Regional for-hire driver operation—Prohibitions generally
Seattle Mun. Code § 6.311.170
in effect6.311.170 - Regional for-hire driver operation—Prohibitions generally
A regional for-hire driver shall not:
A. Transport either more passengers than the number of seat belts available or more luggage than the vehicle capacity will safely and legally allow;
B. Operate a taxicab or for-hire vehicle that does not have the rate on display as prescribed by the Director by rule;
C. Operate a taxicab or for-hire vehicle that is unaffiliated with a taxicab association, for-hire vehicle company, transitional regional dispatch agency, or regional dispatch agency;
D. Use a personal electronic device while driving a motor vehicle on a public roadway, unless consistent with RCW 46.61.672;
E. Operate a taxicab or for-hire vehicle under the influence of any alcohol, narcotics, drugs, or prescription or over-the-counter medication that impairs the driver's ability to operate a taxicab or for-hire vehicle or in any way jeopardizes the safety or security of passengers or the public;
F. Knowingly possess illegal substances or open containers of alcohol while operating a taxicab or for-hire vehicle;
G. Operate a taxicab or for-hire vehicle for more than 14 hours in any 24-hour period. Thereafter, the regional for-hire driver shall not operate a taxicab or for-hire vehicle until eight consecutive hours have elapsed. Stand-by time does not count towards the 14-hour limit. For the purposes of this subsection 6.311.170.G, "stand-by time" includes any time the regional for-hire driver is available for hire but is not physically in the vehicle;
H. Use the taxicab or for-hire vehicle, or allow the taxicab or for-hire vehicle to be used, in the commission of any crime;
I. Refuse to transport in the taxicab or for-hire vehicle, cancel a dispatched call, or end a trip in progress because of:
1. Any passenger's wheelchair or other mobility device that can be folded and safely placed in either the passenger or trunk compartment of the vehicle;
2. A service animal as defined by Section 14.06.020; and
3. A passenger's groceries, packages, or luggage;
J. Refuse to transport any person except when:
1. The driver has already been dispatched on another call;
2. The passenger is acting in a disorderly, threatening, or suspicious, manner, or otherwise causes the driver to reasonably believe that the driver's health or safety, or that of others, may be endangered;
3. The passenger cannot, upon request, show ability to pay the fare;
4. The passenger refuses to state a specific destination upon entering the taxicab or for-hire vehicle; or
5. The trip covers more than one hundred miles or includes traveling over a mountain pass or on a ferry;
K. Smoke or allow passengers to smoke in the vehicle;
L. Ask, demand, or collect any rate or fare other than as specified on the taximeter, smart taximeter, or application dispatch system;
M. Solicit passengers from anywhere other than the driver's seat or standing within direct view of the taxicab or for-hire vehicle, and never solicit when the taxicab or for-hire vehicle is in motion. The driver of a taxicab or for-hire vehicle shall not use any other person to solicit passengers;
N. Park a taxicab or for-hire vehicle in a marked passenger load zone, truck load zone, commercial load zone, or charter bus zone; except that a driver may drop off or pick up passengers in a passenger load zone; and
O. Misstate or omit a material fact on any document provided to the Director, or alter any document or record provided to or issued by the Director.
(Ord. 126977, § 1, 2023.)
Source: City of Seattle, Seattle Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT6BURE_SUBTITLE_IVNELICO_CH6.311FRETRAXFREVEDR_6.311.170REFREDROPROGEFetched: 11/1/2026