Merced Municipal Code Art. III Driver's Permit

It is unlawful for any person to drive or operate any of the vehicles mentioned in Section 5.16.010, without first obtaining a permit in writing to do so from the chief of police.

(Prior code § 27.33).

Permits issued will entitle the driver to work for only that owner whose name appears on the permit. A new permit will be required for each subsequent employment.

(Prior code § 27.34).

Applicants for taxicab drivers' permits shall file applications therefor with the chief of police upon blanks to be furnished by the city. Each applicant shall pay to the chief of police an application fee of seven dollars ($7.00). Each permit shall expire one year from date of issuance and may be renewed on application. Renewal fee shall be one dollar.

(Prior code § 27.35).

The taxicab driver's permit shall be in the form of a card which shall bear signatures, photograph and fingerprints of the applicant. Such cards shall be issued in duplicate.

(Prior code § 27.36).

A. No person shall be issued a taxicab driver's permit until they have taken a drug screening test and tested negative for alcohol and each of the controlled substances specified in Part 40 (commencing with Section 40.1) of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Before the taxicab permit may be renewed, as required in Section 5.16.340, the permit holder shall take an additional drug screening test and shall test negative both for the above controlled substances and for alcohol.

B. The owner as identified in Section 5.16.330 shall be responsible for compliance with, and shall pay all costs of, this program with regard to their drivers and potential drivers. Owners may require drivers who test positive to pay the costs of rehabilitation and of return-to-duty and follow-up testing. Self-employed drivers shall be responsible for compliance with, and shall pay all costs of, this program with regard to themselves.

C. Procedures for the administration of the tests mandated by this section shall be in compliance with Part 40 (commencing with Section 40.l) of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, except that the driver shall show a valid California driver's license at the time and place of testing and except as otherwise provided in Section 53075.5 of the California Government Code.

D. In the case of a self-employed driver, all test results shall be reported directly to the chief of police. In all other cases, the test results shall be reported directly to the owner, who shall report all positive test results to the chief of police. In the event of a positive test, the owner shall comply with the requirements for rehabilitation, return-to-duty, fallow-up testing and other requirements specified in Part 382 (commencing with Section 382.101 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, except as otherwise provided in this chapter and in Section 53075.5 of the California Government Code.

E. The results of all tests taken pursuant to this section are confidential and may not be released without the consent of the driver, except as authorized or required by law.

F. As used in this chapter, a negative test for alcohol means alcohol screening test showing a breath alcohol concentration of less than 0.02 percent.

(Ord. 1951 § 1, 1997).

One copy of the permit card referred to in the preceding section, with the fingerprints, photograph and signature of the applicant, shall be placed on file with the police department of the city. The other card shall be conspicuously displayed in the taxicab of the permittee during all times such taxicab is operated.

(Prior code § 27.37).

Taxicab drivers' permits shall be filed with the chief of police as part of the application for a license.

(Prior code § 27.38).

No taxicab driver's permit shall be issued to any of the following persons:

A. Any person under the age of eighteen (18) years;

B. Any person not a citizen of the United States or who has not lawfully declared his intention to become such;

C. Any person who has been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude;

D. Any person who has been convicted within five years previous to issuance of a permit of driving a vehicle recklessly or while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotics;

E. Any person not possessing a valid Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 California driver's license.

(Ord. 1380 § 1, 1981: Ord. 1340 § 1, 1980: prior code § 27.39).

No applicant may obtain a taxicab driver's permit to drive or operate any of the vehicles maintained in Section 5.16.010, unless and until he has been a continuous resident of the city for at least thirty (30) days immediately preceding the date of such application; provided, however, that a temporary permit only may be granted for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days after which the license may be made permanent, if, after investigation, the applicant is found to be a fit and proper person.

(Prior code § 27.40).

Each applicant for a taxicab driver's permit shall be examined by a person designated by the chief of police as to his knowledge of the provisions of this chapter, the traffic regulations and the geography of the city. If the result of the examination is unsatisfactory, the chief of police shall refuse to issue a permit.

(Prior code § 27.41).

The chief of police may suspend, revoke or refuse to renew a taxicab driver's permit if the driver or applicant has, since the granting of her permit:

A. Been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude; pandering; using, possessing, selling or transporting narcotics; or imparting information for obtaining narcotics;

B. Been convicted of driving recklessly or while under the influence of liquor or narcotics;

C. Had his state driver's or chauffeur's license revoked or suspended;

D. Been convicted of any of the offenses set forth in Sections 23152, 23103, 22350, 22352 of the Vehicle Code of the state and amendments, or any combination of either or any of such offenses occurring during any continuous period not exceeding twelve months;

E. When, for any reason, including or other than the above, in the opinion of the chief of police, the applicant is unfit to drive a taxicab;

F. Violated any of the provisions of this chapter.

(Ordinance 1951 § 3, 1997: prior code § 27.42).