Modesto Municipal Code Art. 7 Taxicab Drivers Permits

It shall be unlawful for any person to drive any of the vehicles mentioned in Section 4-6.101 of this Code without first obtaining a permit in writing from the Police Chief. Permits will entitle the driver to work for only that owner whose name appears on the permit. A new permit is required for each subsequent employment. All permits issued pursuant to this chapter shall expire on the three hundred sixty-fifth (365th) day following the date of issuance, unless suspended or revoked as provided herein. At that time a new permit will be required to operate a taxicab in the City.

(Ord. 3295-C.S., § 1, effective 5-22-03)

Applicants for driver permits shall file applications with the Police Chief upon forms to be furnished by the City. Applicants for driver's permits shall pay to the Finance Department a fee for each application. Said application fee shall be in an amount as established from time to time by resolution of the Council. A copy of the receipt for fees paid shall be filed with the Police Chief.

(Ord. 3295-C.S., § 1, effective 5-22-03)

Said permit shall be in a form of a card which shall bear the signature, photograph and fingerprints of the applicant. Such card shall be issued in duplicate and one (1) copy with the fingerprints, photograph and signature of the applicant shall be placed on file with the Police Chief of the City and the other card shall be displayed in the taxicab in a conspicuous place visible to all passengers while the taxicab is being operated.

(Ord. 3295-C.S., § 1, effective 5-22-03)

The Police Department shall conduct an investigation of each applicant for a taxicab driver's permit. A report of such an investigation and a copy of the traffic and police record of the applicant, if any, shall be attached to the application for consideration of the Police Chief.

(Ord. 3295-C.S., § 1, effective 5-22-03)

The Police Chief shall, upon consideration of the application and reports and permit required to be attached thereto, approve or reject the application. If the application is rejected, the applicant may request a personal appearance before the Police Chief and may offer evidence why his/her application should be reconsidered. If the Police Chief again rejects the application, the applicant may request a personal appearance before the City Manager to offer evidence why his/her application should be granted. The ruling of the City Manager shall be final.

(Ord. 3295-C.S., § 1, effective 5-22-03)

Except as hereinafter set forth, no permit shall be issued to any of the following persons:

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

(b) Any person who is currently required to register pursuant to Section 290 of the California Penal Code or is a Health and Safety Code Drug Registrant;

(c) Any person who has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, narcotic or dangerous drugs, unless a period of not less than seven (7) years shall have elapsed since the drug conviction or the date of release from confinement for such offense, whichever is later;

(d) Any person who has been convicted of driving a vehicle recklessly within the three (3) years immediately preceding application for a permit;

(e) Any person who has been convicted of driving a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquors within the seven (7) years immediately preceding application for a permit;

(f) Any person not possessing a valid Class 3 driver's license, issued by the State of California;

(g) Any person who has been convicted of two (2) or more felonies.

The Police Chief, in his/her discretion, may waive the provisions of subsection (c) and issue a permit to a person who otherwise would be unqualified due to the provisions of subsection (c) provided he/she receives letters from that person's prospective employer and parole officer which attest to a good-faith belief that the applicant has reformed his/her moral character so as to pose no threat to members of the public.

(Ord. 3295-C.S., § 1, effective 5-22-03)

Each applicant for a permit may be examined as to his/her knowledge of the provisions of this chapter and the traffic regulations by a person designated by the Police Chief. If the result of the examination is unsatisfactory, the applicant will be refused a permit.

(Ord. 3295-C.S., § 1, effective 5-22-03)

The Police Chief may revoke or refuse a driver's permit if the driver has since the granting of the permit:

(a) Been convicted of any crime described in paragraphs (c), (d) or (e) of Section 4-6.706 or any crime for which registration is required pursuant to Section 290 of the California Penal Code or a Health and Safety Code Drug Registrant;

(b) Had his/her Class 3 driver's license revoked or suspended;

(c) Had two (2) or more convictions of any of the offenses set forth in the Vehicle Code of the State of California and amendments thereto relating to speeding violations, or any combination of any such offenses, occurring during any continuous period not exceeding twelve (12) months;

(d) Violated any of the provisions of this chapter;

(e) Any driver who has been cited two (2) or more times for operating an unsafe taxicab and/or using an illegal taximeter;

(f) When for any reason, including or other than the above, in the opinion of the Police Chief, the applicant is unfit to drive a taxicab.

All permits issued pursuant to this chapter shall expire on the three hundred sixty-fifth (365th) day following the date of issuance, unless suspended or revoked as provided herein. At that time, before a driver can further operate a taxicab within the City, a new permit must be issued.

(Ord. 3295-C.S., § 1, effective 5-22-03)

It shall be the duty of the owner of each taxicab company to notify the Police Chief in writing within five (5) days whenever a driver has either voluntarily or involuntarily terminated employment.

Each taxicab driver shall return his/her taxicab driver's permit to the Police Chief within five (5) days after the termination of his/her employment as a taxicab driver.

(Ord. 3295-C.S., § 1, effective 5-22-03)