Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers
Chapter 50 - Common Carriers
Subchapter 10 - Motor Carriers of Passengers
Part 2 - Rules Governing Transportation of Passengers via Taxicabs and Limited Public Motor Vehicles (815-RICR-50-10-2)
Section 815-RICR-50-10-2.5 - Taximeter Requirements

1. All taximeters used in accordance with the rules and regulations stated herein shall be inspected by the Motor Carriers Section for proper calibration and function.

2. Once inspected and approved by the Motor Carriers Section personnel, the Motor Carriers Section personnel will officially seal the taximeter. No passengers shall be transported without an officially inspected, approved, sealed, and operating taximeter. Any other seals installed by the certificate holder on the taximeter or on an appurtenance or cable thereto shall be of a type clearly distinguishable from State seals. They shall be pressed by the certificate holder in a distinctive manner and painted red.

3. A fare may only be charged to a customer that is based on the reading of a working taximeter. Flat rates or estimated charges may not be charged under any circumstances.

4. No type of taximeter shall be installed that is incapable of being sealed by the Motor Carriers Section.

5. Taximeters that may be reprogrammed or recalibrated without having first to remove the seal are prohibited.

6. No taximeter shall be installed in such a manner that prohibits the visual inspection of the meter and seal.

7. No adjusted, repaired, or recalibrated taximeter or appurtenance of a taximeter shall be installed in a cab unless such adjustment, repair, or recalibration has been officially inspected, approved and sealed by the Motor Carriers Section.

8. A taximeter shall be installed so that a person of normal vision from the rear seat can easily read the fare numerals. If the taximeter is "flag operated", the flag, when in the upright (cleared) position, shall be visible to a person standing in front or to the side of the cab.

9. The serial number of the taximeter shall be the same as that shown on the rate card assigned to the cab, except where a temporary replacement meter is being used pursuant to these rules and regulation.

10. The Motor Carriers Section shall be notified within two (2) business days of any change of any taximeter.

11. Tire size shall be the same as that for which the taximeter is calibrated, as indicated by the rate card. Tire inflation shall be checked at the commencement of each shift by the driver of said taxi and recorded on the shift manifest. A tire that does not hold the specified pressure over a 24-hour period shall be replaced immediately.

12. Passengers shall not be carried until a cab's taximeter has been tested for accuracy over a measured mile course by the Motor Carriers Section, or its authorized representatives whenever:

13. A certificate holder shall notify the Motor Carriers Section within 24 hours of the time that any of the aforementioned changes are made.