Municipal Ordinances


Chapter 38 - Taxicabs and Limousines

Previous Chapter | City Code Index Page | Next Chapter






Chapter 38 - Taxicabs and Limousines

Sec. 38-1. Definitions.

For the purposes of this Chapter, the following terms shall have the specific meanings prescribed herein, except as the context may otherwise require:

Driver – The term "driver" shall mean and include every person in physical charge or custody of and operating any taxicab or limousine, as the case may be, for hire whether as owner, agent, employee or otherwise operated in whole or in part on the streets and public ways in the City of Rolla or on any property owned by the City of Rolla.

Limousine – The term "limousine" shall mean and include any vehicle regularly used in the business of carrying passengers for hire, not having a fixed route or schedule, operated in whole or in part on the streets and public ways in the City of Rolla, or on any property owned by the City of Rolla. Limousine seating capacity shall be restricted to the seating capacity as designated by the manufacturer's trade rating for each vehicle. The term "limousine" shall not, however, mean and include any such vehicle operated by a governmental body. For all guidelines contained in this Chapter, the terms "taxicab" and "limousine" shall be synonymous.

Owner – The term "owner" shall mean and include every person, firm or corporation who or which has the bona fide legal title, control, direction, operation, maintenance, leasing or collection of revenues derived from any taxicab or limousine, as the case may be, operated in whole or in part on the streets and public ways in the City of Rolla or on any property owned by the City of Rolla.

Taxicab – The term "taxicab" shall mean a motor vehicle regularly engaged in the business of carrying passengers for hire, having a maximum passenger seating capacity of seven (7) persons or less and not operated on a fixed route. (Ord. 3740, §1; Ord. 4000, §1)

(Return to Contents)




Sec. 38-2. Insurance - Amount required.

No license to engage in the public taxicab business shall be issued to the applicant therefore by the Finance Department until and after such applicant has filed with the Finance Department, and the same has been approved by the Finance Director, a liability insurance policy or bond in some insurance company or association or other insurer authorized to transact business in the state, which liability insurance shall bind the obligors thereunder to make compensation for damage to or destruction of any property of one or more persons to a maximum amount of fifty thousand ($50,000) dollars by reason of the applicant's legal liability for damages in consequence of any one accident resulting from the negligent operation or use of any public taxicab used in such public taxicab business, and which liability insurance shall bind the obligors thereunder to make compensation for bodily injuries, including death at any time resulting there from to one person to a maximum amount of fifty thousand ($50,000) dollars by reason of the applicant's legal liability from damages in consequence of any one accident resulting from the negligent operation or use of any public taxicab used in such public taxicab business, and subject to that limit of a maximum amount of fifty thousand ($50,000) dollars for each person, which liability insurance shall bind the obligors thereunder, to more than one person, to a total maximum of one hundred thousand ($100,000) dollars by reason of the applicant's legal liability for damages in consequence of any one accident resulting from the negligent operation or use of any public taxicab business. Such insurance policies shall provide that the City of Rolla, Missouri, be given thirty days notice prior to the lapse, cancellation, or other termination of said policies. (Ord. 2327, §1; Ord. 3740, §2; Ord. 4000, §1)

(Return to Contents)




Sec. 38-3. Taxicab driver's license.

(a) Taxicab driver's license required. No person shall drive or operate a taxicab, and no owner of a taxicab shall hire or permit any person to drive or operate a taxicab, on any of the streets, any public ways in the City of Rolla, or on any property owned by the City of Rolla, unless such person shall have secured a taxicab driver's license from the City of Rolla as provided herein.

(b) Taxicab driver's license application. A verified application for a taxicab driver's license shall be made in writing to the Chief of Police, or his designate, upon terms prescribed and provided for such purpose by the Chief of Police. Such application shall include at a minimum:

(c) Qualifications of taxicab drivers. No taxicab driver's license shall be issued to any person who does not meet the following minimum qualifications:

(d) Issuance of license. Upon being notified of the approval of an applicant by the Chief of Police, or his designate, the City of Rolla Finance Department shall forthwith issue a taxicab driver's license to such person upon payment of the required license fee.

(e) Renewal of license. Any taxicab driver's license issued hereunder may be renewed from year to year provided the driver continues to meet the minimum qualifications of taxicab drivers established hereunder and pays the required fee of $10.00. A request for renewal shall be filed with the Chief of Police, or his designate, prior to renewing any taxicab driver's license. The request shall be denied unless the Chief of Police, or his designate, approves such renewal after reviewing whether the driver continues to meet the minimum qualifications of taxicab drivers established hereunder.

(f) Display and use of license. The taxicab driver's license issued hereunder shall be in the personal possession of the holder thereof at all times while serving as a taxicab driver. Such taxicab driver's license shall be displayed in plain view of the passenger(s) within the cab. No driver shall cause or permit another person to use such driver's taxicab driver's license, for any purpose whatsoever.

(g) Revocation or suspension of license. In emergency situations, any taxicab driver's license may be revoked or suspended by the Chief of Police forthwith provided an opportunity to be heard by City Council is provided within thirty (30) days following such emergency action. Any person whose taxicab driver's license shall have been revoked shall return the same immediately to the City of Rolla Finance Director. Any person whose taxicab driver's license shall have been revoked may at any time apply for a taxicab driver's license so long as such person shall then qualify for such license.

(h) Duplicate license: In the event that a taxicab driver's license becomes lost or stolen, a duplicate license may be obtained by filing for a lost or stolen license with the City of Rolla Finance Department. There shall be a $5.00 fee associated with obtaining a duplicable license. (Ord. 3740, §1; Ord. 4000, §1)

(Return to Contents)




Sec. 38-4. Taxicab owner's license.

(a) Taxicab owner's license required. No person, firm or corporation shall engage in the business of operating a taxicab in whole or in part on the streets and public ways in the City of Rolla or on any property owned by the City of Rolla without first having secured a taxicab owner's license as provided herein.

(b) Taxicab owner's license application. A verified application for a taxicab owner's license shall be made in writing to the City of Rolla Finance Director, or his/her designate, upon forms prescribed and provided for such purpose by the City of Rolla Finance Director. Such application shall include at a minimum:

(c) Issuance of license.

(1) The City of Rolla Finance Department shall issue a taxicab owner's license if:

(2) Contents of license. Each taxicab owner's license issued hereunder shall contain the name of the holder of the taxicab owner's license, the owner's residence address, the owner's business address, the number of taxicabs to be operated and an assigned number for each taxicab, the make the type of each vehicle to be used, the factory number thereof, and the state license number thereof. The number assigned hereunder to the owner and each taxicab shall in each case be the same as that assigned to the owner and such taxicab for the previous year if a previous license has been issued hereunder.

(3) License year. All taxicab owner's license shall expire on June 30th of each year, irrespective of the date of issuance.

(4) License fee: The City of Rolla Finance Department shall charge a fee of $10.00 per year for each taxicab operated by the taxicab owner to whom or to which a taxicab owner's license has been issued hereunder. Such fee shall not be pro-rated for a fractional part of a year. The fee includes the cost of inspections and processing.

(d) Renewal of license. Any taxicab owner's license issued hereunder may be renewed from year to year provided the owner continues to meet the minimum qualifications of taxicab owners established hereunder and pays the required fee per taxicab. A request for renewal shall be filed with the City of Rolla Finance Director and reviewed by the Chief of Police or his designate prior to renewing any taxicab owner's license. The request shall be denied unless the Chief of Police, or his designate, approves such renewal after reviewing whether the owner continues to meet the minimum qualifications of taxicab owners established hereunder.

(e) Amendment of license. A taxicab owner's license may be amended from time to time as to the individual taxicabs owned or used by the owner upon making application therefore to the Chief of Police, or his designate. The same shall be so amended prior to utilizing any taxicab not specifically listed on the taxicab owner's license. The Chief of Police, or his designate, shall certify and report to the City of Rolla Finance Director whether such vehicle proposed for use complies with the provisions of this Chapter. If the vehicle is in conformity, the Finance Clerk shall appropriately amend the taxicab owner's license issued upon payment of a transfer fee of $5.00. The number of taxicabs cannot, however, be so increased. The permitted maximum number of taxicabs under any license can be increased only upon making application to the City Finance Director.

(f) Transfer. A taxicab owner's license issued hereunder shall be nonassignable and nontransferable.

(g) Revocation. The Chief of Police is hereby authorized to revoke any taxicab owner's license issued hereunder for violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter regulating the licensing of taxicabs, for knowingly permitting a driver of such owner's taxicab to violate any traffic laws or any provisions hereunder regulating the conduct of such drivers or a failure to continue to meet the minimum qualifications of taxicab owners. The Chief is further authorized to suspend any taxicab owner's license as to any individual taxicab found to be in an unsafe condition or in poor state of repair, with respect to appearance, cleanliness or mechanical operation. The Chief shall provide an opportunity to the license holder to be heard in an appeal before City Council within thirty (30) days following such action. Such suspension shall be effective until such taxicab shall be put in satisfactory condition, after inspections by the Chief of Police or his designate.

(h) Register. The City of Rolla Finance Director shall keep a register of the name of each taxicab owner licensed hereunder, together with the license number and description of each taxicab. The name and address of the insurance carrier or bonding company of such owner shall also be registered. Such information, together with all matters not private by nature pertaining to the application, issuance, renewal, suspension, or revocation of any license issued hereunder shall be available to public inspection. (Ord. 3740, §1; Ord. 4000, §1)

(Return to Contents)




Sec. 38-5. Condition of equipment of taxicabs.

(a) Inspections. Every taxicab operating pursuant to this Chapter shall be inspected by the Chief of Police, or his designate. Such inspections shall be for the purpose of determining whether such licensed taxicab is in conformity with the provisions of this Chapter. Each taxicab shall be so inspected at least once every year, but may be inspected more often in the discretion of the Chief of Police, or his designate. Any taxicab owner or driver shall promptly make available the taxicab sought to be inspected for such inspection and otherwise cooperate with the Chief of Police, or his designate, in any inspection performed hereunder. In the event any taxicab to be inspected hereunder is unavailable for inspection or out-of-service at the time the Chief of Police, or his designate, desires to inspect the same, such taxicab shall not be further operated as a taxicab hereunder until made available and actually inspected by the Chief of Police, or his designate, provided that such inspection shall be conducted within seven (7) days after the Chief of Police, or his designate, receives notice that such taxicab is available for inspection. If the Chief of Police, or his designate, is not able or not qualified to make an inspection, such inspection shall be made by an appropriate party selected by the taxicab owner and approved by the Chief of Police, or his designate, at the cost of the taxicab owner. The owner of a taxicab or his agent shall be entitled to be present while any inspection is made hereunder. The owner, upon written request, shall further be entitled to a written summary of the results of such inspection.

(b) Disclaimer. The City of Rolla, or itself and its agents and employees, specifically disclaims that the City of Rolla, its agents and employees necessarily certify that taxicabs licensed hereunder are in any specific condition. Rather, such inspections are made solely for the purposes of this Chapter and not for reliance by the public as to the condition of such taxicabs. Neither the City of Rolla, nor its agents and employees, shall be held liable for any damages on account of any such inspection.

(c) General condition of taxicabs. All taxicabs operated pursuant to this Chapter shall, at a minimum, satisfy the following conditions:

(Ord. 3740, §1; Ord. 4000, §1)

(e) Display of License. The current inspection license decal issued by the City is to be clearly displayed in the lower left corner of the rear windshield of the taxicab. (Ord. 4000, §1)

(Return to Contents)




Sec. 38-6. Operating rules and regulations.

(a) Generally. No taxicab shall be operated, or permitted to operate, except in accordance with the rules and regulations herein established.

(b) Conduct of drivers. No driver of a taxicab while on duty shall use any profane or obscene language, shout or call to prospective passengers or to disturb the peace in any way.

(c) Issuing receipt upon demand. Upon paying his or her fare, each passenger may demand a receipt. Upon each demand, the driver of the taxicab shall give the passenger a receipt in legible type or writing showing the date and amount so paid, the trade name of the taxicab and the name and license number of the driver.

(d) Use of vehicle for crime. No person, firm or corporation shall knowingly permit any taxicab to be used in the perpetration of a crime.

(e) Alcoholic beverages/Tobacco products. No driver of any taxicab shall have in his possession, or in or about the driver's compartment of the vehicle, any alcoholic liquor. No driver of any taxicab shall use such taxicab for the purpose of transporting or delivering any tobacco products or alcoholic liquors except any that are in the bona fide possession of, and the property of, a paying passenger. No driver of any taxicab, while on duty, shall drink any intoxicating liquor, or be in an intoxicated condition, whether within or without such taxicab.

(f) Obedience to traffic rules. Every driver of a taxicab shall obey all applicable traffic rules and regulations established by statute or ordinance.

(g) Soliciting passengers. No taxicab driver shall induce or attempt to make anyone employ such driver or his taxicab by any false statement or representation of the place or time of arrival or departure of any public conveyance or common carrier.

(h) Multi-passenger trips. No person shall be admitted to a taxicab occupied or about to be occupied by a passenger without the consent of the original passenger. Without such consent, any taxicab shall be used for only one (1) trip at a time, be there one (1) or more passengers on such trip.

(i) Direct route. The taxicab driver shall take his or her passenger to his or her destination by the most direct available route from the place where the passenger enters the taxicab.

(j) Duty to accept passengers. The driver of a taxicab shall accept as a passenger any person who seeks to so use the taxicab, provided such person conducts himself in an orderly manner.

(k) Occupancy by person not a passenger. No owner or driver of a taxicab shall permit any person except a passenger for hire to occupy or be seated in such taxicab when the taxicab is either parked or traveling to the destination of the passenger.

(l) Master log. Every taxicab owner shall maintain a legible, daily master log upon which are recorded all trips made each day, showing time and place of origin and destination of each trip and amount of fare. The forms for the master log shall be furnished by the owner and shall be in a form approved by the Chief of Police, or his designate. Every owner shall retain and preserve master logs for twelve (12) months. The master logs shall be available for inspection by the Rolla Police Department. (Ord. 3740, §1; Ord. 4000, §1)

(Return to Contents)




Sec. 38-7. Penalty.

Any person, firm, or corporation who violates any of the provisions of this Chapter, shall, in addition to such other relief as the law may afford, be punishable as set forth by Section 1-7 of the Rolla City Code. (Ord. 3740, §1; Ord. 4000, §1)

(Return to Contents)




Secs. 38-8 to 38-12. Reserved.

(Return to Contents)




Previous Chapter | City Code Index Page | Next Chapter
City Code Index Page


City of Rolla, MO
901 North Elm Street
Rolla, MO 65401
Phone: (573) 426-6948
Email Us



Copyright © 2002-2022 - City of Rolla, MO - All rights reserved.
To report an error, please email Webpage Support
Banner design by Madelyn Brown