TRN-14-38 - Emergency Administrative Rule For Private For-Hire Transportation - Vehicle Age Exemption

EMERGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE RULE FOR PRIVATE FOR-HIRE TRANSPORTATION - VEHICLE AGE EXEMPTION

Administrative Rule Adopted by Portland Bureau of Transportation Pursuant to Rule-Making Authority Portland City Code 16.40.970

ARB-TRN-14.38

Under the authority of 16.40.970 K, I am adopting Administrative Rule TRN-14.37 for 120 days, to provide an exemption from age restrictions for vehicles that meet the requirements outlined in this Rule.

Throughout the city, we are experiencing a shortage of Private For-Hire Transportation Drivers.  The deficit directly impacts the industry as a whole and its ability to serve the riding public.  Additionally, supply chain issues associated with the pandemic have reduced the availability of new and used late-model vehicles typically used in the industry. This significantly impacts our most vulnerable community members that rely on private for-hire transportation to attend medical appointments and other essential services. 

This Rule applies to vehicles that have been certified or permitted within the past 365 days.  Upon expiration of this Rule, vehicles ten years or older from the vehicles manufactured date will no longer be eligible for permit or certification renewal. 

TEMPORARY VEHICLE AGE EXEMPTION 

1. Taxi Vehicle Age Limit – “Taxi Vehicle” as defined in subsection 16.40.030 BBB, shall remain eligible for certification beyond the 10th year of the vehicle manufactured date as long as this Emergency Rule is in effect. The vehicle must meet the DEQ standards established by the state of Oregon that most recently applied to the vehicle’s manufactured date. In addition to vehicle certification requirements outlined in 16.40.150, every vehicle covered under this section must pass an interior and exterior vehicle inspection listed in section F of this rule. Vehicles not meeting one or more of the following standards are not eligible for certification or may have their certification revoked. 
    
2. Transportation Network Company Vehicle Age Limit – “Transportation Network Company Vehicle” as defined in subsection 16.40.030 III, shall remain eligible for certification beyond the 10th year of the vehicle manufactured date as long as this Emergency Rules is in effect. The vehicle must meet the DEQ standards established by the state of Oregon that most recently applied to the vehicle’s manufactured date. In addition to vehicle certification requirements outlined in 16.40.250, every vehicle covered under this section must pass an interior and exterior vehicle inspection listed in section F of this rule. Vehicles not meeting one or more of the following standards are not eligible for certification or may have their certification revoked. 
    
3. Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) Vehicle Age Limit - “Non-Emergency Transportation Vehicle” as defined in subsection 16.40.030 GG, shall remain eligible for certification beyond the 10th year of the vehicle manufactured date as long as this Emergency Rules is in effect. The vehicle must meet the DEQ standards established by the state of Oregon that most recently applied to the vehicle’s manufactured date. In addition to vehicle certification requirements outlined in 16.40.750, every vehicle covered under this section must pass an interior and exterior vehicle inspection listed in section F of this rule. Vehicles not meeting one or more of the following standards are not eligible for certification or may have their certification revoked. 
    
4. Shuttle Transportation Vehicle Age Limit - “Shuttle Transportation Vehicle” as defined in subsection 16.40.030   VV, A, and “Party Bus” as defined in subsection 16.40.030 II, shall remain eligible for certification beyond the 10th year of the vehicle manufactured date as long as this Emergency Rule is in effect. The vehicle must meet the DEQ standards established by the state of Oregon that most recently applied to the vehicle’s manufactured date. In addition to vehicle certification requirements outlined in 16.40.450, every vehicle covered under this section must pass an interior and exterior vehicle inspection listed in section F of this rule. Vehicles not meeting one or more of the following standards are not eligible for certification or may have their certification revoked. 
    
5. Executive Town Car Company Vehicle Age Limit - “Executive Town Car Vehicle” as defined in subsection 16.40.030 V shall remain eligible for certification beyond the 10th year of the vehicle manufactured date as long as this Emergency Rule is in effect. The vehicle must meet the DEQ standards established by the state of Oregon that most recently applied to the vehicle’s manufactured date. In addition to vehicle certification requirements outlined in 16.40.350, every vehicle covered under this section must pass an interior and exterior vehicle inspection listed in section F of this rule. Vehicles not meeting one or more of the following standards are not eligible for certification or may have their certification revoked. 
    
6. Vehicle Condition Requirements – All vehicles eligible for certification under sections A through E of this rule must meet the following conditions: 
    
   1. Only vehicles permitted by the Private For-Hire Program within the previous 365 days from the date of this Rule are eligible. 
       
   2. Pay all applicable permit fees. 
       
   3. Vehicle must be clean. Clean means that the inside and outside of vehicles are free of dirt, grease, grime, glue, tape (such as duct or masking tape), trash, litter or other substance. This applies to the vehicle’s paint, upholstery, windows, floorboard and integrated parts of the vehicle’s body. 
       
   4. “Good appearance and good repair” means: There are no missing nor makeshift parts for vehicles, including but not limited to, fenders, hood, trunk lid, doors, door handles, windows, chrome or rubber strips, wheel covers, upholstery, ashtrays, or carpeting; and, the paint is in good condition free from scratches and oxidation. 
       
   5. All electric features of the vehicle must be in good working order to include all exterior lighting and warning devices; 
       
   6. The vehicle body is free of dents, chipped paint, broken or cracked equipment, including but not limited to, windows, lights, light covers, top light and reflectors. 
       
   7. “Properly equipped” means having properly functioning windshield wipers, windshield washers, interior/dome lights, odometer, speedometer and mufflers, tail pipes or other exhaust components that prevent unnecessary noise and smoke emissions.
       
   8. All other equipment and devices on the vehicle must be maintained in good working order. 
       
   9. Vehicle must be mechanically sound. The following list contains, but is not limited to, items that may cause your vehicle to fail the inspection. 

• Engine knocks 
• Cracked windshield 
• Cracked or Broken lights 
• Missing parts 
• Tire tread below 4/32” 
• Non-working windows 
• Worn ball joints 
• Worn tie rods 
• Worn engine mounts 
• Cracked muffler 
• Non-functioning gages 
• Abnormal engine noise 
• Non-functioning Seatbelts 
• Inaccessible or non-functioning emergency exits (when applicable) 
• Broken or non- functioning locks and latches 
• Faulty Suspension (shocks/springs) 
• Non-functioning heat or AC 
• Non-Working seatbelts 
• Fluid leaks or drips 
• Improper fluid color 
• Non-working lights (interior/exterior) 
• Inadequate braking 

HISTORY

Adopted by Director of Portland Bureau of Transportation April 4, 2022.