Driver Permit

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County tit. 6, div. I, ch. 6.73, art. II

in effect

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 6.73.110 Permit required—Violations and term.

6.73.110 - Permit required—Violations and term. A. No person shall drive or otherwise operate a LSV engaged in the transportation of passengers unless he or she has a driver's permit. To qualify for a permit, an applicant must comply with all of the requirements and stipulations of this chapter, state and federal law, and any rules and regulations adopted by the MTLC. B. A person commits an offense if he or she operates a LSV in the metropolitan area without a driver's permit issued by the MTLC. C. A business commits an offense if it employs or otherwise allows a person to operate a LSV owned, controlled, or operated by the permittee unless the person has a driver's permit issued by the MTLC. D. Each permit shall be valid for one year and shall be subject to renewal pursuant to the provisions set forth in this article. (Ord. BL2014-993 § 1, 2015)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 6.73.120 Application—Information and fees required.

6.73.120 - Application—Information and fees required. A. An application for a passenger vehicle for hire driver's permit shall be filed with the MTLC and shall comply with regulations set forth by the MTLC or the MTLC director. B. Such application shall be certified under oath and shall at a minimum contain the following information: 1. The name, residential address, telephone number and date of birth of the applicant. No applicant under twenty-one years of age will be accepted. 2. The type(s) of vehicle(s) which the applicant will drive under the certificate. 3. Any other request for information the MTLC Director considers necessary or relevant. C. The applicant shall provide copies of the following documents in order to submit his application: 1. A valid Tennessee driver license that complies with all applicable requirements of state law as further specified in rules to be adopted by the MTLC. 2. A Social Security card or birth certificate. 3. If a resident alien, a current work permit or other valid United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement document. 4. On forms provided by the MTLC Director, the applicant will provide a statement under penalty of perjury of their physical and mental fitness to act as for-hire driver. Such other information as may be reasonably required by regulation promulgated by the MTLC pursuant to this chapter. 5. Certification that the driver has completed the certificate holder's mandatory driver training program approved by the MTLC director. D. Each application shall be accompanied by an official driver record issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety, no more than thirty days previous to the date of application. All applicants are required to meet the following standards: 1. No convictions in the last five years for any of the following offenses involving bodily injury or death and no convictions in the last three years for any of the following offenses not involving injury or death: a. Hit and run; b. Driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or drug; c. Reckless driving. 2. For an initial permit, no more than four moving violations within the last three years and no more than two moving violations in the last year. 3. For a renewal permit, no more than four moving violations within the last three years and no more than two moving violations in the last year. (Ord. BL2014-993 § 1, 2015)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 6.73.130 Criminal background investigation.

6.73.130 - Criminal background investigation. A. Upon receiving an application for a driver's permit from an applicant, the applicant must undergo an identification and background check as required by state law as more specifically provided by rules or regulations adopted by the MTLC. Upon receipt of the background check report, the MTLC Director shall determine whether the applicant's background check disqualifies him or her from eligibility for a driver's permit. B. Additionally, certificate holder shall check the National Sex Offender Database to verify whether the applicant is listed on the database, and shall certify under oath to the MTLC that it has conducted this check and verified that the applicant does not appear on the database. Any applicant listed on the database shall be disqualified for eligibility for a driver's permit. C. Any applicant shall, in addition to any disqualifications listed elsewhere in this chapter, be disqualified if the applicant: 1. Has been convicted, pleaded guilty, nolo contendere, placed on judicial diversion pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. Sec. 40-35-313, or been released from incarceration, probation or parole within a period of seven years prior to the date of application for violation of any of the following criminal offenses under the laws of Tennessee, any other state, or the United States of America: • Homicide, • Rape, • Aggravated assault, • Kidnapping, • Robbery, • Burglary, • Domestic assault or domestic violence, • Child sexual abuse, • Any sex-related offense, • Leaving the scene of an accident, • Criminal solicitation, or criminal attempt to commit any of above, • Perjury or false swearing in making any statement under oath in connection with the application for a driver's permit, or • The felony possession, sale or distribution of narcotic drugs or controlled substances. 2. If, at the time of application, the applicant is charged with any offenses in 1. above, consideration of the application shall be deferred until entry of a plea, conviction, acquittal, dismissal, or other final disposition of the charges. 3. Has been convicted for a period of two years prior to the date of application of the violation of two or more sections of this Code or other ordinances governing the operation of vehicles for hire. 4. Has failed to disclose any criminal conviction, except traffic citations, on the application for a permit. (Ord. BL2014-993 § 1, 2015)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 6.73.140 Application approval or disapproval.

6.73.140 - Application approval or disapproval. Upon disapproval of a driver application by the MTLC director, applicants may file an appeal with the MTLC within thirty days of denial and request an appearance before the MTLC. The appeal shall be heard by the MTLC at the next available commission meeting with the appellant appearing in-person for consideration of the application. (Ord. BL2014-993 § 1, 2015)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 6.73.150 Issuance—Contents.

6.73.150 - Issuance—Contents. Upon approval of an application for a passenger vehicle for hire driver's permit, the certificate holder shall certify under oath to the MTLC director that the application is complete and accurate prior to issuing a permit to the applicant, in a form approved by the MTLC director. (Ord. BL2014-993 § 1, 2015)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 6.73.160 New application after denial.

6.73.160 - New application after denial. Upon denial of an application for a driver's permit, no new application shall be considered for a period of three months. (Ord. BL2014-993 § 1, 2015)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 6.73.170 Expiration—Issuance and replacement fee.

6.73.170 - Expiration—Issuance and replacement fee. A. Each passenger vehicle for hire driver's permit shall be issued for a period of one year. B. A permit may be issued to qualified applicants for driver permits upon the payment of an amount to be established by the MTLC to cover the costs of investigation and of a random sampling of the permit applications by the MTLC director. A fee in an amount to be established by the MTLC shall be charged for all replacement driver permits. Every driver shall at all times conspicuously display a permit on the clothing of the driver's upper body. A driver shall allow a customer, MTLC staff or a police officer to examine the permit upon request. (Ord. BL2014-993 § 1, 2015)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 6.73.175 Hospitality training program—Participation required.

6.73.175 - Hospitality training program—Participation required. A. Beginning July 1, 2019, every newly licensed LSV driver shall have attended an approved hospitality program prior to receiving a driver's permit. B. Beginning July 1, 2019, every previously licensed LSV driver shall attend an approved hospitality training course or refresher course prior to applying for or renewal of a driver's permit each year. This course shall include updated information on any new MTLC regulations and safety requirements. (Ord. BL2019-1490 § 1, 2019)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 6.73.180 Suspension, revocation, and appeal.

6.73.180 - Suspension, revocation, and appeal. A. The MTLC director is authorized to suspend, revoke, otherwise restrict, or not renew any driver's permit issued under this article for failing or refusing to comply with the provisions of this chapter or the MTLC rules and regulations. Upon suspension, revocation, or other restriction of any driver's permit, appeals can be made to the MTLC by filing a written request within thirty days of the action being appealed. B. If the driver commits an act in violation of the Criminal Code and the MTLC director determines that driver poses a threat to public safety, the MTLC director may enact an emergency suspension of the driver's permit to remain in effect until the driver has the opportunity to be heard by the MTLC at the next available commission meeting, but in no circumstance later than sixty days from the date of the emergency suspension. C. A driver whose permit is revoked by the MTLC or MTLC director may not reapply for ninety days from the date of revocation and will be treated as a new applicant. (Ord. BL2014-993 § 1, 2015)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 6.73.190 Revocation of a valid driver's license.

6.73.190 - Revocation of a valid driver's license. A LSV driver permit issued under this chapter shall be coterminous with the permittee's valid driver's license issued by one of the fifty states in the United States of America. Any time that a permittee's driver's license is suspended, revoked, or cancelled, the permittee shall immediately self-report said action to the MTLC and their LSV driver's permit shall likewise be immediately suspended, revoked, or cancelled. The LSV driver's permit shall immediately be surrendered to the MTLC until such time as their driver's license is reinstated. (Ord. BL2014-993 § 1, 2015)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 6.73.200 Conduct of drivers.

6.73.200 - Conduct of drivers. A driver shall at all times: 1. Act in a reasonable, prudent, safe, and courteous manner; 2. Not permit a person not possessing a LSV driver's permit to operate the LSV or exercise control over the operation of a LSV; 3. Not permit more passengers to be carried in a LSV than the number of approved seatbelts installed in the LSV, and at no time shall the driver allow any passenger to ride in any area of the LSV not specifically designed or designated as a seat; 4. Not permit any passenger twelve years of age or younger to ride in a LSV unaccompanied by an adult; 5. Travel only roads with speed limits that do not exceed thirty-five miles per hour. This subsection 6.73.210.5. does not prohibit a low speed vehicle from crossing a road or street at an intersection where the road or street has a posted speed limit of more than thirty-five miles per hour. 6. Not operate a LSV in excess of twenty-five miles per hour; 7. Not operate a LSV while under the influence of intoxicating beverages or drugs; 8. Observe and obey all state and local traffic laws and regulations; 9. Not permit a passenger to stand or ride on any part of the LSV other than the designated seating area while the LSV is in motion and to advise the passengers that they must be seated except when loading or unloading; 10. Wear a seatbelt at all times the LSV is in operation. 11. Comply with any other requirement adopted by the MTLC by rule, and refrain from any other conduct prohibited by the MTLC by rule. (Ord. BL2014-993 § 1, 2015)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 6.73.210 Driver appearance.

6.73.210 - Driver appearance. A. Every LSV driver, while on duty, shall keep a clean and well-groomed appearance, and shall be dressed in compliance with those rules adopted by the MTLC. B. The MTLC shall have the authority to adopt rules specifically governing the type(s) of permitted and prohibited attire. C. The MTLC shall have the authority to require drivers to visibly display a company identification and/or driver's permit issued by the MTLC while operating a LSV. (Ord. BL2014-993 § 1, 2015)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 6.73.220 Alcohol in a LSV.

6.73.220 - Alcohol in a LSV. A. A certificate holder or driver violates this chapter if he or she provides an alcoholic beverage to a passenger for a fee or as part of the passenger transport service. B. A certificate holder or LSV driver violates this chapter if he or she provides, stocks, or otherwise permits any alcoholic beverage in the LSV. (Ord. BL2014-993 § 1, 2015)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 6.73.240 Return of passengers' property.

6.73.240 - Return of passengers' property. A driver of a LSV shall immediately attempt to return to a passenger any property left by the passenger in the LSV. If unable to locate the passenger, the driver shall turn the property into the certificate holder's company office at the end of the driver's shift or at the first available opportunity. In such cases, the certificate holder shall make a good faith effort to locate the passenger, and, if not successful, hold the property in storage at its location for at least thirty days, unless otherwise directed by the director. (Ord. BL2014-993 § 1, 2015)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 6.73.250 Passenger as controller.

6.73.250 - Passenger as controller. Drivers of LSVs shall not cause a passenger to wait without the passenger's consent or to pick up additional passengers without the consent of current passenger(s). (Ord. BL2014-993 § 1, 2015)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 6.73.260 Compliance with provisions.

6.73.260 - Compliance with provisions. Every driver granted a permit under this article shall comply with all metropolitan government, state, and federal laws and regulations. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary actions including suspension and up to revocation of the LSV driver's permit. (Ord. BL2014-993 § 1, 2015)

Source: Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Metropolitan Code and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tn/metro_government_of_nashville_and_davidson_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CD_TIT6BULIRE_DIVIGERE_CH6.73LOSPVE_ARTIIDRPEFetched: 10/28/2026