For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:

A. “Common motor carrier” means any person who or which undertakes to transport passengers by motor vehicle for hire on the streets of the city, except those persons excepted in this chapter.

B. “Motor vehicle” means any automobile, truck, trailer, semitrailer, tractor, motor bus, or any self-propelled or motor-driven vehicle whether owned, hired, leased or rented and used upon any public streets of the city for the purpose of transporting persons for hire.

C. “Public street” means every public street, alley, road, highway or thoroughfare of any kind used by the public. (Prior code § 18-2).