503

TAXICAB COLORINGS AND MARKINGS

503.1

Uniform color scheme. Each vehicle used as a taxicab shall be in compliance with the uniform color scheme in § 503.3 if:

(a) It is entering service using a new taxicab vehicle license (and corresponding new “H tag” from DMV);

(b) It is entering service using an existing vehicle license, as required by the vehicle retirement rules of Chapter 6 or based on the owner’s decision to replace a vehicle earlier than required by such rules; or

(c) The owner chooses to repaint in whole or in part for any reason, including changes in association or affiliation.

503.2

A taxicab that fails to comply with this section shall not be operated. Each taxicab operated in violation of this section shall subject the owner and operator to the civil penalties set forth in this chapter, including impoundment of the vehicle.

503.3

The uniform color scheme for District taxicabs is established as provided in this subsection. Each vehicle shall:

(a) Be painted red in color to match the D.C. Circulator: 3M Controltac Graphic Film color Geranium 180C-63;

(b) Bear a vehicle model specific stripe decal on both sides that: aligns with the bottom of the taxicab tail light at the rear of the vehicle, is made of 3M Controltac Plus Film (or equivalent), and matches Pantone Warm Gray 2 in color;

(c) Bear decal letters of the name of the taxicab company, association, or fleet name, or the name of the owner for an independently operated taxicab, and a customer service telephone number on both front side doors (driver and passenger). The decal letters shall be the color black, in Calibri font, using capital letters that are two and fifteen sixteenths inches (2-15/16”) in height measured from the X height and manufactured of 3M Controltac Plus Film (or equivalent);

(d) Bear decal letters of the taxicab company, association, fleet name or the name of the owner, which shall be on the rear of the body so as to be clearly visible from the rear, on either side of and in alignment with the center of the vehicle manufacturer placed logo. The decal letters shall be the color black, in Calibri font, using capital letters that are one and one

half (1-1/2) inches in height measured from the X height and manufactured of 3M Controltac Plus Film (or equivalent);

(e) Display a DCTC Certification Decal, of a size and shape determined by the Office, which shall be affixed in the lower left hand corner of the rear passenger window; and

(f) If the owner has received express written approval from the Office, an insignia, logo, term, or symbol may be placed on the vehicle, consistent with the requirements of § 503.7, as follows —

(1) If the owner is a taxicab company, or the vehicle is associated with a taxicab association or fleet, the insignia or logo of such company, association, or fleet may be centered on both rear passenger doors, which shall be no more than seventeen inches (17") in width and shall be two inches (2") from the closest gray edge/field; and

(2) Based on specifications set forth in one or more Office orders, where the vehicle is an alternative fuel vehicle, a term or symbol commonly used in the motor vehicle or taxicab industry to mark such vehicle may be placed on the vehicle.

(g) The PVIN shall appear on the deck-lid if the vehicle is a passenger sedan, and on the rear door as high as possible beneath the rear window, if the vehicle is a passenger van or SUV, in letters and numbers that are black in color, Gothic in style, three inches (3 in.) high, three eighths of an inch (3/8 in.) wide, and with three eighths of an inch (3/8 in.) between each digit.

(h) The PVIN shall appear in one or more locations on the vehicle if the vehicle is equipped with a cruising light rather than a legacy dome light, as set forth in an administrative issuance.

503.4 The Department may allow or require enhancements to or modifications of the uniform color scheme for a vehicle that participates in a pilot, grant, donation agreement, or other program, or that is equipped with a digital taxicab solution ("DTS").

503.5 It shall be the responsibility of each taxicab company, association, or fleet to ensure that any taxicab bearing its name, insignia, or logo is on the insurance list filed with the Office for that company, association, or fleet.

503.6 The operation of a taxicab bearing a name, insignia, or logo in violation of this s

section shall be presumptive evidence that the operator and the owner are in violation of § 816 (fraud).

503.7 Review process for proposed display of insignia, logo, term, or symbol.- (a) An owner interested in displaying an insignia, logo, term, or symbol on its vehicle pursuant to § 503.3(f) shall submit an application under oath, in a form acceptable to the Office, accompanied by the appropriate fee, and —

- (1) Either —

- (A) If the application seeks approval of a taxicab company, association, or fleet insignia or logo, pursuant to § 503.3(f)(1): an electronic rendering of the design accurately depicting the insignia or logo and its proposed location(s) on the vehicle; or

- (B) If the application is for a term or symbol for an alternative fuel vehicle, pursuant to § 503.3(f)(2), then a website URL for a trade or industry association or vehicle manufacturer website where the term or symbol may be found and reflects that the term or symbol is commonly used in the motor vehicle or taxicab industry to mark such vehicle, and an electronic rendering accurately depicting the term or symbol and its proposed location(s) on the vehicle; and

- (2) Such additional information and documentation that the Office may require to evaluate the request.

- (b) The Office shall deny an application where the proposed insignia, logo, term or symbol would be offensive, in poor taste, confuse or mislead consumers, undermine the uniform color scheme, or violate any provision of this title or other applicable law.

- (c) The Office shall render its decision to grant or deny an application in writing within thirty (30) days, which, if denied, may be appealed to the Chairman, whose decision shall be a final, appealable order of the Office.

- (d) If the Office grants its approval, the owner shall complete placement of the insignia, logo, term, or symbol on all of its vehicles within sixty (60) days of the issuance of the approval.503.8 The following prohibitions apply to all taxicab vehicles that must be repainted under this section:

(a) No paint, graphic, vehicle wrap or decal, paint color, design, insignia, logo, term, symbol, advertisement, signage, display, label, sticker, lettering, or numbering, including any legacy taxicab number no longer tracked or used by the Office, shall be placed on any taxicab unless it is expressly authorized by and complies with this section, or is permitted by an administrative issuance.

(b) There shall not be placed on or in any taxicab, paint, graphic, vehicle wrap or decal, paint color, design, insignia, logo, term, symbol, advertisement, signage, display, label, sticker, lettering, numbering, or other exterior object which has, tends to have, or may have the effect of confusing, misleading, or deceiving the public.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 37 DCR 3595, 3597 (June 1, 1990); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 40 DCR 4047 (June 25, 1993); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 41 DCR 2370 (April 29, 1994); by Final Rulemaking published at 41 DCR 6953 (October 21, 1994); as amended by Final Rulemaking published 45 DCR 8866 (December 11, 1998); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 59 DCR 8549, 8554 (July 20, 2012); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 60 DCR 12387 (August 30, 2013); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 62 DCR 9265 (July 3, 2015); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 8881 (June 24, 2016); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 65 DCR 1870 (February 23, 2018).