N.J. Stat. tit. 48, ch. 16

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-1 Definitions

As used in this article: "Autocab" means and includes any automobile or motor car, commonly called taxi, engaged in the business of carrying passengers for hire which is held out, announced or advertised to operate or run or which is operated or run over any of the streets or public highways of this state, and particularly accepts and discharges such persons as may offer themselves for transportation from points or places to points or places within or without the state. "Person" means and includes any individual, copartnership, association, corporation or joint stock company, their lessees, trustees or receivers appointed by any court whatsoever. "Street" means and includes any street, avenue, park, parkway, highway or other public place.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-2 Necessity of municipal consent before operating autocab; limitation on license fee

No autocab shall be operated along any street in any municipality until the owner thereof shall obtain the consent of the elective governing body or member thereof having control of the public streets in the municipality. No municipality located in a county of the first class with a population of less than 20,000 persons shall enact an ordinance establishing fees or other charges in excess of $50.00 for the right to operate an autocab. The provisions of any existing ordinance establishing fees or other charges in excess of this amount for each cab operated are null and void and any excess fee or charge shall be returned to the owner of the autocab. Amended by L.1977, c. 218, s. 1, eff. Sept. 13, 1977.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-2.1 Determination of number of taxi licenses available for issuance.

1. A municipality shall determine by ordinance the number of taxi licenses available for issuance. Whenever the governing body of a municipality determines to authorize the issuance of one or more new or additional taxi licenses, it shall publish a notice, in a newspaper circulating generally within the municipality, stating the number of new or additional licenses to be authorized and the application period for the new or additional licenses. The notice shall specify a time and date after which no further applications will be accepted. The notice shall be published at least twice and at least one week apart, with the second notice published at least 30 days prior to the time and date specified in the notice as the time and date after which no further applications will be accepted. L.2011, c.135, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-2.2 Construction of C.48:16-2.1 relative to issuance of license.

2. The provisions of section 1 of P.L.2011, c.135 (C.48:16-2.1) shall not be construed to require the issuance of any license or licenses with respect to which a notice has been published pursuant to that section 1, but in any case in which any such license or licenses have not been issued within six months after the closing time and date for acceptance of applications specified in the notice, no such license or licenses shall be issued without again complying with the provisions of that section 1 of P.L.2011, c.135 (C.48:16-2.1). L.2011, c.135, s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-2.3 Issuance, qualification for license; reimbursement to municipality.

3. Whenever the governing body of a municipality determines by ordinance to issue one or more taxi licenses, the governing body may authorize that such license or licenses be issued to the highest qualified bidder therefor at a sale by public auction for that purpose conducted or supervised by the municipal clerk. The ordinance also may prescribe qualifications for prospective bidders; provided, however, that such qualifications shall not be inconsistent with any law of this State, or rule or regulation of any agency thereof. The ordinance may also fix a minimum bid and conditions of sale with the reservation of the right to reject all bids where the highest bid is not accepted. The ordinance may also include a requirement that the recipient of a taxi license issued pursuant to this section, as a condition of the award of such license, shall reimburse the municipality for any costs incurred by the municipality in complying with the public notice requirements established pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2011, c.135 (C.48:16-2.1). In the event that more than one taxi license is issued at the same public auction, the recipients thereof shall equally split the costs of reimbursing the municipality for any costs incurred by the municipality in complying with the public notice requirements. L.2011, c.135, s.3.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-2.4 Display of tax license number.

4. The owner of an autocab shall cause to be displayed on the body of the vehicle the taxi license number issued to that vehicle. The number shall be three inches in height and located in the center of the rear quarter panels on the driver and passenger sides and the rear center line of the trunk of the vehicle. Each autocab shall display on each rear door of the autocab the name of the municipality or municipalities which has issued the autocab a taxi license in letters three inches in height. L.2011, c.135, s.4.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-3 Insurance; amount; criminal history record background check.

48:16-3. No such consent shall become effective until the provisions of subsections a. and b. of this section have been satisfied: a. The owner of the autocab shall have filed with the clerk of the municipality in which such operation is permitted, an insurance policy which shall be issued by an admitted insurance company duly licensed to transact business under the insurance laws of this State or a company registered to do business in the State, the policy providing for not less than $1.5 million to satisfy all claims for damages, by reason of bodily injury to, or the death of, any person or persons, resulting from, or on account of, an accident, by reason of the ownership, operation, maintenance, or use of such autocab upon any public street; and to satisfy any claim for damages to property of any person or persons, resulting from, or on account of, an accident, by reason of the ownership, operation, maintenance, or use of such autocab upon any public street. Nothing contained in this subsection shall prohibit the owner of an autocab from obtaining any additional amount of motor vehicle liability insurance coverage from a company licensed outside the State of New Jersey. The consent shall be effective and operation thereunder shall be permitted only so long as the insurance policy shall remain in force to the full and collectible amounts as aforesaid. The insurance policy shall provide for the payment of any final judgment recovered by any person on account of the ownership, maintenance, or use of the autocab or any fault in respect thereto, and shall be for the benefit of every person suffering loss, damage or injury as aforesaid; and b. Each operator or driver of the autocab for which the owner thereof is seeking the consent to operate in a municipality has submitted to the performance of a criminal history record background check. The cost for the criminal history record background check, including all costs of administering and processing the check, shall be borne by the operator or driver of the autocab. A person shall be disqualified from operating or driving an autocab if a criminal history record background check required pursuant to this subsection reveals a record of conviction of any of the following crimes: (1) In New Jersey or elsewhere any crime as follows: aggravated assault, arson, burglary, escape, extortion, homicide, kidnapping, robbery, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault or endangering the welfare of a child pursuant to N.J.S.2C:24-4, whether or not armed with or having in his possession any weapon enumerated in subsection r. of N.J.S.2C:39-1, a crime pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.2C:39-3, N.J.S.2C:39-4, or N.J.S.2C:39-9, or other than a disorderly persons or petty disorderly persons offense for the unlawful use, possession or sale of a controlled dangerous substance as defined in N.J.S.2C:35-2. (2) In any other state, territory, commonwealth, or other jurisdiction of the United States, or any country in the world, as a result of a conviction in a court of competent jurisdiction, a crime which in that other jurisdiction or country is comparable to one of the crimes enumerated in paragraph (1) of this subsection. If a person who has been convicted of one of the crimes enumerated in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection can produce a certificate of rehabilitation issued pursuant to N.J.S.2A:168A-8 or, if the criminal offense occurred outside New Jersey, an equivalent certificate from the jurisdiction where the criminal offense occurred, the criminal offense shall not disqualify the applicant from operating or driving an autocab. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to an operator or driver of an autocab who has received the consent to operate in a municipality prior to the effective date of P.L.2011, c.135 (C.48:16-2.1 et al.). amended 1951, c.148; 1959, c.53, s.1; 2011, c.135, s.5; 2023, c.276, s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-4 § 48:16-4

If such owner operates more than one autocab, he may file with the clerk of the municipality, in lieu of the policy required by section 48:16-3 of this title, a bond or insurance policy of a company duly licensed to transact business under the insurance laws of this state, in the sum of fifty thousand dollars, which shall be a blanket insurance covering all cabs operated by such owner which shall provide for the payment of any final judgment recovered by any person on account of the ownership, maintenance and use of any such autocabs or any fault in respect thereto, and shall be for the benefit of every person suffering loss, damage or injury as aforesaid.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-5 § 48:16-5

The owner of the autocab shall execute and deliver to the clerk of the municipality concurrently with the filing of a policy or bond referred to in sections 48:16-3 and 48:16-4 of this title, a power of attorney, wherein and whereby the owner shall appoint the chief fiscal officer of the municipality his true and lawful attorney for the purpose of acknowledging service of any process out of a court of competent jurisdiction to be served against the insured by virtue of the indemnity granted under the insurance policy or bond filed.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-6 Certificate of compliance; contents; filing and posting

The clerk of the municipality, upon the filing of the required insurance policy or bond, shall issue a certificate in duplicate showing that the owner of the autocab has complied with the terms and provisions of this article. The certificate shall recite the name of the insurance company, the number and date of expiration of the policy or bond, a description of the autocab insured thereunder, and the registration number of the same. The duplicate certificate shall be filed with the department of motor vehicles before any such car is licensed as an autocab. The original certificate shall be posted in a conspicuous place within the autocab.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-7 § 48:16-7

Where an autocab operates in more than one municipality, the insurance policy or bond required by sections 48:16-3 and 48:16-4 of this title shall be filed with the clerk of the municipality in which the owner has his principal place of business and certificates, in such number as may be necessary, certifying that the owner has complied with all the provisions of this article shall, by the clerk of the municipality, be delivered to the owner, who shall file the certificate with the clerk of each municipality in which such operation takes place.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-8 Exemption from insurance

Any corporation organized under the laws of this state having a paid up cash capital of not less than one hundred and fifty thousand dollars may carry its own liability insurance, if it can reasonably satisfy the commissioner of banking and insurance as to the permanence and financial standing of its business. If the commissioner shall by written order make such an exemption, the company in lieu of the insurance policy or bond provided for by sections 48:16-3 and 48:16-4 of this title, may file a copy of the order with a statement sworn to by its president, vice president, treasurer or assistant treasurer that the corporation is the owner of autocabs and that the copy of the order attached to the affidavit and filed therewith is a true copy of the original order and that the same has not been revoked. The copy of the order of exemption and statement shall remain in lieu of an insurance policy or bond so long as the paid up cash capital of the corporation shall be not less than one hundred and fifty thousand dollars and the order of the commissioner shall remain in force.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-9 § 48:16-9

If it shall appear to the commissioner of banking and insurance, after a hearing, that the company no longer has a paid up cash capital of at least one hundred and fifty thousand dollars and is no longer able to pay damages which may result from an accident occurring by reason of the ownership, maintenance or use of the autocabs owned by it, upon any public street, he shall revoke his order granting exemption. Thereupon the company shall immediately file an insurance policy or bond as required by sections 48:16-3 and 48:16-4 of this title.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-10 § 48:16-10

A consent granted under section 48:16-2 of this title may be revoked by the governing body of the municipality granting the same, after notice and hearing, whenever it shall appear that the person to whom the consent was granted has failed to furnish or keep in force the insurance policy or bond and power of attorney required by this article, or to comply with any terms or conditions imposed by the board or body granting the consent, or any law of this state.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-11 § 48:16-11

Nothing in this article contained shall exempt any person owning or operating any autocab from complying with the law relating to the ownership, registration and operation of automobiles in this state.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-12 § 48:16-12

Any person who shall operate an autocab in any street in this state without complying with the provisions of this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-13 Definitions.

48:16-13. Except as provided in section 2 of P.L.1997, c.356 (C.48:16-13.1), as used in this article: "Autocab" means a limousine. "Chief Administrator" means the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. "Commission" means the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission established by section 4 of P.L.2003, c.13 (C.39:2A-4). "Limousine" means and includes any automobile or motor car used in the business of carrying passengers for hire to provide prearranged passenger transportation at a premium fare on a dedicated, nonscheduled, charter basis that is not conducted on a regular route and with a seating capacity of no more than 14 passengers, not including the driver, provided, that such a vehicle is certified by the manufacturer of the original vehicle and the second-stage manufacturer, if applicable, to conform to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards promulgated by the United States Department of Transportation pursuant to 49 CFR Part 571 (49 CFR 571.1 et seq.) and 49 CFR Part 567 (49 CFR 567.1 et seq.). In addition, a "Vehicle Emission Control Information" label, which contains the name and trademark of the manufacturer and an unconditional statement of compliance with the emission requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall be present on the vehicle. Nothing in this article contained shall be construed to include taxicabs, hotel buses, buses employed solely in transporting school children or teachers, vehicles owned and operated directly or indirectly by businesses engaged in the practice of mortuary science when those vehicles are used exclusively for providing transportation related to the provision of funeral services, autobuses which are subject to the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation, or interstate autobuses required by federal or State law or regulations of the Department of Transportation to carry insurance against loss from liability imposed by law on account of bodily injury or death. "Limousine or livery service" means and includes the business of carrying passengers for hire by limousines. "Person" means and includes any individual, copartnership, association, corporation or joint stock company, their lessees, trustees or receivers appointed by any court whatsoever. "Principal place of business" means, in reference to a municipality, the location of the main place of business of the limousine service in the municipality where limousine service is conducted, where limousines are dispatched, or where limousine drivers report for duty. "Street" means and includes any street, avenue, park, parkway, highway, or other public place. amended 1979, c.224, s.2; 1997, c.356, s.1; 1999, c.356, s.3; 2001, c.416, s.4; 2009, c.325, s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-13.1 Limousine defined; county, certain.

2. In a county of the first class with a population density of over 10,000 persons per square mile, according to the latest federal decennial census, "limousine" means and includes any automobile or motor car which is issued special registration plates bearing the word "limousine" pursuant to section 12 of P.L.1979, c.224 (C.39:3-19.5) and is engaged in the business of carrying passengers for hire to provide prearranged passenger transportation at a premium fare on a dedicated, nonscheduled, charter basis that is not conducted on a regular route and with a seating capacity in no event of more than 14 passengers, not including the driver, provided, that such a motor vehicle shall not have a seating capacity in excess of four passengers, not including the driver, beyond the maximum passenger seating capacity of the vehicle, not including the driver, at the time of manufacture. A limousine shall not include a vehicle owned and operated directly or indirectly by a business engaged in the practice of mortuary science when that vehicle is used exclusively for providing transportation related to the provision of funeral services. L.1997,c.356,s.2; amended 1999, c.356, s.4; 2001, c.416, s.5.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-14 Insurance policy on limousine.

48:16-14. Except as provided in section 14 of P.L.1999, c.356 (C.48:16-22.4), no limousine shall be operated wholly or partly along any street in any municipality until the owner of the limousine shall have filed with the clerk of the municipality in which the owner has his principal place of business, an insurance policy of a company duly licensed to transact business under the insurance laws of this State in the sum of $1,500,000 against loss by reason of the liability imposed by law upon every limousine owner for damages on account of bodily injury or death suffered by any person as the result of an accident occurring by reason of the ownership, maintenance or use of the limousine upon any public street. The insurance company shall supply to the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles notice concerning all motor vehicle liability insurance policies canceled for non-payment and new policies issued after the effective date of P.L.2001, c.416 (C.48:16-18.1 et al.). The notice shall be supplied monthly. After receipt of the notice of cancellation, the division shall notify the owner of the date the policy was canceled. If the director has not received proof of liability insurance within 30 days of the date the notification was sent to the owner, the director shall suspend the registration of the limousine until new proof is supplied that motor vehicle liability insurance has been secured for the limousine. If the owner fails to provide proof of insurance or surrender the license plates within 60 days of the date the notification was sent to him by the division, the division shall suspend the owner's corporation code registration privilege. Such operation shall be permitted only so long as the insurance policy shall remain in force to the full and collectible amount of $1,500,000. The insurance policy shall provide for the payment of any final judgment recovered by any person on account of the ownership, maintenance and use of such limousine or any fault in respect thereto, and shall be for the benefit of every person suffering loss, damage or injury as aforesaid. Amended 1979, c.224, s.3; 1999, c.356, s.5; 2001, c.416, s.8.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-16 Power of attorney executed by owner of limousine.

48:16-16. The owner of the limousine shall execute and deliver to the Division of Motor Vehicles, concurrently with the filing of a policy referred to in R.S.48:16-14, a power of attorney, wherein and whereby the owner shall appoint the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles his true and lawful attorney for the purpose of acknowledging service of any process out of a court of competent jurisdiction to be served against the insured by virtue of the indemnity granted under the insurance policy filed. Amended 1979, c.224, s.5; 1999, c.356, s.6.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-17 Issuance of license to operate limousine; fee.

48:16-17. The clerk of the municipality, in which the owner has his principal place of business, upon the filing of the required insurance policy and the payment of a fee which shall not exceed a total sum of $50 for each limousine service plus $10 for each limousine which is covered under the required insurance policy, shall issue in duplicate a license to operate showing that the owner of the limousine has complied with the terms and provisions of this article. The license shall recite the name of the insurance company, the number and date of expiration of the policy, a description of every limousine insured thereunder, and the registration number of the same. The duplicate license shall be filed with the commission before any such car is registered as a limousine. The original license or a copy thereof shall be retained within the limousine and shall be available for inspection by any law enforcement officer in the State. In addition to the recital of insurance information required on the license pursuant to this section, the owner of a limousine shall attach to the original license or copy thereof retained within the limousine a notarized letter from an insurance company containing the same insurance information required in the recital and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or a notarized certificate of insurance for the particular limousine showing the VIN as well as the limits of insurance coverage, and available insurance card, which shall constitute proof of insurance coverage, and which shall also be available for inspection by any law enforcement officer in the State. A copy of the notarized letter or notarized certificate of insurance shall constitute proof to the chief administrator, that the applicant has complied with the insurance provisions of this section. amended 1979, c.224, s.6; 1999, c.356, s.7; 2009, c.325, c.3.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-18 Insurance policy filed where owner has principal place of business.

48:16-18. Where a limousine service operates in more than one municipality, the insurance policy required by R.S.48:16-14 shall be filed with the clerk of the municipality in which the owner has his principal place of business. Amended 1979, c.224, s.7; 1999, c.356, s.8.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-18.1 Municipal licensing requirements for limousine service; fee.

6. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary, a municipality may require a limousine service to obtain a corporate license, permit, certificate or other form of authority if the limousine service is providing service on an intra-municipal, point-to-point basis within that municipality. The municipality may charge a fee that shall not exceed a total of $50 for the issuance of that license, permit, certificate or other form of authority which shall apply to all limousines operated by the limousine service and providing intra- municipal, point-to-point service within that municipality. L.2001,c.416,s.6.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-21 Compliance with other laws.

48:16-21. Nothing in this article contained shall exempt any person owning or operating any limousine service from complying with the law relating to the ownership, registration and operation of automobiles in this State. Amended 1979, c.224, s.10; 1999, c.356, s.9.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-22 License required to operate limousine.

48:16-22. No person shall operate a limousine service in any street in this State without a license to operate issued by a municipality in which the owner has his principal place of business and without otherwise complying with the provisions of this article. Amended 1979, c.224, s.11; 1999, c.356, s.10.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-22.1 Requirements for operation of limousine.

11. No limousine shall be operated on the highways of this State unless it has a license issued pursuant to R.S.48:16-17 and the limousine is equipped, in accordance with minimum standards established by the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles in the Department of Transportation, with: a. a two-way communications system, which, at a minimum, shall provide for communication to a person outside the vehicle for a distance of not less than 100 miles and which requirement may be satisfied by a mobile telephone; b. a removable first-aid kit and an operable fire extinguisher, which shall be placed in an accessible place within the vehicle; c. sideboards attached to the permanent body construction of the vehicle if the height of the vehicle floor is 10 inches or more above ground level. L.1999,c.356,s.11.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-22.2 General examination of condition of limousine.

12. a. Prior to any operation of a limousine on the highways of this State for the purpose of picking up passengers, the driver of the limousine shall conduct a general examination of the condition of the vehicle to ascertain its fitness to operate, which shall include, at a minimum, an examination of the tires, windshield wipers, horn, condition of the front and rear windshield and side windows, front and rear lights, fluid levels and brakes, as well as the condition of the two-way communications system. The completion of a check list by the driver containing, at a minimum, the items enumerated in this subsection and the date and time of the examination, and supplied by the owner of the limousine service, shall constitute proof of compliance with this subsection. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as requiring more than the general examination to be conducted prior to the commencement of operation in any one day. b. In a calendar year in which a limousine is not required to undergo an inspection as required pursuant to R.S.39:8-1, the owner of the limousine service shall cause to be conducted, by a person qualified to do so, an examination of the mechanical and operating condition of the limousine, including at a minimum, the condition of the brakes, the exhaust system, condition of the tires, functioning of front and rear lights, and operation of fan belts and other belts in the engine of the vehicle. The person conducting the examination shall issue a report thereof to the owner who shall retain the report of the examination until the time of the next inspection required pursuant to R.S.39:8-1. The report shall be subject to inspection by the Division of Motor Vehicles. L.1999,c.356,s.12.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-22.3 Limousine service owner, one license, etc. required.

13. Neither the State nor any political subdivision of the State shall enact, adopt or enforce any ordinance, resolution, rule, regulation, order, standard or other provision having the force and effect of law that would require a person lawfully engaged in limousine service on an intra-State basis between or among political subdivisions within the State to obtain a license, permit, certificate or other form of authority from any political subdivision of the State other than that political subdivision in which the owner of the limousine service maintains his principal place of business. L.1999,c.356,s.13.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-22.3a Requirements for applicants as driver of limousine, certain passenger vehicles.

9. a. Any person who owns a limousine service, or any other company or service which pairs a passenger automobile, as defined in R.S.39:1-1, and a driver with a private customer to provide prearranged passenger transportation at a premium fare on a dedicated, nonscheduled, charter basis that is not conducted on a regular route, including, but not limited to, the use of authorized drivers of rental vehicles to provide such passenger transportation, shall require an applicant for employment as a limousine operator or driver, or as an operator or driver of any other passenger automobile, as defined in R.S.39:1-1, provided through a company or service which pairs a passenger automobile and a driver with a private customer to provide prearranged passenger transportation at a premium fare on a dedicated, nonscheduled, charter basis that is not conducted on a regular route, to provide the applicant's name, address, citizenship status, a form of photographic identification, birth certificate, and such other information as the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (hereinafter the "chief administrator") may require. b. An applicant subject to the provisions of subsection a. of this section shall submit to being fingerprinted by the Division of State Police in the Department of Law and Public Safety or by agents appointed by or under contract to the division and shall also provide written consent to the performance of a criminal history record background check unless the applicant was previously fingerprinted and had a criminal history background check conducted as part of an application for a Commercial Driver License or a passenger endorsement under a Commercial Driver License or both. The chief administrator is authorized to exchange fingerprint data and photographic identification with and receive criminal history record background information results from the Division of State Police. The division shall inform the chief administrator if an applicant's criminal history record background check reveals a conviction of a disqualifying crime as specified in subsection d. of this section. The applicant shall bear the cost of fingerprinting and the cost for the background checks, including all costs of administering and processing the checks. As used in this section, "criminal history record background check" means a determination of whether a person has a criminal record by cross-referencing that person's name and fingerprint data with those on file with the State Bureau of Identification in the Division of State Police. c. No applicant shall be permitted to operate or drive a limousine, or any other passenger automobile, as defined in R.S.39:1-1, provided through a company or service which pairs a passenger automobile and a driver with a private customer to provide prearranged passenger transportation at a premium fare on a dedicated, nonscheduled, charter basis that is not conducted on a regular route, unless the applicant is 21 years of age or older and unless the chief administrator provides written notification to the owner of the limousine service, or any other company or service which pairs a passenger automobile, as defined in R.S.39:1-1, and a driver with a private customer to provide prearranged passenger transportation at a premium fare on a dedicated, nonscheduled, charter basis that is not conducted on a regular route, of the chief administrator's determination that the applicant is qualified for employment as a limousine operator or driver, or as an operator or driver of any other passenger automobile, as defined in R.S.39:1-1, provided through a company or service which pairs a passenger automobile and a driver with a private customer to provide prearranged passenger transportation at a premium fare on a dedicated, nonscheduled, charter basis that is not conducted on a regular route. d. An applicant shall be disqualified from operating or driving a limousine, or any other passenger automobile, as defined in R.S.39:1-1, provided through a company or service which pairs a passenger automobile and a driver with a private customer to provide prearranged passenger transportation at a premium fare on a dedicated, nonscheduled, charter basis that is not conducted on a regular route, if the applicant's criminal history record background check reveals a record of conviction of any of the following crimes: (1) In New Jersey or elsewhere any crime as follows: aggravated assault, arson, burglary, escape, extortion, homicide, kidnapping, robbery, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault or endangering the welfare of a child pursuant to N.J.S.2C:24-4, whether or not armed with or having in his possession any weapon enumerated in subsection r. of N.J.S.2C:39-1, a crime pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.2C:39-3, N.J.S.2C:39-4 or N.J.S.2C:39-9, or other than a disorderly persons or petty disorderly persons offense for the unlawful use, possession or sale of a controlled dangerous substance as defined in N.J.S.2C:35-2. (2) In any other state, territory, commonwealth or other jurisdiction of the United States, or any country in the world, as a result of a conviction in a court of competent jurisdiction, a crime which in that other jurisdiction or country is comparable to one of the crimes enumerated in paragraph (1) of subsection d. of this section. e. The chief administrator is authorized to adopt regulations, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c. 410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), to effectuate the purposes of this section. f. The provisions of this section shall apply to persons making applications for employment on or after the effective date of P.L.2001, c.416 (C.48:16-18.1 et al.). g. If an applicant who has been convicted of one of the crimes enumerated in subsection d. of this section can produce a certificate of rehabilitation issued pursuant to section 2 of P.L.2007, c.327 (C.2A:168A-8) or, if the criminal offense occurred outside New Jersey, an equivalent certificate from the jurisdiction where the criminal offense occurred, the criminal offense shall not disqualify the applicant from operating or driving a limousine or any other passenger automobile, as defined in R.S.39:1-1, provided through a company or service which pairs a passenger automobile and a driver with a private customer to provide prearranged passenger transportation at a premium fare on a dedicated, nonscheduled, charter basis that is not conducted on a regular route. h. Nothing in this section shall be construed to include the owners or operators of taxicabs, hotel buses, buses employed solely in transporting school children or teachers, vehicles owned and operated directly or indirectly by businesses engaged in the practice of mortuary science when those vehicles are used exclusively for providing transportation related to the provision of funeral services, autobuses which are subject to the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation or interstate autobuses required by federal or State law or regulations of the Department of Transportation to carry insurance against loss from liability imposed by law on account of bodily injury or death. i. The owner of a limousine service, or any other company or service which pairs a passenger automobile, as defined in R.S.39:1-1, and a driver with a private customer to provide prearranged passenger transportation at a premium fare on a dedicated, nonscheduled, charter basis that is not conducted on a regular route, including, but not limited to, the use of authorized drivers of rental vehicles to provide such passenger transportation, who permits the operation of a limousine, or any other passenger automobile provided through a company or service which pairs a passenger automobile and a driver with a private customer to provide prearranged passenger transportation at a premium fare on a dedicated, nonscheduled, charter basis that is not conducted on a regular route, by a person who the chief administrator has not determined to be qualified for employment pursuant to subsection c. of this section shall be subject to a penalty of $500. Actions to impose a penalty under this subsection shall be brought, and any such penalty shall be collected, in a summary proceeding pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.). The Superior Court or any municipal court where the violation was detected, or where the defendant was apprehended, shall have jurisdiction to hear any action brought for violation of this subsection. Penalties imposed pursuant to this subsection shall be in addition to those otherwise imposed according to law. All penalties collected pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall be forwarded as provided in R.S.39:5-40 and subsection b. of R.S.39:5-41. If the violation is of a continuing nature, each day during which it continues shall constitute an additional, separate, and distinct offense. L.2001, c.416, s.9; amended 2007, c.35, s.1; 2009, c.325, s.4; repealed 2009, c.325, s.6.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-22.3b Applicants to be tested for controlled dangerous substances; regulations.

10. Any person who owns a limousine service shall require an applicant for employment as a limousine operator or driver to be tested, at the applicant's expense, for dangerous controlled substances as defined in N.J.S.2C:35-2. The Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission shall adopt regulations, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), for the licensing and testing of applicants for employment as limousine operators or drivers. The regulations shall be substantially similar to the regulations of New York City concerning the testing of an applicant for a for-hire vehicle driver's license pursuant to section 6-15 of Title 35 of the New York City Rules and Regulations. L.2001, c.416, s.10; amended 2007, c.35, s.2; 2013, c.253, s.37.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-22.4 Regulations applicable to out-of State limousines, black cars; definition.

14. a. Except as provided in subsection b. of this section, a limousine registered in another state or the District of Columbia operating in interstate service which picks up or discharges passengers in New Jersey or a black car which picks up and discharges passengers wholly within the State of New Jersey shall comply with the provisions of article 2 of chapter 16 of Title 48 of the Revised Statutes, provided that, with regard to the requirements of R.S.48:16-17, R.S.48:16-18, and R.S.48:16-22, the owner may have his principal place of business in a location other than a municipality in this State, in which case the owner may elect any municipality in the State of New Jersey in which he has a business address to file the required insurance policy and receive the license to operate. b. A black car which picks up or discharges passengers in New Jersey in route to or from another state, shall only (1) comply with the provisions of subsection a. of section 11 of P.L.1999, c.356 (C.48:16-22.1) requiring a two-way communications system, which, at a minimum, shall provide for communication to a person outside the vehicle for a distance of not less than 100 miles and which requirement may be satisfied by a mobile telephone, (2) comply with the provisions of subsection b. of section 11 of P.L.1999, c.356 (C.48:16-22.1) requiring a removable first-aid kit and an operable fire extinguisher, which shall be placed in an accessible place within the vehicle and (3) in lieu of the insurance requirements in the amount of $1,500,000 set forth in R.S.48:16-14, and the requirements of R.S.48:16-17, have proof of insurance in the amounts of not less than $100,000 liability for bodily injury or death to one person in any one accident and, subject to such limit for any one person so injured or killed, not less than $300,000 liability for bodily injury or death to more than one person in any one accident. A black car operating in interstate service which picks up or discharges passengers in New Jersey, but does not operate wholly within the State of New Jersey, shall not be subject to any provisions of article 2 of chapter 16 of Title 48 of the Revised Statutes, except the provisions of this subsection and the provisions of R.S.48:16-21 concerning the operation of automobiles in this State but not with reference to ownership and registration. As used in this section, "black car" means any motor vehicle hired for transportation of passengers and which has a capacity of not more than six passengers that is licensed as a black car in another state, or political subdivision thereof, or the District of Columbia; and whose registered owner holds a franchise from the corporation or other business entity that dispatches such motor vehicle, or who is a member of a cooperative that operates such corporation or other business entity, where such corporation or other business entity has certified to the satisfaction of another state, or political subdivision thereof, or the District of Columbia that more than 90 percent of the corporation's or other business entity's business is on a payment basis other than direct cash payment by a passenger. L.1999,c.356,s.14; amended 2001, c.416, s.7.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-22.5 Construction of act in regard to taxis, limousine fares.

15. Nothing in this act shall be construed in any way as altering the authority of municipalities to regulate taxis, nor as giving the State or any political subdivision thereof the authority to set or regulate limousine fares or tariffs. L.1999,c.356,s.15.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-22.6 Construction of act in regard to filing complaint for consumer fraud.

16. Nothing in this act shall be construed as preventing the filing of a complaint concerning limousine service with the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety with regard to a violation of the New Jersey consumer fraud act, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.). L.1999,c.356,s.16.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-23 Definitions

The word "autobus" as used in this article shall mean and include any automobile or motor bus, commonly called jitney, with a carrying capacity of not more than 13 passengers, operated under municipal consent upon a route established wholly within the limits of a single municipality or with a carrying capacity of not more than 20 passengers operated under municipal consent upon a route established wholly within the limits of not more than four contiguous municipalities within any county of the fifth or sixth class, which route in either case does not, in whole or in part, parallel upon the same street the line of any street railway or traction railway or any other autobus route. The word "person" as used in this article shall mean and include any individual, copartnership, association, corporation or joint stock company, their lessees, trustees, or receivers appointed by any court whatsoever. The word "street" as used in this article shall mean and include any street, avenue, park, parkway, highway or other public place. Amended by L.1952, c. 251, p. 838, s. 3, eff. May 10, 1952; L.1971, c. 16, s. 4, eff. Jan. 29, 1971; L.1973, c. 272, s. 3, eff. Nov. 29, 1973; L.1978, c. 72, s. 2, eff. July 7, 1978.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-24 Municipal consent to operation; insurance; power of attorney; revocation of consent

No autobus as defined herein shall be operated wholly or partly along any street in any city until the owner or owners thereof shall obtain the consent of the board or body having control of public streets in such city for the operation of such autobus and the use of any street or streets of said city. No such consent shall become effective and no such operation shall be permitted until the owner of such autobus (including, for purposes of this section, autobusses with carrying capacity of not more 20 passengers) in any city shall have filed with the chief fiscal officer of the city in which said autobus shall be licensed and operated an insurance policy of a company duly licensed to transact business under the insurance laws of this State in the sum of $10,000.00 against loss from the liability imposed by law upon the autobus owner for damages on account of bodily injury or death suffered by any one person and in the sum of $100,000.00 on account of bodily injury or death suffered by more than one person, and in the sum of $5,000.00 against loss on account of property damage suffered by any person or persons as a result of an accident occurring by reason of the ownership, maintenance or use of such autobus upon the public streets of such city, and such consent shall continue effective and such operation be permitted only so long as such insurance to the full and collectible amount of $10,000.00 for one person and $100,000.00 for more than one person for bodily injuries or death and $5,000.00 for property damage shall remain in force, during the entire term of the policy. Such insurance policy shall provide for the payment of any final judgment recovered by any person on account of the ownership, maintenance and use of such autobus or any fault in respect thereto and shall be for the benefit of any person suffering loss, damage or injury as aforesaid. A power of attorney shall be executed and delivered to such fiscal officer concurrently with the filing of a policy hereinbefore referred to, wherein and whereby the said owner shall nominate, constitute and appoint such fiscal officer his true and lawful attorney for the purpose of acknowledging service of any process out of a court of competent jurisdiction to be served against the insured by virtue of the indemnity granted under the insurance policy filed. Any such consent may be revoked by the board or body of the municipality granting the same after notice and hearing whenever it shall appear that the person to whom such consent was granted has failed to furnish and keep in force the insurance and the power of attorney herein required, or to comply with any terms or conditions imposed by the board or body granting such consent or any law of this State. Amended by L.1954, c. 110, p. 585, s. 1; L.1959, c. 54, p. 161, s. 1; L.1971, c. 16, s. 5, eff. Jan. 29, 1971.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-25 Franchise tax; monthly statement of gross receipts; penalty for nonpayment; perjury

Every person as herein defined, owning and operating an autobus as herein defined, in any city of this state shall, on or before the tenth day of each calendar month, file with the city treasurer of such city a statement, verified by oath, showing the gross receipts from the business of said autobus or busses during the preceding calendar month, and shall at the same time pay to the city treasurer of such city five per cent of such gross receipts as a monthly franchise tax for revenue for the use of such city; provided, that if the route over which such autobus is operated shall extend beyond the limits of such city, then such person shall include in such statement the length of the route over which said autobus is operated both within and without said city, and shall pay as said franchise tax to said city five per cent of such proportion of the gross receipts as the length of the route in the city bears to the whole length of such route. The sum accruing to any city under this section when paid shall be in lieu of all other franchise taxes and municipal license fees. Any person owning and operating an autobus or busses in any city of this state neglecting or refusing to make such monthly statement or payment at the time and as required herein shall thereby forfeit and pay for such neglect or refusal one hundred dollars for each offense, to be recoverable by action in the name of such city in any court of competent jurisdiction, and when collected paid into the city treasury. Any person who shall falsely make any oath required to be made in this section shall be guilty of perjury.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-26 § 48:16-26

Nothing contained in sections 48:16-23 to 48:16-25 of this title shall exempt any person owning or operating any autobus from complying with existing statutes relating to the ownership, registration and operation of automobiles in this state.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-27 § 48:16-27

Any person operating an autobus in any of the streets of any city in this state without complying with the provisions of sections 48:16-23 to 48:16-26 of this title shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

N.J. Stat. § 48:16-28 License fee in fourth-class cities

In lieu of the monthly franchise tax provided for by section 48:16-25 of this title, any city of the fourth class of this state which may consent to the operation of autobusses along or over any of the streets of such municipality may, by ordinance, provide for an annual license fee of any amount not exceeding one hundred dollars, to be paid at such period as may by said ordinance be designated, by the owner or operator of such autobus before engaging in such business. Should such annual license fee be so provided, monthly statements of gross receipts need not be filed with the city treasurer of such municipality. Any person who shall engage in said business without having first paid the license fee so provided for shall at once be subject to the penalties provided for by section 48:16-27 of this title.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026