Vehicles: motor carrier.

Existing law prohibits a motor carrier of property from operating a commercial motor vehicle on any public highway unless the carrier holds a valid motor carrier permit, as specified. Existing law also prohibits a person from contracting with, or otherwise engaging the services of, a motor carrier of property unless that motor carrier holds a valid motor carrier permit. A violation of these provisions is a crime. This bill would additionally prohibit the retrieval of a vehicle by, or the release of a vehicle to, a motor carrier of property using a tow truck, as defined, until the retrieving motor carrier provides a copy of its motor carrier permit to the releasing motor carrier. The bill would also require the motor carrier releasing the vehicle to maintain a copy of the motor carrier permit for a period of 2 years, as specified. The bill would exempt from these provisions a person licensed under the Collateral Recovery Act. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.