Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 45, November 9, 2024
Section 30.75 - Driver standards(a)Driver compliance with Commission regulations. (1) In addition to possession and display of a current, valid taxi driver's certificate as required by this chapter, a taxi driver shall comply with this title and 66 Pa.C.S. (relating to the Public Utility Code). Failure to do so constitutes grounds for the suspension or cancellation of a taxi driver's certificate or the assessment of a civil penalty against the driver, or both.(2) The driver standards at subsections (b)-(d) and (f) shall be posted in taxicabs operated under this chapter.(b)Personal appearance of drivers. A driver while operating a taxicab, shall present a neat and clean appearance. (1) A driver shall dress in clean clothing which will be composed of a shirt with collar, ankle-length trousers, slacks/dress, skirts (if gender appropriate), socks or stockings, and shoes or clean sneakers. Shorts, bathing trunks or bathing suits, undershirts, "muscle shirts" or tank-tops are prohibited unless concealed as undergarments beneath the attire described in this paragraph.(2) A driver may not wear sandals or go barefoot while operating a taxicab.(c)Driver courtesy. A driver shall conduct himself with courtesy towards the passengers, and may not use obscenity or vulgarity directed towards or within the hearing of the passengers.(d)Assistance to elderly, infirm or disabled passengers. Drivers shall assist elderly, infirm or disabled passengers in entering and exiting their taxicabs.(e)Prohibited fares and charges.(1) A driver may not charge fares other than those established by this Commission as required by 66 Pa.C.S. § 2410(b) (relating to wages).(2) A driver may not insist upon the payment of a gratuity by a passenger.(f)Discrimination prohibited. A driver may not refuse service to a member of the public on the basis of sex, race, religious preference, nationality, age, point of origin, point of destination or to a person with a disability. A driver shall, when on duty and not engaged, furnish trip service on demand to an orderly person for lawful purposes.(1) A taxi driver shall stop his vehicle, if not engaged, when hailed by a person with a disability. The driver shall determine if the services requested by the person can be reasonably accommodated by the vehicle.(i) If the service request can be reasonably accommodated, the driver shall provide the service.(ii) If the service request cannot be reasonably accommodated, the driver shall call a dispatcher immediately to arrange for service by the closest vehicle available that can accommodate the person's request. The driver shall advise the person of the status before departing.(g)Report of license suspension or revocation required. A driver shall immediately report a suspension or revocation of his driver's license to the Commission's driver licensing agent.(h)Drivers responsible for administrative paperwork. A driver is responsible for the timely and accurate completion of the passenger log to be maintained in each taxicab as well as for the forms and documents required to be maintained in the taxicab.(1) A driver as well as the medallion holder, is responsible for the posting of maps of service areas, a schedule for fares with letters and numbers at least 1/2 inch in size, and the driver standards as described in subsections (b)-(d) and (f) in plain sight of the passengers at all times in the taxicab that the driver operates.(2) A driver is responsible for maintaining a copy of the lease agreement, employment contract or employe identification card at all times in the taxicabs the driver operates.(i)Drivers responsible for sanitary accommodations. A driver shall maintain the taxicab he operates in a neat and sanitary condition, including the passenger compartment, trunk and the exterior of the vehicle.(j)Operation of unsafe vehicle prohibited. A driver may not operate a vehicle known by the driver to be in an unsafe mechanical condition.(k)Most direct route to destination required. Unless provided with specific directions by the fare-payer to his point of destination, a driver shall select and use the most direct route consistent with prevailing road and traffic conditions from the point of pick-up to the passenger's point of destination. A driver may not use indirect, convoluted or unnecessarily lengthy routes for the purpose of increasing the fare.(l)Accidents. A driver involved in an accident which results in injury or death of a person or property damage shall do the following: (2) Take necessary precautions to prevent further accidents at the scene.(3) Render reasonable assistance to injured persons. Movement of injured persons by a driver should not be undertaken if likely to cause further injury.(4) Give to a person demanding the same, his name and address, the name and address of the motor carrier for whom he is then driving, the State tag registration number of the vehicle involved, the name of the insurance carrier which insures the operations of the medallion holder and the driver's operator's license number.(5) Report the details of the accident as soon as practicable to the following:(i) The police if required by 75 Pa.C.S. (relating to the Vehicle Code).(ii) The medallion holder or the manager of the motor carrier then using his services.(iii) The insurance carrier of the medallion holder then using his services.(m)Report of change of address required. A certificated taxi driver or taxi driver's certificate applicant shall notify the Commission's District Office within 15 days after a change of the address recorded on the certificate application. The notice shall be in writing and shall contain the old and current address and the number of any taxi driver's certificate then held by the person.(n)Report of change of legal name required. A certificated taxi driver or taxi driver's certificate applicant shall notify the Commission's District Office within 15 days after a change of the legal name recorded on the certificate application. This notice shall be in writing and shall contain the old and current legal name and the number of any taxi driver's certificate then held by the person.The provisions of this §30.75 corrected August 7, 1992, effective 9/23/1992, 22 Pa.B. 4099; amended November 29, 1996, effective 1/29/1997, 26 Pa.B. 5816; amended July 25, 1997, effective 8/25/1997, 27 Pa.B. 3676.The provisions of this §30.75 amended under the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 501, 504-506, 1301, 1501, 2404(a), 2409 and 2412.