Public Vehicles

The public vehicle license of any operator of a taxicab or motor vehicle for hire shall
be confiscated and forwarded to the commanding officer of Public Vehicles, if any of
the following circumstances exist:

1. The operator is arrested;
2. The operator is issued the court copy for a moving violation;
3. The operator is given an ordinance complaint for conduct unbecoming a taxicab
   driver; or
4. The operator is given an ordinance complaint for high flagging (failure to display
   fare to passenger).
   D E T R O I T P O L I C E D E PA R T M E N T
   M A N U A L
   D E T R O I T P O L I C E D E PA R T M E N T
   M A N U A L
   Page 2 of 3
   2022
   201.8 Public Vehicle
   The operator of a public service vehicle whose public vehicle license has been
   confiscated or suspended shall not be permitted to operate the vehicle until
   permission is obtained from the commanding officer of Public Vehicles.
   201.8 - 4 Operation of Taxi Cabs
   Members should familiarize themselves with regulations specific to taxicabs. The following
   list (not inclusive) is regulations that taxicabs drivers must comply with:
5. Operators of taxicabs shall refrain from smoking while carrying passengers;
6. It shall be the responsibility of taxicab drivers and drivers of cars for hire to turn
   in any property left by a passenger to the nearest police station, within twentyfour (24) hours, unless the company maintains a regularly established lost and
   found department;
7. An operator who persistently violates the public vehicle regulations by
   congregating in taxicab stands, gambling or using loud and inappropriate
   language shall be reported to the commanding officer of Public Vehicles on an
   Incident Report;
8. Operators of taxicabs shall not be permitted to carry other passengers without
   the consent of those first employing the taxicab;
9. The operator of a taxicab or car for hire shall not allow any person to ride with them on the front seat unless the rear seat is filled to capacity;
   10. The operator of a taxicab shall not solicit passengers who are waiting at an
       established loading point to take passage on a city owned bus;
   11. While passing a public place for the purpose of soliciting passengers, an
       operator shall not turn and pass again until they have gone a distance of two
       (2) square blocks;
   12. Taxicabs and cars for hire shall park in single file at designated stands. A
       metal sign designating the number of cars permitted to park will mark all
       authorized stands. If parked in the rear of the stand, they may leave the vehicle
       for not more than thirty (30) minutes; and
   13. Each taxicab driver is required to maintain a trip sheet record containing the
       following:
       a. Date;
       b. Cab number;
       c. Name of the driver;
       d. Start and end time of work day;
       e. Taximeter and odometer readings – beginning and end; and
       f. Addresses or intersections where fares were picked up and discharged –
       listed in chronological order. The location at which the fare was picked
       up shall be recorded before beginning the trip, and the address at which
       the fare is discharged shall be recorded as soon as the passenger
       leaves the cab.
       D E T R O I T P O L I C E D E PA R T M E N T
       M A N U A L
       Page 3 of 3
       2022
       201.8 Public Vehicle
       It shall be the responsibility of the cab owner to file and retain all trip sheets for a
       period of ninety (90) days. Trip sheet records must be presented for examination upon
       demand of a police officer, and the officer may retain the trip sheet as evidence for
       court.
       Any taxicab driver violating these provisions shall be issued a Miscellaneous
       Ordinance Violation for improper trip sheet record. An Incident Report containing all
       information relating to the violation and the number of the ordinance violation shall be
       forwarded to the commanding officer of Public Vehicles.
       201.8 - 4.1 Disputes
       Officers should attempt to resolve "cab and a fare" disputes to the satisfaction of both
       parties. However, if no agreement can be reached and arguing persists, the
       responding member shall request both parties to accompany the officer to the
       district/precinct station. The officer in charge of the station desk shall make further
       attempts at reconciling the matter. If this fails, the officer in charge of the station desk
       may direct the investigating officer to issue a Miscellaneous Ordinance Violation for
       Disorderly Conduct (fail to pay/accept disputed public vehicle fare).
       201.8 - 5 Department of Transportation Bus Drivers
       Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) bus drivers encountering problems with
       persons aboard their buses will activate emergency four-way flashers. Officers
       observing these flashers shall board the bus and take appropriate action.

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