Immediate Enactment of Change in Law Governing Taxicab Signage
February 9, 2011 | Virginia News
The memo below is from DMV Commissioner Richard Holcomb, regarding the immediate enactment of a change in the law governing taxi cab signage. Please forward this information to your officers, as this change in the law is effective 2/4/2011.
Dear Law Enforcement Partners:
As a result of actions by the 2010 General Assembly session a law went into effect July 1, 2010 that required taxicabs to bear roof signs and markings identifying them as taxicabs. The bill was intended to address concerns about non-emergency medical transportation providers operating under taxicab credentials. However, the way the law was constructed it imposed fairly stringent marking requirements that would require many taxi operators to make significant changes to the signage and markings for their fleet. This was clearly not the legislature’s intent.
During the 2011 General Assembly session emergency legislation (House Bill 1426 patroned by Delegate Glenn Oder) was pursued to address the unintended consequences and the law was changed effective February 4, 2011.
The language of the newly revised law specifies:
“Every motor vehicle operating in the Commonwealth as a taxicab or performing a taxicab service shall bear (i) the word or words "taxicab," "taxi," or "cab," permanently affixed to its exterior, in letters at least three inches in height, and (ii) a roof sign. Such markings and roof sign, taken together, shall clearly reflect that the motor vehicle is operating as a taxicab or performing a taxicab service.”
We will be sending the attached notice to taxicab operators to inform them of this change. Any assistance you can provide in getting this information out to the law enforcement community would be greatly appreciated. Questions from law enforcement officials regarding the revised law can be directed to David Dunston, Motor Carrier Case Manager, at (804) 367-6504. Taxicab operators that have questions may be referred to (804) 249-5130 where a group of motor carrier customer service representatives are available to assist.
Richard D. Holcomb
Commissioner
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
DOWNLOAD MEMO (PDF)
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