TOWN OF EDGARTOWN
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR
TAXICAB DRIVER’S LICENSE
- These forms must be typewritten or printed in blue or black ink by the applicant.
- All questions must be answered, if applicable. If not applicable, indicate N/A.
- The failure to answer any question truthfully, accurately, or completely may result in the applicant’s disqualification for consideration by the Police Department.
- If the space provided is not sufficient for complete answers, or you wish to make additional comments, attach sheets the same size as these forms and indicate to which question those sheets pertain.
- Please present the following documents with the application
- Your Massachusetts operator’s license
- Two Passport size photographs of your face and shoulder (approx 1 ¼” in size).
- $5.00 processing fee payable by check to the Town of Edgartown. Please note, we no longer take cash payments – please bring a check to cover the amount due.
Edgartown Taxicab Regulations
Taxicab Driver; Application for License
License Required. No person shall operate a taxicab licensed by the Board unless licensed as a taxicab driver by the Police Department.
Minimum Hiring Qualifications. Prior to making an application for a taxicab driver’s license, the taxicab business owner shall determine that, in addition to the conditions as set forth in section 3.3, the applicant is familiar with the geography, roads and traffic regulations within the Town and on Martha’s Vineyard; can by reason of experience, training or both, safely operate the type of motor vehicle he or she is to be assigned; and can read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand authorized traffic signs in the English language, to respond to official inquiries, or to make entries on reports and records.
Minimum Licensing Requirements. An applicant for a license to operate a taxicab shall be at least 18 years of age; shall be eligible for employment of the United States; shall be licensed by the Commonwealth to operate such motor vehicle; and have at least one year of experience operating a motor vehicle.
Application Filing and Fee. An application for the licensing of a taxicab driver’s license shall be filed with the Police Department. The applicant shall make payment of the non-refundable licensing fee and shall provide a photograph of himself or herself for inclusion in the license and the records of the Town. The photograph shall be passport-sized of the applicant’s face and shoulders only. All photographs shall become the property of the Town and will not be returned to an applicant.
Criminal Offender and Driver History Records Check. The Police Department shall conduct an inquiry of any criminal or driver history record, which may disqualify the applicant from acquiring such license.
Falsified Information. Any falsification of information submitted in an original or renewal application for a license or any failure to notify the Board of any material change in the information contained therein shall be cause for denial of such application or the immediate revocation or suspension of such license. An applicant shall comply with the assessment process.
Assessment of applicant. A taxicab driver’s license may be issued by the Police Department after an assessment of the applicant as determined by the Board and/or the Police Department. The applicant shall, to the satisfaction of the Board and the Police Department, cooperate during the assessment process.
Approval of Applicant. An applicant approved by the Police Department for a taxicab driver’s license shall be issued such a license.
Denial of Applicant. Should an application be denied, the Police Department shall notify the applicant within 30 days and specify in writing the reason for such denial. The applicant may request a hearing on the denial before the Board. A taxicab driver’s license shall not be issued to an applicant with a matter relating to the following:
The admission of sufficient facts or conviction of a felony within the period of five (5) years immediately preceding the date of the filing of the application;
The admission of sufficient facts or conviction of a felony or misdemeanor at any time that involved violence towards another person;
The admission of sufficient facts or conviction of a felony at any time that involved a violation of the controlled substance law;
The admission of sufficient facts or conviction of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
Reasonable grounds the applicant’s driver history demonstrates a prevalence to violate the traffic laws;
Is under the supervision of the court; or
Any other reasonable grounds to cause the Police Department to deny such application.
Expiration and Renewal. The license of a taxicab driver shall expire annually on April 30th. Within 30 days of said expiration, a driver may make an application to renew said license, and shall make payment of the licensing fee. The issuance of such license shall be granted upon the same terms and conditions as the previous license.
Suspension or Revocation. If at any time during the term of a license, the Board or the Police Department becomes aware of information that indicates the taxicab driver no longer meets the application terms for licensed driver’s as stated herein, the Board or the Police Department may immediately take possession and suspend such a license for a period of no more than 14 days. The suspension period of such license may be extended or revoked, after a public hearing conducted by the Board.
Termination of Employment. If at any time during the term of a license, the employment of a driver is terminated by an owner for a violating the terms of any regulation stated herein, then such owner shall immediately notify the Police Department in writing.
