280-RICR-30-15-12. REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR SAFE AND PROPER OPERATION OF TAXICABS (version Technical Revision, 01/25/2007 to 12/31/2018)

RHODE ISLAND REGISTRY OF MOTOR VEHICLES REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR SAFE AND PROPER OPERATION OF TAXICABS 1. DEFINITION OF TAXICAB The term “Taxicab” shall mean and include any motor vehicle for hire, designed to carry 7 persons or less, operated upon any street or highway, or on call or demand, accepting or soliciting passengers indiscriminately for transportation for hire between such points along streets or highways as may be directed by the passenger or passengers so being transported provided nothing in the law shall be construed to include, as a taxicab, a jitney as defined or a motor vehicle in livery service. 2. OPERATOR (a) Any taxicab operator must hold a Class I or Class IV chauffeur’s operator’s license when actively engaged in the operation of a taxicab and transporting passengers for hire. (b) The operator of every taxicab shall have a recent and distinct photograph of himself at least 2-1/2 inches wide and 4 inches high, together with his full name and address posted in a conspicuous place in the taxicab operated by him. 3. NAME OF OWNER The full name of the owner of every taxicab shall be displayed on each side of the rear doors of the same in letters at least two inches high, and whenever any such taxicab shall be used or operated upon any public highway of this State with the consent of such owner, express or implied, or under any agreement with such owner, express of implied, the operator thereof, if other than such owner, shall, in case of accident, be deemed to be the agent of such owner. 4. MAINTENANCE (a) All equipment shall be maintained in proper adjustment and kept in condition. (b) The passengers’ section shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition. (c) Every taxi shall be completely examined by the operator at adequate regular intervals or mileage intervals for mechanical or structural defects and necessary repairs shall be made before taxi is placed in service. A record of such examination showing the major conditions corrected shall be retained for not less than six months at the place where the taxi is customarily domiciled. 5. LIGHTS Each taxi shall be equipped with headlights and rear lights in accordance with the minimum requirements of the Rhode Island Motor Vehicle Code. -2- 6. BRAKES (a) Each taxi shall be equipped with two sets of brakes, each operated independently of the other and conforming to the standards of construction and maintenance. (b) Emergency brake as well as foot brake shall be so constructed and maintained as to stop a fully loaded taxi in accordance with the minimum requirements of the Rhode Island Motor Vehicle Code (30 feet at 20 miles per hour) (c) Brake lines shall be so located as to prevent chafing or damage. 7. SIGNALLING DEVICE Each taxi shall be equipped with a horn or other signalling device conforming to existing regulations or laws, to give a reasonable warning to other users of the highway of the approach of the vehicle 8. WINDHSIELD WIPERS Each taxi shall be equipped with one or more suitable windshield wipers that will provide the driver with a reasonable clear forward vision or view. 9. EXHAUST SYSTEM The exhaust system shall vent at the extreme rear end of the taxi body and not higher than the floor level. 10. GLAZING (a) All glazing shall be of an approved type. (b) The windshield shall be laminated safety plate glass. (c) All windows shall be either safety plate glass, safety sheet glass or a material having the visibility and shattering characteristics of safety sheet glass. 11. TIRES All tires shall be in good and safe condition. 12. MECHANICAL AND SANITARY CONDITION Each taxi shall, when being used as such, be in good mechanical condition and kept in a clean and sanitary condition throughout. 13. SPEEDOMETER Each taxi shall be equipped with a speedometer and properly operating. -3- 14. CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION Each taxi shall prominently display to the front of the vehicle a valid official inspection sticker indicating compliance with foregoing standards of inspection and such inspections shall be made at least semi-annually, the inspection sticker to be placed on inside of windshield at top center. Certified a True Copy. _____________________________ Romeo D. Asselin Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State: July 28, 1959 280-RICR-30-15-12 TITLE 280 - DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE CHAPTER 30 - DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES SUBCHAPTER 15 - SAFETY AND EMISSIONS PART 12 - REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR SAFE AND PROPER OPERATION OF TAXICABS Type of Filing: Post Promulgation Technical Revision Department of State ____________________________ ____________________________ Regulation Effective Date Original Signing Date _______________________________________________________________ Department of State Initials Department of State Date 01/25/2007 N/A November 02, 2018 K.C.