Section 20-242
§ 20-242 Definition. Whenever used in this subchapter the term "guide"
shall mean and include any person who engages in the business of guiding
or directing people to any place or point of public interest or who, in
connection with any sightseeing trip or tour, describes, explains or
lectures concerning any place or point of public interest to any person
within the city or obtains the patronage of any person for such trip.
Nothing herein contained shall be construed to include any person or
persons who describes, explains or lectures concerning any place or
point of public interest while aboard a sightseeing boat or vessel
regularly engaged in scheduled trips around Manhattan island on
navigable waters.
Section 20-243
§ 20-243 License required. It shall be unlawful for any person to act
as a guide without a license therefor from the commissioner.
Section 20-244
§ 20-244 Applications. a. Each applicant for such license shall be at
least eighteen years of age; and
b. Each such applicant shall be required to pass an examination
satisfactorily. Such examination shall be under the supervision of the
commissioner and shall test the knowledge of the applicant concerning
places or points of historic or public interest in and about the city.
Any person who can present satisfactory proof to the commissioner that
he or she has been engaged as a sightseeing guide in the city for a
period of at least two years prior to August second, nineteen hundred
thirty-seven shall be exempt from such examination.
Section 20-245
§ 20-245 License fee; display. a. The annual fee for such license
shall be twenty-five dollars.
b. Each such license shall be displayed in a conspicuous place in the
office or place of business of the licensee, or if a vehicle is used, in
such vehicle, or if a guide has no office or uses no vehicle, he or she
shall carry such license on his or her person at all times.
Section 20-246
§ 20-246 Fees charged. a. In each bus or vehicle used for sightseeing
purposes a schedule shall be permanently displayed showing the full cost
per passenger for the trip to be taken.
b. It shall be unlawful for any licensed guide to charge a fee in
excess of one dollar per hour per person.
Section 20-247
§ 20-247 Regulations. a. The commissioner may prescribe such rules and
regulations as he or she deems necessary to protect persons and property
in the enforcement of this subchapter.
b. It shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle to explain,
describe, or lecture while such vehicle is in motion, unless the seating
capacity of such vehicle is seven passengers or fewer. Each such driver
who talks or lectures must be a licensed guide.
c. It shall be unlawful for any licensee to obstruct any street or
public space, or to touch any person or to interfere with the free
passage of the public along any street or public space for the purpose
of soliciting employment as a guide.
d. It shall be unlawful for any such guide to wear a uniform or any
part thereof and hold himself or herself forth as a guide unless such
uniform or part thereof shall be approved by the commissioner.
e. Each licensee shall wear on the left breast of his or her outer
garment a badge, while engaged in his or her occupation as a guide,
bearing his or her number and the date of expiration of his or her
license. Such badge shall be furnished by the commissioner. The color of
such badge shall be changed each year.
f. It shall be unlawful for any licensee to guide or direct any person
to a place of ill repute, house of ill fame or assignation, or to any
house or place of amusement kept for immoral purposes, or to any place
resorted to for the purpose of prostitution or gambling. It shall be
unlawful for any such licensee to impart any information as to the
location or address of any such houses or places, or to solicit the
patronage of any person or persons for any hotel, lodging house or
boarding house or place of temporary or permanent abode, or for any
place where refreshments are served or amusement of any type provided.
g. It shall be unlawful for any licensee to engage in business or do
business with any unlicensed guide.