A.    All public passenger vehicles for hire shall be under the supervision and control of the chief of police, and he shall not permit any driver to operate any taxicab in the city while it or any equipment used on it or with it shall be unsafe, defective or unsanitary, and every taxicab shall be at all times subject to the inspection of any police officer of the city.

    B.    All such vehicles shall be inspected annually for safety purposes by an agency designated by the chief of police. (Prior code § 10-56)