EQUIPMENT AND OPERATION

Memphis Code of Ordinances tit. 6, ch. 6-44, art. 7, div. 4

in effect

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-44-93 Entertainment vehicle permit required.

Sec. 6-44-93. - Entertainment vehicle permit required. A. Each entertainment transportation vehicle must have a vehicle permit issued by the MTC in the vehicle. The permit will identify each vehicle by a unique number in accordance with rules and procedures established by the MTC and will be associated with the certificate holder. Entertainment transportation vehicle permits are not transferable to other entertainment transportation vehicles or other certificate holders. B. To qualify for a vehicle permit, an applicant must have obtained a certificate of public convenience and necessity pursuant to section 6-44-72 of this article and comply with all of the requirements and stipulations of this chapter and any rules and regulations adopted by the MTC. C. A $125.00 fee will be charged for the issuance of each approved entertainment transportation vehicle permit associated with the certificate. D. It shall be unlawful for any person to transport or offer to transport passengers in any entertainment transportation vehicle which does not have affixed to the vehicle a valid permit issued through the MTC. (Ord. No. 5861, 4-9-2024)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-44-94 Application for additional vehicle permits.

Sec. 6-44-94. - Application for additional vehicle permits. An application for additional entertainment transportation vehicle permits under the certificate of public convenience and necessity issued pursuant to this article must be filed with the MTC director. The requirements stipulated in this article shall apply and must be satisfied in order for the application to be considered. If approved, the established permit fee will be applied. (Ord. No. 5861, 4-9-2024)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-44-95 Ownership and control of vehicles.

Sec. 6-44-95. - Ownership and control of vehicles. All entertainment transportation vehicles permitted under this article must be under the lawful control of a certificate holder demonstrated either by proof of ownership or a copy of a valid lease agreement and must be under the direct control of a permitted driver while in operation or use. (Ord. No. 5861, 4-9-2024)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-44-96 Vehicle to display identification.

Sec. 6-44-96. - Vehicle to display identification. All entertainment transportation vehicles operated under the authority of this article shall be equipped with identification as prescribed by the MTC in rules and regulations. (Ord. No. 5861, 4-9-2024)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-44-97 Vehicle requirements; safety standards.

Sec. 6-44-97. - Vehicle requirements; safety standards. A. To the fullest extent permitted by Tennessee and federal law, prior to the issuance of a permit, or the use and operation of any vehicle under the provisions of this article, the vehicle shall be thoroughly examined and inspected by the certificate holder or a designated third party in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the MTC. When a certificate holder finds that a vehicle has met all the terms established by the MTC, the holder shall certify this to the MTC director, who shall authorize an entertainment transportation vehicle permit to be issued. B. To the fullest extent permitted by Tennessee and federal law, every vehicle operating under this Article is subject to random and periodic inspections to ensure the continued maintenance of safe operating conditions. A certificate holder shall make an entertainment transportation vehicle available for inspection in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the MTC. If, upon inspection, it is determined that an entertainment transportation vehicle for hire is not in compliance with this article or MTC rules, the MTC staff shall order the vehicle to be removed from service or brought into compliance within two weeks and require it to be reinspected prior to resuming operation. C. Every vehicle operating under this article shall be kept in a clean and satisfactory condition, according to rules and regulations promulgated by the MTC. D. Every vehicle operating under this article must be equipped with seats for each passenger. E. To the fullest extent permitted by Tennessee and federal law, every vehicle operating under this article shall undergo an annual detailed mechanical inspection conducted by an approved mechanic pursuant to the requirements of rules and regulations adopted by the MTC. The records of these inspections must be maintained and made available to MTC staff as provided by the rules and regulations adopted by the MTC. The certificate holder shall certify its compliance with this subsection to the MTC director. F. The MTC may, by rule, establish additional inspection requirements for entertainment transportation vehicles and other equipment used in the entertainment transportation vehicle service. (Ord. No. 5861, 4-9-2024)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-44-98 Operating area.

Sec. 6-44-98. - Operating area. Entertainment transportation vehicles shall operate upon the streets in the city limits on routes or zones delineated by the city transportation commission, within the selected portion of the Central Business Improvement District (CBID - Core District, Edge/Medical District, and South District - see Exhibit A map blow). In addition, entertainment transportation vehicles may operate in the area commonly known as Overton Square, and along Union Avenue between the CBID and Overton Square. Any deviation or amendments to routes or zones must be reviewed by the MTC or its staff and receive approval from the city council by Resolution. Any approved deviation must be reported to the MTC or its staff prior to the beginning of operations. Exhibit A. Districts [image omitted; see the official code] (Ord. No. 5861, 4-9-2024)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-44-99 Operating hours.

Sec. 6-44-99. - Operating hours. Entertainment transportation vehicles shall operate between the hours of 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. local time. Any deviation from these hours must be reviewed by the MTC or its staff and receive approval from the city council by Resolution. Any approved deviation must be reported to the MTC or the MTC director staff prior to the beginning of operations. (Ord. No. 5861, 4-9-2024)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-44-100 Records and reports.

Sec. 6-44-100. - Records and reports. A. Each holder shall maintain at a single location business records of its entertainment transportation vehicle business. The records must be maintained in a manner approved by the MTC director and contain the following information: 1. An identification of the entertainment transportation vehicle(s) operating each day; 2. An identification of the drivers operating the entertainment transportation vehicles each day and a statement of the hours each driver operated the vehicle each day; and 3. Any other information the MTC director determines necessary for monitoring the activities, operations, service, and safety record of the licensee. B. A certificate holder shall make its records available for inspection by the MTC director, inspector, law enforcement officer or designated officials. (Ord. No. 5861, 4-9-2024)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-44-101 Accidents.

Sec. 6-44-101. - Accidents. A. All accidents arising from or in connection with the operation of an entertainment transportation vehicle shall be reported within 72 hours from the time of occurrence to the MTC director if the accident results in: 1. Death or bodily injury to any person; or 2. Damage to any vehicle, or to any property in an amount exceeding the sum of $400.00. B. An entertainment transportation vehicle damaged in an accident, but still operable without placing the driver or passengers at risk, must be repaired within two weeks of the accident, or removed from operation until repaired, and inspected prior to resuming operations. (Ord. No. 5861, 4-9-2024)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-44-102 Passengers-receiving and discharging by drivers.

Sec. 6-44-102. - Passengers-receiving and discharging by drivers. A. Drivers shall only receive and discharge passengers at designated staging areas/locations approved by the MTC. B. Drivers shall not allow additional passengers to board the entertainment transportation vehicle after the vehicle has left its fixed starting point. (Ord. No. 5861, 4-9-2024)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-44-103 Disposition of disorderly passengers.

Sec. 6-44-103. - Disposition of disorderly passengers. Drivers shall act in a reasonable and professional manner in dealing with disorderly passangers. (Ord. No. 5861, 4-9-2024)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-44-104 Soliciting business.

Sec. 6-44-104. - Soliciting business. No certificate holder or driver of an entertainment transportation vehicle shall offer any compensation of whatever form to any person or entity in exchange for the direction or recommendation of passengers to that entertainment transportation vehicle. This section shall not be construed to prohibit certificate holders from advertising their entertainment transportation business by other reasonable means. (Ord. No. 5861, 4-9-2024)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-44-105 Compliance with other laws.

Sec. 6-44-105. - Compliance with other laws. It shall be a violation of this Article for a certificate holder or driver to violate any other applicable federal, state or local law or regulation in offering or providing entertainment transportation vehicle services. (Ord. No. 5861, 4-9-2024)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-44-106 Enforcement of this article.

Sec. 6-44-106. - Enforcement of this article. A. The MTC shall promulgate rules and regulations, consistent with applicable state and federal law, relative to the operation and use of entertainment transportation vehicles. These rules and regulations shall be promulgated to provide safe transportation and specify such safety equipment and regulatory devices as the MTC shall deem necessary. B. Enforcement of any power or authority granted the MTC under this article or any rules or regulations issued by the MTC pursuant to such authority shall be delegated by the commission to any employee of the commission staff, who may issue a citation for violations of this article, pursuant to T.C.A. § 7-63-101. C. The inspectors of the Memphis Transportation Commission are authorized and instructed to observe the conduct of holders of certificates and permits operating under this article. Upon discovering a violation of any of the provisions of this article, the inspector may either report the violation to the MTC, which will order or take appropriate action, or issue a citation as authorized under this section. D. The inspectors of the Memphis Transportation Commission shall conduct random and periodic inspections of the operations of holders of certificates and permits operating under this article, to ensure compliance with the provisions of this article and the rules and regulations of the MTC. E. In addition to the enforcement authority provided to MTC inspectors in this section, officers of the Memphis Police Department shall have the authority to enforce this article in performance of their duty to protect and serve and enforce the laws of the City of Memphis and the State of Tennessee; such enforcement includes, but is not limited to the authority of the police officer to issue a summons or misdemeanor citation or effect a physical arrest for violations. A police officer, upon observing a violation of this article or of any regulation or rule established by the MTC or the MTC director pursuant to this article, may take necessary enforcement action to ensure effective regulation of entertainment transportation vehicles. (Ord. No. 5861, 4-9-2024)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-44-107 Limitation of service due to weather conditions.

Sec. 6-44-107. - Limitation of service due to weather conditions. Entertainment transportation vehicles shall not receive passengers when weather conditions are sufficiently adverse or inclement so as to endanger passengers or the public. The MTC, by rule, may adopt specific guidelines for the operation of entertainment transportation vehicles in inclement weather conditions. (Ord. No. 5861, 4-9-2024)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 39-288 Disposition of disorderly passengers.

Sec. 39-288. - Disposition of disorderly passengers. Drivers shall act in a reasonable and professional manner in dealing with disorderly passengers. (Ord. No. 5861, 4-9-2024)

Source: City of Memphis, Code of Ordinances and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tn/memphis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT6BULIRE_CH6-44LISHOTVEHI_ART7ENTRVE_DIV4EQOPFetched: 10/28/2026