As used in this article, the term:

(1) "Certificate" means a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the commissioner.

(2) "Chauffeur" means any person with a Georgia state driver's license who meets the qualifications as prescribed in Code Section 46-7-85.10 and who is authorized by the commissioner to drive a limousine under this article.

(3) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of motor vehicle safety.

(3.1) "Department" means the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety.

(4) "Limousine" means any motor vehicle that meets the manufacturer's specifications for a luxury limousine with a designed seating capacity for no more than ten passengers and with a minimum of five seats located behind the operator of the vehicle, and which does not have a door at the rear of the vehicle designed to allow passenger entry or exit; further, no vehicle shall be permitted to be operated both as a taxicab and a limousine.

(5) "Limousine carrier" means any person operating a service regularly rendered to the public by furnishing transportation as a motor common carrier for hire, not over fixed routes, by means of limousines, or extended limousines, on the basis of telephone contract or written contract.

(6) "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, association, or joint-stock association, and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee, or personal representative thereof.

(7) "Public highway" means every public street, road, or highway in this state.