Chapter 14.24 — DRIVERS’ LICENSES

Prior legislation: Ords. 1676 NCS, 915, 205, 204, 73; prior code §§24.62-24.74.

No person shall operate a bus or automobile for hire in the city unless he has Jrst made application for and been

issued a driver’s license under this chapter. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

The application for the license required by Section 14.24.010 shall contain the following information.

A. The name, business address, residence address, residence telephone number, business telephone number

and the serial number of the driver’s license held by the applicant and the date of expiration thereof;

B. The date of the applicant’s birth;

C. The citizenship of the applicant;

D. The length of time immediately preceding the date of the application during which the applicant has

continuously resided in the city;

E. The serial number of the state chauMeur’s license held by the applicant and the date of expiration thereof;

F. Whether the applicant has ever been convicted of reckless driving, or of driving while under the inKuence of

intoxicating liquors or narcotics, or of a crime involving moral turpitude or of a felony;

G. A statement under oath made before an oLcer competent to take oath under laws of the state, that the

statements made in his application are to his own knowledge true;

H. The name of the owner or person who will employ the applicant as a driver.

(Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

All applications for licenses required by this chapter shall be made to the central permit bureau. (Ord. 2217 NCS

§2, 2005.)

The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

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Each application for a license required by this chapter will be processed, approved and issued in the same manner

and in accordance with the procedure for issuing permits contained in Sections 14.28.080 to 14.28.100. (Ord. 2217

NCS §2, 2005.)

No license required by this chapter shall be issued unless the following minimum requirements have been

complied with:

A. The applicant therefore shall have attained the age of at least twenty-one years;

B. Such applicant is a citizen of the United States.

C. Such applicant has not been convicted of reckless driving, or driving while under the inKuence of liquor or

narcotics, of a felony, or of a crime involving moral turpitude. If, however, after careful investigation and report by

the chief of police, the city council Jnds that an applicant who has been convicted of any such oMenses has since

suLciently reformed and become rehabilitated to the extent that the operation by him of an automobile for hire

in the city would not be contrary to the safety and welfare of persons engaging such services, in which case the

council may, by resolution, authorize the application to be granted;

D. Such applicant holds a valid state driver’s license;

E. Such applicant has resided in the city continuously for thirty days next preceding the date of his application.

In the case of an owner commencing vehicle for hire operations in the city for the Jrst time, the police chief may

waive this requirement upon the production of satisfactory evidence that the individual otherwise meets the

requirements of this chapter;

F. Such applicant has sworn under oath, before an oLcer competent to take oaths under the laws of the state,

to the truth of the statements made in the application.

(Ord. 2217 NCS §2. 2005, 2005.)

The expiration date of each license issued under the chapter shall be the same as the expiration date of the

licensee’s driver’s license. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

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There shall be paid to the city for each license issued and each renewal thereof a license fee in the amount as

established by resolution of the city council which shall accompany the application for the issuance of each

license. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

Each license issued under this chapter shall contain a serial number and shall set forth the date of issuance, the

name, age and physical description of the person licensed, the expiration date of the license, his Jngerprints, his

signature, his badge number and the name of his employer. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

Licenses, to whoever issued under this chapter, may be suspended or revoked by the council for violation of any

of the terms of this chapter, for violation of any of the terms of such license, or for misuse or abuse of the privilege

thereby granted. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

applications.

The provisions of Sections 14.28.120 through 14.28.170, relating to suspension and revocation of permits and

appeals from suspension thereof, shall apply in all respects to the suspension, revocation and appeals therefrom

of licenses under this chapter. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

Every owner shall notify the police chief of each employment or dismissal of a driver in his service. The police chief

shall revoke the license of all drivers who have been dismissed, discharged or who have resigned or whose

employment has been transferred from one owner to another owner. Upon being employed by a diMerent owner

or upon reemployment by the same owner, such driver shall apply for and be issued a new license before he shall

be authorized to operate a bus or automobile for hire. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

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No owner shall permit any person to ad as a driver who does not possess a valid license issued in accordance with

this chapter. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

Licenses under the provisions of this chapter, to whoever issued, shall be nontransferable. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2,

2005.)