Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 50 - Common Carriers › Subchapter 10 - Motor Carriers of Passengers › Part 2 - Rules Governing Transportation of Passengers via Taxicabs and Limited Public Motor Vehicles (815-RICR-50-10-2) › Section 815-RICR-50-10-2.5 - Taximeter Requirements

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Every cab shall
				  be equipped with a functioning taximeter subject to the following terms and
				  conditions:
1. All taximeters used in
				  accordance with the rules and regulations stated herein shall be inspected by
				  the Motor Carriers Section for proper calibration and function.
2. Once inspected and approved by the Motor
				  Carriers Section personnel, the Motor Carriers Section personnel will
				  officially seal the taximeter. No passengers shall be transported without an
				  officially inspected, approved, sealed, and operating taximeter. Any other
				  seals installed by the certificate holder on the taximeter or on an
				  appurtenance or cable thereto shall be of a type clearly distinguishable from
				  State seals. They shall be pressed by the certificate holder in a distinctive
				  manner and painted red.
3. A fare
				  may only be charged to a customer that is based on the reading of a working
				  taximeter. Flat rates or estimated charges may not be charged under any
				  circumstances.
4. No type of
				  taximeter shall be installed that is incapable of being sealed by the Motor
				  Carriers Section.
5. Taximeters
				  that may be reprogrammed or recalibrated without having first to remove the
				  seal are prohibited.
6. No
				  taximeter shall be installed in such a manner that prohibits the visual
				  inspection of the meter and seal.
7. No adjusted, repaired, or recalibrated
				  taximeter or appurtenance of a taximeter shall be installed in a cab unless
				  such adjustment, repair, or recalibration has been officially inspected,
				  approved and sealed by the Motor Carriers Section.
8. A taximeter shall be installed so that a
				  person of normal vision from the rear seat can easily read the fare numerals.
				  If the taximeter is "flag operated", the flag, when in the upright (cleared)
				  position, shall be visible to a person standing in front or to the side of the
				  cab.
9. The serial number of the
				  taximeter shall be the same as that shown on the rate card assigned to the cab,
				  except where a temporary replacement meter is being used pursuant to these
				  rules and regulation.
10. The Motor
				  Carriers Section shall be notified within two (2) business days of any change
				  of any taximeter.
11. Tire size
				  shall be the same as that for which the taximeter is calibrated, as indicated
				  by the rate card. Tire inflation shall be checked at the commencement of each
				  shift by the driver of said taxi and recorded on the shift manifest. A tire
				  that does not hold the specified pressure over a 24-hour period shall be
				  replaced immediately.
12.
				  Passengers shall not be carried until a cab's taximeter has been tested for
				  accuracy over a measured mile course by the Motor Carriers Section, or its
				  authorized representatives whenever:
a. The
				  vehicle's transmission or differential is altered or replaced; or
b. A change is made in any other part of the
				  cab that may affect the meter readings; or
c. The Motor Carriers Section considers it
				  necessary.
13. A
				  certificate holder shall notify the Motor Carriers Section within 24 hours of
				  the time that any of the aforementioned changes are made.