Section 31-601. PARTS AND EQUIPMENT

 

601.1Each taxicab licensed under D.C. Official Code § 47-2829(d) (2005 Repl.; 2011 Supp.)) shall be a sedan, compact or midsize sport utility vehicle (as defined in Subsection 601.1B), station wagon, or minivan and shall be equipped with at least two (2) rear doors in addition to the door or doors which give access to the driver’s seat.  All passenger doors shall be so constructed that they will remain securely fastened during normal operation, but may be readily opened by a passenger in case of emergency.  A minivan shall accommodate at least five (5) passengers and a taxicab operator.  Passenger capacity in all vehicles shall not exceed seat belt capacity of that vehicle.

 

601.1A[REPEALED]

 

601.1BFor the purposes of this section, a compact or midsize sport utility vehicle means a sport utility vehicle designated by the manufacturer as compact or midsize or a sport utility vehicle weighing five thousand pounds (5,000 lbs.) or less according to manufacturer specifications. 

 

601.2Each taxicab shall be of good substantial appearance and be so constructed and maintained as to provide for the safety of the public and for continuous and satisfactory operation, and to reduce to a minimum noise and vibration caused by that operation.

 

601.3Each taxicab shall be structurally sound as to all of its parts, shall not have broken or cracked glass, or damaged fenders, doors or parts, and shall be painted to give reasonable protection to all painted surfaces from structural deterioration. All identifying marks on taxicabs shall be clearly visible at all times.

 

601.4The rear seat(s) of every taxicab shall be vinyl, leather or covered with plastic. The front seats of every taxicab may be covered in any material of the taxicab owner's choice.

 

601.5Any floor mat added to a taxicab to protect or replace carpet shall be nonabsorbent and washable.

 

601.6No taxicab shall be equipped with shades or curtains which can be manipulated in a way as to shield the occupants or driver from observation from outside the vehicle. No taxicab shall be equipped with any after market (film) tint to darken the front and rear windshields and windows.

 

601.7Each taxicab in service shall be equipped with a speedometer and odometer properly installed, maintained in good working order, and exposed to view. No taxicab shall be used in taxicab service while its speedometer or odometer is not working properly or is disconnected.

 

601.8Each taxicab shall be equipped with a light capable of illuminating the interior of each taxicab and controlled by the operation of the doors or manually controlled by the driver.

 

601.9[REPEALED]

 

601.10[REPEALED]

 

601.11[REPEALED]

 

601.12[REPEALED]

 

601.13A taxicab may be equipped with a factory installed vinyl or cloth roof provided the color of the roof is consistent with the Commission approved color scheme.

 

601.14All taxicab vehicles licensed in the District of Columbia shall be equipped with a properly working heating system during the period of October 16th through May 14th.

 

601.15All taxicab vehicles licensed in the District of Columbia shall be equipped with a properly working air conditioner system during the period of May 15th to October 15th.

 

601.16All taxicabs on public streets or public space shall be properly equipped with either four (4) hubcaps, four (4) wheel covers, four (4) chrome wheels with small hubcaps, or four (4) mag wheels, with exposed lug nuts properly sealed.

 

601.17A taxicab operator may carry a trunk tote in the trunk of the taxicab to carry necessities for emergencies that include, but are not limited to fluids, jumper cables, paper towels, gloves, flashlights, maps, flares, and essential tools. The tote shall not be larger that 20"L x 10"W x 11"H. It shall be of heavy water proof material that includes, but is not limited to plastic, leather or vinyl, having a zipper or Velcro fastener for closing. It may have side pockets to carry maps or a manifest. The trunk tote shall not contain the following items: gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, and opened containers of fluids.

 

 

authority

Sections 8(c)(2) (3), (4), (5), (7), (11), (18), (19), 14, 20 and 20a of the District of Columbia Taxicab Commission Establishment Act of 1985, effective March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-97; D.C. Official Code §§ 50-307(c)(2), (3), (4), (5), (7), (11), (18), (19), 50-313, 50-319 and 50-320 (2009 Repl. & 2012 Fall Supp.)); D.C. Official Code § 47-2829 (b), (d), (e), (e-1), and (i) (2005 Repl. & 2012 Supp.).

source

Final Rulemaking published at 37 DCR 3595, 3603 (June 1, 1990); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 43 DCR 6959 (December 27, 1996); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 45 DCR 8866, 8867 (December 11, 1998); and by Final Rulemaking published at 47 DCR 4702(a), 4702(a) - 4702(c) (June 2, 2000); and by Final Rulemaking published at 48 DCR 11353 (December 14, 2001); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 52 DCR 2459(March 11, 2005); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 52 DCR 1317(February 11, 2005); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 5577(July 11, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 2868(April 11, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 57 DCR 2960 (April 2, 2010); as amended by Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 58 DCR 2688 (March 25, 2011); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 59 DCR 8564, 8565 (July 20, 2012); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 60 DCR 1173 (February 1, 2013).