FBI may check out cab drivers

To get a taxi license in Salt Lake City, a driver first must pass a courtesy test, basic English exam and state background check. But don't forget the four personal references, a doctor's note, two photographs, a work history and an educational history.

With all that, though, may soon come a more extensive background check for those drivers who want to pick up or drop off passengers at the airport. Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper, wants to authorize the airport to run FBI background checks for drivers of taxis, shuttles, vans and limousines.

The FBI checks are more extensive and tap into nationwide criminal databases beyond just Utah information. They cost more, too — but Hughes' bill, which is still in a protected file that's not open to the public, won't appropriate money for the additional checks. That cost could fall to the drivers, who pay $75 for a Salt Lake City license and state background check each year.

Hughes said his bill wasn't prompted by an event or specific concern but instead is a pre-emptive protection.

"I think we live in a different time," Hughes said. "We need to be as careful as we can."

Hughes wants his bill narrow enough that workers at small airports don't have to deal with the checks, so he plans on requiring only major airports in first-class counties — those with 700,000 people or more — to do the checks. That restriction would limit the checks to Salt Lake City International Airport.

The airport wants to further scrutinize the taxi and shuttle drivers because they can pull up to the curb closest to terminals that other drivers are blocked from accessing. Doing extensive background checks on them mirrors the checks required for other airport employees who have special access, said Russell Pack, acting airport executive director.

"It's a security issue where they can pull right to the curb where most other vehicles can't," Pack said. "We have a federal statute in place that allows us to check backgrounds for all our employees, which is what I went through. Without my badge, I couldn't work here. It's sort of a similar thing."

Bruce Jackson, a co-owner of City Cab, said that his drivers already have a rigorous application process with yearly background checks.

"How much more do they need?" Jackson said. "You could work at the FBI almost quicker than you could become a cab driver."

The FBI requires the state to authorize use of its system and equipment before the airport can run the checks, said Jodi Howick, a Salt Lake City attorney who works on airport issues. Salt Lake City required in 2004 that taxi drivers get FBI background checks, but the bureau could not do the background checks without state legislation.

Hughes said he and city representatives came up with the bill jointly.

"It's not often that a Republican conservative from Draper is carrying the water for Salt Lake City," he said. "We're not going to let some past conflict or current agitations get in the way of good public policy."

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E-mail: kswinyard@desnews.com