6231685 Taxicab Commission, DC - Notice of Final Rulemaking - Chapter 10 - Sensitivity Training and Conditions for New Vehicle Licenses.

DEPARTMENT OF FOR-HIRE VEHICLES

 

NOTICE OF FINAL RULEMAKING

 

The Department of For-Hire Vehicles, formerly the District of Columbia Taxicab Commission (“Commission”),[1] pursuant to the authority set forth in Sections 8(c) (2), (3), (5), (7), (10), (12), (15), and (19), 14, and 20 of the District of Columbia Taxicab Commission Establishment Act of 1985 (“Establishment Act”), effective March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-97; D.C. Official Code §§ 50-301.07(c)(2) (3), (5), (7), (10), (12), (15), and  (19), 50-301.13, and 50-301.19 (2014 Repl. & 2015 Supp.)), and D.C. Official Code § 47-2829 (b), (d), (e), (e-1), and (i) (2015 Repl.)), hereby gives notice of its intent to adopt amendments to Chapter 10 (Public Vehicles for Hire) of Title 31 (Taxicabs and Public Vehicles For Hire) of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR). 

 

This final rulemaking amends Chapter 10, consistent with the Commission’s authority under the Establishment Act, to:  (1) require that applicants for new DCTC operator’s licenses complete disability sensitivity training; and (2) allow the Office of Taxicabs to place certain conditions on owners who are issued new DCTC vehicle licenses, at such times when the Office of Taxicabs issues such licenses.

 

Proposed rulemaking was adopted by the Commission on December 9, 2015, and published in the D.C. Register on March 25, 2016 at 63 DCR 004467.  The Commission received one comment, from a taxicab operators’ representative, during the comment period which expired on April 25, 2016.  The commenter recommended creating an exemption from the Office’s authority to impose conditions on new DCTC vehicle licenses for applicants who had previously held such licenses.  The Commission did not make any changes in response to this comment, as the Commission has adopted another proposed rulemaking to specifically address the concerns raised by the commenter (another pathway for new DCTC vehicle licenses for those who surrendered licenses as early as two years before or one year following the imposition of the “H tag moratorium”).  Changes were made to correct typographical errors and grammar, and to clarify the Commission’s intent, and Subsection 1010.21 was renumbered to 1010.20 to ensure conformity with current rules.  No substantial changes were made. 

 

The Commission voted to adopt this rulemaking as final on May 11, 2016, and it will become effective upon publication in the D.C. Register.

 

Chapter 10, PUBLIC VEHICLES FOR HIRE, of Title 31 DCMR, TAXICABS AND PUBLIC VEHICLES FOR HIRE, is amended to read as follows:

 

Section 1004, INVESTIGATION AND EXAMINATION OF APPLICANTS, is amended as follows:

 

Subsection 1004.6 is amended to read as follows:

 

1004.6             Each applicant for a new DCTC operator’s license shall provide proof of completion of a disability sensitivity training course approved by the Office.

 

A new Subsection 1004.7 is added as follows:

 

1004.7             Following successful completion of the operator education course and passage of the written examination administered by the Office, an applicant shall have six (6) months from the date of notification to file an application for licensure.

 

Section 1010, ISSUANCE OF DCTC VEHICLE LICENSE, is amended as follows:

 

A new Subsection 1010.21 is added as follows:

 

1010.21           The Office may issue a new DCTC vehicle license to each applicant that meets the applicable requirements of this title and other applicable laws.  In addition, each applicant may be required by the Office to:

 

                        (a)        Purchase or lease a vehicle that uses electric or other efficient means of propulsion, and/or is wheelchair accessible;

 

                        (b)        Provide service in underserved areas of the District, as identified by the Office; or

 

                        (d)       Meet other requirements to enhance safety and consumer protection, to improve customer service, or to achieve other lawful purposes within the jurisdiction of the Commission, as determined by the Office in an administrative issuance.

 

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[1]  The District of Columbia Taxicab Commission and the Office of Taxicabs were renamed and re-structured as the Department of For-Hire Vehicles by the Transportation Reorganization Act of 2016, effective June 22, 2016 (D.C. Law 21-0124).