5.110.060 For-hire driver requirements.
No person shall be permitted to operate a for-hire vehicle for a taxicab company, or a TNC company under PMC 5.110.040 unless the person:
(1) Is at least 21 years of age, possesses a driver’s license valid in the State of Washington, and has not been convicted of a felony unless such rights have been restored under Chapters 9.96A or 9.97 RCW; and
(2) Complies with all state laws and regulations relating to for-hire vehicles and provides evidence of such compliance, including but not limited to the following:
(a) Proof of age – 21 years or older;
(b) A driver’s license valid in the State of Washington;
(c) Proof of UBI (independent contractor);
(d) Proof of insurance (liability and property insurance).
(3) Taxicab company for-hire drivers shall, in addition to the requirements of subsection (2) of this section, submit the following:
(a) Proof of successfully completing a training course provided by the National Safety Council; or school licensed by the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board;
(b) Proof of successfully having passed a written examination provided by the National Safety Council; or school licensed by the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board;
(c) Current photograph at the time of each application and/or renewal;
(d) Current abstract of driving record;
(e) Health Department annual tuberculosis test; and
(f) Upon approval of the application, the Police Department shall cause to be issued a card bearing the name and description, including an annual updated photograph of the driver, which card shall be carried on the driver’s person at all times when operating a for-hire vehicle within the City.
(4) A taxicab company, TNC, or its agent, shall maintain accurate and up-to-date records for all of its employed or affiliated for-hire drivers operating within the City of Pasco. Said record shall include that information required by subsections (2) and (3) of this section as applicable, subsection (7) of this section, and such other information as may be required by this chapter.
(5) Prior to permitting a person to operate as a taxicab driver or as a TNC driver, and biennially thereafter, the taxicab company or TNC shall conduct, or have a third party conduct, and review a criminal background check report for such person. The criminal background check shall include a search of no less than seven years of database history, unless prohibited by law, in which case the duration of the search shall be the maximum number of years permitted by law. The criminal background check shall include local, state, and national criminal history databases and publicly accessible national sex offender registries. Any person who is on a sex offender registry or who has been convicted, within the past seven years, of crimes involving driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances, felony fraud, sexual offenses, acts of violence, acts of terror, or use of a motor vehicle to commit a felony, shall not be permitted to act as a taxicab or TNC driver. The taxicab company or TNC, or its agent, shall maintain records of such criminal background checks for a period of two years. For purposes of this section, the term “conviction” includes convictions, bail forfeitures, and other final adverse findings. The criminal background checks required by this section may be provided either by the Pasco Police Department for a fee as designated in PMC 3.35.050, or a service provider accredited by the Background Screening Credentialing Council, or other nationally recognized accreditation service.
(6) A TNC or taxicab company shall revoke a TNC or taxicab driver’s authority to operate as a driver for its company if it finds that the standards set forth in this section are no longer being met by such person. The TNC or taxicab company shall only reinstate his or her authority upon a finding by the taxicab company or TNC that all standards are again being met by such person.
(7) Each for-hire driver shall provide to the for-hire business by which it is employed or with which it is affiliated, current and accurate documentation containing the name, height, weight, color of hair and eyes, residence address, place and date of birth, social security number, criminal history, driver’s license, motor vehicle registration, current photograph of the driver, and automobile insurance. [Ord. 4373, 2017; Ord. 4342, 2017; Code 1970 § 5.45A.060.]