376:2 Definition of Terms. –
The following words and phrases as used in this chapter shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
I. The term "department" means the department of safety.
II. The term "person" means any individual, firm, copartnership, corporation, company, association or joint-stock association, railroad corporation, including any trustee, administrator, executor, receiver, assignee or other personal representative thereof.
III. The term "motor carrier" includes both a common carrier and a contract carrier of passengers by motor vehicle.
IV. The term "common carrier of passengers" means a person holding itself out to the general public to provide motor vehicle transportation for compensation over regular or irregular routes, or both.
V. The term "regular route common carrier" means any common carrier of passengers by motor vehicle who operates over regular routes between points within this state.
VI. The term "irregular route common carrier" means any common carrier of passengers by motor vehicle who operates over irregular routes between points within this state.
VII. The term "contract carrier of passengers" means a person providing motor vehicle transportation for compensation under continuing agreements with one or more persons:
(a) By assigning motor vehicles for a continuing period of time for the exclusive use of each such person; or
(b) Designed to meet the distinct needs of each person.
VIII. The term "certificate" means a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued under the provisions of this chapter to a common carrier of passengers by motor vehicle.
IX. The term "permit" means a permit issued under the provisions of this chapter to a contract carrier of passengers by motor vehicle.
X. The term "highway" means the roads, highways, streets and ways laid out for and used generally by the public.
XI. The term "taxicab" means any rubber-tired motor vehicle having a manufacturer's rated seating capacity of not more than 7 persons used in the call and demand transportation of passengers for compensation to or from points chosen or designated by the passengers and not operated on a fixed schedule between fixed termini; or any such vehicle leased or rented, or held for leasing or renting, with or without drivers or operators.
XII. The term "vanpooling" means an arrangement for the transportation of persons to and from work on a nonprofit basis utilizing a motor vehicle manufactured primarily for use in transporting not less than 8 people and not more than 15 people, whose operator must be 18 years of age or older and must hold a vanpool operator's permit. The director of motor vehicles shall issue such permits at no charge, and shall require such examination as to the operator's qualifications as he may deem necessary.