Vehicle Authorization; Conditions and Inspection of Vehicles

Huntsville Code of Ordinances ch. 8, art. IV, div. 2, subpt. IV

in effect

Huntsville Code of Ordinances § 8-240 Vehicle authorization.

Sec. 8-240. - Vehicle authorization. (a) In order for a vehicle to be authorized to be operated on the public streets each of the following conditions must be met: (1) The certificate holder shall file with the city a description of the vehicle, which includes the make, model, passenger seating capacity, year of manufacture, state license number, the V.I.N. number thereof, and the name and address of the owner. (2) The vehicle must be of the type authorized under the certificate of public convenience and necessity and not exceed the number of vehicles that may be allowed under the certificate. (3) The vehicle must meet the requirements of this division for that type of eligible livery vehicle. (4) The vehicle must meet applicable standards, pass all required inspections, and be duly insured in accordance with this division. (5) The vehicle shall not be authorized to operate under another certificate of public convenience and necessity. (6) The applicable business license tax shall be paid. (b) Upon compliance with the foregoing conditions, the city will issue vehicle authorization upon the city assigning a vehicle permit number for that vehicle that vehicle shall be authorized to operate in conformance with this division. Taxis and airport shuttles shall display the permit number on the exterior of the vehicle as required in section 8-241(c)(2). All other vehicles for hire shall maintain a copy of their permit number on their person or at a readily accessible place inside the vehicle. (c) No person, which includes a certificate holder or driver, shall operate or allow or cause to be operated a vehicle for hire unless and until that vehicle has a vehicle authorization. There is no vested right in a vehicle authorization and such authorization may be acted against in accordance with this division. (Ord. No. 16-103, § 1, 2-11-2016)

Huntsville Code of Ordinances § 8-241 Vehicle standards.

Sec. 8-241. - Vehicle standards. (a) In general. Every certified vehicle for hire operated upon the public streets of the city shall be kept clean, sanitary, fit and of good appearance, and in a safe condition for the transportation of passengers. (b) Taxis. In addition to all other applicable requirements of this division, all taxicabs shall conform to the following standards: (1) The color scheme for taxicabs shall be the same as that proposed in the application for a certificate and all taxicabs within a company must be the same. A diagram of the vehicle with colors, color number, name, and any logo must be attached. Any changes must be approved by the director of parking and public transit. (2) Each taxicab operated under this division shall have a securely affixed roof light with the words "taxicab," "taxi," or "cab," or the company name printed thereon; and, in addition, the telephone number or company name may be printed thereon in such manner as to be visible at all times. The roof light shall also be equipped with a top light actuated when the meter is in the hired mode and such light must be visible at all times and in all directions 360 degrees. Taxicabs may be equipped with an advertising sign known in the trade as a "taxi topper" that is a triangular shaped sign with a static, non-movable, non-digital display, and that is no larger than 42 inches by 15 inches with advertising allowed only on the left and right side of the sign. There is no vested right to maintain a taxi topper on a taxi. (3) Each taxicab shall be equipped with a taximeter conforming to the provision of section 8-271. (c) Airport shuttles, special shuttles, and taxis. In addition to all other applicable requirements of this division, all airport shuttles, special shuttles, and taxicabs shall conform to the following: (1) The trade name of the company must be placed on the outside of each front door (sliding door in the case of vans or rear corner panel) of each airport shuttle, special shuttle, or taxicab in letters not less than three inches in height, in a permanent manner, and in contrasting color to background. (2) The permit number assigned to each taxicab, special shuttle, or airport shuttle, by the city shall be placed on both sides of the body and on the front end and rear end of each taxicab, special shuttles, or airport shuttle in numerals three inches in height. Said number must be visible from all sides of the vehicle. (d) Age of eligible livery vehicles or certified vehicles for hire. Except in the case of classic or vintage limousines, at the time of the initial and each annual inspection thereafter an eligible livery vehicle or certified vehicle for hire shall be no older than ten model years of age from the current model year (as measured from June 30 of the calendar year following the model year), unless the certified company requests in writing that the director of parking and public transit grant a waiver to this requirement. The waiver may be issued only if the vehicle meets or exceeds applicable standards and requirements of this division. An age waiver may be renewed annually upon application, inspection, and approval of the director of parking and public transit. (Ord. No. 16-103, § 1, 2-11-2016)

Huntsville Code of Ordinances § 8-242 Standards for carriages.

Sec. 8-242. - Standards for carriages. In addition to all other applicable standards and requirements of this division, all horse drawn carriages shall conform to the following standards: (1) Carriage services shall not operate on any of the public streets of the city except on those public streets as approved by the City of Huntsville's Traffic Engineering or Police Department. (2) Carriages shall not exceed 12 feet in length or six feet in width and must be authentically styled passenger carriages. (3) All animals used to pull such carriages on the public streets must be equipped with a diapering apparatus that prevents the droppings of such animal from being deposited on the city streets and must be properly shod for street surfaces. (4) All carriages must have proper lighting for nighttime operation including headlights, taillights, turn signals, and reflectors, continuously maintained in operating condition, and must display a slow moving vehicle emblem. (5) All carriages and horses must be transported by truck or trailer to permitted locations. (6) Only horses and mules in good health with adequate muscle tone and proper body conditions and have been certified as fit to work by a licensed equine veterinarian will be used to pull carriages. (7) No equine will be used to pull a carriage if it has injuries or wounds, is lame, or unsound in one or more limbs or which has any other ailment without a specific written approval by a licensed equine veterinarian. (8) The hooves of working horses or mules will be properly shod with appropriate shoes. Shoes which are designed to prevent slipping and absorb shocks will be utilized when working on paved surface. (9) Each carriage animal will be properly sized relative to weight, size, and load capacity of carriage it will pull and the terrain over which it will operate. (10) Working carriage animals shall be examined by a licensed equine veterinarian at least once per year and shall receive all necessary immunizations and be dewormed at appropriate intervals to control internal parasites. Carriage animals must be examined by a licensed equine veterinarian upon request of the City of Huntsville Animal Control Director, or their designee, to insure compliance with these requirements. (11) Horses must be removed from the streets during extremely hot or cold weather, as determined by the animal control director, or their designee. (12) Carriage horse and mules shall not be worked more than three consecutive hours without a rest period with a maximum of nine hours worked per day. A ten-minute rest period shall be provided every hour during the work period. (13) Carriage horse and mules shall not be worked more than six consecutive days without being provided a rest period of at least one day before the resumption of work. (14) Fresh water shall be made available and each animal given the opportunity to drink during each rest period and during the hourly ten-minute break. (15) Owners/drivers shall be knowledgeable in equine husbandry, training, and emergency first-aid. They must be knowledgeable in the proper use and maintenance of harnesses, tacks, and carriages or have in their employ a manager with such expertise. (16) Carriage operators who have been convicted of animal cruelty shall have the carriage license revoked. (17) This carriage license shall not be transferable. (Ord. No. 16-103, § 1, 2-11-2016)

Huntsville Code of Ordinances § 8-243 Standards for wheelchair accessible vehicles.

Sec. 8-243. - Standards for wheelchair accessible vehicles. Subject to any applicable federal and state requirements for vehicles that are wheelchair accessible, in addition to all the other applicable requirements of this division, a vehicle that is wheelchair accessible must comply with the following special requirements: (1) Vehicles that are wheelchair accessible must be designated by the manufacturer as a van or be built exclusively for wheelchair access and must have the following equipment: a. Electrically or hydraulically operated lift mechanisms or ramps with a nonskid surface to accommodate the loading and unloading of a passenger confined to a wheelchair; b. A positive means of securing a wheelchair to the inside of the vehicle to prevent any lateral, forward, backward or vertical motion of the wheelchair within the vehicle; c. A rear-view mirror which enables the chauffeur to view the passengers; d. Outside rear-view mirrors on both sides of the vehicle; and e. Emergency exit door or doors at the rear of the vehicle. (2) A vehicle that is wheelchair accessible may accept as passengers wheelchair-confined persons when such persons remain in a sitting position within the chair during transport or transfer to a seat after loading. (Ord. No. 16-103, § 1, 2-11-2016)

Huntsville Code of Ordinances § 8-244 Standards for pedicabs.

Sec. 8-244. - Standards for pedicabs. (a) Definitions, etc. (1) Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings: Cycle rickshaw means a pedicab with three wheels operated by one person for the purpose of, or capable of, transporting up to two passengers in seats or on a platform made a part of or otherwise attached to the cycle rickshaw. The term does not include a bicycle built for two where the operators are seated one behind the other, nor shall it include the operation of a bicycle with trainer or beginner wheels affixed thereto, nor does it include a wheelchair or other vehicle with the purpose of operation by or for the transportation of a disabled person. Destination point means a pre-determined location that is a part of the scheduled itinerary of a pedicab established by the certificate holder. Driver shall have the meaning ascribed to the term in section 8-151. The term does not include an individual who merely pedals the pedicab, but who does not otherwise control the operation of the pedicab, including its steering or braking. Entertainment district means an arts and entertainment district or entertainment district established in chapter 3, article II of this Code. Passenger shall have the meaning ascribed to the term in section 8-151, and includes an individual who pedals the pedicab, but who does not otherwise control the operation of the pedicab. Pedal carriage means a pedicab with four or more wheels operated by one or more persons for the purpose of, or capable of, transporting up to sixteen passengers in seats or on a platform made a part of or otherwise attached to the pedal carriage. The term does not include a bicycle with trainer or beginner wheels affixed thereto, nor shall it include a wheelchair or other vehicle with the purpose of operation by or for the transportation of a disabled person, nor does it include a tricycle built for a child or an adult with a seat for only one operator and no passenger. Pedicab shall have the meaning ascribed to the term in section 8-151, and shall include either a pedal carriage or a cycle rickshaw, or both; provided, however, a pedal carriage may have an electric motor assist that supplements, but that does not replace, the use of human power to pedal the carriage. (2) Requirements of section. In addition to all other applicable requirements of this division, a pedicab and its operation shall comply with the requirements of this section, which includes conditions, if any, imposed hereunder. It shall be unlawful for a driver to operate, or for a certificate holder to allow or cause to be operated, a pedicab in violation of the requirements of this section. (3) Types of pedicabs allowed to operate as a vehicle for hire. Only cycle rickshaws and pedal carriages shall be allowed to operate as pedicabs. (4) In accordance with section 8-188 of this article, the city council may eliminate either a cycle rickshaw or pedal carriage, or both, from the definition of an eligible livery vehicle category. (b) Pedicab operating area; additional pedicab operating areas; prohibited routes; conditions. (1) Boundaries defined. Subject to subsections (3) and (4) below, the pedicab operating area is bounded by the northern margin of Governors Drive on the south, the eastern margin of Memorial Parkway on the west, the southern margin of Pratt Avenue and University Drive on the north, and the western margin of California Street and Andrew Jackson Way on the east. While the afore-stated roadways are used to define the boundaries of the operating area, such roadways are not included within the operating area. (2) Additional operating areas. Subject to subsections (3) and (4) below, upon written request of a certificate holder for a particular date, time, and duration the director of parking and public transit may, at his discretion, approve additional pedicab operating areas for that certificate holder. (3) Prohibited routes. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this section, at any time and from time to time, the director of parking and public transit or the chief of police may declare that a pedicab is prohibited from operating on all or any portion of a public right-of-way within the pedicab operating area or additional operating area. Notice of the prohibition shall be provided to the certificate holder as soon as practicable, except in the case of emergencies when no prior notice is required. (4) Conditions. At any time and from time to time, the director of parking and public transit may attach such conditions to the operation of a pedicab as he deems appropriate in order to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare, which includes requiring the use of an escort vehicle or additional equipment on specific routes. Such conditions shall be provided by the director in writing to the certificate holder. (c) Receiving and discharging passengers. (1) The director of parking and public transit may, at any time and from time to time, establish passenger pick-up and discharge points for pedicabs. In the event such pick-up and discharge points are designated by the director, those points shall be instead of the destination points established by the certificate holder. It shall be unlawful for the driver to pick-up or discharge passengers at other than said director-designated points, if such points are established. (2) A driver shall not receive or discharge passengers upon the roadway, but shall pull to the extreme righthand side of the road or to the sidewalk and there receive or discharge passengers, except upon one-way streets where passengers may be discharged at either side of the roadway in the absence of a sidewalk. As an exception, when access to curb space is blocked by parked vehicles, drives may pull to the extreme righthand lane, and stop to expeditiously receive or discharge passengers from the right side of the vehicle. Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the parking of a vehicle at any place where parking is otherwise restricted or prohibited. (3) Drivers shall not stop to load or unload passengers or their belongings in the intersections of any street, crosswalks or in any manner or other location that would be considered unsafe. No pedicab shall load or unload in any such manner that will in any way impede or interfere with the orderly flow of traffic on the streets. (4) While the pedicab is in route between destination points or director-designated points, pedicab drivers shall not allow passengers to discharge from or for additional passengers to board the pedicab. (5) In no event shall a pedicab driver accept street hails. (d) Driver requirements. In addition to other requirements of this division, pedicab drivers shall: (1) Have in their possession proof of insurance and a valid state driver's license, which the driver shall present upon the request of the chief of police or director of parking and public transit. (2) Not allow any other individual to operate or control the pedicab. (3) Not transport more than the manufactured recommended maximum number of passengers or exceeding the manufacturer's recommended weight limit. (4) Not permit more passengers to be carried in a pedicab than for which there is proper seating, and at no time shall a driver allow any passenger to ride in any area of the pedicab not specifically designed or designated as a seat. (5) Not permit any passenger 12 years of age or younger to ride in a pedicab unaccompanied by an adult. (6) Operate the pedicab only within the pedicab operating area or additional pedicab operating area, as the case may be. (7) Not operate the pedicab in excess of 15 miles per hour. (8) Not permit a passenger to stand up in the pedicab while it is in motion. (9) Not drive the pedicab on the sidewalks or within a designated bike lane. (10) Subject to subsection (h) operate the pedicab in conformance with applicable state laws, including, but not limited to, the rules of the road. (e) Hours of operation. It shall be unlawful for a driver to operate a pedicab on the public streets on weekdays between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and between the hours 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; provided, however, the director of parking and public transit may waive the prohibition for hours of operation when a special event is scheduled to occur in the operating area and the operation of the pedicab would not be likely to unreasonably impede vehicular traffic in the area or otherwise pose an unreasonable safety risk. The director may attach conditions to the waiver, including the area within which the pedicab may operate. (f) Pedicab specifications and equipment. In addition to other requirements of this division, no person shall operate a pedicab unless the vehicle meets the following minimum specifications: (1) Unibody frame construction. (2) Four wheels in the case of a pedal carriage and three wheels in the case of a cycle rickshaw. (3) Rubber on all wheels and the wheels shall be of a size appropriate for the pedicab with no mismatched wheels per the design of the vehicle. (4) In the case of a pedal carriage, the width at its widest point shall not exceed seven feet, the length shall not exceed 20 feet, and the height shall not exceed 12 feet. (5) A fully operational horn or bell. (6) Headlights that have a projecting beam of at least 200 feet in the case of a cycle rickshaw and 300 feet in the case of a pedal carriage, which shall be clearly visible during darkness and must be illuminated when state law requires a motor vehicle's lights to be illuminated. (7) Flashing taillights that are visible from at least 500 feet. (8) Mirror(s) affixed to the pedicab to reflect to the driver a view of at least 200 feet from the rear of the pedicab. (9) Brake lights and turn signals for left and right turn, which turn signals are affixed to the front and rear of the vehicle. (10) In the case of a pedal carriage, working running lights along the outermost parts of the front, sides, and rear of the vehicle so as to make the vehicle clearly visible to motorists at night. (11) In the case of a cycle rickshaw, reflectors on the spokes of all wheels, front pedicab frame, and a red reflector mounted on each side of the rear of the pedicab, at least one inch from the outer edge and centered. (12) Hydraulic, mechanical disk, or drum brakes that are unaffected by wet conditions and that control the front and rear of the pedicab. (13) A mounted a triangular "slow-moving vehicle" reflector on the rear of the vehicle. The reflector shall have an orange florescent center and red reflective borders. The reflector shall be at least 16 inches wide at the bottom and at least 14 inches in height. (14) Body paint with bright, reflective tape. (15) Trailers shall not be affixed to a pedicab. (16) Except for an electric motor assist, pedicabs shall not be motorized. If an electric motor assistance is installed, it must meet all manufacturer standards and be inspected by a certified mechanic on an annual basis. (17) Pedicabs without an electric motor assist shall have clearly visible on the vehicle its serial number. Pedicabs with an electric motor assist shall have clearly visible on the vehicle its manufacturer's vehicle identification number. (g) Identification. Before the certificate holder shall place any pedicab into service, the holder shall identify such vehicle with the initials of the certificate holder's name followed by a dash and a permit number assigned by the director of parking and public transit, which number shall be of a size and color designated by the director and shall not be used on any other vehicle. (h) Conduct. (1) No music or amplified sound shall be played, nor yelling or conversation be conducted, nor generator be used on or in connection with a pedicab in such a manner that it would violate the city's noise ordinance. (2) Glassware of any type, including bottle, cups or plates, is prohibited in a pedicab while it is in operation upon the public streets. (i) Alcohol in a pedicab. (1) A certificate holder or driver commits an offense if he or she provides an alcoholic beverage to a passenger for a fee or otherwise. (2) A certificate holder or pedicab driver commits an offense if he or she provides or stocks any alcoholic beverage in the pedicab. (3) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this division, open containers of alcoholic beverages may be possessed and alcoholic beverages may be consumed by passengers in a pedicab while it is being operated on the public streets or is otherwise in a public place only if: (i) the passengers have obtained alcoholic beverages from an entertainment district permittee during the hours of operation of the district in accordance with and subject to the regulations governing the entertainment district, and (ii) the pick-up and discharge of passengers is only done within an entertainment district. Otherwise, the regulations against possessing an open container and drinking in a public place under section 3-22(b) of this Code shall apply. (4) It shall be unlawful for the driver of the pedicab to allow his or her passenger to consume, or to possess an open container of, alcoholic beverages in the pedicab contrary to the provisions of the foregoing subsection (g)(3). (5) The pedicab driver shall not allow consumption of alcoholic beverages by persons under the age of 21. If alcoholic beverages are present on a pedicab, the pedicab driver shall not transport persons under the age of 21 on the pedicab. (6) Nothing in this subsection (g) shall be construed to allow conduct that is otherwise against the alcoholic beverage control laws of the state, including the Alabama Open Container Law, Code of Ala. 1975, § 32-5A-330. (j) Federal and state law. Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow a pedicab to be operated contrary to applicable federal and state laws, including low speed vehicle laws, the rules of the road, and laws that govern vehicle equipment requirements, and where there is a conflict between this section and applicable federal or state laws, the more restrictive law shall apply. (Ord. No. 16-103, § 1, 2-11-2016; Ord. No. 18-575, § 2, 8-9-2018)

Huntsville Code of Ordinances § 8-245 Vehicle inspections.

Sec. 8-245. - Vehicle inspections. (a) Inspections. (1) Required. No person shall operate or allow or cause to be operated a vehicle for hire until the vehicle has been inspected as prescribed in this section under the direction of the chief of police and director of parking and public transit and found to be in safe operating condition, clean, sanitary, fit and of good appearance, and meeting the applicable standards and requirements of this division. (2) Inspection criteria. To pass inspection a vehicle for hire shall, at a minimum, meet applicable state laws governing vehicle equipment, including requirements for child passenger restraints and safety belts for front seat occupants, and shall pass an inspection of vehicle components, as applicable for the particular type of eligible livery vehicle, outlined by the director of parking and public transit and identified on an approved city vehicle inspection sheet. (b) Authority to inspect, inspectors. (1) Department inspections. The inspecting of eligible livery vehicles or certified vehicles for hire shall be under the control and direction of the chief of police and the director of parking and public transit. The chief of police and the director and parking and public transit are hereby authorized to use such members of or persons assigned to their respective departments as they may designate as deputies and inspectors, to carry out the provisions of this division, including performing vehicle inspections. (2) Private inspections. In lieu of using department designated personnel to conduct inspections, the chief of police and the director of parking and public transit are hereby authorized to accept or require inspections, in whole or part, be performed by a private technician or mechanic that is ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified (series A) or meeting the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) inspector qualifications of 40 C.F.R. § 396.19, or any succeeding federal regulation, and that is not an employee of a vehicle for hire company. In the case of private inspections, the qualified inspector shall be required to certify to the city that the vehicle meets the inspection criteria established in subsection (a) of this section. The director of parking and public transit shall provide to a certificate holder an approved private inspection form to be completed and certified to by the private inspector. (3) Wheelchair equipment inspections. In the case of vehicles that are wheelchair accessible, inspections of wheelchair accessibility equipment and related features shall be performed by dealers having National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) Quality Assurance Program (QAP) accreditation or other similar nationally recognized accreditation programs for dealers. The inspectors shall be required to certify to the city that the wheelchair accessibility equipment and related features comply with the standards set forth in section 8-243. (c) Frequency of inspections; notification of inspections; fee. (1) Random inspections. The chief of police and director of the department of parking and public transit are hereby authorized to maintain constant vigilance over all certified vehicles for hire to see that they are kept in a condition of continued fitness for public use in compliance with this division and to that end are hereby authorized to make such incidental on-the-road or random inspections as they deem advisable. (2) Non-routine scheduled inspections. The chief of police and the director of parking and public transit are hereby authorized to inspect or require or cause to be inspected all certified vehicles for hire from time to time or on complaint of any citizen as often as may be necessary. Such non-routine inspections shall be scheduled in advance in accordance with the scheduling provisions of this subsection (c). (3) Routine scheduled inspections. The chief of police and the director of parking and public transit, shall inspect or require or cause to be inspected all certified vehicles for hire on a routine basis as follows: a. Except for carriages and pedicabs, all vehicles that undergo department inspections shall be inspected at least every six months; b. Carriages, pedicabs, and vehicles that undergo private inspections shall be inspected at least every 12 months; and c. Wheelchair accessibility equipment and features of a vehicle shall be inspected at least every 12 months. (4) Scheduling of routine and non-routine inspections. a. In the case of routine and non-routine department inspections, the chief of police or the director of parking and public transit shall send written notice to a certificate holder of the date, time, and place of a scheduled routine or non-routine inspection. b. In the case of routine private inspections, the inspection must be conducted annually no more than 30 days prior to the date of business license expiration, but in no case any longer than one year from the date of the last inspection. c. In the case of non-routine private inspections, the chief of police or the director of parking and public transit shall send written notice to a certificate holder that the certificate holder must have performed a non- routine inspection by a stated date. (5) Requested inspections. In the case of vehicles which undergo department inspections, a certificate holder may request in writing to the director of the department of parking and public transit inspection of a vehicle certified in accordance with the provisions of this division. Such request shall be at the director's option and shall be conducted within three working days of a proper written request to the director of the department of parking and public transit. Where the director of requires or allows a department inspection to be performed, the vehicle is to be delivered to such place at such time specified or the inspection shall be deemed waived until the next scheduled or requested inspection. (6) Fee; cost of inspection. In the case of department inspections, a fee in the amount of $25.00 for each vehicle is hereby established for each routine, non-routine, or requested scheduled inspection. In the case of private inspections, the certificate holder shall be responsible for paying the costs of private inspections. (Ord. No. 16-103, § 1, 2-11-2016)

Huntsville Code of Ordinances § 8-246 Vehicles failing inspection; out of service.

Sec. 8-246. - Vehicles failing inspection; out of service. (a) If, after a department inspection, including a scheduled, requested, or incidental on the road or random inspection, a certified vehicle for hire is found, in the enforcement official's opinion, not to be in a safe condition for the transportation of passengers, or is being operated without the required insurance coverage, the vehicle shall be placed out of service. (b) If a certified vehicle fails to comply with provisions of this division, which includes applicable inspection criteria, that do not implicate passenger safety, then the vehicle may be placed out of service by the city enforcement official, or may be allowed by the official to continue in operation provided the noted deficiencies are corrected within the time stated in the notice of the deficiencies. If the deficiencies are not corrected within the stated time, then the vehicle shall be placed out of service. The notice of deficiencies shall be provided to the certificate holder either at the time of the inspection by giving it to the person presenting the vehicle for inspection or by the other methods prescribed in subsection 8-151(b)of this division. (c) Any vehicle not returned to service within 60 days from the date the vehicle is taken out of service shall be deemed permanently out of service, and the vehicle authorization for that vehicle shall automatically be forfeited without further action being required by the city. A 60-day extension may be granted by the director of the department of parking and public transit for good cause shown. (d) If a vehicle does not pass a private inspection, it shall be unlawful for the certified holder or the driver to operate or allow or cause the vehicle to be operated until the vehicle is re-inspected and passes inspection. The vehicle authorization for that vehicle shall be deemed automatically rescinded until the vehicle passes inspection. (e) Where a vehicle is taken out of service by the city, the inspector or other city official shall remove the applicable documentation evidencing the vehicle authorization, which may include the inspection sticker and the private inspection certification sheet. (f) Where vehicle authorization has been forfeited under this section, any business license tax paid on a per vehicle basis shall be deemed to be forfeited for that vehicle. (g) It shall be unlawful for any person, which includes a driver or company, to operate, or to allow or cause to be operated, any certified vehicle for hire that has been deemed out of service; that, where applicable, does not have a current, valid inspection sticker affixed to the vehicle; or that, where applicable, does not have a copy of the then-current private inspection certification and driver's card inside the vehicle. (Ord. No. 16-103, § 1, 2-11-2016)

Huntsville Code of Ordinances § 8-247 Inspection sticker; inspection certification.

Sec. 8-247. - Inspection sticker; inspection certification. (a) Vehicle inspection stickers. A certified vehicle for hire that has undergone a vehicle inspection must have affixed a current inspection sticker issued by the department of parking and public transit. (1) Inspection stickers shall be issued to a vehicle for hire at the time of a routine scheduled inspection. (2) No inspection sticker shall be issued until the vehicle has successfully completed all required inspection criteria, proof of current insurance has been presented, and current city and county licenses have been presented for inspection. (3) The inspection sticker shall remain valid for the period indicated on the sticker as long as all requirements of the inspection by the department of parking and public transit are complied with. (4) A temporary sticker may be authorized for a specific time period to allow a vehicle for hire to comply with non-safety requirements of the inspection. If the requirements are not met in the time period allowed, the temporary sticker shall become void and must be removed from the vehicle. (5) It shall be unlawful to operate or allow or cause to be operated a vehicle for hire that does not have a current valid inspection sticker. The company under which it operates is subject to loss of its certificate of public convenience and necessity. (b) Vehicle and equipment certifications. A wheelchair accessibility equipment that has undergone a private inspection as allowed or required under this division must have somewhere readily accessible inside the vehicle a copy of the then-current private inspection certification sheet issued by a qualified mechanic or technician that the vehicle has passed inspection and shall produce it upon the demand of the chief of police or another a law enforcement officer of the city, or the director of the department of parking and public transit or city personnel operating under the director's supervision. It shall be unlawful to operate or allow or cause to be operated a privately inspected vehicle for hire that does not have a copy of the then-current private inspection certification current in a readily accessible place inside the vehicle. The company under which it operates is subject to loss of its certificate of public convenience and necessity. (Ord. No. 16-103, § 1, 2-11-2016)

Huntsville Code of Ordinances § 8-248 Review of action against vehicle authorization.

Sec. 8-248. - Review of action against vehicle authorization. Except where this division provides for an automatic action against a vehicle authorization, in which case no right of review is provided for, a certificate holder shall have the right to request that the director of parking and public transit review the decision of an inspector or other enforcement official to take a vehicle permanently out of service by providing to the director a written notice specifying the basis for the request within 15 days from the date the action is taken. The director, in response, may: (1) order a department or private re-inspection of the vehicle, at the company's cost, (2) schedule a hearing on the matter by providing the certificate holder with notice of the time, date, and location of the hearing, (3) may uphold the action, reverse the action, or allow additional time to come into compliance with the applicable provisions of this division. The director's decision is final. The filing of the request with the director will not delay taking the vehicle out of service. (Ord. No. 16-103, § 1, 2-11-2016)

Source: City of Huntsville, Alabama, publisher code (Municode) + enacted ordinances (City Council/Legistar)URL: https://library.municode.com/al/huntsville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH8BU_ARTIVVEHI_DIV2LIVE_SDIVVEAUCOINVEFetched: 11/6/2026