DRIVER REGULATION

Orlando City Code ch. 55, pt. V

in effect

Orlando City Code § 55.28 Driver Permit Requirement.

Sec. 55.28. - Driver Permit Requirement. Any person who operates or drives a non-exempt Vehicle-for-Hire within the jurisdiction of or upon any street in the City of Orlando shall first obtain a Driver Permit, as set forth in this Part. (Ord. of 4-20-1998, Doc. #31157; Ord. of 1-11-2007, § 16, Doc. #0701111008)

Orlando City Code § 55.29 Application and Review for Driver Permit.

Sec. 55.29. - Application and Review for Driver Permit. (1) Any person being eighteen (18) years of age or older may make application to the Vehicle-for-Hire Administrator or Administrator's designee for a Driver Permit. The written application shall include the following items: (a) Applicant's name, date of birth, sex, race or national origin, and any aliases or former legal names used during the preceding five-year period; (b) Applicant's home address and mailing address; (c) Applicant's home phone number and existing work phone number; (d) Proof that the applicant holds a valid Florida Driver's License; (e) The names, addresses, and phone numbers of the applicant's existing employer; (f) A sworn affidavit by the applicant which states that the applicant has not been convicted, within the past five (5) years, nor have any charges pending against him or her for any of the following crimes: (i) driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, (ii) reckless driving, (iii) any crime which is designated as a felony, (iv) any crime involving the sale or possession of a controlled substances as defined by Florida Statutes § 893.03, or any crime involving drug paraphernalia as defined by [F.S.] § 93.145, (v) the Florida RICO Act, (vi) exposure of the sexual organs and any crime defined under Florida Statutes ch. 800, or (vii) any crime defined as Prostitution under Florida Statutes ch. 796, or under Chapter 43 of the Code of the City of Orlando including, but not limited to, assignation or solicitation for prostitution; (i) The name, address and phone number of the Vehicle Permit-holder for which the applicant is working or intends to work; (j) Such other information as the City may require of all applicants, including, but not limited to, an FDLE and NCIC inquiry; (k) Payment of an application fee, established by the City. (2) Completeness Review. Upon receipt of an application and evidence of the payment of the application fee, the Vehicle-for-Hire Administrator or the Administrator's designee shall review the application to ensure that the application is complete and all information requested has been provided. The Vehicle-for-Hire Administrator or the Administrator's designee shall determine whether the applicant understands and is reasonably conversant in the English language for the demands of a Driver and the requirements of this Chapter. Any such method shall receive the prior approval of the City. (3) Final Review. If the application is deemed complete by the Vehicle-for-Hire Administrator or the Administrator's designee and the applicant successfully shows that he/she is reasonably conversant in the English language, then the application and the affidavits shall be verified for accuracy by the Vehicle-for-Hire Administrator or the Administrator's designee. (4) Issuance of a Permit. A Driver's Permit shall not be issued if: (a) within the last five (5) years immediately preceding application, the applicant has been convicted of, or has pending charges for, any of the following: (i) Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, (ii) Reckless driving, (iii) any crime which is designated as a felony, (iv) any crime involving the sale or possession of controlled substances as defined by Florida Statutes § 893.03, or any crime involving drug paraphernalia as defined by § 893.145, Florida Statutes, (v) the Florida RICO Act, (vi) exposure of the sexual organs and any crime defined under Florida Statutes ch. 800, (vii) "Prostitution" as defined in Florida Statutes ch. 796, or under Chapter 43 of the Code of the City of Orlando pertaining to prostitution or assignation or loitering for prostitution or (b) the applicant has an outstanding debt owed to: (i) the City of Orlando, or (ii) the Orange County Clerk of Courts for violations of Chapter 55, Orlando City Code. (c) the applicant is a match in the National Sex Offender Registry database. (5) Appeal of Denial of Permit. (a) Burden, Evidentiary Requirement and Standard. In addition to the requirements in Section 55.03(4) above, on appeal of the denial of a Driver's Permit, the applicant shall have the burden of proof to show by substantial competent evidence that the applicant has been reformed, rehabilitated, and without any reasonable doubt, does not pose a safety risk to members of the traveling public. Substantial competent evidence shall not include testimony of the applicant without verification by independent sources such as employment records, parole records, evidence of completion of drug and/or alcohol rehabilitation and testimony of third parties. Ten days prior to the hearing, the applicant shall provide a list of the evidence and witnesses to the Vehicle-for-Hire Administrator. Failure to list the evidence or witnesses shall bar the submission of the unlisted evidence or witnesses to the Board. (b) Board Decision. The Board shall conduct a de novo review using the standard in paragraph (a) above and shall list specific findings for its decision. After review, the Board shall affirm the decision or overturn the decision of the Vehicle-for-Hire Administrator. Re-application may be made after 90 days for a permit which has been denied by the Vehicle-for-Hire Administrator and the Board. (Ord. of 4-20-1998, Doc. #31157; Ord. of 1-11-2007, § 17, Doc. #0701111008; Ord. No. 2013-6, § 6, 2-4-2013, Doc. #1302041203; Ord. No. 2014-64, § 10, 12-15-2014, Doc. #1412151203)

Orlando City Code § 55.30 Driver Permit.

Sec. 55.30. - Driver Permit. (1) Contents of Driver Permit. The Driver Permit issued pursuant to Sections 55.28 and 55.29 above, shall bear the Driver's name, date of birth, photograph, driver's license number, permit number, and expiration date. The Vehicle-for-Hire Administrator or the Administrator's designee shall keep a photograph of the Driver on file in the Vehicle-for-Hire section. (2) Display of Permit. Every Driver shall have his/her Driver's Permit visibly displayed on the exterior of the Driver's blouse or shirt or in such vehicle at all times when on duty, and shall produce it upon demand of any passenger, City of Orlando Code Enforcement or Vehicle for Hire Officer(s) or Administrator, or City, County, or State law enforcement officer, or GOAA representative. (3) Term of Permit. Said permits shall be valid for a period of one (1) year from the date of issuance. (4) Lost Permit. The cost to replace any lost permit is twenty-five dollars ($25). (Ord. of 4-20-1998, Doc. #31157; Ord. of 1-11-2007, § 18, Doc. #0701111008; Ord. No. 2012-37, § 1, 10-1-2012, Doc. #1210011206; Ord. No. 2013-6, § 6, 2-4-2013, Doc. #1302041203; Ord. No. 2021-35, § 8, 5-17-2021, Doc. #2105171207)

Orlando City Code § 55.31 Driver Obligations.

Sec. 55.31. - Driver Obligations. (1) Update Application Information. If any of the information supplied by the Driver in the application in Sec. 55.28, is no longer accurate, the Driver shall then provide current and accurate information to the Vehicle-for-Hire Administrator or the Administrator's designee, within ten (10) days of the date the change occurs. The information filed with the Vehicle-for-Hire Administrator or the Administrator's designee, shall be assumed correct and exclusively relied upon as the correct address for all notices and enforcement proceedings herein. Failure to maintain the accuracy of the application information on file shall result in automatic suspension of said permit. (2) Service Requirement. Unless otherwise prohibited by this Chapter, the City Code or any other applicable law or regulation, no Taxicab Driver shall refuse any request for transportation from any orderly passenger where the destination of the trip is within the Tri-County Area. No Vehicle-For-Hire permit holder or driver shall refuse any request for transportation service from any person based on that person's race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or handicap. No Vehicle-For-Hire shall refuse any request for transportation from any Vehicle-For-Hire Administrator or Officer or Officer of the Orlando Police Department. It shall be an affirmative defense to this section if service was denied to any Vehicle-For-Hire Administrator or Officer or Officer of the Orlando Police Department if the Vehicle-For-Hire Driver can show a reason for refusal of service unrelated to enforcement activities or status of the individual refused service. (3) Fare Payment in Advance; Refusal or Termination of Trip. Notwithstanding (2) above, any Driver, including a Taxicab Driver, may request or demand advance payment prior to commencement of a trip, and refuse to initiate such trip and may terminate a trip and/or may request payment if (i) the Driver has reason to believe the passenger(s) may cause bodily injury to him/her, or (ii) the passengers become unruly, rowdy or cause physical damage to the vehicle or the Driver. (4) Most Direct Route. A Taxicab driver shall use the most direct available route on all trips unless the passenger specifically requests to change the route. (5) Providing Change. For payments made in cash, a driver shall be able to provide a reasonable and prudent amount of change, and if correct change is not available, no additional charge will be made to the passenger in attempting to secure the change. (6) Receipt to be Given Upon Demand. If demanded by the passenger, the Driver shall deliver to the person paying for the hiring of the same, at the time of such payment, a receipt therefor in legible writing, containing the trade name of the Vehicle Permit-holder, the company car number and the driver's name, showing upon such receipt all items for which a charge is made, the total amount paid and the date of payment. (7) Taxicab Stands. A Driver who occupies a Taxicab stand shall occupy it at the end of the line and move into the first out position on the stand in orderly, single file. Once obtaining the first out or loading position, he shall accept the first request for transportation as provided in (2) above, except that a driver shall not be obligated to accept trips terminating beyond the Tri-County Area (Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties). Such City of Orlando Taxicab stands shall be for exclusive use by City of Orlando permitted taxicabs. The parking on such Taxicab stands by a vehicle that is not a City permitted Taxicab shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of Section 55.32(1) below, and shall be subject to penalty in accordance with Section 55.32(7) herein. (8) Trip Reports. The Driver shall keep a Trip Report which shall show the following minimum information for each trip: (a) Name of Vehicle Permit-holder; (b) The company unit number of the vehicle; (c) The name of the Driver; (d) The date and time of trip origin; (e) The origin and destination of the trip; (f) The fare charged or the voucher number for the trip; and (g) The number of passengers transported on the trip. Each such Trip Report shall be consecutively numbered, and shall be recorded on a form approved by the Vehicle-for-Hire Administrator. Each Driver shall, on a daily basis, submit said Trip Reports to the Vehicle Permit-holder, except for Drivers who lease the vehicle(s) from the Vehicle Permit-holder for a period longer than one day may submit the Trip Reports at the end of the lease period or weekly, whichever is shorter. All Trip Reports shall be at all times open to inspection by representatives of the City of Orlando. (9) Unauthorized Solicitation of Vehicle For Hire Services. (a) Unauthorized solicitation occurs whenever any person, without being authorized by the City of Orlando, or the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, or without having made a Prior Agreement to provide Vehicle-for-Hire services to a specific patron, offers to engage in any business, trade, or commercial transaction involving the rendering to another person of any Vehicle-for-Hire services. Unlawful solicitation occurs when a driver solicits passengers: (i) from a location other than the driver's compartment or the immediate vicinity of the driver's Vehicle for Hire; (ii) in a way that annoys or obstructs the movement of a person, or follows any person for the purpose of unlawful soliciting; (iii) in a loud, boisterous or annoying manner of voice, or by sign, or in any other annoying manner; or (iv) by paying an employee of another business to solicit passengers for or give preferential treatment in directing passengers to the driver's Vehicle for Hire. (b) No person shall without authorization solicit Vehicle-for-Hire services at any airport operated by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, or at any hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, restaurant, retail or wholesale facility, government facility or center, any entertainment facility or center, transportation facility or center, or any other location of public gathering. (10) A Driver shall not use obscene or profane language, nor be abusive to passengers. (Ord. of 4-20-1998, Doc. #31157; Ord. of 11-1-1999, § 11, Doc. #32438; Ord. of 1-11-2007, § 19, Doc. #0701111008; Ord. No. 2013-6, § 6, 2-4-2013, Doc. #1302041203; Ord. No. 2014-64, § 11, 12-15-2014, Doc. #1412151203; Ord. No. 2017-29, § 4, 6-19-2017, Doc. #1706191203)

Source: City of Orlando, Florida, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/fl/orlando/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIICICO_CH55RETALILUPAVESHOTVERE_PTVDRREFetched: 11/1/2026