Rules for private transportation drivers on conduct and passenger care

(a) The private transportation drivers must comply the following operating, conduct, and passenger relations standards: (1) Private transportation drivers shall not transport more passengers than the number of seat belts available, nor more luggage than the vehicle capacity will safely and legally allow; (2) Private transportation drivers shall not operate a vehicle that was not certified by a private transportation company to transport passengers; (3) Private transportation drivers shall have evidence of a valid vehicle insurance policy in their possession at all times; (4) Private transportation drivers shall report articles left behind by passengers to the private transportation company as found articles, and follow the private transportation company’s lost and found policy and procedures; (5) Private transportation drivers shall permit the department to inspect the private transportation vehicle upon request; (6) Private transportation drivers shall not consume any alcohol while on duty or less than eight hours before going on duty; (7) Private transportation drivers shall not have any container of any alcoholic beverage in the private transportation vehicle unless the container belongs to the passenger; (8) Private transportation drivers shall comply with any written notice of violation issued by the director; (9) Private transportation drivers shall not operate a private transportation vehicle: (A) With an expired, suspended, or revoked driver’s license; (B) When the private transportation vehicle has an expired registration or safety inspection sticker; or (C) When the private transportation vehicle fails the annual safety inspection; (10) Private transportation drivers shall immediately surrender their driver certification and vehicle certification to the director upon written notice that the driver certification has been suspended, not renewed, or revoked by either the private transportation company or the director. Any decal, logo, or unique company identifier must be removed from the front and rear bumper; (11) Private transportation drivers shall operate the private transportation vehicle with due regard for the safety, comfort, and convenience of passengers; (12) Private transportation drivers shall not allow or knowingly permit the private transportation vehicle to be used for any unlawful purpose; (13) Private transportation drivers shall transport their passengers using the most cost effective and direct route, unless: (A) Directed otherwise by the passenger; or (B) An emergency situation, such as road closure or accident, requires an alternate direct route; (14) Private transportation drivers shall keep their vehicles in a clean condition, deposit all refuse appropriately, and under no circumstances, litter; (15) Private transportation drivers shall not use offensive language, expressions, or gestures to any person while driving, operating, picking up customers, or in control of a private vehicle or taxicab; (16) Private transportation drivers shall not smoke in the private transportation vehicle while a passenger is in the vehicle; (17) Private transportation drivers shall, upon request by the director or a police officer, provide the private transportation driver certificate, the vehicle certificate, and any other documents requested for inspection; (18) Private transportation drivers shall not operate any electronic, digital, or GPS device in a private transportation vehicle without a hands-free mount and in hands-free mode; (19) Private transportation drivers shall not sublease or permit another to operate their private transportation vehicle as a private transportation driver; and (20) Private transportation drivers shall not refuse to transport any person, except when upon arrival at the place of pick-up, the passenger is acting in a disorderly or threatening manner, or otherwise is acting in a manner that would cause a reasonable person to believe that the private transportation driver’s health or safety, or that of others, may be endangered. (b) A violation of any of the standards set forth in subsection (a) may result in the suspension or revocation of the transportation driver certificate by the director, in addition to the assessment of a fine.