28-9503. Vehicle for hire company permits; fees; violation; classification

A. A vehicle for hire company may not operate in this state unless the vehicle for hire company is issued a permit by the department. The vehicle for hire company may apply to the department on forms prescribed by the department. The permit is valid for three years. The department shall charge and collect an application fee of twenty-four dollars per vehicle that is used as a taxi by the vehicle for hire company at the time of application, not to exceed a total of one thousand dollars per applicant.

B. The department shall issue a permit to an applicant that meets the requirements of this article.

C. A vehicle for hire company shall maintain an agent for service of process in this state.

D. If a fare is based on time or mileage or both time and mileage, a taxi shall have a taxi meter, except that if the service offered by the taxi is a prearranged ground transportation service as prescribed in section 28-141 for a predetermined fare, the taxi is not required to use the taxi meter.

E. The department shall revoke a permit if the vehicle for hire company fails to maintain the requirements for either of the following:

1. Motor vehicle licensing as prescribed by the department.

2. Motor vehicle insurance as prescribed by section 28-4033.

F. A vehicle for hire shall have a copy of the permit issued to the vehicle for hire company under this chapter inside the vehicle at all times.

G. A taxi that is issued a permit by the department and that offers local transportation for a fare determined on the basis of the distance traveled or prearranged ground transportation service as prescribed in section 28-141 for a predetermined fare is not required to have an additional permit as a livery vehicle.

H. A person or the person's agent who knowingly files with the department any notice, statement or other document required under this section that is false or that contains any material misstatement of fact is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor.