(A) Before any person shall operate a vehicle for hire on the streets of the town, he or she shall first obtain a vehicle for hire license (the “license”) to do so. The application shall be in writing on forms supplied by the town and shall be filed with the Town Manager or designee. A separate application shall be filed for each vehicle for hire and a separate license shall be obtained for each vehicle for hire. The application shall include such information deemed reasonably necessary to determine whether the license shall be issued in accordance with the criteria set forth in this chapter. All such information shall be accurate, to the best of the applicant’s knowledge. The information shall include, but not limited to the following:
(1) The name(s) of the owner(s) of the business operating the vehicle for hire;
(2) Copies of registration cards showing VIN numbers and appropriate tag numbers as required by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle; or copies of leases showing VIN numbers and appropriate tag numbers as required by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle for any leased vehicles;
(3) Certificates of insurance complying with the requirements set forth in this chapter;
(4) Copy of the current North Carolina Safety Inspection Certificate completed by a certified North Carolina Inspection Station;
(5) Proof that each taxicab has passed a current safety inspection covering the taxicab and its metering device. A current permit from the Wilmington International Airport, the City of Wilmington, or the City of Jacksonville will serve as sufficient proof that such inspection has occurred;
(6) Copy of a current business license issued by the city.
(B) The Town Manager or designee shall determine whether or not licenses shall be issued in accordance with this chapter for the privilege of operating a vehicle for hire within the town. The Town Manager may refuse to issue a license if the applicant fails to comply with or meet the requirements set forth in this chapter.
(C) A vehicle for hire license shall expire on June 30 of each calendar year. The license issued for the operation of any vehicle for hire may not be transferred. Any change in the ownership of the business shall require that the new owner of the business apply for a new license for each vehicle to be operated in the town.
(D) A vehicle for hire license shall be issued only in the name of the owner of the business operating the vehicle for hire.
(E) An annual license fee of $15 shall be charged for each vehicle for hire operated upon the public streets of the town.
(Ord. 1630, passed 6-24-10; Am. Ord. 1664, passed 11-16-11)