Hong Kong Regulations

ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS - REGULATION 42

Construction of taximeter

(1) Every taximeter shall be provided with an indicator of a size
not less than 100 millimetres by 50 millimetres displaying the words "FOR
HIRE" or the word "TAXI".

(2) Every taximeter shall be so constructed that-

   (a)  it may be sealed to the satisfaction of the Commissioner;

   (b)  the amount of fare calculated by time or distance or a combination of
        time and distance as prescribed is indicated on the fare dial;

   (c)  the amount of additional fares in progressive increments of the lowest
        fare as prescribed is indicated on the fare dial; and

   (d)  the height of the figures indicating the fare and additional fares is
        not less than 10 millimetres.

(3) The fare dial on every taximeter shall be such that-

        (a)	the words "FARE" and "EXTRAS" appear above, below or beside the 
figures indicating such item; and

        (b)	the letters and words "H.K. dollars" and "cents" or the letters 
and symbols "H.K$." and "c" appear immediately above, below or beside the
figures indicating the fare and the extras; and

   (c)  the fare is indicated with a clear division between dollars and cents.

(4) Every taximeter shall be actuated by a device which shall cause the
taximeter to be set to, and to operate in any one of, the following positions-

   (a)  FOR HIRE, when the taximeter is not recording and the indicator
        display is clearly visible to any person standing in front of the taxi
        at a distance of 20 metres;

   (b)  HIRED, when the taximeter is recording by time or distance or a
        combination of time and distance and the indicator display is not
        visible outside the taxi;

   (c)  STOPPED, when

        (i)    the taximeter is recording by distance only and the indicator
               display is not visible outside the taxi; or

        (ii)   the mechanism of the taxi is not in motion and the indicator
               display is not visible outside the taxi.

(5) The position of the taximeter actuating device whether-

   (a)  FOR HIRE;

   (b)  HIRED; or

   (c)  STOPPED, shall be clearly shown on the fare dial.

(6) The taximeter actuating device shall operate direct from the

"FOR HIRE" position to the "HIRED" position and shall pass through the

"STOPPED" position before being returned to the "FOR HIRE" position.

(7) The fare dial of every taximeter shall be capable of being illuminated
during the hours of darkness and when required by the hirer, so as to render
the readings on the dial easily legible.