November 9, 2010

Inspection Comes But Once a Year

Most prospective pedicab passengers (tourists + locals) don’t know:

That pedicab owners must hold DCA-issued business licenses.

That pedicab drivers must hold DCA-issued pedicab driver licenses.

That pedicabs must carry DCA-issued registration stickers (equivalent to DMV-issued motor vehicle license plates).

In order to obtain up-to-date registration stickers, pedicabs must pass annual inspection by city officials, who check for features such as working head lights, tail lights, and turn signals; primary and secondary brakes; seat belts, bells and reflectors; compliant rate cards; and a sign identifying the business and indicating that customers should call the DCA (at 311) if they have complaints. Before the inspectors even show up, they require proof that the business’s pedicabs are adequately insured, throughout the period for which the registration stickers are valid.

Last week, Team DCA visited RR, to inspect our 21-pedicab fleet. All of our trikes passed, so now we are in possession of 21 spiffy new lemon yellow registration stickers. Mmm, mmn, good!