Cab drivers in Raleigh could face higher fees for violations under a new ordinance approved by the City Council Tuesday.

The changes take effect Nov. 8.

Following are some of the major amendments:

• When a taxicab fails inspection, the City's taxicab inspector will provide the driver with written notice that the cab should not be operated until it passes inspection;

• The first civil penalty for any violation of the taxicab ordinance will be increased from $50 to $100. In addition, civil penalties must be paid in full within 15 days instead of within 30 days. If the penalty remains unpaid after the 15-day period, the City will revoke the permits of the taxicab owner and/or driver until the penalty is paid in full;

• All cab driver applicants who have criminal charges pending will not be eligible for employment until the charges have either been dismissed or acquitted. This does not apply to traffic infractions;

• The City will suspend or revoke for one year the driver's permit for a cab driver or owner who has committed three successive violations of the taxicab ordinance within a 12-month period;

• The fee for annual/semiannual inspections will be raised to $15 starting on Jan. 1, 2011. It will then increase to $25 effective Jan. 1, 2012. A penalty fee of $150 will be assessed against the taxicab owner for failing to appear at a scheduled annual/semi-annual inspection without prior approval from the City's taxicab inspector; and,

• The fee to apply for a taxicab company owner's permit will be increased to $150. This will be a one-time fee charged to new taxicab companies that start business in Raleigh following the Nov. 8 effective date of the amended taxicab ordinance.

The City's Law and Public Safety Committee, which recommended the amendments, had considered forcing cab companies to install security cameras and credit card machines in each taxi.

However, after concerns from companies about the cost, City Council decided not make those mandatory.

The new ordinance also limits what drivers can wear on the job.