Watsonville Municipal Code Art. 5 Drivers

No person may drive a taxicab in Watsonville without a taxicab driver’s permit.

(§ 1, Ord. 1401-20 (CM), eff. March 26, 2020)

(a) No operator’s permits or taxicab driver’s permits shall be issued or renewed unless the holder at the time of permit issuance or renewal files with the Police Department a certification that the holder maintains a mandatory controlled substance and alcohol testing certification program conforming to 49 CFR Part 40 (Section 40.1 et seq.) and Part 382 (Section 382.101 et seq.) and California Government Code Section 53075.5 for all drivers of vehicles operated under the certificate.

(b) No operator’s permit or taxicab driver’s permit shall be issued or renewed unless the holder at the time of the permit issuance or renewal files with the Police Department a certification that each driver of vehicles operated under the certificate has tested negatively for controlled substances and alcohol under a mandatory controlled substance and alcohol testing certification program conforming to Parts 40 and 382 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations and California Government Code Section 53075.5.

(c) A driver who receives a positive test result during a pre-employment drug screening procedure may not resubmit an application for a taxicab driver’s permit for a period of five (5) years.

(d) If a taxicab driver tests positive during a random drug screening process, the taxicab driver’s permit will be suspended pursuant to Section 5-22.64, Emergency suspension, until the driver has successfully completed all the requirements placed on him/her by the Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). If this same taxicab driver tests positive again during a random drug screening process, their taxicab driver’s permit will be revoked for a period of not less than five (5) years.

(§ 1, Ord. 1401-20 (CM), eff. March 26, 2020)

(a) No person shall operate any taxicab in the City unless the person has a valid driver’s permit to do so as hereinafter provided.

(b) A taxicab driver substantially located and permitted by another city within the County or by the County may operate in the City on a prearranged basis only. That driver may pick up trips originating through online enabled application, phone dispatch, or internet website. That driver may not use a taxi stand or pick up street hails without authorization of the Chief of Police.

(c) Application for a taxicab driver’s permit shall be made in writing to the Chief of Police setting forth the following information:

(1) The applicant’s name;

(2) The applicant’s age;

(3) The applicant’s residence address;

(4) The applicant’s past experience with regard to taxicab service;

(5) The names and addresses of the applicant’s employers during the preceding three (3) years;

(6) Such additional information as the Chief of Police may require.

(§ 1, Ord. 1401-20 (CM), eff. March 26, 2020)

(a) A taxicab driver’s permit fee shall be in an amount established by resolution of the City Council from time to time, and shall be charged and collected by the Chief of Police for the issuance of each driver’s permit.

(b) The renewal of a taxicab driver’s permit shall be made annually to the Police Department and will be subject to a fee in an amount established by resolution of the City Council from time to time.

(§ 1, Ord. 1401-20 (CM), eff. March 26, 2020)

No driver’s permit shall be transferable in any event.

(§ 1, Ord. 1401-20 (CM), eff. March 26, 2020)

(a) Operators may set their rates and fares and use flat rate pricing in an amount established by resolution of the City Council from time to time. However, no person shall operate a taxicab unless the schedule of rates and fares for the use of the taxicab is posted in a conspicuous place inside the taxicab.

(b) An operator may use any type of taximeter, device or technology approved by the Division of Measurement Standards to calculate fares, including the use of Global Positioning System metering; provided, that the device or technology complies with Section 12500.5 of the California Business and Professions Code and with all regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 12107 of the Business and Professions Code.

(c) A copy of such rate schedule shall be filed in the offices of the City Clerk and Chief of Police.

(d) It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse to pay the lawful fare as posted.

(e) All disputes as to fare shall be forthwith determined by the officer in charge of the police station, and, if his decision is in favor of the passenger, the driver shall convey him to the police station and back to his original destination without charge.

(§ 1, Ord. 1401-20 (CM), eff. March 26, 2020)

It shall be unlawful for any person soliciting patronage for any public passenger vehicle for hire to represent by word, sign, hat band, insignia, or badge, or by their manner or style of dress, that the vehicle for which they are soliciting such patronage is a vehicle owned or operated by a person other than the one who actually owns and operates such vehicle.

(§ 1, Ord. 1401-20 (CM), eff. March 26, 2020)