No driver or chauffeur of a taxicab or automobile or other motor propelled vehicle for hire, while in service, shall operate the vehicle, if provided with a meter, without properly pulling the flag attached to the meter or other necessary part of the meter in order to show constantly, to the passenger or his employers the exact charges on the meter as they increase.
Whoever violates this Section shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars, or imprisoned for not less than six months, or both.
La. R.S. § 45:197