TDVL Legal Principles and Foundations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under federal law, which act prohibits taxi drivers from discriminating against passengers with disabilities?
- Civil Rights Act of 1964
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (Correct answer)
- Fair Housing Act
- Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Correct answer: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA requires taxi drivers and transportation companies to accommodate passengers with disabilities, including wheelchair users.
Question 2: A taxi driver refuses to transport a service animal, claiming allergies. What is the legal consequence?
- No consequence if the driver has a medical note
- The driver may be cited for ADA violation (Correct answer)
- The passenger must find another taxi
- The driver can charge an extra cleaning fee
Correct answer: The driver may be cited for ADA violation
Under the ADA, taxi drivers must transport service animals regardless of personal allergies or preferences.
Question 3: Which legal doctrine holds taxi companies liable for the negligent acts of their employed drivers?
- Comparative negligence
- Respondeat superior (Correct answer)
- Contributory negligence
- Assumption of risk
Correct answer: Respondeat superior
Respondeat superior makes employers liable for torts committed by employees acting within the scope of employment.
Question 4: A passenger leaves personal property in a taxi. Under bailment law, what duty does the driver owe?
- No duty once the passenger exits
- Reasonable care to safeguard and return the property (Correct answer)
- Absolute liability for any loss
- Only a duty if the passenger paid extra
Correct answer: Reasonable care to safeguard and return the property
When a passenger leaves property in a taxi, an involuntary bailment is created and the driver must exercise reasonable care.
Question 5: Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution is most relevant when a taxi driver is detained and questioned by police without a warrant?
- First Amendment
- Second Amendment
- Fourth Amendment (Correct answer)
- Sixth Amendment
Correct answer: Fourth Amendment
The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, requiring warrants or probable cause for detention.
Question 6: A state law requires taxi drivers to carry a minimum of $100,000 in liability insurance. This requirement is an example of:
- Federal preemption
- State police power regulation (Correct answer)
- Interstate commerce regulation
- Eminent domain
Correct answer: State police power regulation
States exercise their police power to regulate professions and vehicles for hire to protect public safety, including mandatory insurance minimums.
Question 7: When a taxi driver's license is suspended, continuing to drive passengers for hire constitutes:
- A minor infraction
- A civil violation only
- A criminal offense in most jurisdictions (Correct answer)
- Permissible if the driver has a valid driver's license
Correct answer: A criminal offense in most jurisdictions
Operating a taxi without a valid taxi/for-hire license while suspended is typically a criminal misdemeanor or felony depending on the jurisdiction.
TDVL Legal Principles and Foundations 2
Under federal law, which act prohibits taxi drivers from discriminating against passengers with disabilities?