Advertising—Penalties.

Checkout our iOS App for a better way to browser and research.

(1) No limousine carrier may advertise without listing the carrier's unified business identifier issued by the department in the advertisement and specifying the type of service offered as provided in RCW 46.04.274. No limousine carrier may advertise or hold itself out to the public as providing taxicab transportation services.

(2) All advertising, contracts, correspondence, cards, signs, posters, papers, and documents that show a limousine carrier's name or address shall list the carrier's unified business identifier and the type of service offered. The alphabetized listing of limousine carriers appearing in the advertising sections of telephone books or other directories and all advertising that shows the carrier's name or address must show the carrier's current unified business identifier.

(3) Advertising in the alphabetical listing in a telephone directory need not contain the carrier's certified business identifier.

(4) It is a violation, subject to a fine of up to five thousand dollars per violation, for a person to (a) falsify a unified business identifier or use a false or inaccurate unified business identifier; (b) fail to specify the type of service offered; (c) advertise or otherwise hold itself out to the public as providing taxicab transportation services in connection with a solicitation or identification as an authorized limousine carrier; or (d) conduct commercial limousine business without a valid limousine carrier license or valid limousine vehicle certificate as required under this chapter, unless licensed as a charter party carrier under chapter 81.70 RCW.

(5) If the basis for the violation is advertising, each advertisement reproduced, broadcast, or displayed via a particular medium constitutes a separate violation.

(6) In deciding the amount of penalty to be imposed per violation, the department shall consider the following factors:

(a) The carrier's willingness to comply with the department's rules under this chapter; and

(b) The carrier's history with respect to compliance with this section.

(7) It is a class 1 civil infraction, with monetary penalties against the chauffeur as specified in RCW 7.80.120, for a chauffeur to:

(a) Solicit or assign customers directly or through a third party for immediate, nonprearranged limousine service pick up as described in RCW 46.72A.020(1); or

(b) Offer payment to a third party to solicit customers for limousine service pick up without current copies of a written contract regarding such services on file at the third party's business. Copies of the current written contract must be stored and made available on both the third party's and limousine carrier's business premises. Limousine vehicles engaged in the services detailed in the contract must carry a certificate verifying existence of a current contract between the parties. The certificate must contain a general description of the agreement, including initial and expiration dates. A written contract may not allow for immediate, nonprearranged limousine service pick up.

(8) It is a class 1 civil infraction, with monetary penalties against the individual as specified in RCW 7.80.120, for an individual to:

(a) Accept payment to solicit or assign customers on the behalf of a chauffeur for immediate, nonprearranged limousine service pick up as described in RCW 46.72A.020(1); or

(b) Accept payment to solicit customers for limousine service pick up without current copies of a written contract regarding such services on file at the third party's business. Copies of the current written contract must be stored and made available on the third party's business premises and in any limousine engaged in the services detailed in the contract. A written contract may not allow for immediate, nonprearranged limousine service pick up.

[ 2011 c 374 § 7; 1997 c 193 § 1; 1996 c 87 § 11.]

NOTES:

Effective date—2011 c 374 §§ 1-12: See note following RCW 46.72A.010.

Report by internal work group on issuance of chauffeur licenses—2011 c 374: See note following RCW 46.72A.090.


Download our app to see the most-to-date content.