) Whether or not the applicant has had any collision or accident in which any person or property was injured or damaged and description of the same, in each case;
(3) Whether or not the applicant has ever been charged with or convicted of any crime, and if so, the nature of the crime;
(4) Whether or not the applicant has ever had a driver’s or other license revoked or canceled and for what purpose;
(5) Whether or not the applicant drinks any intoxicating liquors or has been under the influence of the same within the past year;
(6) Whether or not the applicant has been convicted of violating any city ordinance within the past year;
(7) Each applicant shall furnish the City Clerk with at least three references as to character; and
(8) The applicant shall further have his or her fingerprints taken by the City Clerk or by the Police Department.
(B) The application and certificate of character shall be examined by an examining board, composed of the City Manager, Chief of Police, and City Clerk. If the applicant is found to be competent to serve as a driver or chauffeur and that the representations made in the certificate relating to other matters are answered to the satisfaction of the examining board, the City Clerk shall issue to the applicant a driver’s license upon the payment of $1.25 by the applicant to the City Clerk, which driver’s license shall expire on June 30 following the date of issue. The driver’s license shall be carried on the person of the driver and upon request by any police officer of the city, the license shall be exhibited to the officer. Should the application be rejected or disapproved by the examining board, then the applicant shall have the right of appealing to the City Council by filing with the City Clerk within three days after such rejection or disapproval a notice in writing that he or she is appealing to the City Council, which appeal shall then be heard by the City Council at its next regular meeting and the findings of the City Council shall be final.
(Prior Code, § 112.12)