(a) Every taxicab shall be kept in a safe and sanitary operating condition and shall at all times have all safety equipment required of taxicabs by the Ohio Revised Code.
(b) Annual vehicle safety inspections will be conducted at the expense of the owner or lessee by an entity or person certified to perform a safety inspection. A copy of the inspection report will be forwarded to the office of the Director of Public Safety prior to the original issue or renewal of the taxicab license.
(c) Inspections shall include but not be limited to the following items: brakes, windshield wipers, horn, rear-view mirror, windows, steering, tires, mufflers, air conditioner, heater/defroster, seat belts, headlights, taillights, back-up lights, flashers, dome light, license plate light, brake light, turn signals, two-way radio, and the exterior/interior condition of the vehicle.
(d) If any portion of the inspection is unsatisfactory, the owner/lessee shall cause the condition to be corrected before the issuance of the license is granted.
(e) The Director of Public Safety may make or cause additional inspections of taxicabs during the 12-month period after a license is issued.
(f) If upon any such inspection, a taxicab is found to be unsafe, the Director of Public Safety may direct the vehicle to be taken out of service until the condition is corrected.
(Ord. 87-56. Passed 12-7-87; Ord. 00-31. Passed 9-5-00; Ord. 12-11. Passed 4-16-12.)