2011 California Code
Vehicle Code
DIVISION 14.8. SAFETY REGULATIONS [34500 - 34520.5]
Section 34505.1

(a) Upon determining that a tour bus operator has either (1) failed to maintain any vehicle used in transportation for compensation in a safe operating condition or to comply with the Vehicle Code or with regulations contained in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations relative to motor carrier safety, and, in the department s opinion, that failure presents an imminent danger to public safety or constitutes such a consistent failure as to justify a recommendation to the Public Utilities Commission or the Interstate Commerce Commission or (2) failed to enroll all drivers in the pull notice system as required by Section 1808.1, the department shall recommend to the Public Utilities Commission that the carrier s operating authority be suspended, denied, or revoked, or to the federal Highway Administration Office of Motor Carriers, that appropriate administrative action be taken against the carrier s Interstate Commerce Commission operating authority, whichever is appropriate. For purposes of this subdivision, two consecutive unsatisfactory compliance ratings for an inspected terminal assigned because the tour bus operator failed to comply with the periodic report requirements of Section 1808.1 or the cancellation of the operator s enrollment by the Department of Motor Vehicles for nonpayment of required fees is a consistent failure. However, when recommending denial of an application for new or renewal authority, the department need not conclude that the carrier s failure presents an imminent danger to public safety or that it constitutes a consistent failure. The department need only conclude that the carrier s compliance with the safety-related matters described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) is sufficiently unsatisfactory to justify a recommendation for denial. The department shall retain a record, by operator, of every recommendation made pursuant to this section.

(b) Before transmitting a recommendation pursuant to subdivision (a), the department shall notify the carrier in writing of all of the following:

(1) That the department has determined that the carrier s safety record is unsatisfactory, furnishing a copy of any documentation or summary of any other evidence supporting the determination.

(2) That the determination may result in a suspension, revocation, or denial of the carrier s operating authority by the California Public Utilities Commission or the Interstate Commerce Commission.

(3) That the carrier may request a review of the determination by the department within five days of its receipt of the notice required under this subdivision. If a review is requested by the carrier, the department shall conduct and evaluate that review prior to transmitting any notification pursuant to subdivision (a).

(Amended by Stats. 1993, Ch. 272, Sec. 51. Effective August 2, 1993.)