For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings here given to them:
"Driver"
means and includes a person who drives or is in actual physical control of a tow truck.
"Owner"
means and includes every person, firm, or corporation owning or controlling any tow truck.
"Tow truck"
means and includes a motor vehicle which has be altered or designed and equipped for, and exclusively used in, the business of towing vehicles by means of a crane, hoist, tow bar, towline or dolly or is otherwise exclusively used to render assistance to other vehicles.
(Prior code 6540; Ord. 32-78)
A. 
No person shall operate any tow truck business within the City or serve as a tow truck driver without obtaining a proper permit therefor, as provided in this chapter.
B. 
Every driver's permit issued under this chapter shall set forth the following information:
1. 
Name of company for whom the driver is authorized to operate a tow truck;
2. 
Name, photo, driver's license number, and date of birth of the applicant;
3. 
Date of expiration of the permit.
C. 
The driver shall wear the permit in plain view during all service calls within the City limits of the City of Orange.
(Prior code 6540.1; Ord. 32-78; Ord. 10-07; Ord. 09-22, 2022; Ord. 07-24, 5/14/2024)
Application for such tow truck driver's permit shall be made to the Business Services Coordinator, who shall refer the same to the Chief of Police for investigation of applicant. In addition to the information in Section 5.32.010, the application shall contain the following information:
A. 
Past experience as a driver;
B. 
Whether any tow truck driver's license has ever been revoked or suspended;
C. 
Name and address of applicant's intended employer.
(Prior code 6540.2; Ord. 32-78; Ord. 07-24, 5/14/2024)
The Chief of Police shall cause each applicant to be fingerprinted and photographed, a record of which shall be kept in the office of the Chief of Police. The applicant shall pay the amount set by the State for processing the fingerprints. The Chief of Police shall cause an investigation of each applicant to be made to determine if such applicant has committed any act that if done by a permittee would be grounds for revocation or suspension of a permit, or if such applicant has been convicted of a felony or any crime that has a substantial relationship to the permitted business.
(Prior code 6540.3; Ord. 32-78)
No such driver's permit shall be issued to anyone under the age of 18 years, or to any person having physical impairments, handicaps or deficiencies of such a nature as to interfere with the driver's ability to carry out or perform his or her duties of employment. Upon termination of employment of any driver, the owner for whom such driver has been employed shall forthwith and immediately surrender, return and give up said driver's permit to the Chief of Police and shall file written notice of the termination of employment to the Business Services Coordinator within five days thereafter.
(Prior code 6540.4; Ord. 32-78)
The permit fee for each applicant shall be such amount as is established from time to time by resolution of the City Council.
(Ord. 18-07)