§ 6.30.025. Taxicab driver's permits.

Any person requesting a taxicab driver's permit from the city shall submit the following documents with the permit application:

A.

A letter of employment, or an offer of employment, from a taxicab business licensed to do business in the city or a taxicab business which has submitted an application for a license to do business in the city. In those instances in which the applicant is the owner or operator of a taxicab business, a copy of the taxicab permit for that business shall be submitted in connection with the taxicab driver permit application.

B.

A valid California driver's license.

C.

A driver's license report from the California Department of Motor Vehicles concerning the applicant which is dated within ten days of the date of the applicant's application for a taxicab driver's permit. The report shall be used to determine whether the applicant has a record of driving in a safe and lawful manner and whether the applicant has been convicted of driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol within the past five years.

D.

Compliance with the mandatory controlled substance and alcohol testing certification program as set forth below:

1.

A report from a reputable drug testing company certifying that the applicant has tested negative for each controlled substance specified in Part 40, Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. A negative test for alcohol means an alcohol screening test showing a breath alcohol concentration of less than 0.02 percent. The police chief shall provide the applicant with a list of certified drug testing companies which offer tests in or near the city.

2.

The applicant shall show a valid California driver's license at the time and place of testing. The testing procedures shall be in conformance with Part 40, Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

3.

Test results from another jurisdiction shall not be accepted by the city as satisfying the requirements of this section for an initial taxicab driver's permit. Test results from another jurisdiction may be accepted by the city in connection with the renewal of a taxicab driver's permit as provided for in Section 6.30.030.

4.

Test results shall be reported directly to the police chief. In the case of a self-employed independent driver, the police chief shall notify the taxicab leasing company of record, if any, of any positive result. In all other cases, the police chief shall notify the taxicab business employing, or offering employment, to the applicant whether a taxicab driver's permit has been approved or rejected.

5.

All test results are confidential and shall not be released without the consent of the applicant, except as authorized or required by law.

6.

Self-employed independent drivers shall be responsible for compliance with, and shall pay all costs of, this program with respect to themselves. Employing taxicab companies shall be responsible for compliance with, and pay all costs of, this program with respect to their employees, except that an operator may require employees who test positive to pay the cost of rehabilitation and of return to duty and follow up testing.

E.

Each taxicab driver's permit issued hereunder shall state the name of the driver's employer.

F.

A taxicab driver's permit shall become void upon termination of employment. The taxicab company for which the driver has been working shall provide written notification to the police chief within fifteen days of such termination, and the driver shall immediately surrender his or her taxicab driver's permit to the police chief.

G.

Each application for a taxicab permit, and each renewal thereof, shall be accompanied by a fee in the amount established by the city's master fee schedule.

H.

If the police chief denies the application for a driver's permit, the police chief shall make finding which provide the basis for the denial. The applicant may appeal the police chief's determination in the manner provided in Chapter 6.15 of this code.

(Ord. 99-2 Div. IV, 1999.)