(A) In addition to providing an application properly executed, each applicant shall present a certificate mechanical inspection for each taxicab, to be provided by the City Clerk, certifying that each of the applicant’s vehicles has been inspected by a mechanic licensed by the state and found to be mechanically safe. Said mechanic must be certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, or ASE, and must be certified as either a Master Technician or have certifications in the areas of A-4 (Suspensions/Steering), A-5 (Brakes) and A-6 (Electrical Systems). Each taxicab must pass such an inspection annually before a license will be given to operate said taxicab.
(B) Each taxicab shall be inspected for safety a minimum of four times each year at times designated by the Traffic Division of the city’s Police Department. It shall be certified on the license for each taxicab that the taxicab was inspected by a member of the Traffic Division of the city’s Police Department. In order to pass this safety inspection, each taxicab must be inspected by a member of the Traffic Division of the city’s Police Department and found to be:
(1) Equipped with safe tires;
(2) Equipped so that all its operating and functional parts are in proper working order;
(3) Equipped with any additional necessary safety devices such as hand brakes, rear view mirror, turn signals, safety glass, horns and so forth;
(4) In a clean and sanitary condition;
(5) Equipped with seats and interior in a good state of repair so as not to cause injury or damage to any passenger or his or her property; and
(6) Clearly marked as required by this subchapter.
(C) Failure to present the taxicab license upon request by a member of the Traffic Division of the city’s Police Department shall subject both the driver and the taxicab company to fines as set forth in this subchapter.
(D) Each taxicab shall at all times be subject to random inspections by the city’s Police Department to ensure compliance with the provisions of this subchapter.
(E) Each taxicab must, at all times, be maintained in a safe condition as set forth above. Should any taxicab fail to meet these criteria at any time, it shall be immediately removed from service until properly repaired by a licensed mechanic and re-inspected by a member of the Traffic Division of the city’s Police Department. Failure to meet these criteria shall subject the taxicab company to fines as set forth in this subchapter.
(Ord. 28-2017, passed 8-21-2017) Penalty, see § 115.999