601 PARTS AND EQUIPMENT

601.1 Each taxicab under § 31(d) of the License Act (D.C. Official Code § 47-2829(d) (2001)) shall be a sedan, station wagon, or minivan, and shall be equipped with at least two (2) rear doors in addition to the door or doors which give access to the driver's seat. All passenger doors shall be so constructed that they will remain securely fastened during normal operation, but may be readily opened by a passenger in case of emergency. A minivan shall accommodate five (5) passengers and a taxicab operator.

601.1A Notwithstanding the provisions of §601.1, taxicab owners or operators with sport utility vehicles registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles with Commission taxicab tags shall be allowed to continue to operate as taxicabs and be allowed to complete the taxicab inspection process if they comply with all other laws and regulations; provided, the authority to operate and complete the inspection process under this subsection shall expire on January 22, 2011.

601.2 Each taxicab shall be of good substantial appearance and be so constructed and maintained as to provide for the safety of the public and for continuous and satisfactory operation, and to reduce to a minimum noise and vibration caused by that operation.

601.3 Each taxicab shall be structurally sound as to all of its parts, shall not have broken or cracked glass, or damaged fenders, doors or parts, and shall be painted to give reasonable protection to all painted surfaces from structural deterioration. All identifying marks on taxicabs shall be clearly visible at all times.

601.4 The rear seat(s) of every taxicab shall be vinyl, leather or covered with plastic. The front seats of every taxicab may be covered in any material of the taxicab owner's choice.

601.5 Any floor mat added to a taxicab to protect or replace carpet shall be nonabsorbent and washable.

601.6 No taxicab shall be equipped with shades or curtains which can be manipulated in a way as to shield the occupants or driver from observation from outside the vehicle. No taxicab shall be equipped with any after market (film) tint to darken the front and rear windshields and windows.

601.7 Each taxicab in service shall be equipped with a speedometer and odometer properly installed, maintained in good working order, and exposed to view. No taxicab shall be used in taxicab service while its speedometer or odometer is not working properly or is disconnected.

601.8 Each taxicab shall be equipped with a light capable of illuminating the interior of each taxicab and controlled by the operation of the doors or manually controlled by the driver.

601.9 Effective April 1, 2001, each taxicab shall be equipped with a safety partition between the front and rear seats for driver safety. The safety partition shall be installed so that it:- (a) Does not obstruct the vision of the driver to the rear;

- (b) Can be opened from the driver's side;

- (c) Does not impede entering into and exiting from the taxicab;

- (d) Is not a hazard to passengers in the rear seat in case of accident; and

- (e) Meets all standards promulgated by the Commission and the Department of Public Works.601.10 In lieu of the partition required by § 601.9, on April 1, 2001 a taxicab may be equipped with a camera for driver safety. The camera shall be:- (a) Approved by the Commission;

- (b) Mounted on the front dashboard or rear view mirror in such a way that it does not limit the driver's visibility.

- (c) Equipped with infrared lenses so there is no need for outside light sources;

- (d) Activated at all times that the vehicle is in operation;

- (e) Capable of storing clear images of the entire rear seat of the taxicab and its occupants; and

- (f) Inspected by an authorized repair facility every six (6) months to coincide with the vehicle inspection.601.11 Each taxicab vehicle with a camera shall have signs, approved by the Commission, to notify passengers they are being photographed.601.12 In lieu of the partition required by § 601.9, as of April 1, 2001, a taxicab may be equipped with safety warning lights for driver safety or a dispatch radio that is used in the regular operation of business to receive and accept radio dispatch calls from a taxicab radio dispatch service. The safety warning lights shall be approved by the Commission, and used by the driver only to summon assistance in the event that he or she has reason to believe that he or she is being threatened with harm. The dispatch radio shall be used by the driver in the regular operation of business and may be used to summon assistance through the radio dispatch service in the event that the driver has reason to believe that he or she is being threatened with harm.

601.13 A taxicab may be equipped with a factory installed vinyl or cloth roof provided the color of the roof is consistent with the Commission approved color scheme.

601.14 All taxicab vehicles licensed in the District of Columbia shall be equipped with a properly working heating system during the period of October 16th through May 14th.

601.15 All taxicab vehicles licensed in the District of Columbia shall be equipped with a properly working air conditioner system during the period of May 15th to October 15th.

601.16 All taxicabs on public streets or public space shall be properly equipped with either four (4) hubcaps, four (4) wheel covers, four (4) chrome wheels with small hubcaps, or four (4) mag wheels, with exposed lug nuts properly sealed.

601.17 A taxicab operator may carry a trunk tote in the trunk of the taxicab to carry necessities for emergencies that include, but are not limited to fluids, jumper cables, paper towels, gloves, flashlights, maps, flares, and essential tools. The tote shall not be larger than 20"L x 10"W x 11"H. It shall be of heavy water proof material that includes, but is not limited to plastic, leather or vinyl, having a zipper or Velcro fastener for closing. It may have side pockets to carry maps or a manifest. The trunk tote shall not contain the following items: gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, and opened containers of fluids.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 37 DCR 3595, 3603 (June 1, 1990); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 43 DCR 6959 (December 27, 1996); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 45 DCR 8866, 8867 (December 11, 1998); and by Final Rulemaking published at 47 DCR 4702(a), 4702(a) - 4702(c) (June 2, 2000); and by Final Rulemaking published at 48 DCR 11353 (December 14, 2001); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 52 DCR 2459(March 11, 2005); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 52 DCR 1317(February 11, 2005); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 5577(July 11, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 2868(April 11, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 57 DCR 2960 (April 2, 2010).