Section
112.01 Franchise and privilege license required
112.02 Application and hearing requirements
112.03 Liability insurance or bond required
112.04 Franchise revocation or suspension
112.05 Mechanical conditions and cleanliness of vehicles; inspections
112.06 Driver’s license and permit
112.07 Drivers not to solicit business
112.08 Parking restricted
112.09 Drivers to use direct routes
112.10 Prohibited conduct
112.11 Transportation of more than one passenger at the same time
It shall be a civil offense for any person to engage in the taxicab business unless he or she has first obtained a taxicab franchise from the city and has a currently effective privilege license.
(1994 Code, § 9-401) (Ord. 494, passed 9-2-1993) Penalty, see § 10.99
No person shall be eligible to apply for a taxicab franchise if he or she has a bad character or has been convicted of a felony within the last ten years. Applications for taxicab franchises shall be made under oath and in writing to the Chief of Police. Each applicant shall pay a one time application fee of $500 per driver to cover the cost of obtaining a background check and conducting a proper investigation of the application. The application shall state the name and address of the applicant, the name and address of the proposed place of business, the number of cabs the applicant desires to operate, the makes and models of said cabs and such other pertinent information as the Chief of Police may require. The application shall be accompanied by at least two affidavits of reputable local citizens attesting to the good character and reputation of the applicant. Within ten days after receipt of an application, the Chief of Police shall make a thorough investigation of the applicant; determine if there is a public need for additional taxicab service; present the application to the Mayor and City Commission; and make a recommendation to either grant or refuse a franchise to the applicant. The City Commission shall thereupon hold a public hearing at which time witnesses for and against the granting of the franchise shall be heard. In deciding whether or not to grant the franchise, the City Commission shall consider the public need for additional service, the increased traffic congestion, parking space requirements, and whether or not the safe use of the streets by the public, both vehicular and pedestrian, will be preserved by the granting of such an additional franchise. Those persons already operating taxicabs when this code is adopted shall not be required to make applications under this section, but shall be required to comply with all the other provisions of this chapter. Additional fees for the renewal and replacement of permits shall be set pursuant to a Fee Schedule established by the City Manager and on file at City Hall.
(1994 Code, § 9-402) (Ord. 804, passed 7-24-2017) Penalty, see §
10.99
No taxicab franchise shall be issued or continued in operation unless there is in full force and effect a liability insurance policy or bond for each vehicle authorized in an amount equal to that required by the state’s Financial Responsibility Law as set out in Tenn. Code Ann. Title 55, Ch. 12. The insurance policy or bond required by this section shall contain a provision that it shall not be cancelled, except after at least 20 days’ written notice is given by the insurer to both the insured and the city.
(1994 Code, § 9-403)
The City Commission, after a public hearing, may revoke or suspend any taxicab franchise for misrepresentations or false statements made in the application therefor or for traffic violations or violations of this chapter by the taxicab owner or any driver.
(1994 Code, § 9-404)
(A) Maintenance conditions. It shall be a civil offense for any person to operate any taxicab in the city unless such taxicab is equipped with four-wheel brakes, front and rear lights, safe tires, horn, muffler, windshield wipers and rear vision mirror, all of which shall conform to the requirements of the State Motor Vehicle Law. Each taxicab shall be equipped with a handle or latch or other opening device attached to each door of the passenger compartment so that such doors may be operated by the passenger from the inside of the taxicab without the intervention or assistance of the driver. The motor and all mechanical parts shall be kept in such condition or repair as may be reasonably necessary to provide for the safety of the public and the continuous satisfactory operation of the taxicab.
(1994 Code, § 9-405)
(B) Cleanliness of vehicles. All taxicabs operated in the city shall, at all times, be kept in a reasonably clean and sanitary condition. They shall be thoroughly swept and dusted at least once each day. At least once every week, they shall be thoroughly washed and the interior cleaned with a suitable antiseptic solution.
(1994 Code, § 9-406)
(C) Inspection of vehicles. All taxicabs shall be inspected at least annually by a certified mechanic, at the cost of the applicant/driver, to ensure that they comply with the requirements of this chapter with respect to mechanical condition, cleanliness and the like. A certification of fitness shall be submitted to City Hall in writing no later than ten days from the date of inspection. Said certification will remain on file at City Hall until it expires one calendar year from the date of inspection.
(1994 Code, § 9-407)
(Ord. 494, passed 9-2-1993; Ord. 804, passed 7-24-2017) Penalty, see §
10.99
(A) License and permit required for drivers. No person shall drive a taxicab unless he or she is in possession of a state special chauffeur’s license and a taxicab driver’s permit issued by the Chief of Police.
(1994 Code, § 9-408)
(B) Qualifications for driver’s permit. No person shall be issued a taxicab driver’s permit unless he or she complies with the following to the satisfaction of the Chief of Police:
(1) Makes written application to the Chief of Police;
(2) Is at least 18 years of age and holds a state special chauffeur’s license;
(3) Undergoes an examination by a physician and is found to be of sound physique, with good eyesight and hearing and not subject to epilepsy, vertigo, heart trouble or any other infirmity of body or mind which might render him or her unfit for the safe operation of a public vehicle;
(4) Is clean in dress and person and is not addicted to the use of intoxicating liquor or drugs;
(5) Produces affidavits of good character from two reputable citizens of the city who have known him or her personally and have observed his or her conduct for at least two years next preceding the date of his or her application;
(6) Has not been convicted of a felony, drunk driving, driving under the influence of an intoxicant or drug, or of frequent minor traffic offenses; and/or
(7) Is familiar with the state and local traffic laws.
(1994 Code, § 9-409)
(C) Revocation or suspension of driver’s permit. The City Commission, after a public hearing, may revoke or suspend any taxicab driver’s permit for violation of traffic regulations, for violation of this chapter, or when the driver ceases to possess the qualifications as prescribed in division (B) above.
(1994 Code, § 9-410) Penalty, see § 10.99
All taxicab drivers are expressly prohibited from indiscriminately soliciting passengers or from cruising upon the streets of the city for the purpose of obtaining patronage for their cabs.
(1994 Code, § 9-411) Penalty, see § 10.99
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