It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or drive a taxicab in the City of Carson without first having obtained a driver's permit from the City Administrator. All persons applying for such a permit shall file with the City Administrator a sworn application which shall set forth:
(a) 
The experience of the applicant in the transportation of passengers;
(b) 
A concise history of his employment;
(c) 
The educational background of the applicant;
(d) 
Two (2) recent photographs (size one and one-half (1-1/2) inch by one and one-half (1-1/2) inch);
(e) 
The names and addresses of four (4) Carson residents who have known the applicant for a period of at least one (1) year and who will vouch for the sobriety, honesty, and general good character of the applicant;
(f) 
An application fee of $25.00 shall accompany each application for a driver's permit.
(Ord. 00-1199 § 5; Ord. 50 § 6519; Ord. 69-66 § 2)
The City Administrator shall not issue a permit to:
(a) 
Any person under the age of twenty-one (21) years;
(b) 
Any person not a citizen of the United States or who has not filed a Petition for Naturalization;
(c) 
Any person not possessing a valid driver's license issued by the State of California;
(d) 
Any person who has been convicted of driving a vehicle recklessly or while under the influence of intoxicating liquors or narcotics;
(e) 
Any person who has been convicted of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude;
(f) 
Any person who has violated any provisions of the Carson Municipal Code which in the City Administrator's opinion affects the applicant's qualifications as a driver.
(Ord. 50 § 6520; Ord. 69-66 § 2)
Upon completion of his investigation, which shall include a complete review of a police report on the applicant, if the City Administrator finds the applicant is a fit and proper person to be a taxicab driver in the City of Carson, he shall issue or cause to be issued to said applicant a Taxicab Driver's Permit. Such permit shall have affixed thereto a photograph as required by CMC § 6519. It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or operate any of the vehicles approved on any Certificate without having such permit displayed in said vehicle in such a way as to be easily seen by any passenger.
(Ord. 50 § 6521; Ord. 69-66 § 2)
If, upon completion of his investigation, the City Administrator finds the applicant is not a fit and proper person to be a taxicab driver, he shall refuse to issue a Taxicab Driver's Permit to the applicant.
(Ord. 50 § 6522; Ord. 69-66 § 2)
Every driver issued a permit under CMC § 6522 shall post his driver's permit in such a place as to be in full view of all passengers while such driver is operating a taxicab.
(Ord. 50 § 6523; Ord. 69-66 § 2)
If a driver changes his employment to a different owner, he shall within twenty-four (24) hours thereafter notify the City Administrator for the purpose of having his driver's permit changed so as to properly designate the name of the new employer.
(Ord. 50 § 6524; Ord. 69-66 § 2)
If a driver changes his residential address, he shall within ten (10) days thereafter notify the City Administrator for the purpose of having his driver's permit changed so as to properly designate his residential address.
(Ord. 50 § 6525; Ord. 69-66 § 2)
A driver's permit issued under the provisions of this Division of the Code may be suspended or revoked at any time by the City Administrator if the holder thereof has:
(a) 
Been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude; using, possessing, selling or transporting narcotics; or imparting information for obtaining narcotics;
(b) 
Been convicted of driving recklessly or while under the influence of liquor or narcotics;
(c) 
Had his State driver's license revoked or suspended;
(d) 
Been convicted of any of the offenses set forth in Sections 20001, 22350, 22351, 23102 and/or 23103 of the Vehicle Code of the State of California and amendments thereto, or any combination of either or any of the said offenses;
(e) 
Charged or received a fare in excess of the rates provided for herein or violated any of the other provisions hereof;
(f) 
Been determined by the City Administrator, for any reason, including, but not limited to those reasons set forth in CMC § 6520, whether specifically set forth herein or not, after due investigation, to be an unfit person to drive a taxicab.
(Ord. 50 § 6526; Ord. 69-66 § 2)
Revocation of a Taxicab Driver's Permit shall be made only after a hearing granted to the holder of such permit before the City Administrator, after five (5) days notice to said permit holder setting forth the grounds of complaint against him and stating the time and place where such hearing will be held. Upon revocation of any permit, such permit shall be surrendered forthwith to the City Administrator. The decision of the City Administrator shall be final and conclusive.
(Ord. 50 § 6527; Ord. 69-66 § 2)
Each permit approved by the City Manager shall be an annual permit and shall be automatically renewable by the City Manager if, in the opinion of the City Manager, said driver should receive a subsequent permit. A renewal fee of $25.00 shall be required for each renewal.
(Ord. 00-1199 § 6; Ord. 50 § 6528; Ord. 69-66 § 2)