§ 6.72.240. Inspection and maintenance of vehicles—Compliance required.

A.

It shall be unlawful to drive or to cause to be driven any taxicab that does not have a current inspection compliance decal approved by the metropolitan transportation licensing commission director and issued by the certificate holder. Certificate holders shall cause the decals of any permitted vehicles which may be removed from service to be removed and returned to the metropolitan transportation licensing commission staff. Circumstances under which e-decals may be used or under which the decals may be removable rather than permanently affixed, if any, may be determined by the metropolitan transportation licensing commission by rule.

B.

All vehicles shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition at all times and shall always be maintained in first class mechanical condition.

C.

All safety, noise, and antipollution requirements specified by the United States Government and the state shall be complied with at all times.

D.

The brakes shall always be kept in safe and proper working order.

E.

All vehicles shall be air-conditioned and equipped with interior and exterior rearview mirrors, windshield washers, and two-speed windshield wipers, proper headlights and tail lights that shall be in operation from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise when the vehicle is in operation.

F.

Every vehicle operating under this chapter shall annually undergo a detailed mechanical inspection conducted by an approved mechanic to determine if the vehicle conforms to the standards set out by the metropolitan transportation licensing commission. A safety certificate form, when completed by an approved mechanic, shall be provided to the commission director within thirty days of the inspection.

G.

The certificate holder shall be responsible for ensuring that the mechanical inspection includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1.

Vehicle identification number;

2.

Headlights;

3.

Tail lights;

4.

Brake lights;

5.

Turn signal lights:

6.

License plate lights;

7.

Horn;

8.

Two-speed windshield wipers;

9.

Interior and exterior rear vision mirrors;

10.

Air conditioner;

11.

Tires;

12.

Muffler and tail pipe;

13.

Condition of the body, fenders, paint, and interior;

14.

Compliance with current state and local vehicle registration requirements, as applicable, as more specifically set forth in the rules and regulations adopted by the metropolitan transportation licensing commission;

15.

Mileage;

16.

Steering;

17.

Brakes, including foot and emergency;

18.

Seat belts;

19.

Windshield;

20.

Rear windows and other glass;

21.

Doors; and

22.

Speedometer.

H.

In addition to the review of submitted annual reports, all taxicabs permitted under this chapter are subject to random inspection and testing by the metropolitan transportation licensing commission staff pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the metropolitan transportation licensing commission to assure that they are in compliance with the terms of this chapter and the rules and regulations of the metropolitan transportation licensing commission.

I.

If, as a result of the inspection or test, any taxicab is found not in compliance, the holder shall be notified of the defects observed, and he shall correct same to the satisfaction of the metropolitan transportation licensing commission staff, in compliance with the rules and regulations adopted by the metropolitan transportation licensing commission. Any taxicab that is the subject of this notification shall not be operated on any street of the city until it has been re-inspected and determined to be in compliance with the requirements of inspection. The metropolitan transportation licensing commission director and any employee to whom he may designate the duty of inspection of taxicab shall be given ready access to the taxicab.

(Ord. BL2016-329 § 44, 2016; Ord. BL2000-325 § 1 (part), 2000)