Applicable To: All VFH Field Personnel

Approval Authority:  Director Malachi S. Hull

Signature:  Signed by MSH

Date Signed:  11/1/2004

1.               PURPOSE

To establish uniform guidelines and procedures for inspecting Vehicles for Hire operating within the city limits of Atlanta.

2.               POLICY

The Division of Taxicabs and Vehicles for Hire by ordinance is required to ensure all Vehicles for Hire meet the general inspection requirements as outlined in Atlanta City Code Chapter 162.  

3.               RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1              VFH Supervisors will ensure compliance with this directive.

4.               ACTION

4.1              VFH Enforcement Officers and Supervisors shall be responsible for ensuring all Vehicles for Hire identified in Sec. 162-26 operating within the city limits of Atlanta meet all inspection requirements.

 4.1.1          In addition to all other vehicle inspection required by law, each vehicle for hire shall be subject to       a semi-annual inspection as outlined in Sec. 162-34(b) – Semi-annual inspections.

4.1.2           A $25.00 fee shall be charged for each vehicle inspection in the form of a check or money order.

1.    Carriage inspections will be conducted at the carriage companies which must be within the  city limits of Atlanta.

a.    VFH Supervisor assigned to downtown will ensure Equine Drawn vehicles are  inspected in accordance to  Sec 162-34(c-1) and Sec 162-154.

b.    Company owners will contact a supervisor to schedule inspection date and time.

c.    In the absence of a supervisor, Enforcement Officer assigned to the downtown area  will schedule inspection date and time. 

d.    Before inspection(s) are conducted, company owner must provide a payment receipt from the Division of Taxicabs and Vehicles for Hire.  The receipt must  include the total amount collected for inspection, the number of carriages to be inspected, date of payment, company name, CPNC number, and carriage number.

e.    If vehicle meets all inspection requirements, a VFH inspection sticker is placed on the name tag located on the rear of the carriage.  If `vehicle fails to meet requirements, a correction slip is written indicating the corrections needed and  length of time to make corrections.

f.     VFH Enforcement Officer or Supervisor will provide company with a copy o inspection report.

2.    Taxicab inspections are conducted, at the Division of Taxicabs and Vehicles for Hire inspection station during designated inspection hours.  Sec 162-34(C)(2), Sec 162-36, Sec 162-38, Sec 162-39 and Sec 162-41 outlines the inspection requirements for Taxicabs.

a.    Enforcement officer or supervisor shall not inspect a dirty vehicle.  The cab must be   clean inside and out to offer a pleasing and safe environment for the passenger.  If a driver bring a dirty vehicle to the inspection station, he/she will be instructed to leave and return with a clean cab.

b.    Enforcement officer shall ride along with taxicab driver for one mile to check distance on meter.  Waiting time button should be deactivated.  If meter is not in accordance with distance, enforcement officer shall issue a DO NOT OPERATE.  If it is in accordance, continue with inspection.

c.   Sec 162-34(C)(2-a) outlines the exterior requirements for taxicabs. 

d.    Sec 162-34(C)(2-b)  and Sec 162-38 outlines the interior requirements for taxicabs.

e.    Sec. 162-36 outlines the Information to be displayed on each taxicab. 

f.     A correction slip will be completed indicating the status of inspection.

g.    If vehicle meet all requirements, a VFH inspection sticker is place on the right rear  window indicating the date of next inspection.

4.1.3           Sec 162-34(C)(2-f) – Correction Slip – If a vehicle fail to meet the inspection requirements, a

                  correction slip shall be issued to the driver showing the status of the inspection.  

1.    The correction slip must not exceed 15 days unless approved by a VFH supervisor.
 

2.    Time given for corrections must comply with Sec. 162-43 – Corrections and RelatedMatters.

3.    All extensions are given during designated inspection hours by the enforcement officer(s) assigned to the inspection station with the exception of a DO NOT OPERATE. Any enforcement officer or supervisor can remove a do not operate from a correction slip if the repairs that cause him/her to get the do not operate have been completed.  If a do not operate is removed on a day other than designated inspection dates and times, the extension may not exceed the next inspection day.

4.1.4           Sec 162-34(C)(2-g) – Random Inspections – All taxicabs are subject to random inspections a any time.

4.1.5           Inspection Sticker – All vehicles for hire passing the semi-annual inspection shall have affixed to the right rear windshield an inspection sticker issued by the bureau showing the CPNC Number and expiration date.

1.    A vehicle for hire operating with an expired inspection sticker or correction slip 7 days or less shall be given a do not OPERATE.  The DO NOT OPERATE may only be removed at the inspection station during inspection hours.

2.    A vehicle for hire operating with an expired inspection sticker or correction slip more than 7 days shall be impounded and given a DO NOT OPERATE.

3.    A vehicle for hire operating with no inspection sticker or correction slip shall be mpounded and given a DO NOT OPERATE.  The DO NOT OPERATE can only be removed at the inspection station during inspection hours. 

5.               DEFINITIONS

N/A

6.               CANCELLATIONS

BTVH.CM.97.03
     

7.               REFERENCES

Atlanta City Code Chapter 162 – Vehicles for Hire

      Sec 162-26 – Definitions

Sec 162-34 – Inspections

Sec 162-36 – Information to be displayed

Sec 162-38 – Interior requirements

Sec 162-39 – Weight; Vision-obstructing devices; doors; vehicle age

Sec 162-43 – Table of violations – Corrections and related matters