2510.  (a) A person applying for a license to operate ambulances or
armored cars shall provide separate identification data and reports
of inspection for each vehicle as prescribed by the commissioner.
   (b) No person shall operate a privately owned emergency ambulance
or armored car until the California Highway Patrol has determined
that the vehicle is in compliance with this code and regulations
adopted by the commissioner.  Ambulances licensed by the department
shall be inspected by the department not less often than once
annually.


2511.  Licenses for the operation of ambulances may be issued only
to those persons or entities which operate ambulances designed and
operated exclusively as such and which are used to respond to
emergency calls.


2512.  (a) The commissioner, after consultation with, and pursuant
to the recommendations of, the Emergency Medical Service Authority
and the department, shall adopt and enforce reasonable regulations as
the commissioner determines are necessary for the public health and
safety regarding the operation, equipment, and certification of
drivers of all ambulances used for emergency services.  The
regulations shall not conflict with standards established by the
Emergency Medical Service Authority pursuant to Section 1797.170 of
the Health  and Safety Code.  The commissioner shall exempt, upon
request of the county board of supervisors that an exemption is
necessary for public health and safety, noncommercial ambulances
operated within the county from the regulations adopted under this
section as are specified in the board of supervisors' request.  The
Emergency Medical Service Authority shall be notified by the county
boards of supervisors of any exemptions.
   (b) The department, in cooperation with the Department of the
California Highway Patrol and the Emergency Medical Service
Authority, may adopt and administer regulations relating to the
issuance, suspension, or revocation of ambulance driver's
certificates.  In addition to the fee authorized in Section 2427, the
department shall charge a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) for the
issuance of an original certificate and twelve dollars ($12) for the
renewal of that certificate, and, in the administration thereof, to
exercise the powers granted to the commissioner by this section.
   (c) This section shall not preclude the adoption of more
restrictive regulations by local authorities, except that inspection
of ambulances pursuant to  subdivision (b) of Section 2510 shall not
be duplicated by local authorities.  It is the intent of the
Legislature that regulations adopted by the commissioner pursuant to
this section shall be the minimum necessary to protect public health
and safety, and shall not be so restrictive as to preclude compliance
by ambulances  operated in sparsely populated areas.  This
subdivision does not relieve the owner or driver of any ambulance
from compliance with Section 21055.
   (d) The Department of the California Highway Patrol after
consultation with the department and the Emergency Medical Service
Authority shall prepare, and make available for purchase, an
ambulance driver's handbook.