II. Vehicles
Chapter 6.76
TAXICABS
Sections:
6.76.010 Definitions.
6.76.020 Insurance required.
6.76.030 Taximeter requirements.
6.76.040 Schedule of rates—Customer receipts.
6.76.050 Owner’s identification and rates—Display requirements.
6.76.060 Owner’s permit—Required.
6.76.070 Owner’s permit—Application.
6.76.080 Owner’s permit—Action on application.
6.76.090 Driver’s permit—Required.
6.76.100 Driver’s permit—Application.
6.76.110 Driver’s permit—Action on application.
6.76.120 Permit renewal.
6.76.130 Appeal to City Council.
6.76.010 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, the words set out in this section shall have the following meanings:
“City” shall mean the city of Dublin.
“Chief of Police” shall mean the Chief of Police of Dublin or his designee.
“Driver” is any person in charge of, driving or operating any taxicab, as herein described, either as an agent, employee, or otherwise.
“Owner” is any person, firm or corporation having use or control of any taxicab, as herein described, whether as owner, lessee or otherwise.
“Taxicab” is an automobile or other motor propelled vehicle used in the transportation of passengers for hire over the public highways of the city and not over a defined route or upon a fixed schedule. (Ord. 38-87 § 1: Ord. 13 § 1 (part), 1982)
6.76.020 Insurance required.
A. It is unlawful for any owner to drive, operate, or cause or permit to be driven or operated, any taxicab in the city without maintaining ability to respond in damages as required by Section 16500 of the Vehicle Code.
B. It is unlawful for any owner or driver to drive or operate any taxicab or cause the same to be driven or operated, unless there is on file with the City Clerk a policy of insurance, approved by the city in a solvent and responsible company, insuring the owner of such taxicab (giving the manufacturer’s motor number and serial number thereof) against loss by reason of injury or damage that may result to persons or property from the negligent operation or defective construction of such taxicab or from violation of this chapter or of the laws of the state of California. Such policy may be limited to one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for the injury or death of one person, and to three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) for the injury or death of two or more persons per occurrence, and to fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for injury or destruction of property. Such policy of insurance shall guarantee the payment to any and all such persons suffering injury or damage to persons or property, of any final judgment rendered against such owner, within the limits above mentioned, irrespective of the financial condition or any acts or omissions of such owner, and shall inure to the benefit of such persons. If, at any time, such policy of insurance shall be cancelled by the company issuing the same, the city shall require said owner to replace such policy with another policy or bond as above provided, satisfactory to the city and in default thereof may revoke such owner’s permit and license. Every certificate required under the provisions of this section shall certify that the policy therein shall not be cancelled except upon forty-five (45) days prior written notice thereof to the City Clerk. (Ord. 38-87 §§ 2, 14: Ord. 13 § 1 (part), 1982)
6.76.030 Taximeter requirements.
Every taximeter used by any taxicab in the city shall be of a type and design approved by the Chief of Police and shall be so located in the taxicab as to render its figures visible to the passengers. No other fare shall be charged than is recorded on such taximeter. Such taximeters shall be subject to inspection from time to time by the Chief of Police and the Chief shall compel the owner to discontinue to calculate inaccurately, until such taximeter shall be replaced with one approved by the Chief or shall be adjusted to his satisfaction. (Ord. 38-87 § 3: Ord. 13 § 1 (part), 1982)
6.76.040 Schedule of rates—Customer receipts.
A. The owner of every taxicab shall at all times keep on file with the Chief of Police an up-to-date schedule of rates of fares charged for carrying passengers, which rates shall be approved by the Chief before coming effective, and it shall be unlawful to charge other than the schedule of rates of fares, surcharges or excess mileage charges filed with the Chief of Police.
B. The driver of any taxicab shall give a receipt, upon request of any passenger, for the fare paid by such passenger. (Ord. 38-87 § 4: Ord. 13 § 1 (part), 1982)
6.76.050 Owner’s identification and rates—Display requirements.
Every taxicab shall have conspicuously displayed in full view of the passenger, or passengers, a card not less than two inches by four inches (2′′ × 4′′) in size which shall have stated thereon the name of the owner, the address and telephone number of the business, the owner’s identification number of such vehicle and also the rates of fares to be charged for the use of such vehicle. (Ord. 38-87 § 5: Ord. 13 § 1 (part), 1982)
6.76.060 Owner’s permit—Required.
It is unlawful to engage in a business of operating any taxicab with the city unless the owner has in his possession at the time of such operation a valid, unrevoked owner’s permit, in writing, from the Chief of Police. (Ord. 38-87 § 6: Ord. 13 § 1 (part), 1982)
6.76.070 Owner’s permit—Application.
A. Applicants for such permit shall file an application therefor with the Chief of Police which shall contain the following information:
1. The name or names and address of all persons who have any interest in the business;
2. The number of taxicabs proposed to be operated and facts to prove that public convenience and necessity require such public transportation;
3. The name under which said business is to be operated and the distinguishing color scheme or design intended to be used upon his or its taxicab or taxicabs;
4. The address at which the business is to have its principal office;
5. A statement from each person interested in the business as to all convictions, if any, of crimes involving moral turpitude;
6. Such other information as the Chief may require before said permit is granted;
7. All persons interested in the operation of the business for which the permit is requested shall be fingerprinted by the Police Department.
B. Permit fees therefor shall be charged by the Chief of Police in the amount established by resolution of the City Council. (Ord. 38-87 § 7: Ord. 13 § 1 (part), 1982)
6.76.080 Owner’s permit—Action on application.
The Chief of Police shall issue the permit applied for herein if he is satisfied that the requirements of Section 6.76.070 are fully filled; that all persons interested in the operation of the business are of a good moral character; that the equipment to be used is in good mechanical condition and will be operated with due regard for the safety of the public; and that such transporting is necessary to meet the public need. The Chief of Police may revoke or suspend any owner’s permit to operate a taxicab for violation of any state law or provisions of this code relating to traffic or use of streets or for failure to pay any judgment for damages arising from the unlawful or negligent operation of the taxicab for which the permit was issued, or for conviction of a felony, or for violation of any narcotic law, or any penal law involving moral turpitude. (Ord. 38-87 § 8: Ord. 13 § 1 (part), 1982)
6.76.090 Driver’s permit—Required.
It is unlawful for any driver to drive or operate any taxicab in the city without having in his possession a permit in writing from the Chief of Police, and without the owner of the taxicab having obtained a permit as herein required. (Ord. 38-87 § 9: Ord. 13 § 1 (part), 1982)
6.76.100 Driver’s permit—Application.
A. Applicants for such permit shall file applications therefor with the Chief on a form furnished by the Chief which, when completed, shall contain the following information concerning the applicant:
1. The name and address of the applicant;
2. The license number and vehicle identification number of the taxicab to be operated by the applicant;
3. The applicant’s driver’s license number;
4. A statement that the applicant has not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude;
5. Such other information as the Chief may require.
B. Permit fees therefor shall be charged by the Chief in the amount established by resolution of the City Council. (Ord. 38-87 § 10: Ord. 13 § 1 (part), 1982)
6.76.110 Driver’s permit—Action on application.
A. Upon application for a driver’s permit, and before it shall be issued, the driver, whether the owner or otherwise, must show evidence that he has a valid California driver’s license to operate the type of vehicle for which the driver’s permit is sought. Upon satisfying the foregoing requirements, said driver shall be fingerprinted and photographed and his record filed in the Police Department. Every driver’s permit issued hereunder shall set forth the name of the owner by whom said driver is employed and shall be valid only so long as he continued in the employ of such owner. No such driver’s permit shall be granted to any person under the age of eighteen (18) years. Such driver’s permit may be denied, suspended or revoked upon substantial evidence of facts of either physical or moral deficiencies of the applicant or permittee which would render such person incompetent to operate a taxicab.
B. No such driver’s permit issued hereunder shall be transferable in any event. (Ord. 38-87 § 11: Ord. 13 § 1 (part), 1982)
6.76.120 Permit renewal.
The holder of every owner’s permit and every driver’s permit shall renew such permits annually by application to the Chief of Police and payment of such renewal fees as may be established by resolution of the City Council. The permit shall be renewed if the applicant meets all the conditions herein for issuance of a permit. (Ord. 38-87 § 12: Ord. 13 § 1 (part), 1982)
6.76.130 Appeal to City Council.
If the applicant or permittee is dissatisfied with the action of the Chief of Police in passing upon rates of charges, or in refusing, suspending or revoking the permit provided for herein, such person may appeal to the City Council from such action by the Chief as provided in Section 1.04.050. (Ord. 38-87 § 13: Ord. 13 § 1 (part), 1982)