Consumer Services

Taxicab Driver Resources and Information

• Safety First
• Taxicab Driver Handbook
• Vehicle Standards
• Taxicab Stand Rules
• Taxicab Stand Code of Conduct
• Flat Rate Zones
• Underserved Area Taxicab Zones
• Vehicle Inspection Station
• For-Hire Chauffeur Registration

Safety First

Why should taxicab drivers focus on safety?  It is a risky profession for various reasons.  Taxicab drivers work alone and often work during late hours when crimes are more likely to happen.  Drivers are sometimes dispatched to remote areas where there are no other people around.  Because they work in a primarily cash-run business, they are more likely to have cash on hand, making them a target for would-be robbers.  Drivers are also constantly picking up strangers, some of whom may have criminal intentions.  The Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department cautions drivers to take the following steps to avoid problems.

• Be cautious of customers who give you vague instructions.  Tell your customers that it is company policy to obtain an exact address.
• Stay alert and be informed.  When arriving at a new location, look around and familiarize yourself with your surroundings.  Try to spot any suspicious characters.
• Stay in your car when picking up or discharging passengers.  Never drive into back alleys or lanes.  Tell your customer that it is company policy to arrange pick-ups and drop-offs in more public areas due to safety reasons.
• Observe passengers using your rearview mirror.  Take a mental picture of what they are wearing and what they look like so you can give a good description to police if that person tries to assault you.
• Notify your dispatcher at the start of every trip.  The most important piece of equipment in your cab is your radio.  It connects you to your dispatcher who is your lifeline and can help get you out of trouble. Dispatchers are able to give you accurate information when you need it.
• Maintain accurate trip sheets.  Should you become the victim of a crime, trip sheets will help police investigate and find your assailant.
• Limit the amount of money you carry and keep it concealed.  Do not wear lots of jewelry.  Do not display large amounts of money when giving change (as a rule, change less than $30).  If your passenger offers you a large denomination bill, advise the individual that you will take him/her to get it changed at a nearby store.
• Do not resist a robbery.  Comply with the assailant's demand.  Stay calm.  Do not try to intimidate the assailant.
• Trust your instincts.  If you feel uncomfortable in a situation, trust your instincts and try to get away as quickly and courteously as possible.
• Have a plan of emergency.  Every taxicab company has in place a set of emergency procedures for different circumstances. These rules vary from company to company, and you must make every effort to learn them. They are not there for the company but are for you and your personal safety.
• Keep your windows rolled up and your doors locked.  This makes it difficult for someone to try to attack you.  You may lower your window just enough to communicate and still remain far from reach.

Doing business is important, but your safety comes first.  If you have any questions about safety or other taxicab-related concerns, contact the Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department at (305) 375-3677.

Taxicab Driver Handbook

The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau has put together helpful tips and tools for you to run a successful taxicab business in a convenient and easy-to-use Taxi Handbook. In addition to explaining the importance of tourism to your bottom line, the handbook provides important phone numbers, such as for emergencies and assistance related to non-emergencies, tourism and parking; maps; information about taxicab stand locations; hotels and restaurants; attractions, museums and theaters; shopping malls and marketplaces.

Chauffeur Behavior

• Be courteous to your customers.
• Help passengers load luggage.
• Properly display your valid chauffeur license.
• Do not leave your vehicle unattended.
• Do not solicit passengers.
• Do not smoke while transporting passengers.
• Do not refuse service to an orderly passenger.
• Do not refuse service to a customer with disabilities who is traveling with a service animal.
• Select the most direct route when transporting passengers.
• Offer your customer a receipt.
• Keep a neat appearance.  Follow the dress code:  collared shirt, slacks and closed toe shoes.  Medical exceptions need to be noted on your license and endorsed by a doctor's note.
• Do not make special deals with employees of hotels, restaurants or other establishments to obtain favor for the right to pick up passengers at an establishment.
• Maintain a trip sheet and keep it for a minimum of one year.
• Use your SunPass when traveling on toll roads.
• When providing service at the airport, you must go through the taxicab waiting lot and the landside agents to pick up passengers at the lower level of the airport.
  

Vehicle Standards

• Keep your vehicle in good working condition.
• Vehicle interior must be clean, and each seat in the vehicle requires a functioning and operational seat belt.
• Air conditioning must be turned on unless the customer tells you to turn it off.
• Inspection decals cannot be removed and put on another taxicab.  Vehicles cannot operate without an inspection decal properly displayed.
• For-hire license number must be displayed on 4 corners of the vehicle (both sides of the trunk and hood openings) and both sides of the front fender.  Numerals must be of contrasting color and like kind.
• Trade name must be on both sides of vehicle and must include the word "Taxi" or "Cab" or "Taxicab" - minimum of 4 inches high.
• Business telephone number must be on both sides of the vehicle - minimum of 4 inches high.
• Taxicab Rates must be displayed on the vehicle.  Remember to use the correct rate according to where the customer is going.  Use the Rate 2 meter fare for trips that originate from the airport or seaport to destinations not in the flat rate zones.
• Underserved Area Taxicabs serving the economically disadvantaged area in northern Miami-Dade County must mark the vehicle with the letter "U" following the vehicle numbers.
• South Miami Dade Area Regional Taxicabs serving the area south of Kendall Drive (S.W. 88th Street) in southern Miami-Dade County must have the decal outlining the South Miami Dade Area on both rear quarter panels of the vehicle.
• Top and tell-tale lights must be operable and un-obscured from all directions.
• Meter must function properly and must be clearly lit.
• Advertising of products, goods, and/or services on the interior or exterior of the vehicle is not allowed, except for signs approved by the Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department.
• Wheelchair accessible taxicab drivers must complete a certification course on how to properly lift and secure wheelchairs.

Taxicab Stand Rules

There are two types of taxicab stands.  They either specify how many vehicles are allowed at the stand at any one time, or they limit the amount of taxicabs that fit between two designated signs.

• Drivers must be in attendance of their vehicle with the doors closed, ready for employment.
• Taxicab stands are operated on a first in, first out basis.
• No more than the allotted number of taxicabs are allowed at the stand.
• Taxicabs cannot overcrowd a stand or use meters adjacent to a stand for the purpose of waiting to get in the stand.
• All drivers parked at the taxicab stand must accept customers.
• Drivers cannot jump the line and move his/her car in front of the next car waiting in line.  However, customers are allowed to choose any taxicab.

Taxicab Stand Code of Conduct

Taxicab stands are critical to ensuring that taxis remain a convenient mode of transportation.  Professional behavior at taxicab stands will help retain stands in places that are most needed.  It is necessary to abide by a code of conduct that demonstrates professionalism and respect.

Do:

• Be ready to work.  Stay with your vehicle, dress professionally and be a goodwill ambassador for the area.
• Respect businesses and residents in the area.
• Respect other drivers.
• Dispose of garbage, papers, refuse and other forms of trash in trash receptacles.  If trash receptacles are not provided, hold onto the trash until you have access to a receptacle.
• Observe all laws and ordinances.
• Keep voices and radios at a low level.
• Use restroom facilities for the purpose they are intended.

Do Not:

• Litter.
• Eat outside of your vehicle.
• Overcrowd the taxicab stand. 
• Work on or perform maintenance on your vehicle.
• Sit on top of your vehicle or on the sidewalk, the curb or on stools.
• Leave doors open except when loading or unloading passengers.
• Fight, argue or use profanity.
• Use the taxicab stand or the surrounding area as your restroom.
• Disrupt area businesses, block entrances or disturb customers.

Flat Rate Zones

Taxi cab flat rate zones operate within the city of Coral Gables, the Beaches and the Miami International Airport region. Consult the flat rate zone guide for information on the designated zones and the rates for each zone.

Underserved Area Taxicab Zones

South Dade Zone
North - S.W. 88th Street
South - S.W. 392nd Street
East - Biscayne Bay
West - County Line

North Dade Zone
North - County Line N.W. 215th Street
South - N.W. 7th Street
East- N.E. 2nd Avenue
West - N.W. 57th Avenue

NOTE:  Drivers can only pick up within the described boundaries of the zone.

Vehicle Inspection Station

 

Open Tuesday - Saturday
7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

2615 N.W. 10th Avenue
Miami, Florida 33127

Click on additional information for details on fees, directions and other important requirements for vehicle inspections.

For-Hire Chauffeur Registration

Are you interested in becoming a taxicab driver?  Learn about the registration process by visiting the training and permits webpage

Back to Top Page Last Edited: Mon Aug 8, 2011 11:12:08 AM