No person shall drive, operate or be in charge of any taxicab or automobile for hire without first having obtained a permit, in writing, so to do, from the Sheriff's Commanding Officer. Before any permit is granted the applicant therefor shall file with the Sheriff's Commanding Officer an application in writing, stating therein the name and address of such applicant, his experience in the operation of an automobile, his age and as to whether he has any physical defects, and, if so, the nature of the same and shall exhibit any operator's or chauffeur's license issued to him by the state.
(`67 Code, § 3-10-7)