We contacted the Nevada Taxicab Authority, who immediately referred us to the Public Information Officer at the Nevada State Department of Business & Industry. She was on vacation when we first received your inquiry, but responded promptly upon her return, and here's what she had to say on the matter.
[Your reader] is correct. Picking up other passengers without the consent of the original passenger(s) is prohibited. As you can see from item 1(f) below, even if consent is given, there is a prohibition against double-charging the fare.
NRS 706.8849 Prohibited and required acts of drivers; imposition of sanctions; hearings. 1. A taxicab driver shall: (a) Ensure that the fare indicator on the taximeter of the taxicab reads zero before the time that the taxicab is engaged. (b) Ensure that the taximeter of the taxicab is engaged while the taxicab is on hire. (c) Not make any charge for the transportation of a passenger other than the charge shown on the taximeter. (d) Not alter, manipulate, tamper with or disconnect a sealed taximeter or its attachments nor make any change in the mechanical condition of the wheels, tires or gears of a taxicab with intent to cause false registration on the taximeter of the passenger fare. (e) Not remove or alter fare schedules which have been posted in the taxicab by the certificate holder. (f) Not permit any person or persons other than the person who has engaged the taxicab to ride therein unless the person who has engaged the taxicab requests that the other person or persons ride in the taxicab. If more than one person is loaded by the taxicab driver as set forth in this paragraph, the driver shall, when one of the persons leaves the taxicab, charge that person the fare on the meter and reset the taximeter. [Ed: There are additional sub-clauses to this statute, like not driving under the influence, but 1(f) is the one that applies in this instance, so we stopped there.]
The helpful Public Information Officer continued:
Individuals that have been a party to this type of prohibited activity should report the incident to the Taxicab Authority. In order for the TA to investigate the complaint appropriately, the following information should be provided:
- Your name - Date of the incident - Time of the incident - Place where incident occurred - Cab company name - Physical description of the taxicab (click here to view taxicab photos) - Cab number - What occurred that brought you to file this complaint/incident report - Names and contact information for any witnesses
It would also be helpful to include:
- The driver's name - The driver's Taxicab Authority Permit number - Physical description of the driver and any other participants in the incident
Complaints can be submitted online at taxi.nv.gov/Complaints/complaint_form/Complaint/Incident_Affidavit or by contacting dispatch at (702) 668-4005 or [email protected].
Ed: In terms of the repercussions, should a complaint be found to have legs, here's how NRS 706.8849 continues:
2. If a driver violates any provision of subsection 1, the Administrator may, after a hearing, impose the following sanctions: (a) For a first offense, 1 to 5 days' suspension of a driver's permit or a fine of not more than $100, or both suspension and fine. (b) For a second offense, 6 to 20 days' suspension of a driver's permit or a fine of not more than $300, or both suspension and fine. (c) For a third offense, a fine of not more than $500.
In addition to the other penalties set forth in this subsection, the Administrator may revoke a driver's permit for any violation of a provision of paragraph (g) of subsection 1 [Ed: That's the clause about driving impaired.]
Plus, click the following link for the official Nevada Taxi Rider Information Program, a really useful handbook that includes details of typical approximate fares, information about lost and found, rules and regulations, payment options, and more.
