§ 31-207. Safety regulations and inspection.

(a)

Adoption; enforcement. CSD shall adopt and enforce all safety regulations of the United States Department of Transportation that are applicable to passenger motor carriers and passenger motor vehicle carriers, as required for operation in an urban area. Any operator applying for a certificate or permit requiring or authorizing the use of a specialized or unique vehicle, not contemplated in United States Department of Transportation regulations, shall submit, subject to approval by CSD, safety regulations for each specific type of vehicle as to equipment, operation, maintenance, seating capacity and inspection of such vehicles, consistent with the vehicle manufacturer specifications, which must be submitted by the operator. The CSD shall develop special standards to be applied to motor vehicles older than five (5) years which are operated as passenger motor vehicles in order to assure that such vehicles are safe.

(b)

Vehicle age. No vehicle older than fifteen (15) model years shall be operated as a passenger motor carrier.

(c)

Inspection for compliance. CSD shall provide for inspection of each vehicle as follows for compliance with the foregoing standards:

(1)

If the vehicle is a motor vehicle that is specially designed, constructed, reconstructed, or equipped to provide nonemergency medical transportation services, such vehicle must be inspected in accordance with the requirements enumerated in Section 4-49(b) of the Code of Miami-Dade County.

(2)

If the vehicle is a sedan, such vehicle must be inspected in accordance with the requirements enumerated in Section 31-89(d) of the Code of Miami-Dade County.

(3)

Finally, if the vehicle is a chauffeur-driven motor vehicle less than thirty-one (31) feet in length and with a rated seated capacity of less than twenty-nine (29) persons and more than eight (8) persons, exclusive of driver, such vehicle must be inspected in accordance with the requirements enumerated in Section 31-107(c) of the Code of Miami-Dade County.

CSD shall charge a fee for such inspections. In addition to regular inspections, the CSD may also inspect any special transportation services motor vehicle at any time. The results of each inspection shall be recorded and a copy provided the operator. Any vehicle failing to meet required safety standards [shall not be operated as a special transportation service carrier] until such time as the vehicle satisfactorily passes inspection.

(d)

In lieu of an inspection performed by CSD, a permit holder shall have the option to certify that such vehicle complies with the requirements of Sections 4-49, 31-89, or 31-107. Before any vehicle may be operated under the authority of such permit, the permit holder shall ensure that each such vehicle has a safety inspection conducted by an American Advanced Technicians Institute ("AATI") or National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence ("ASE") certified master mechanic approved by CSD or an automobile technician at a licensed or state-registered auto repair shop approved by CSD. Additionally, the permit holder shall provide to CSD proof of inspection in accordance with this subsection and in the form required by CSD. CSD shall verify that each inspection conducted pursuant to this subsection was performed in accordance with the Code of Miami-Dade County, Florida.

1.

The permit holder shall maintain records of all vehicle inspections for at least three years and provide proof of such inspections upon request by CSD or any code enforcement officer.

2.

Upon request by CSD or any individual authorized by the Director, a chauffeur shall provide documentation demonstrating that the vehicle has been inspected pursuant to Sections 4-49, 31-89, or 31-107.

3.

It shall be unlawful for a permit holder to permit or to allow a vehicle to operate on the streets of Miami-Dade County which has not been certified in accordance with the provisions of this article.

4.

Any mechanic or technician who provides false information on an inspection form required pursuant to this section shall not be allowed to certify additional Special Transportation Services vehicles to be operated in Miami-Dade County. A permit holder that fails or does not follow the requirements of this section is subject to revocation or suspension of its permit pursuant to Section 31-211. CSD shall periodically distribute its list of prohibited mechanics to all permit holders. Any inspection conducted by a prohibited mechanic shall be deemed invalid.

(e)

If a permit holder elects to self-certify vehicles, the permit holder shall notify CSD in writing prior to certifying vehicles.

(Ord. No. 91-130, § 2, 11-5-91; Ord. No. 92-66, § 3, 7-7-92; Ord. No. 18-94, § 2, 9-5-18)