Consumer Affairs

Associations of Independent Taxicabs
Information Sheet No. 4

Effective May 1, 1997, it will be unlawful to own, lease, drive or otherwise operate a taxicab within the City of Seattle unless it is affiliated with a taxicab association licensed under Chapter 6.310 of the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) [see SMC 6.310.130 and Ordinance 118341, Section 3] In other words, both taxicabs and drivers must be affiliated with licensed taxicab associations. Violation of this requirement is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or by imprisonment not to exceed 90 days. [SMC 6.310.600A].

Independent taxicabs - defined as those taxicabs that shared a central dispatch service with nine (9) or fewer other taxicabs prior to October 1, 1996 - may retain their current color scheme provided that they affiliate with taxicab associations comprised only of independent taxicabs. On January 1, 1999 these independent taxicabs must all repaint to a common color scheme adopted by their taxicab associations. Independent taxicab associations must comply with all other requirements of taxicab associations contained in SMC Chapter 6.310 including: business office; recordkeeping; consumer complaint resolution; service information report; driver uniforms; two-way communications; association driver training program (1 week); and designated taxicab association representative. Independent taxicab owners and drivers will be issued Notices of Violation (NoV) with monetary penalties if they are not in compliance with these requirements. Beginning on May 1, 1997, every time drivers or owners are issued NoV their taxicab association will collect points. When the average number of points awarded to an association adds up to five (5) per taxicab, a monetary penalty will be issued to the association equal to $100 for each affiliated taxicab.

Independent taxicabs must re-number (the same 3-digit number that appears on their Seattle taxicab license plate) and mark the telephone number of the taxicab association on the door [Director Rule R-6.310.200A(6)]. The taxicab trade name and number and association telephone number must also appear on the consumer information boards.

Taxicab associations must submit license applications no later than May 1, 1997 that list affiliated taxicabs and affiliated for-hire drivers. Other information required on the license application includes: list of officers, disclosure of criminal records, identification of taxicab association representative and alternates, business office address and telephone, insurance policy information for each affiliated taxicab, list of special and contract rates, acceptable methods of payment, two-way communication radio frequencies or cell phone numbers, association vehicle color scheme (if used), and association driver uniform. There will be a criminal records check for all taxicab association officers and taxicab association representatives and alternates.