A. All drivers
issued a hackney operator's permit must conduct themselves in a courteous and
professional manner at all times while on-duty.
B. All taxicab drivers issued a hackney
operator's license must conduct themselves in accordance with all rules and
regulations promulgated by the Division regarding the regulated activities of
transporting passengers. Said rules include the instant rules as well as Part 2
of this Subchapter "Rules and Regulations Governing the Transportation of
Passengers Via Taxicabs and Limited Public Motor Vehicles ("taxicab rules") -
Specifically, the following provisions of §
2.8 of this Subchapter:
1. Each driver shall place, in a
Division-approved receptacle and location, his/her Division-issued hackney
license.
2. No person shall drive
or be in physical control of any cab, for the purpose of carrying passengers,
for a period in excess of 12 hours in any 24-hour period, unless the driving
time is broken by a period of eight full hours of rest. No certificate holder
or his or her agent shall knowingly permit any cab to be driven in violation of
this paragraph.
3. No cab shall be
driven when it is so loaded or when there is in the front seat such number of
persons as to obstruct the view of the driver to the front or sides, or to
interfere with his control over the cab. No cab shall carry more adult
passengers than the manufacturer's designed capacity of the vehicle.
4. Nothing shall be transported in any cab
that will cause the interior of such cab to become soiled or offensive to
passengers because of odor or appearance.
5. Any individual who drives a cab, including
a certificate holder, must report any criminal conviction or adjudicated
traffic violation to the Division within five (5) business days of the
conviction or adjudication. If a Division investigation reveals that the
criminal conviction or adjudicated traffic violation is of such a nature that
continued operation of a taxicab by said individual could constitute a danger
to the public, the Division will conduct a hearing, after notice and allowing a
full opportunity to be heard, to determine whether the individual's Hackney
Operator's License should be revoked, suspended or otherwise limited. Failure
to follow this rule will be sufficient grounds for revoking the certificate
holder's certificate or the drier's operating permit.
6. Smoking by drivers or passengers shall not
be allowed in cabs at any time.
7.
Cab drivers shall not refuse a fare unless the driver fears for his/her
personal safety. All passengers shall utilize safety restraints and provide and
use child restraints when required by law. A cab driver must refuse a fare or
terminate service if a passenger refuses to utilize safety restraints or to
provide and use child restraints when required by law.
8. All cab drivers shall be dressed in a
neat, clean and professional manner. Examples of clothing which may not be
considered professional include sweat pants, collarless shirts with logos and
cutoff jean shorts.
9.
Solicitation and acceptance of a passenger must occur within the location named
in the certificate. The vehicle's driver may, however, provide transportation
from a location not shown in the certificate only if he or she is solicited on
a roadway while discharging a passenger and may then only provide
transportation to a territory named in the certificate. This section shall not
prohibit a pre-requested round-trip as allowed and provided for in Part 2 of
this Subchapter "Rules and Regulations Governing the Transportation of
Passengers Via Taxicabs and Limited Public Motor Vehicles ("taxicab rules").
10. An "On-Duty"/"Off-Duty" card
shall be displayed in every taxicab to allow potential passengers to determine
whether the taxicab is available for hire.
C. Disorderly Conduct: Drivers must act in a
lawful and professional manner at all times while on duty and at all times
while at a taxi stand or in the general proximity to others conducting business
in the taxicab industry. Further, no driver while on duty shall engage in any
behavior or activity that would constitute disorderly conduct as outlined in
R.I. Gen. Laws Title 45, and specifically R.I. Gen. Laws §
11-45-1. Such conduct shall be
punishable as set forth in §
3.10 of this Part and any driver engaging in
such unlawful acts shall be brought to the attention of the appropriate law
enforcement department.
