§ 20-161. Meter requirements.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a taxicab, or to cause a taxicab to be operated for hire, or to accept any passenger for hire, or to carry any paying passenger within the County unless such vehicle shall be equipped with a taximeter which shall have been sealed by the County and which shall be in operation at all times while any paying passenger is riding in such taxicab. This Subsection shall not apply to a taxicab which displays a sign clearly visible from outside the vehicle, reading, "Not in Service" or "Out of Service" and which taxicab is in fact "Out of Service."

(b)

The Board may recommend and the Director shall approve the types of taximeters to be used on taxicabs in conformity with specifications and tolerances as set by the National Bureau of Standards. The Director shall road test the taximeter for accuracy and conformity with approved rates at least once each calendar year. The meter shall be sealed after testing. Regulations concerning the use and maintenance of taximeters, not inconsistent with this Section, as may be necessary to promote the purpose hereof, shall be promulgated by the Director with recommendations from the Board.

(c)

Taximeters must register the fare upon illuminated counters plainly visible to a passenger.

(d)

It shall be unlawful for any person:

(1)

To use any taximeter until the same shall have been inspected, found to be accurately set to operate at approved rates, and sealed by a County Inspector;

(2)

To operate any vehicle with a taximeter unsealed or not having its access port intact;

(3)

To carry passengers for hire except while operating the taximeter in accordance with the provisions of this Subtitle, provided, however, that the Director may grant a waiver to this provision for a contract with a government agency filed with the Department of the Environment that permits discounted rates or rates lower than those computed by the taximeter upon a written determination by the Director that the contract provisions will not result in a significant reduction of service to the general public or impact a licensee's ability to earn a living while maintaining the integrity of the contractual services;

(4)

To make any charge for the transportation of a passenger other than as provided under this Subtitle; or

(5)

To make any change in the mechanical, electrical, or electronic condition of a taxicab or its meter with intent to cause false registration by the meter of the fare to be charged a passenger.

(CB-54-1974; CB-97-1991; CB-29-1995; CB-49-2000; CB-22-2001; CB-30-2014)