16.40.160 Taxicab Vehicle Operating Requirements and Prohibitions.

City Code Section

(Amended by Ordinance 188972, effective June 29, 2018.)

  1. A.  No vehicle shall operate as a Taxi Vehicle unless it has been certified by the Director and is affiliated with a permitted Taxi Company and properly displays a valid City of Portland taxiplate.
  2. B.  Vehicle Registration, Insurance, and Business License. A non-digital copy of the vehicle’s registration and proof of insurance shall be kept in every Taxi Vehicle, pursuant to ORS 806.011. In addition, for independent contractors, the City requires that proof of a Taxi Driver’s business license, as required by Chapter 7.02, be kept in every Taxi Vehicle. Failure to comply with any provision in this Subsection B. is a Class D violation subject to penalties provided in Sections 16.40.930 through 16.40.950.
  3. C.  Identification of Taxi Vehicles. Every Taxi Vehicle shall meet the following identification requirements to operate as a Taxi Vehicle:
    1. 1.  Only vehicles with City-issued taxiplates may be equipped with a top light or taximeter, and only those vehicles may use the words “taxi,” “cab,” or “taxicab” anywhere on the vehicle.
    2. 2.  Every Taxi Vehicle affiliated with a Taxi Company must have a design scheme with the unique symbol or logo of that affiliated Taxi Company in a manner that clearly identifies the Taxi Company, as approved by the Director.
    3. 3.  Every Taxi Vehicle must prominently display on both sides of the vehicle the following information:
      1. a.  The full name of the Taxi Company;
      2. b.  The company-assigned Taxi Vehicle number;
      3. c.  The telephone number of the Taxi Company where services can be requested; and
      4. d.  Word “taxi,” “cab,” or “taxicab.”
  4. D.  Every Taxi Vehicle must be equipped with a taximeter in accurate operating condition, with a lighted face that can easily be read at all times by the passenger. Taximeters shall meet the following requirements:
    1. 1.  Every taximeter must be inspected by a certified taximeter installer and certified at installation, at change in rate, and within 1 year of the last inspection. A certificate of inspection must be issued by a qualified taximeter repair service upon each inspection. A copy of the certificate of inspection must remain in the taxicab and must include the following:
      1. a.  The identifying number of the taximeter;
      2. b.  The make, model, and license number of the Taxi Vehicle in which the taximeter is installed;
      3. c.  The name of the taxicab company;
      4. d.  The date of inspection, and;
      5. e.  A statement that the taximeter has been inspected and approved as operating within the acceptable limits and rates as specified by the Director and on file with the company.
    2. 2.  Taxi Companies must keep on file copies of all certificates of inspection until the taximeter is recalibrated and the certificate is no longer accurate.
    3. 3.  Taximeters must operate within the following limits of accuracy: Plus or minus 50 feet in 1 mile and 1 second in 1 minute of waiting time.
    4. 4.  All taximeters must be approved by the National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) as evidenced by a Certificate of Conformance issued by an authorized inspector. All taximeters must have an active NTEP Certificate of Conformance number.
    5. 5.  Certificates of inspection may be examined or a taximeter re-inspected by the Director or law enforcement officers at any time during normal business hours.
  5. E.  Vehicle Operating Conditions. In determining whether a Taxi Vehicle meets the vehicle condition requirements, the vehicle shall at all times be maintained in good condition, repair, which includes the following:
    1. 1.  All Taxi Vehicle equipment and devices shall be properly equipped and maintained in good working order.
    2. 2.  At all times, Taxi Vehicles shall include the following properly functioning components: a horn, lights, (including turn signals, back-up signals) windshield wipers; windshield washers; interior/dome lights; taximeter; top light; heating/air conditioning systems; odometer; speedometer; and mufflers, tail pipes, or other exhaust components that prevent unnecessary noise and smoke emissions.
    3. 3.  The Taxi Vehicle body shall be free of major damage and broken or cracked equipment, including but not limited to, windows, lights, light covers, top light, and reflectors.
    4. 4.  Taxi Vehicles shall be free of dirt, grease, grime, glue, or tape. This shall apply to the vehicle’s paint, upholstery, windows, floorboard, and integrated parts of the vehicle’s body.
    5. 5.  The Taxi Vehicle shall include no missing nor makeshift parts for vehicles, including but not limited to, fenders, hood, trunk lid, doors, door handles, windows, chrome or rubber strips, upholstery, ashtrays, or carpeting; and may only be equipped with studded tires during time periods provided by Oregon law.
    6. 6.  Safe condition shall require that the vehicle is in compliance with the standards contained in ORS Title 59, Oregon Vehicle Code, Chapters 801 through 823.
  6. F.  Mandatory Compliance. Taxi Vehicles shall be made available for compliance audits and enforcement actions upon request by the Director or law enforcement officers pursuant to Chapter 16.40.
  7. G.  The taximeter, traditional or computer application-based, must be used to calculate all fees for time and distance traveled and must be programmed with all fares, including flat rates or fees previously reported to the Director, pursuant to Subsection 16.40.140 D.
  8. H.  Unless otherwise noted, failure to comply with any provision in Section 16.40.160 is a Class B violation subject to penalties provided in Sections 16.40.930 through 16.40.950.

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