BILL NUMBER: AB 787	CHAPTERED  08/24/99

	CHAPTER   224
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   AUGUST 24, 1999
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR   AUGUST 23, 1999
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY   AUGUST 16, 1999
	PASSED THE SENATE   JULY 15, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   JUNE 23, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   APRIL 21, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Dickerson

                        FEBRUARY 24, 1999

   An act to amend Sections 15275 and 15278 of the Vehicle Code,
relating to vehicles.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 787, Dickerson.  Commercial vehicles:  driver's license
endorsements:  exemption.
   Existing law generally requires the driver of a commercial vehicle
to obtain a driver's license endorsement issued by the Department of
Motor Vehicles.
   This bill would exempt a driver issued a restricted firefighter's
license and driving a vehicle operated for the purpose of hauling
compressed air tanks for breathing apparatus that do not exceed 2,500
pounds from that endorsement requirement.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 15275 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
   15275.  (a) No person may operate a commercial motor vehicle
described in this chapter unless that person has in his or her
possession a valid commercial driver's license for the appropriate
class, and an endorsement issued by the department to permit the
operation of the vehicle unless exempt from the requirement to obtain
an endorsement pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 15278.
   (b) An endorsement to drive vehicles specified in this article
shall be issued only to applicants qualified by examinations
prescribed by the department and that meet the minimum standards
established in Part 383 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal
Regulations.
   (c) The department may deny, suspend, revoke, or cancel an
endorsement to drive vehicles specified in this article when the
applicant does not meet the qualifications for the issuance or
retention of the endorsement.
  SEC. 2.  Section 15278 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
   15278.  (a) A driver is required to obtain an endorsement issued
by the department to operate any commercial motor vehicle that is any
of the following:
   (1) A double trailer.
   (2) A passenger transportation vehicle, which includes, but is not
limited to, a bus, farm labor vehicle, or general public paratransit
vehicle when designed, used, or maintained to carry more than 10
persons including the driver.
   (3) A tank vehicle.
   (4) A vehicle carrying hazardous materials that is required to
display placards or markings pursuant to Section 27903 or that is
hauling hazardous waste, as defined in Sections 25115 and 25117 of
the Health and Safety Code, unless the driver is exempt from the
endorsement requirement as provided in subdivision (b).  This
paragraph does not apply to either of the following:
   (A) Any person operating an implement of husbandry who is not
required to obtain a driver's license under this code.
   (B) Any person operating a vehicle transporting asphalt or coal
tar pitch at a temperature that requires the display of a marking on
the vehicle pursuant to Section 27903 and that is described and
classified by the United States Department of Transportation as
"elevated temperature liquid n.o.s.  Division 9."
   (b) This section does not apply to any person exempted pursuant to
Section 25163 of the Health and Safety Code, to any person operating
a vehicle in an emergency situation at the direction of a peace
officer pursuant to Section 2800, or to a driver issued a restricted
firefighter's license and driving a vehicle operated for the purpose
of hauling compressed air tanks for breathing apparatus that do not
exceed 2,500 pounds.