Sugar Carriages Fully Supports all the ordinances governing Horse-Drawn Carriages.
Sugar Creek Carriages has one of the best safety records in the state of TN.
"We participated in the formation of the ordinances 12 years ago we firmly stand by them today" -Johnny Smith
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METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION LICENSING COMMISSION
RULES AND PROCEDURES
HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES
1. CARRIAGE DRIVER PERMIT FEES
A $20 fee shall be collected annually for anyone applying to operate a horse drawn carriage. In addition, a $75 fee will be assessed for all records checks requiring an investigation by law enforcement agencies. There shall be a $10 replacement fee charged. 4
2. CARRIAGE FEES
A $25 fee shall be collected annually for each horse-drawn carriage to be operated on any Metropolitan street. 2
3. ANNUAL CARRIAGE COMPANY CERTIFICATE FEES
A $100 fee shall be collected annually for each company wishing to operate a horse drawn carriage service within Metro. If a request for an amendment or a temporary change of the certificate is made, a $25 fee shall be collected. 2
4. CESSATION OF OPERATIONS FOR ADVERSE TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS
Carriage operations may not be conducted when temperatures are below 25 degrees Fahrenheit or there is ice on the road. Operations may not be conducted when temperatures are above 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Official temperature will be as reported by TDOT 511. Exceptions to this Rule may be granted by the Director, on a case-by-case basis, for special events only. 8, 14
5. SOLICITATION PROHIBITED
Any representative of a horse-drawn carriage company is prohibited from soliciting business in any manner inside the Interstate-40/Interstate-24/Interstate-65 loop, except that a driver or carriage company owner may respond to questions from the public while the carriage is parked at a carriage stand. 10
6. NEW DRIVER TRAINING
All newly-permitted carriage drivers must complete a training program under the supervision of a qualified instructor or trainer prior to operating a horse-drawn carriage alone on city streets. Company owners shall develop training programs and submit instructor/trainer qualifications information to the Commission director for approval. At a minimum, driver training must include the following sequence:
a.
Demonstrating proficiency under the direct supervision of the instructor/trainer on at least 20 rides without passengers;
b.
Demonstrating ability to successfully negotiate an approved obstacle course;
c.
Demonstrating ability to control the carriage horse by voice commands and rein control; and
d.
Demonstrating proficiency under the direct supervision of the instructor/trainer on at least 10 rides with passengers.
Company owners will be responsible to ensure all previously-permitted drivers can meet requirements b. and c. above. 14
7. CARRIAGE EQUIPMENT AND VISIBILITY
Carriages shall be equipped with rear-view mirrors, tail lights, brake lights, rear-facing turn signals, and side-facing lights. Lights must be clearly visible at night for a distance of at least 80 feet. 14
8. INSURANCE
Proof of insurance coverage shall be required for a minimum of six passengers. If the carriage is a limousine carriage or other carriage capable of transporting more than six passengers, then the proof of insurance shall be required for nine passengers. 14
9. DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR OPERATIONS DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS OR SPECIAL EVENTS
Any carriage driver who is operating a horse-drawn carriage from any stand or on any route on public property within the metropolitan area which deviates from the following standard downtown tour route:
West from stands on Broadway; then
South on Fourth Avenue; then
West on Demonbreun; then
North on Fifth Avenue; then
East on Broadway; then
Around Riverfront Circle; then
West on Broadway, Return to Carriage Stands
or which deviates from the signed and restricted-use carriage stands on Broadway, must have documentation signed by the appropriate official at the Mayor’s office, or the Traffic and Parking Commission, or the Metro Parks and Recreation Board. This documentation must specifically authorize all deviations, and must include: the purpose for which it is approved, the start time and end time, and detailed routes and stops (including loading and unloading areas) which have been pre-approved. Drivers will be required to present this documentation to transportation licensing inspectors or police officials on demand. 18
