A common carrier or a contract carrier may not permit a vehicle having a designed seating capacity of 15 passengers or less, including the driver, to be operated to transport passengers unless it complies with the following requirements, in addition to those in § 29.402 (relating to vehicle equipment requirements):
(1) Vehicles which are equipped with folding, temporary or removable seats must have hinges, latches, brackets or other hardware associated with the seats in working order.(2) Vehicles must be in clean and sanitary condition.(3) Vehicles must have a factory-type heater, capable of producing heat for the accommodation of passengers. The heater must be in working order.(4) Trunk compartments must be clean and suitable for carrying passengers' luggage.(5) Vehicles must have snow tires or all-weather tires on the drive wheels between October 1 and April 1 of the following year.(6) A vehicle's exterior may not have any dents or gouges larger than 4 inches in diameter or damage that protrudes from the vehicle.(7) A vehicle must have four matching wheel covers, or the equivalent.(8) A vehicle must have operative air conditioning.(9) A vehicle's seats must be secure and not be damaged so as to allow springs or other cushioning or support devices to protrude through the seat.(10) Smoking is prohibited in vehicles used in taxicab and limousine service.The provisions of this §29.403 adopted April 20, 1984, effective 4/21/1984, 14 Pa.B. 1390; amended August 4, 2006, effective 8/5/2006, 36 Pa.B. 4181; amended January 27, 2017, effective 1/28/2017, expire upon promulgation of final form regulations or on November 4, 2018, whichever is later, as set forth in the act of November 4, 2016 (P.L. 1222, No. 164), 47 Pa.B. 429.The provisions of this §29.403 amended under the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 501, 1102, 1103, 1501, 1502, 1504, 1506, 1508 and Chapters 23 and 25; and the act of July 13, 2016 (P.L. 664, No. 85).
This section cited in 52 Pa. Code § 29.404 (relating to unsafe operations forbidden); 52 Pa. Code § 29.406 (relating to inspection by enforcement officers); and 52 Pa. Code § 29.407 (relating to civil penalties for violations).