ARTICLE 3. Regulation of Charter-Party Carriers of Passengers [5381. - 5389.]

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC 3.

in effect

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 5381. Section 5381.

To the extent that such is not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, the commission may supervise and regulate every charter-party carrier of passengers in the State and may do all things, whether specifically designated in this part, or in addition thereto, which are necessary and convenient in the exercise of such power and jurisdiction.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 5381.5. Section 5381.5.

(a) The commission shall, by rule or other appropriate procedure, ensure that every charter-party carrier of passengers operates on a prearranged basis within the state, consistent with Section 5360.5. The commission shall require every charter-party carrier of passengers to include on a waybill or trip report at least all of the following: (1) The name of at least one passenger in the traveling party, or identifying information of the traveling party’s affiliation, along with the point of origin and destination of the passenger or traveling party. (2) Information as to whether the transportation was arranged by telephone, written contract, or electronic communication. (b) A waybill or trip report may be kept in electronic or hardcopy format. When requested by any commission or airport enforcement officer or any official of a city, county, or city and county authorized to inspect a waybill or trip report pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 5371.4, the waybill or trip report may be provided in either electronic or hardcopy format. (c) A charter-party carrier of passengers shall produce in its office a hardcopy of any waybill or trip report when requested by the commission or one of its authorized representatives pursuant to Section 5389.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 5382. Section 5382.

To the extent that such are not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, all general orders, rules and regulations, applicable to the operations of carriers of passengers under authority of certificates of public convenience and necessity issued pursuant to the provisions of Article 2 (commencing at Section 1031), Chapter 5, Part 1, Division 1 of this code, unless otherwise ordered by the commission shall apply to charter-party carriers of passengers.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 5383. Section 5383.

The commission shall create the following classifications or types of certificates for charter-party carriers of passengers: Class A: from any point or points within the state to other points in or out of this state, including, but not limited to, the conduction of round-trip sightseeing tour service. Class B: from any point within the territory of origin specified in the certificate to any points in the state, or territory of origin. Class C: services provided incidental to commercial balloon operations, commercial river rafting, or skiing where no additional compensation is provided for the transportation.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 5384. Section 5384.

The commission shall issue permits to persons, who are otherwise qualified, whose passenger carrier operations fall into the following categories: (a) Specialized carriers, who do not hold themselves out to serve the general public, but only provide service under contract with industrial and business firms, governmental agencies, and private schools or who only transport agricultural workers to and from farms for compensation or who only conduct transportation services, which are incidental to another business. This permit shall be designated as a “Z” permit. (b) Carriers using only vehicles under 15-passenger seating capacity. This permit shall be designated as a “P” permit. (c) Carriers conducting round-trip sightseeing tour service. This permit shall be designated as an “S” permit.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 5384.1. Section 5384.1.

(a) At the time transportation service is prearranged or the contract of carriage is made, the charter-party carrier of passengers shall ask the chartering party and, upon being asked, the chartering party shall disclose to the charter-party carrier of passengers, whether the following are true: (1) Alcoholic beverages will be served by the chartering party or be transported in the passenger compartment of the vehicle during transportation. (2) A member of the party to be provided with transportation services will be under 21 years of age. (b) If, at the time transportation was prearranged with the charter-party carrier of passengers, the chartering party discloses that alcoholic beverages will be served or transported in the passenger compartment and a member of the party is under 21 years of age, each of the following applies: (1) The charter-party carrier of passengers, at the time transportation services are arranged, shall notify the chartering party of all of the following: (A) A designee who is 25 years of age or older shall be present whenever persons under 21 years of age who are not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian are being transported. (B) The designee shall make reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with all laws prohibiting the consumption of alcoholic beverages by persons under 21 years of age who are members of the party and are not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. (C) The designee shall check the identifications of all passengers to determine who is under 21 years of age and shall read the statement specified in paragraph (7) to each passenger in the party who is under 21 years of age. The driver shall not commence transport until the designee has verified with the driver that the designee has checked the identifications of all passengers and has read the statement. If passengers are picked up at more than one location, the driver shall not commence transport from the subsequent location until the designee has verified with the driver that the designee has checked the identifications of all passengers boarding the vehicle at that location and has read the statement to all passengers boarding the vehicle at that location. (D) The designee shall notify the driver of the vehicle if, at any time during the trip, a passenger in their party who is under 21 years of age is consuming or has consumed alcoholic beverages. (E) The designee shall be responsible for any reasonably foreseeable personal injury or property damage that is proximately caused by the consumption of alcoholic beverages by a person under 21 years of age while being supplied with transportation services if the designee knew or reasonably should have known that the person is under 21 years of age or has consumed alcoholic beverages while being supplied with transportation services. (F) If a trip is terminated because of the consumption of alcoholic beverages by a person under 21 years of age who is a member of their party, the designee’s responsibility for that minor shall continue until that person who is under 21 years of age is returned safely to his or her home or entrusted into the care of his or her parent or legal guardian or taken to a location reasonably believed to be safer than his or her home. (2) (A) The charter-party carrier of passengers shall provide a copy of the written form described in paragraph (4) to the chartering party and shall verify the written form has been returned with the signature of the designee no later than 72 hours prior to the commencement of the travel date. If the transportation service is prearranged within 72 hours of the travel date, the charter-party carrier of passengers shall immediately provide the written form described in paragraph (4) to the chartering party as a stand-alone form separate from the contract of carriage, to be returned prior to the commencement of transportation services with the signature of the designee. A charter-party carrier of passengers may supply the chartering party with additional forms for a replacement designee in the event the planned designee is unable to accompany the party during transport. The charter-party carrier of passengers shall verify the written form of a replacement designee has been returned with the signature of the replacement designee no later than 72 hours prior to the commencement of the travel date. (B) (i) If the charter-party carrier of passengers does not provide the written notice specified in subparagraph (A), and the designee does not return the signed form prior to the commencement of the transport, the charter-party carrier of passengers shall do any of the following: (I) Provide a designee who is not the driver and shall incur any and all liabilities of that designee. (II) Remove and lock all alcoholic beverages in the vehicle’s trunk or other locked compartment. (III) Prohibit all persons under 21 years of age from boarding the vehicle. (IV) Cancel the trip and refund all payments for the transportation services. (ii) A charter-party carrier of passengers that fails to comply with clause (i) shall incur the liabilities of a designee. (3) The charter-party carrier of passengers shall inform the driver of the vehicle that alcohol will be present and that there will be persons under 21 years of age present during the provision of transportation services and the name of the designee. (4) The driver of the vehicle shall obtain the designee’s signature or initials on a written form indicating the designee’s acknowledgment and agreement to all of the following: (A) Alcoholic beverages will be served by the chartering party or be transported in the passenger compartment of the vehicle during transportation. (B) A member of the party to be provided with transportation services will be under 21 years of age. (C) The person signing or initialing is the designee and is 25 years of age or older. (D) The designee shall make reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with all laws prohibiting the consumption of alcoholic beverages by persons under 21 years of age who are members of the party and are not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. (E) The designee must check the identifications of all passengers to determine who is under 21 years of age and shall read the statement specified in paragraph (7) to each passenger in the party who is under 21 years of age. The driver will not commence transportation services until the designee has verified with the driver that the designee has checked the identifications of all passengers and has read the statement. If passengers are to be picked up at more than one location, the driver will not commence transport from the subsequent location until the designee has verified with the driver that the designee has checked the identifications of all passengers boarding the vehicle at that location and has read the statement to all passengers boarding the vehicle at that location. (F) The designee is responsible for notifying the driver of the vehicle if, at any time during the trip, a passenger in their party who is under 21 years of age is consuming or has consumed alcoholic beverages and that the designee is in violation of the law if he or she fails to notify the driver. (G) The designee is legally responsible for any reasonably foreseeable personal injury or property damage that is proximately caused by the consumption of alcoholic beverages by a person under 21 years of age while being supplied with transportation services if the designee knew or reasonably should have known that the person is under 21 years of age and is consuming or has consumed alcoholic beverages while being supplied with transportation services. (H) If a trip is terminated because of the consumption of alcoholic beverages by a person under 21 years of age who is a member of their party, the designee’s responsibility for that person under 21 years of age continues until that person who is under 21 years of age is returned safely to his or her home or entrusted into the care of his or her parent or legal guardian or taken to a location reasonably believed to be safer than his or her home. (5) The designee shall be a passenger of the vehicle during the provision of transportation services and shall make reasonable efforts to ensure the lawful conduct of all persons in the vehicle who are members of the party who are under 21 years of age and who are not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. (6) (A) The designee shall make reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with all laws related to the consumption of alcoholic beverages by persons in the party who are under 21 years of age and who are not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. (B) The designee shall make reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with all laws prohibiting the providing of alcoholic beverages to persons under 21 years of age by adult members of the party who are 21 years of age or older. (C) If a person under 21 years of age is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, then the parent or legal guardian shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that person complies with laws prohibiting the consumption of alcoholic beverages. (D) A designee or, when present, the parent or legal guardian who fails to act reasonably shall be responsible for any reasonably foreseeable personal injury or property damage that is proximately caused by a violation of laws prohibiting the consumption of alcoholic beverages by a person under 21 years of age when alcoholic beverages are consumed during the provision of transportation services if the designee, parent, or legal guardian knew or reasonably should have known that the person is under 21 years of age and is consuming or has consumed alcoholic beverages during the provision of transportation services. (E) Nothing in this paragraph limits the right of a designee to seek indemnity from any person, corporation, or other entity other than the charter-party carrier of passengers. (F) Nothing in this section relieves a passenger of legal responsibility for his or her own conduct. (7) (A) The designee shall read the following statement to those persons under 21 years of age: “Consumption of alcoholic beverages by persons under 21 years of age is illegal. It is also illegal for an adult to provide alcoholic beverages to a person under 21 years of age. If you consume alcoholic beverages, this trip will be terminated and all payments for transportation services shall be forfeited and not subject to refund.” (B) The terms of the statement required to be read pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall be a part of the contract of carriage between the charter-party carrier of passengers and the chartering party. (8) (A) If, during the course of providing transportation services, any person under 21 years of age is found to be, or to have been, consuming any alcoholic beverage, the designee shall immediately notify the driver and the driver shall terminate the trip. All passengers, including all passengers of a joint carriage if more than one party is participating in the trip, shall be brought back to the point of origin of the trip. All payment for transportation services shall be forfeited and not subject to refund. (B) Should the designee, or when present, the parent or legal guardian, fail to inform the driver, or if the designee, parent, or legal guardian permits the drinking of alcoholic beverages by persons under 21 years of age to occur in the vehicle, the designee, parent, or legal guardian shall be subject to prosecution for violation of subdivision (a) of Section 25658 of the Business and Professions Code. (c) If, at the time transportation is prearranged with the charter-party carrier of passengers, the chartering party discloses that alcoholic beverages will be served or transported in the passenger compartment, but that no member of the party is or will be under 21 years of age, each of the following applies: (1) If the driver has reason to believe that passengers under 21 years of age will be present during transportation services, the driver shall verify the age of all passengers to be transported in the vehicle with the chartering party or designee. (2) If any passenger is under 21 years of age, the failure to disclose the age of this passenger is a violation of the contract of carriage, and transportation services shall be terminated, and no refund given, unless all alcoholic beverages are removed and locked in the vehicle trunk or other locked compartment. (d) If, at the time transportation is prearranged with the charter-party carrier of passengers, the chartering party discloses that a member of the party is under 21 years of age, but that no alcoholic beverages will be served or transported in the passenger compartment, each of the following applies: (1) If the driver of the vehicle has reason to believe that alcoholic beverages are, or will be, transported in the vehicle and accessible to passengers, the driver shall verify whether alcoholic beverages were brought into the vehicle. (2) If alcoholic beverages were brought into the vehicle without prior notification to the charter-party carrier of passengers, that act is a violation of the contract of carriage, and the transportation services shall be terminated, and no refund given, unless all alcoholic beverages are removed and locked in the vehicle trunk or other locked compartment. (e) (1) If the driver is informed or learns that alcoholic beverages will be served or transported in the passenger compartment and a member of the party is under 21 years of age, the failure by the driver to do any of the following is a misdemeanor: (A) To commence or continue transport without a designee who is 25 years of age or older present, unless the person who is under 21 years of age is accompanied by a parent or guardian. (B) To commence transport without obtaining the designee’s signature or initials on the form described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (b). (C) To commence transport without the designee verifying to the driver that the designee has checked the identifications of all passengers to determine who is under 21 years of age and read the statement specified in paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) to each member of the party who is under 21 years of age. (D) To not terminate the trip and to return the chartering party to the place of origin if informed by the designee or, if present, a parent or guardian, that a person under 21 years of age is consuming or has consumed alcoholic beverages or by otherwise learning that a person under 21 years of age is consuming or has consumed alcoholic beverages. (2) If the driver is informed or learns that alcoholic beverages will be served or transported in the passenger compartment and is informed that no member of the party is under 21 years of age, the failure to do any of the following is a misdemeanor: (A) To fail to take reasonable steps to verify the age of any passenger reasonably believed to be under 21 years of age. (B) To commence transport if a party member is under 21 years of age, unless all alcoholic beverages are removed and locked in the vehicle trunk or other locked compartment. (C) To not terminate the trip and to return the chartering party to the place of origin if the driver learns that a person under 21 years of age is consuming or has consumed alcoholic beverages. (3) If the driver is informed or learns that one or more members of the party are under 21 years of age and is informed that no alcoholic beverages will be served or transported in the passenger compartment, the failure to do any of the following is a misdemeanor. (A) If the driver reasonably believes that alcoholic beverages were brought into the vehicle, to fail to take reasonable steps to verify that no alcoholic beverages were brought into the vehicle. (B) To commence or continue transport if the driver learns that alcoholic beverages were brought onto the vehicle, unless all alcoholic beverages are removed and locked in the vehicle trunk or other locked compartment. (f) A failure by the designee to do any of the following is a misdemeanor: (1) To check the identifications of all passengers to determine who is under 21 years of age. (2) To read the statement specified in paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) to each passenger in the party who is under 21 years of age. (3) To notify the driver of the vehicle if, at any time during the trip, a passenger in the designee’s party who is under 21 years of age is consuming or has consumed alcoholic beverages. (4) Upon termination of a trip because of the consumption of alcoholic beverages by a person under 21 years of age, to safely return any person under 21 years of age who is a member of the designee’s party to his or her home, to take him or her to a location reasonably believed to be safer than his or her home, or to entrust him or her into the care of his or her parent or legal guardian. (g) When present, the failure of a parent or guardian to notify the driver when a member of the party who is under 21 years of age and for whom the parent or guardian is responsible is consuming or has consumed alcoholic beverages during the provision of transportation services is guilty of a misdemeanor. (h) If the commission, after a hearing, finds that a charter-party carrier of passengers or the driver of a charter-party carrier of passengers has violated this section, the commission shall do the following: (1) For a first violation, the commission shall impose a civil penalty of not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) upon the carrier, as determined appropriate by the commission. (2) For a second violation, the commission shall impose a civil penalty of not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) upon the carrier or may suspend the carrier’s certificate or permit for not more than 30 days, or both, as determined appropriate by the commission. (3) For a third violation, the commission shall revoke the carrier’s certificate or permit. (i) The authority granted the commission in subdivision (h) is in addition to any authority the commission has to enforce the requirements of this chapter, and the commission may impose any penalties available pursuant to this chapter for a violation of this section. (j) Nothing in this section shall change the liability of a party knowingly furnishing the alcoholic beverage to a person who they know or reasonably should know to be under 21 years of age.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 5384.2. Section 5384.2.

(a) Every charter-party carrier of passengers shall furnish the commission annually with a list, prepared under oath, of all vehicles used in transportation for compensation during the preceding year. The list shall include and identify each modified limousine and the terminal location of each modified limousine. The commission shall furnish a copy of this list identifying each modified limousine and its terminal location to the Department of the California Highway Patrol. (b) The commission shall not issue or continue in effect any permit, certificate, or authority of a charter-party carrier of passengers that has not submitted fees required for inspection pursuant to Section 34500.4 of the Vehicle Code and any associated penalties, if applicable. (c) Not later than January 1, 2015, the commission shall provide the Department of the California Highway Patrol with a list of each charter-party carrier’s modified limousines and their terminal locations in order for the department to promulgate regulations pursuant to Section 34500.4 of the Vehicle Code.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 5384.3. Section 5384.3.

(a) For purposes of this article, the following terms have the following meanings: (1) “Contract crew transportation vehicle” means a motor vehicle designed to transport 15 or fewer people, including the driver, that is owned, leased, operated, or maintained by a person contracting with a railroad corporation or its agents, contractors, subcontractors, vendors, subvendors, secondary vendors, or subcarriers, and used primarily to provide railroad crew transportation. (2) “Crew transportation operator” means the person or entity that operates a contract crew transportation vehicle pursuant to a contract with a railroad corporation or its agents, contractors, subcontractors, vendors, subvendors, secondary vendors, or subcarriers. (3) “Motor vehicle” has the same meaning as in Section 415 of the Vehicle Code. (b) A crew transportation operator shall not operate a contract crew transportation vehicle without a valid permit, as determined by the commission. (c) A crew transportation operator shall provide the commission with proof of insurance coverage that meets all of the following: (1) Provides at least five million dollars ($5,000,000) in combined single limit coverage for bodily injury and property damage liability coverage. (2) Provides at least one million dollars ($1,000,000) in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. (3) Names the crew transportation operator as a named insured or an additional insured. (d) This section does not apply to either of the following: (1) Carpools, regardless if all persons work for a railroad corporation or not. (2) Motor vehicles operated by an employee of a railroad corporation.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 5384.5. Section 5384.5.

If the driver of any charter-party carrier of passengers for hire operating under a valid certificate or permit, or any officer, director, agent, or employee of a charter-party carrier of passengers operating vehicles used in the transportation of passengers for hire under such a certificate or permit, is convicted of a violation of Section 23225 of the Vehicle Code, the commission, after a hearing, shall do the following: (a) For a first offense, the commission may impose a civil penalty of not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) upon the carrier, as determined appropriate by the commission. (b) For a second offense, the commission may impose a civil penalty of not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) upon the carrier or suspend the carrier’s certificate or permit for not more than 30 days, or both, as determined appropriate by the commission. (c) For a third offense, the commission shall revoke the carrier’s certificate or permit.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 5385. Section 5385.

A charter-party carrier of passengers, except those engaged in the provision of a hired driver service when a rented motor vehicle is being operated by the hired driver, shall not operate any motor vehicle on any public highway unless there is displayed on the vehicle a distinctive identifying symbol in the form prescribed by the commission, showing the classification to which the carrier belongs. Such an identifying symbol shall not be displayed on any vehicle until a permit or certificate of public convenience and necessity under this chapter has been issued to the carrier. The identifying symbol displayed by charter-party carriers subject to the Interstate Commerce Commission shall serve in lieu of the display requirements of this section.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 5385.7. Section 5385.7.

A charter-party carrier shall not operate a modified limousine, as defined in Section 5361, unless the modified limousine is equipped with emergency exits at the rear of the vehicle as required pursuant to Article 3.4 (commencing with Section 27375) of Chapter 5 of Division 12 of the Vehicle Code. The commission shall adopt rules to implement this section.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 5386. Section 5386.

(a) Every charter-party carrier of passengers, including a charter-party carrier that operates a limousine, shall include the number of its permit or certificate in every written or oral advertisement of the services it offers. (b) For the purposes of this subdivision, “advertisement” includes, but is not limited to, the issuance of any card, sign, or device to any person, the causing, permitting, or allowing the placement of any sign or marking on or in any building or structure, or in any media form, including newspaper, magazine, radiowave, satellite signal, or any electronic transmission, or in any directory soliciting charter-party transportation services subject to this chapter.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 5386.5. Section 5386.5.

No charter-party carrier of passengers shall advertise its services, or in any manner represent its services, as being a taxicab or taxi service. For the purposes of this section, “advertise” includes any business card, stationery, brochure, flyer, circular, newsletter, fax form, printed or published paid advertisement in any media form, or telephone book listing.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 5387. Section 5387.

(a) It is unlawful for the owner of a charter-party carrier of passengers to permit the operation of a vehicle upon a public highway for compensation without (1) having obtained from the commission a certificate or permit pursuant to this chapter, (2) having complied with the vehicle identification requirements of Section 5385, and (3) having complied with the accident liability protection requirements of Section 5391. (b) A person who drives a bus for a charter-party carrier without having a current and valid driver’s license of the proper class, a passenger vehicle endorsement, or the required certificate shall be suspended from driving a bus of any kind, including, but not limited to, a bus, schoolbus, school pupil activity bus, or transit bus, with passengers for a period of five years pursuant to Section 13369 of the Vehicle Code. (c) (1) A charter-party carrier shall have its authority to operate as a charter-party carrier permanently revoked by the commission or be permanently barred from receiving a permit or certificate from the commission if it commits any of the following acts: (A) Operates a bus without having been issued a permit or certificate from the commission. (B) Operates a bus with a permit that was suspended by the commission pursuant to Section 5378.5. (C) Commits three or more liability insurance violations within a two-year period for which it has been cited. (D) Operates a bus with a permit that was suspended by the commission during a period that the charter-party carrier’s liability insurance lapsed for which it has been cited. (E) Knowingly employs a busdriver who does not have a current and valid driver’s license of the proper class, a passenger vehicle endorsement, or the required certificate to drive a bus. (F) Has one or more buses improperly registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles. (2) The commission shall not issue a new permit or certificate to operate as a charter-party carrier if any officer, director, or owner of that charter-party carrier was an officer, director, or owner of a charter-party carrier that had its authority to operate as a charter-party carrier permanently revoked by the commission or that was permanently barred from receiving a permit or certificate from the commission pursuant to this subdivision. (d) A peace officer, as designated pursuant to Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, may impound a bus or limousine of a charter-party carrier of passengers for 30 days pursuant to Section 14602.9 of the Vehicle Code if the peace officer determines that any of the following violations occurred while the driver was operating the bus or limousine of the charter-party carrier: (1) The driver was operating the bus or limousine of a charter-party carrier of passengers when the charter-party carrier of passengers did not have a permit or certificate issued by the commission. (2) The driver was operating the bus or limousine of a charter-party carrier of passengers when the charter-party carrier of passengers was operating with a suspended permit or certificate from the commission. (3) The driver was operating the bus or limousine of a charter-party carrier of passengers without having a current and valid driver’s license of the proper class, a passenger vehicle endorsement, or the required certificate. (e) This section does not authorize the impoundment of privately owned personal vehicles that are not common carriers nor the impoundment of vehicles used in transportation for compensation by charter-party carriers of passengers that are not required to carry individual permits.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 5387.3. Section 5387.3.

(a) A charter-party carrier described in subdivision (c) of Section 5387, that has received a notice of refusal or revocation of its permit to operate, may submit to the commission, within 15 days after the mailing of the notice, a written request for a hearing. The charter-party carrier shall furnish a copy of the request to the Department of the California Highway Patrol at the same time that it makes its request for a hearing to the commission. Failure to request a hearing, in writing, within the 15-day period is a waiver of the right to a hearing. (b) Upon receipt by the commission of the hearing request, the commission shall hold a hearing within a reasonable time, not to exceed 21 days, and may appoint a hearing officer to conduct the hearing. At the hearing, the burden of proof is on the charter-party carrier to prove that it was not in violation of subdivision (c) of Section 5387. (c) The refusal to, or revocation of, the permit to operate, may only be rescinded by the hearing officer if the charter-party carrier proves that it was not in violation of subdivision (c) of Section 5387, and that the basis of the refusal or revocation resulted from a factual error.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 5387.5. Section 5387.5.

When the commission or an employee of the commission determines that any person or corporation is holding itself out as a charter-party carrier of passengers without a certificate or permit to so operate, the carrier shall pay the commission the fee established pursuant to Section 421 for the period during which it operated without authority, up to a maximum of three years, which fee shall be deposited in the Public Utilities Commission Transportation Reimbursement Account.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 5389. Section 5389.

(a) The commission, each commissioner, and each officer and person employed by the commission may, at any time have access to the land, buildings, or equipment of a charter-party carrier of passengers used in connection with the operation of its business and may inspect the accounts, books, papers, and documents of the carrier. Any inspection by the commission may include photocopying or the electrostatic or photostatic reproduction of documents either at the premises of the carrier or the offices of the commission, at the option of the carrier. The commission shall reimburse the carrier for any copying or reproduction expenses incurred by it at the direction of the commission. (b) Subdivision (a) also applies to access to property and inspections of the accounts, books, papers, and documents of any business which is a subsidiary or affiliate of, or a corporation which holds a controlling interest in, a charter-party carrier of passengers with respect to any transaction between the carrier and the subsidiary, affiliate, or holding corporation. (c) Subdivisions (a) and (b) also apply to any person or corporation engaged in the transportation of persons by motor vehicle for compensation, which the commission, or an officer or person employed by the commission, determines is holding itself out as a charter-party carrier of passengers.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026