843820 DC Taxicab Commission extends regulations that allow currentSUV Taxicabs to Continue Operating in the Disrict of Columbiapending further rulemaking action

 

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TAXICAB COMMISSION

NOTICE OF FINAL RULEMAKING

 

The District of Columbia Taxicab Commission (Commission), by its Panel on Rates and

Rules, pursuant to the authority set forth under §§ 8(b)(1)(C), (F), and (G) 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(b)(1)(C), (F), and (G)) (2001), hereby gives notice of the adoption of amendments to Chapter 6 (Taxicab Parts and Equipment) of Title 31 (Taxicabs and Public Vehicles for Hire) of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR). The amendment provides those taxicab owners and operators with sport utility vehicles (SUVs) registered by the Department of Motor Vehicles with Commission taxicab tags to continue to operate as taxicabs in the District of Columbia and be allowed to complete the taxicab inspection process while the Commission completes the process of rulemaking that would allow certain SUVs to operate as taxicabs on an ongoing basis and establish standards for the operation of SUVs as taxicabs.

 

The rules were previously published as emergency and proposed rulemaking in the D.C. Register on January 21, 2011 at 58 DCR 560.  No comments were received in response to that notice and no substantive changes have been made.  These final rules will be effective upon publication of this notice in the D.C. Register.

 

Chapter 6, TAXICAB PARTS AND EQUIPMENT, of Title 31, TAXICABS AND PUBLIC VEHICLES FOR HIRE, of the DCMR is amended as follows:

 

Subsection 601.1A is amended to read as follows:

 

601.1A            Notwithstanding the provisions of § 601.1 above, taxicab owners or operators with sport utility vehicles previously registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles with Commission taxicab tags shall be allowed to continue to operate as taxicabs and be allowed to complete the taxicab inspection process if they comply with all other laws and regulations.