(A) Taxicab driver permits may be issued by the Chief of Police upon a determination that a proposed taxicab driver has made proper application and meets the requirements of this section. Such permits may be revoked for failure to continuously meet the requirements of this section.
(B) All taxicab driver applicants shall provide to the Chief of Police a certified true copy of a criminal record check and a certified true copy of a complete driving history check (Division of Motor Vehicles “Master Check”).
(C) The following conditions and circumstances are grounds for refusal or revocation of a taxicab driver permit:
(1) The driver does not possess a “C” class North Carolina driver’s license (not a limited driver’s privilege) or is not at least 18 years old; the driver has accumulated a sufficient number of points against his or her driving record to justify suspension or revocation of his or her driver’s license under North Carolina law.
(2) The driver has been convicted of driving while impaired, unless the driver has completed a substance abuse treatment program or an alcohol and drug education school approved by the Chief of Police; conviction of or a prayer for judgment for driving a taxicab or other commercial vehicle while impaired in a three-year period prior to the application.
(3) Conviction of, pleading of no contest, or having a prayer for judgment continued of a state felony, Class 1 misdemeanor, or violation of federal criminal statutes; conviction, plea of no contest, or prayer for judgment continued at any time for murder, manslaughter, rape, sexual assault, sexual offense, armed robbery, kidnapping, or abduction.
(4) Determination by a physician that, due to a physical or mental condition, it would be unsafe to passengers or the general public for the driver to operate a taxicab.
(D) Taxicab driver permits shall be valid for a period of one year and may be renewed after application for same, based on the same criteria listed above. Driver permits shall be displayed in the taxicab while it is in service and, if revoked, shall be promptly surrendered to the Chief of Police.
(E) Persons to whom taxicab permits have been issued have an affirmative responsibility to insure that all persons driving taxicabs under their permit have a valid taxicab driver permit from the town and to promptly notify the Chief of Police of any circumstance of which they become aware, related to the grounds for revocation of a driver permit listed above, that might change a driver’s qualifications to operate a taxicab.