Chapter 3.20 Taxicabs

Sections
3.20.010       Definition
3.20.020       Licenses for vehicles
3.20.030       Permit to drive a taxicab required
3.20.040       Liability insurance compulsory
3.20.050       Display of license and rates
3.20.060       Transferability of license
3.20.070       License for Operation
3.20.080       Identification card
3.20.090       Care of passengers
3.20.100       Effect of revocation of regular driver’s license
3.20.110       Violations and penalties

3.20.010   Definition
“Taxicab” means any rubber-tire motor vehicle having a manufacturer’s rated capacity of not more than seven passengers; and in the call and demand of transportation of passengers. No vehicle over seven years old, dated from the date of manufacture, shall be used as a taxicab. The Milford police department shall approve vehicles prior to issuance of license. (Ord.4-1-89 §1.l; Ord.4-l-86 § 1.1)

3.20.020   Licenses for vehicles

  1. It is unlawful to operate a taxicab for hire or permit such taxicab to be operated for picking up persons within the town without first securing a license from the board of selectmen.
  2. No taxicab shall be licensed or solicit business on the streets or highways of Milford unless it is registered in the state of New Hampshire.
  3. No taxicab shall be operated on the streets or highways of Milford unless it is inspected by the state of New Hampshire.
  4. The board of selectmen may from time to time at its discretion grant licenses upon such terms and to such persons as it may deem expedient.
  5. Applications for licenses shall be made on forms provided by the police department and all information required by such forms shall be completely furnished by the licensee.
  6. The fee for each vehicle licensed shall be as further described in Milford Municipal Code Appendix A – Fees.
  7. No license shall be granted until the requirements of Section 3.20.040 have been satisfied.
  8. Licenses shall be numbered in order as granted.
  9. A record of licenses shall be kept by the chief of police.
  10. Licenses may be revoked at any time for any violation of the provisions of this chapter.
  11. All licenses issued under this section shall expire on April 30th of each year. (Ord. 2009-002 (E) & (I) 09-06-08, Ord. 4-1-86 § 1.2)

3.20.030   Permit to drive a taxicab required

  1. A letter of intent to hire is submitted by the person wishing to obtain a permit to drive a taxi in Milford. Upon receipt of the “intent to hire” the applicant shall fill out a permit to operate a taxi; sign the small license card; have his or her picture taken by the Milford police department; and submit the application along with a taxicab driver permit fee as further described in Milford Municipal Code Appendix A – Fees.
  2. The Milford police department then requests verification of driver’s license. Upon receiving a hard copy of the motor vehicle and criminal records provided by each applicant, the chief or his or her designee shall review all documents associated with said applicant as required and then complete the reverse side of the application and make a recommendation for approval or denial on such permit.
  3. The complete file on the applicant is forwarded to the selectmen’s office for finalization by the board. Upon finalization, the police department will contact the applicant with the decision and information as to where he or she may pick up the actual permit.
  4. Applicants should be cautioned that until they have all the necessary paperwork approving them for the permit; and the permit in hand, they cannot be driving and accepting fares. The only exception to this is if the chief of police grants temporary permit to such applicant. Any temporary permit is to be in writing; and, all permits whether temporary or permanent are to be kept readily accessible.
  5. Questions on the permit process for taxi drivers may be obtained either at the police department or at the selectmen’s office. (Ord. 2009-002 (B) & (C) 09-06-08, Ord. 4-1-89 (part))

3.20.040  Liability insurance compulsory

  1. Each applicant for a license under this chapter shall deposit with the  police department a policy or certificate of insurance, for each taxicab for which a license is sought indemnifying the applicant in an amount not less than one hundred thousand dollars ($ 100,000.00) for injury to one person or three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) for injury to more than one person and twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) property damage in any one accident, arising out of the operation of the taxicab of the applicant. Such policy or certificate shall be in a form approved by the corporation counsel and signed by a New Hampshire resident agent. Such policy or certificate shall further provide that it will not be changed or canceled except upon (10) days written notice to the police department.
  2. The insurance coverage shall specifically cover the taxicab license provision of this chapter. The license for the operation of such taxicab shall expire upon the lapse or termination of the policy or bond and must be returned to police department within twenty-four (24) hours. (Ord. 2009-002 (A) & (B) 09-06-08)

3.20.050  Display of license and rates
Every taxicab licensed shall be marked as a public taxicab with an approved medallion permanently affixed to the lower left hand corner of the trunk deck or tailgate, in such fashion as it shall be clearly visible from the rear of the vehicle. The name of the owner, and the rates of fare duly established by the taxicab owner, shall be conspicuously posted on a printed card in every taxicab. This section shall not apply to vehicles used at funerals, weddings or public parades. (Ord. 4-1-86 § 1.4)

3.20.060 Transferability of license
No license shall be sold, transferred or assigned without the consent of the board of selectmen. The license granted shall apply only to the taxicab owner or driver designated in such license. (Ord. 4-1-86 § 1.5)

3.20.070 License for operation

  1. No person shall drive a taxicab unless licensed under this chapter.
  2. No license shall be granted to any person unless he or she is eighteen (18) years of age or older, and holds a valid driver’s license issued to him or her by the Director of Motor Vehicles.
  3. [NH DOT Health Card Requirement – Repealed, August 9, 2010]
  4. No license shall be granted to any person who has been convicted or forfeited bail to any of the following when it involves crimes pertaining to controlled substances, alcohol, prostitution, gambling, physical violence, or crimes directly related to the applicant's honesty and integrity (such as, but not limited to, fraud, larceny, extortion):
    1. Felony within ten (10) years preceding date of application. If said felony involved a sexual offense, no time limit will be considered.
    2. Misdemeanor within three (3) years preceding date of application.
    3. Moving violation within one (1) year preceding date of application
  5. No License shall be granted to a person who, for other good cause stated in writing, is not fit for the safe operation of a taxicab.
  6. Application for license to drive taxicabs shall be made on forms provided by the police department and all information required by such forms shall be furnished by the applicant. The fee for such license is as further described in Milford Municipal Code Appendix A – Fees, and a record for such application for licenses shall be kept by the police department and chief of police.
  7. All licenses issued under this section shall expire on April 30th of each year.  
  8. Any person denied a license may appeal the decision to the Board of Selectmen. (Ord. 2010-003 (C) repealed 8-9-10; Ord. 2009-002 (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), & (H) 09-06-08, Ord. 4-1-86 § 1.6)

3.20.080 Identification card

  1. The police department shall deliver to the licensee an identification card setting forth the number and terms of the license, photo, the name and personal description of the licensee, including his or her age, weight, height, complexion, color of hair and color of eyes.
  2. The licensee shall, when driving or in charge of a taxicab, display conspicuously the card in a holder in his or her taxicab.
  3. The licensee shall show the card whenever so requested by a member of the board of selectmen, the Director of Motor Vehicles, any police officer, or any passenger. (Ord. 2009-002 (A) 09-06-08, Ord. 4-1-86 § 1.7)

3.20.090 Care of passengers

  1. No taxicab shall stop to take or discharge passengers at any place or on any street, square, or public place except at the curb or as near to such curb as possible. Passengers shall be permitted to enter or leave the vehicle only from the side nearest the curb or side of the road.
  2. No person may sit or ride upon any fender, dash, step, top or door of any taxicab.
  3. No operator of a taxicab shall, during business operation, carry any person other than paying passengers. Exceptions shall be allowed in the case of training and/or evaluation of a taxicab operator.
  4. No operator shall take on any other passenger without the consent of the first passenger employing his or her taxicab; nor shall the direction or destination be charged without the consent of the first passenger or passengers. (Ord. 2009­002 (C) 09-06-08, Ord. 4-1-86 § 1.8)

3.20.100 Effect of revocation of regular driver’s license
The suspension or revocation of any driver’s license by the Director of Motor Vehicles shall automatically suspend a license to operate taxicabs issued by the town of Milford. A suspended or revoked license may be restored in the same manner and following the same form used in the issuance of a new license. Restoration may not be made until the Director of Motor Vehicles has restored the license issued by his or her office. (Ord. 4-1-86 § 1.9)

3.20.110 Violations and penalties
The violation of any provision of this chapter shall be punished by a fine as further described in Milford Municipal Code Appendix B – Fines, or by the revocation of license or both. (Ord. 4-1-86 § 2.0)