§ 19-41. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Chief means the Chief of Police of the Town of Smithfield and his or her designee(s). The chief is responsible for the administration of this chapter.

Driver means any person who actually drives a taxicab on the streets of the town for hire. "Drive" or "driving a taxicab" means driving a taxicab for hire on such streets.

Driver's permit means the license, issued by the chief, under which a person may drive a taxicab for hire.

Limousine means for hire passenger vehicles on call or demand which do not solicit passengers indiscriminately for hire between points along streets or highways.

Memorandum operating permit means the card issued by the chief to a taxicab operator for display within a taxicab indicating that an operating permit has been issued covering the operation of such taxicab.

Operator means any person who owns one (1) or more taxicabs or who engages in the operation of one (1) or more taxicabs under a trade or service name.

Operating permit means the license issued by the chief under which a person may operate a taxicab, and which shows that proof of financial responsibility and other requirements of this chapter have been met and that the convenience and necessity of the public requires the operation of such taxicab(s).

Owner means the owner of a taxicab and any person holding legal right to possession or management of one (1) or more vehicles being operated as a taxicab.

Permit means an operating permit and a driver's permit, as the context requires.

Person means and includes an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, and all other legal entities including an association of taxicab owners/drivers.

Privilege license means a privilege license issued by the town pursuant to Chapter 9, Article II of the Town of Smithfield Code of Ordinances.

Proof of financial responsibility means a certificate of any insurance carried duly authorized to do business in the state certifying that there is in effect a policy of liability insurance insuring the owner and operator of the taxicab, his or her agents and employees while in the performance of their duties, against loss from any liability imposed by law for damages including damages for care and loss of services because of bodily injury to or death of any person and injury to or destruction or property caused by accident and arising out of the ownership, use or operation, including driving, of such taxicab or taxicabs in the limits required by state law (G.S. § 20-280(b), as amended from time to time. For purposes of this definition, the term operator shall mean and include any driver of the taxicab.

Rate card means a card for the display of the rates or fares for the use of the taxicab.

Taxicab means a passenger motor vehicle plying for hire for which public patronage is accepted or solicited and which is so designed as to seat comfortably not more than nine (9) persons but shall not include motor vehicles or motor vehicle carriers as defined in G.S. Chapter 20, Article 17.

(Ord. No. 352, 4-4-00)