§ 21-17-303. OPERATING REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES OF DRIVERS.

(a)

In general. A licensed taxicab driver shall comply with the provisions of this section.

(b)

Driver to carry a copy of the laws. A licensed taxicab driver shall carry in the taxicab at all times:

(1)

A copy of this title;

(2)

Any amendments to this title; and

(3)

Any regulations adopted under Subtitle 1 of this title.

(c)

Acceptance of passengers generally. A licensed taxicab driver shall accept as a passenger and convey where directed any orderly individual on request, unless the driver is:

(1)

Previously engaged; or

(2)

Unable or forbidden by the provisions of this title, other valid law, or regulation to accept the individual as a passenger.

(d)

Other individuals not allowed. Except in emergency situations, when a taxicab is in service, no individual other than the licensed driver and a fare-paying passenger or passengers may be in the taxicab.

(e)

Capacity.

(1)

A licensed taxicab driver may not allow:

(i)

More than one passenger to occupy the front seat with the driver; and

(ii)

More individuals or passengers in the taxicab, including the driver, than the number designated:

1.

As the taxicab's seating capacity in the application for a permit; or

2.

On the permit card.

(2)

In this subsection, a child in arms is not counted as a passenger.

(f)

Trip manifest.

(1)

A licensed taxicab driver shall keep a current written record of all trips on a form approved by the State Public Service Commission, to be completed at or before reaching the destination.

(2)

The driver shall hold the record for at least 1 year for inspection on request of the Chief of Police or the public service commission.

(3)

The driver shall fill out the manifest in detail and include the exact address or nearest intersection of points of origin and destination, the time the trip began and ended, the number of passengers, and the amount of fare corresponding to meter reading.

(g)

Accident reports.

(1)

On a form provided by the Director, a licensed taxicab driver shall report an accident to the Director within 5 days after the occurrence of the accident.

(2)

The Director or the Director's designee shall provide a copy of the report to the Chief of Police.

(h)

Report of change of residence. A licensed taxicab driver shall report to the Department each change of residence within 48 hours after the change.

(i)

Answer communications from the Director. A licensed taxicab driver shall answer promptly all communications received from the Director.

(j)

Account to permit holder. A licensed taxicab driver shall deliver all fares and all other legal charges received to the permit holder, unless the driver is working under contract or fixed rate, in which case the driver shall pay the contract price promptly as agreed.

(k)

Operation while license suspended. A taxicab driver may not operate a taxicab while the taxicab driver's operator license or taxicab driver's license is suspended.

(l)

Allowing others to use badge. A licensed taxicab driver may not allow any other person to use the driver's badge or license card.

(m)

Allowing others to drive. A licensed taxicab driver may not allow an unauthorized individual to drive the taxicab.

(n)

Return of taxicab to permit holder. A licensed taxicab driver shall drive the taxicab to the permit holder's garage on completion of the shift to which the licensee was assigned.

(o)

Route. A licensed taxicab driver shall proceed with passengers to destination by the shortest practicable route.

(p)

Receipt for fare. On request, a licensed taxicab driver shall give a receipt for fares on an authorized form.

(q)

Display license card. A licensed taxicab driver shall at all times while on duty have visibly displayed to passengers the driver's license card with photograph attached.

(r)

Charge approved rates. A licensed taxicab driver shall charge only the rate of fare or charge established or approved by the State Public Service Commission.

(s)

Display rate schedule. A licensed taxicab driver shall display prominently at all times the schedule of rates established or approved by the Public Service Commission.

(t)

Protection of passenger's property.

(1)

Immediately after delivering any passenger, a licensed taxicab driver shall search the taxicab for any property which may have been left by the passenger.

(2)

A person having charge of a taxicab who finds any property in the taxicab which is not restored to the owner of the property within 24 hours shall deliver the property to the Chief of Police or the Chief of Police's agent to be held and disposed of as required by law in the case of lost or stolen property.

(u)

Drinking or drugs on duty. A licensed taxicab driver may not:

(1)

Drink any alcoholic beverages while on duty; or

(2)

Drive while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, controlled dangerous substances, or alcohol.

(v)

Inspection and protection of equipment.

(1)

After having been assigned to a taxicab, a licensed taxicab driver shall ascertain that the equipment in the taxicab is in good working order.

(2)

A driver may not tamper with rate cards, the meter, meter light, cable, speedometer cable, or any other equipment required to be in the taxicab by law.

(w)

Stop at railroad crossings. A licensed taxicab driver shall:

(1)

Come to a full stop at all grade crossings of all railroads; and

(2)

Look and listen for approaching trains before crossing the tracks.

(1988 Code, §§ 34-84, 34-85, 34-86, 34-87) (Bill No. 5, 1990, § 2; Bill No. 72-00, § 2, 7-1-2004; Bill No. 73-11, § 1, 12-19-2011)