§ 56-2. - Definitions.
The following words, terms and phases, when used in Articles I and II of this Chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
(1) Autobus means a self-propelled motor vehicle not operated on fixed tracks, with a manufacturer's rated seating capacity of seven or more passengers, operating over a fixed route, between fixed termini and/or on trips pursuant to a published bus schedule; which transports passengers in exchange for compensation; and the vehicles are regulated by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.
(2) Carriage means any animal-drawn carriage, pedicab, bicycle carriage, and any other form of animal-drawn and/or human powered vehicle used to transport persons for any compensation, including tips only. Neither motor-assisted nor electric-assisted carriages shall be used to transport persons for hire on City streets.
(3) Certificate of public convenience and necessity/business license means the authority granted by the City to engage in the operation of a business that provides vehicle(s) for hire originating in the City.
(4) Commercial automobile liability insurance means an automobile liability insurance policy issued to business organizations or individuals for motor vehicles for hire.
(5) Conviction means any plea of guilty, nolo contendere or finding of guilt for an offense beginning after the completion of any court-imposed probationary term and continuing for any terms specified in Articles I and II of this chapter.
(6) Cruising means the driving of a vehicle for hire on the streets, alleys or public places of the City in search of or in solicitation of prospective passengers for hire.
(7) Driver means, for purposes of Articles I and II of this chapter, every person who is permitted to drive or operate a vehicle for hire.
(8) Licensee means every vehicle for hire company that is licensed under Articles I and II of this chapter by the City.
(9) Limousine means a vehicle that is a stretched or late model luxury vehicle with a seating capacity of at least five but not more than 15 or designated as a classic car, that is neither a public van nor equipped with a taximeter, but is for hire by a prearranged schedule at a fixed rate only on the hourly or one-half hour basis without regard to whether the trip requires less than one-half hour.
(10) Low-speed vehicle means a motor vehicle
(a) that is 4-wheeled;
(b) whose speed attainable in 1.6 km (1 mile) is more than 32 kilometers per hour (20 miles per hour) and not more than 40 kilometers per hour (25 miles per hour) on a paved level surface; and
(c) whose GVWR is less than 1,361 kilograms (3,000 pounds).
(11) Motor vehicle for hire means an automobile, bus, truck, van, limousine, shuttle, or any other form of motor vehicle which is used to transport persons for any amount of compensation, including money, property, service, tips only, or anything else of value, in exchange for the transportation. This definition shall not include school buses used for transporting children to and from school or to and from a school activity; vehicles used for ridesharing/carpooling when the seating capacity of the motor vehicle is 15 or less; funeral home limousines used exclusively for customers of the funeral home; autobuses; courtesy vehicles which are provided by hotels or other businesses/companies free of charge to the individual customers of the hotel/business and which are not open to use by the general public; or vehicles owned and/or utilized by a non-profit organization to which contributions are tax deductible under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(12) Open stand for taxis means a public place alongside the curb of a street or elsewhere in the City which has been designated by the Traffic Commission pursuant to Section 56-60 as reserved exclusively for the use of taxicabs.
(13) Open stand for carriages means a public place alongside the curb of a street or elsewhere in the City which has been designated by the Traffic Commission pursuant to Section 56-218 as reserved exclusively for the use of carriages.
(14) Owner means every person, firm, partnership, association or corporation having proprietary use, ownership or control of any vehicles for hire or fleets of vehicles for hire.
(15) Permittee means, for purposes of Articles I and II of this chapter, every person who drives or operates a motor vehicle for hire subject to the license of a motor vehicle for hire company.
(16) Person includes both singular and plural, and shall mean any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, or association for business purposes.
(17) Ridesharing/carpooling means an arrangement whereby two or more participants travel together in one vehicle, with a seating capacity of 15 or less, the participants voluntarily sharing the costs and often taking turns as the driver. Operation of a motor vehicle for hire shall not be construed as ridesharing/carpooling.
(18) Shuttle means a motor vehicle classified by the manufacturer as a van, sport utility vehicle, or other similar type of vehicle that is built on a small truck chassis with a seating capacity of at least seven but not more than 15 which transports passenger(s) and does not utilize a taximeter
(a) to and from an airport in exchange for compensation; or
(b) according to a pre-arranged written agreement to transport a specified person or group of persons to and from specified points of origin and destination;
(c) but does not include an airport parking shuttle that operates solely on airport property by or for the sole purpose of the Oklahoma City Airport Trust.
(19) Street means any street, road, alley, avenue, boulevard, public way, lane or highway within the corporate limits of the City.
(20) Supervisor of Licenses means that person who supervises and enforces the licensing provisions of Articles I and II of this chapter.
(21) Taxicab or taxi or cab means a motor vehicle for hire designed to carry ten persons or less, operated upon any street or on call or demand, accepting or soliciting passengers indiscriminately for transportation for hire between such points along streets or highways as may be directed by the passenger or passengers so being transported, and equipped with a taximeter, for compensation fixed by a taximeter.
(22) Taximeter means a mechanical and/or electronic device attached to a taxicab, which calculates the authorized charge on the basis of distance traveled, waiting time, or a combination of both which reflects the rates previously submitted to the City. Charges shall be indicated upon such device in dollars and cents. A taximeter may not be an internet based application.
(23) Traffic Commission means the Oklahoma City Traffic and Transportation Commission.
(24) Vehicle for Hire Inspector means any officer designated by the Oklahoma City Chief of Police, and charged with the responsibility of ensuring compliance with all the provisions of Articles I and II of this chapter.
(Ord. No. 24120, § 3, 8-17-10; Ord. No. 24631, § 1, 3-19-13; Ord. No. 25002, § 2, 10-21-14; Ord. No. 25,188, § 1, 7-21-15; Ord. No. 26213, § 2, 7-30-19)
