NAC706.379. Inspection of vehicles by carrier; standards for maintenance of vehicles; special equipment for certain vehicles; withdrawal of substandard vehicles.

     1. A common or contract motor carrier authorized to operate a taxicab, traditional limousine, livery limousine, bus or other vehicle shall regularly inspect each vehicle operated and keep a record of the inspection as required pursuant to subsection 5 of NAC 706.381.

     2. Except as otherwise provided in this section, each vehicle must be maintained in conformance with the following standards:

     (a) The system that comprises the front suspension must be in good repair and proper working order.

     (b) The engine and drivetrain of the vehicle, including other parts necessary to connect the engine and drivetrain to each other or to other parts of the vehicle, must be in good repair and proper working order so that, during normal operation, the engine does not die, miss, backfire or show noticeable loss of power.

     (c) The engine, drivetrain and accessories of the vehicle must not emit loud noises that disturb the passengers of or distract the driver of the vehicle.

     (d) The vehicle must be equipped with an air filter or adequate flame arrester covering the air intake of the fuel delivery system.

     (e) The vehicle must not pull to the left or the right or tend to drift under normal driving conditions.

     (f) The engine, drivetrain, radiator and other accessories must not allow a noticeable amount of fluid to leak.

     (g) The engine must not emit an excessive amount of smoke from the crankcase or system for exhaust.

     (h) Each window of the vehicle must be operable, free from obstruction and afford the driver a view that is unimpaired.

     (i) The linings of the brakes must be of sufficient thickness to prevent the metal portion of the brake shoe or pad from coming into contact with the brake drum or disc. Under normal braking conditions, the vehicle must not pull to the left or to the right and the wheels of the vehicle must not lock.

     (j) The vehicle must be equipped with systems for heating and air-conditioning that provide to passengers a reasonable level of comfort and which conform to reasonable standards of efficiency.

     (k) The vehicle must be equipped with seat belts which must be maintained in a clean and operable condition at all times.

     3. In addition to the standards set forth in subsection 2, each taxicab that is placed into service after March 1, 1999, must be equipped with:

     (a) A mirror located on the outside of the front door on the passenger’s side of the taxicab.

     (b) A bar, rod or other support to maintain the lid of the trunk of the taxicab in an open position. One end of the bar, rod or support must be affixed permanently to the taxicab.

     (c) Straps to tie down the lid of the trunk.

     (d) Windows that are not tinted more darkly than recommended or specified by the manufacturer of the taxicab.

     4. In addition to the standards set forth in subsections 2 and 3, each taxicab, traditional limousine and livery limousine that is placed into service after March 1, 1999, must be equipped with:

     (a) A lock on each door of the taxicab or limousine that may be operated remotely by the driver of the taxicab or limousine with controls located on the driver’s door or in another location within easy reach of the driver.

     (b) A lever, switch or other device which opens the trunk of the taxicab or limousine from inside the trunk.

     5. In addition to the standards set forth in subsections 2, 3 and 4, each traditional limousine and livery limousine that is placed into service after March 1, 1999:

     (a) Must be certified by its manufacturer as suitable for use as a traditional limousine or livery limousine, as appropriate, if the manufacturer makes such certifications; and

     (b) Must have been modified for use as a traditional limousine or livery limousine, as appropriate, by a builder of coaches or other modifier of motor vehicles who is certified as such by the manufacturer of the vehicle, if the manufacturer makes such certifications.

     6. A restored theme or antique vehicle is not required to meet the standards set forth in paragraph (j) of subsection 2 or subsection 4.

     7. If an employee of the Authority does not withdraw a vehicle from service pursuant to NAC 706.381, but the carrier knows or should have reason to know the vehicle does not conform to the standards prescribed in subsections 2 to 5, inclusive, the carrier shall withdraw the vehicle from service at the end of the operating day and the vehicle may not be placed back into service until any defective condition has been corrected and the vehicle is in compliance with subsections 2 to 5, inclusive. If the vehicle does not conform to the standards prescribed in subsections 2 to 5, inclusive, and the carrier knows or should have reason to know the vehicle poses an immediate and substantial threat to the safety of the public or passengers of the vehicle, the carrier shall immediately withdraw the vehicle from service until any defective condition has been corrected and the vehicle is in compliance with subsections 2 to 5, inclusive, and no longer poses an immediate and substantial threat to the safety of the public or passengers. Failure of the carrier to take these actions may result in the suspension or revocation of the carrier’s permit or certificate. Notice of repair of the vehicle must be made pursuant to NAC 706.381 before the vehicle may be operated.

     8. As used in this section, “drivetrain” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 482.3666.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Service Comm’n, eff. 9-1-87; A by Transportation Serv. Auth. by R071-98, 10-28-98; R078-98, 1-28-99; A by Nev. Transportation Auth. by R127-07, 9-18-2008)