Transportation network companies: participating drivers: vehicle inspections.

The Passenger Charter-party Carriers' Act provides for the regulation of transportation network companies by the Public Utilities Commission. The act defines "transportation network company" to mean an organization operating in California that provides prearranged transportation services for compensation using an online-enabled application or platform to connect passengers with drivers using a personal vehicle, as provided. The act defines "personal vehicle" as a vehicle that is used by a participating driver to provide prearranged transportation services for compensation and that meets certain requirements, including all inspection and other safety requirements imposed by the commission. The act requires a participating driver to possess a valid driver's license, as specified. Under existing law, a violation of the act is a crime. This bill would require a transportation network company to require a vehicle to satisfy the vehicle inspection requirements established by the commission before allowing a participating driver to operate the vehicle as part of its service, as specified. The bill would require a transportation network company to compensate a participating driver who completes their first 10 trips in the inspected vehicle within 28 days of receiving the vehicle inspection for reasonable time spent completing the vehicle inspection at a rate of no less than 150% of the state-mandated minimum wage for all industries. Because a violation of these requirements under the act would be a crime, the 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.