(a) This section applies to the following endorsements and certificates:
(1) Passenger transportation vehicle.
(2) Hazardous materials.
(3) Schoolbus.
(4) School pupil activity bus.
(5) Youth bus.
(6) General public paratransit vehicle.
(7) Farm labor vehicle.
(8) Vehicle used for the transportation of developmentally disabled persons.
(b) The department shall refuse to issue or renew, or shall revoke, the certificate or endorsement of a person who meets the following conditions:
(1) Within three years, has committed any violation that results in a conviction assigned a violation point count of two or more, as defined in Sections 12810 and 12810.5. The department shall not refuse to issue or renew, nor may it revoke, a person’s hazardous materials or passenger transportation vehicle endorsement if the violation leading to the conviction occurred in the person’s private vehicle and not in a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in Section 15210.
(2) Within three years, has had his or her driving privilege suspended, revoked, or on probation for any reason involving unsafe operation of a motor vehicle. The department shall not refuse to issue or renew, nor may it revoke, a person’s passenger transportation vehicle endorsement if the person’s driving privilege has, within three years, been placed on probation only for a reason involving unsafe operation of a motor vehicle.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), does not meet the qualifications for issuance of a hazardous materials endorsement set forth in Parts 383, 384, and 1572 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(c) The department may refuse to issue or renew, or may suspend or revoke, the certificate or endorsement of a person who meets any of the following conditions:
(1) Within 12 months, has been involved as a driver in three accidents in which the driver caused or contributed to the causes of the accidents.
(2) Within 24 months, as a driver, caused or contributed to the cause of an accident resulting in a fatality or serious injury or serious property damage in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000).
(3) Has violated any provision of this code, or any rule or regulation pertaining to the safe operation of a vehicle for which the certificate or endorsement was issued.
(4) Has violated any restriction of the certificate, endorsement, or commercial driver’s license.
(5) Has knowingly made a false statement or failed to disclose a material fact on an application for a certificate or endorsement.
(6) Has been determined by the department to be a negligent or incompetent operator.
(7) Has demonstrated irrational behavior to the extent that a reasonable and prudent person would have reasonable cause to believe that the applicant’s ability to perform the duties of a driver may be impaired.
(8) Excessively or habitually uses, or is addicted to, alcoholic beverages, narcotics, or dangerous drugs.
(9) Does not meet the minimum medical standards established or approved by the department.
(d) The department may cancel the certificate or endorsement of any driver who meets any of the following conditions:
(1) Does not have a valid driver’s license of the appropriate class.
(2) Has requested cancellation of the certificate or endorsement.
(3) Has failed to meet any of the requirements for issuance or retention of the certificate or endorsement, including, but not limited to, payment of the proper fee, submission of an acceptable medical report and fingerprint cards, and compliance with prescribed training requirements.
(4) Has had his or her driving privilege suspended or revoked for a cause involving other than the safe operation of a motor vehicle.
(e) (1) The department shall refuse to issue or renew, or shall suspend or revoke, the passenger vehicle endorsement of a person who violates subdivision (b) of Section 5387 of the Public Utilities Code.
(2) A person found to be in violation of subdivision (b) of Section 5387 of the Public Utilities Code shall be ineligible for a passenger vehicle endorsement that would permit him or her to drive a bus of any kind, including, but not limited to, a bus, schoolbus, youth bus, school pupil activity bus, trailer bus, or a transit bus, with passengers, for a period of five years.
(f) (1) Reapplication following refusal or revocation under subdivision (b) or (c) may be made after a period of not less than one year from the effective date of denial or revocation, except in cases where a longer period of suspension or revocation is required by law.
(2) Reapplication following cancellation under subdivision (d) may be made at any time without prejudice.
(g) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2017.
(Repealed (in Sec. 25) and added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 451, Sec. 26. (SB 491) Effective January 1, 2016. Section operative January 1, 2017, by its own provisions.)