West Covina Municipal Code § 25-25 Accident reports

The following words and phrases, whenever used in this article shall be construed as defined in this section, unless it shall be apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended:

Automobile for hire means and include every automobile or motor-propelled vehicle, excluding Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) operating under permit from the California Public Utilities Commission and their authorized TNC drivers/vehicles, used for the transportation of passengers for compensation over the streets of the city and not over a fixed or defined route, irrespective of whether the operations extend beyond the boundary limits of the city, at rates for distance traveled, per mile, per trip, for waiting time, or otherwise.

Chief of police means and include the person exercising that function or any city employee designated by the chief of police to perform such functions hereunder.

City license collector means and include the person exercising that function or any city employee designated by the city license collector to perform such functions hereunder.

Driver is a person who drives or is in actual physical control of an automobile for hire.

Owner means and include any person other than a driver, who or which owns, operates, controls or directs the use of an automobile for hire.

Taximeter is a mechanical instrument or device by which the charge for hire of an automobile at a predetermined rate or rates, is mechanically calculated and registered, either from distance traveled, or for waiting time, or both, and upon which such charge shall be indicated by means of figures.

Transportation network companies are organizations, whether in the form of a corporation, partnership, sole proprietor, or other form, operating in California that provide prearranged transportation services for compensation using an online-enabled application (app) or platform to connect passengers with drivers using their personal vehicles and which are permitted and regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission.

(Code 1960, § 6320; Ord. No. 1658, § 2, 12-20-84; Ord. No. 2293, § 1, 3-1-16)

Cross reference— Definitions for Code generally, §§ 1-8—1-26.

(a) The holder of an owner's permit may substitute one (1) automobile in the place and instead of each licensed automobile, the use of which has been discontinued, by making application to do so, and securing the approval of the city license collector and shall not make any such substitution without approval.

(b) Before granting such approval, the applicant shall fully comply with the provisions of this article relating to the description and condition of an automobile in the first instance. Upon granting such application, the city license collector shall endorse a memorandum of such substitution upon the original owner's permit, and also upon the license issued to the automobile, the use of which has been discontinued. For each substitution such permit holder shall pay to the city license collector a fee to be established by resolution of the city.

(Code 1960, § 6328; Ord. No. 1544, § 1, 4-26-82; Ord. No. 1658, § 3, 12-20-84)

Automobiles for hire shall at all times be maintained in a mechanically safe condition and interior and exterior kept clean.

(Code 1960, § 6329.2)

(a) Every automobile for hire disclosed in an application for an owner's permit as required by section 25-36 or vehicle substitution as stated in section 25-17 shall be subject to a vehicle inspection to be conducted by the chief of police. Such vehicles shall be subject to annual vehicle inspections to be conducted by the chief of police upon the renewal of the expired owner's permit unless otherwise specified.

(b) Every automobile for hire subject to a vehicle inspection must be accompanied by a detailed statement from an automotive mechanic licensed under the laws of the State of California as an automotive mechanic. Such detailed statement shall specify the conditions of tires, brakes, upholstery and motor.

(c) Every automobile for hire shall at all times be subject to an inspection by any police officer or any other authorized inspector of the city.

(Code 1960, § 6329.3; Ord. No. 1658, § 4, 12-20-84)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1678, § 1, adopted May 28, 1985, repealed, § 25-20 in its entirety. Former § 25-20 was concerned with rates to be established by city council and derived from Code 1960, § 6340.

Every automobile for hire shall display in the passenger's compartment thereof, and in full view of passengers a printed notice of not less than four (4) inches by six (6) inches, which shall have printed thereon in legible print: The name of the business owner of such automobile for hire, the name under which his business is operated, the business address and telephone number.

(Code 1960, § 6341; Ord. No. 1658, § 5, 12-20-84)

Any driver employed to carry passengers to a definite point shall take the most direct route possible that will carry the passengers safely and expeditiously to their destination, unless specifically directed otherwise by such passengers.

(Code 1960, § 6343)

When an automobile for hire is engaged, the occupants shall have the exclusive right to the full and free use of the passenger compartment, and no owner or driver of such automobile shall solicit or carry additional passengers therein.

(Code 1960, § 6344)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1678, § 2, adopted May 28, 1985, repealed § 25-24 in its entirety. Former § 25-24 was concerned with passenger's obligation as to fares in an automobile for hire and derived from Code 1960, § 6345.

Every driver of an automobile for hire shall file, within twenty-four (24) hours thereafter, a full and complete report of any accident in which any automobile for hire, being operated by such driver, is involved, whether or not such accident caused damage to person or property.

(Code 1960, § 6346)

Each permit issued by the city license collector pursuant to division 2 of this article shall entitle the holder thereof to obtain a business license as required by chapter 14 of this Code from the city license collector upon the payment of the prescribed license fee, to operate the automobile or automobiles for hire set forth and described in the permit. Upon the issuance of a business license certificate, a license decal shall be securely attached to the left side of the rear bumper of the automobile for hire licensed at all times when such vehicle is in use.

(Code 1960, § 6327; Ord. No. 1544, § 2, 4-26-82; Ord. No. 1658, § 6, 12-20-84)