Article 3.4. Emergency Exits For Charter-party Carriers Of Passengers of California Vehicle Code >> Division 12. >> Chapter 5. >> Article 3.4.
(a) Any person who operates a modified limousine shall
ensure that the vehicle has at least two rear side doors, as
specified in paragraph (2), and one or two rear windows, as specified
in paragraph (1), that the rear seat passengers or all passengers of
the vehicle may open from the inside of the vehicle in case of any
fire or other emergency that may require the immediate exit of the
passengers of the vehicle. A limousine subject to this subdivision
shall be equipped with both of the following:
(1) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), at least two rear
push-out windows that are accessible to all passengers. At least one
push-out window shall be located on each side of the vehicle, unless
the design of the limousine precludes the installation of a push-out
window on one side of the vehicle, in which case the second push-out
window shall instead be located in the roof of the vehicle.
(B) If the design of the limousine precludes the installation of
even one push-out window on a side of the vehicle, one push-out
window shall instead be located in the roof of the vehicle.
(C) The Department of the California Highway Patrol shall
establish, by regulation, standards to ensure that window exits are
operable and sufficient in emergency situations for limousine
passengers. The department shall ensure that these regulations comply
with any applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.
(D) For modified limousines modified prior to July 1, 2015, the
requirements of this paragraph shall apply on and after January 1,
2017.
(2) (A) At least two rear side doors that are accessible to all
passengers and that may be opened manually by any passenger. At least
one rear side door shall be located on each side of the vehicle.
(B) For modified limousines modified on or after July 1, 2015, at
least one of these side doors shall be located near the driver's
compartment and another near the back of the vehicle.
(C) The rear side doors shall comply with any applicable federal
motor vehicle safety standards as deemed necessary by the Department
of the California Highway Patrol.
(b) In the case of a fire or other emergency that requires the
immediate exit of the passengers from the limousine, the driver of
the limousine shall unlock the doors so that the rear side doors can
be opened by the passengers from the inside of the vehicle.
(c) An owner or operator of a limousine shall do all of the
following:
(1) Instruct all passengers on the safety features of the vehicle
prior to the beginning of any trip, including, but not limited to,
instructions for lowering the partition between the driver and
passenger compartments and for communicating with the driver by the
use of an intercom or other onboard or wireless device.
(2) Disclose to the contracting party and the passengers whether
the limousine meets the safety requirements described in this
section.
(3) If paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) applies, the owner or
operator of a limousine shall further disclose to the contracting
party and the passengers that the limousine does not meet the safety
requirements required in subdivision (a) regarding vehicle escape
options because of its exempt status, and therefore may pose a
greater risk to passengers should emergency escape be necessary.
(d) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), subdivision (a) shall
not apply to any limousine manufactured before 1970 that has an
active transportation charter-party carrier (TCP) number that was
issued by the commission as of August 15, 2013.
(2) Subdivision (a) shall apply to any limousine manufactured
before 1970 if it was modified after August 15, 2013.