Requirements for operation of non-emergency transport vehicles and services.
Riverside Municipal Code § 5.40.105
in effect5.40.105 - Requirements for operation of non-emergency transport vehicles and services.
Upon the issuance of a vehicle for hire permit to operate non-emergency transport vehicles and services, the permit holder shall comply with the following additional requirements:
A. Advertisements. Permit holder shall not advertise as an ambulance service or medical transport, nor shall the permit holder advertise under the ambulance or medical transport classifications in the commercial yellow pages of any telephone directory distributed in this City. Any advertising in whatever form by the permit holder shall clearly state that the permit holder does not provide "ambulance services" or "medical transport services." Permit holder may, however, advertise as a specialized form of transportation serving the disabled, incapacitated, or persons who cannot ride in an upright position. During interfacility transports where a non-emergency BLS patient has been downgraded by a physician to gurney van services, the patient may be transported by a franchised non-emergency ambulance company.
B. Notice to persons. Upon receiving a request for service, the permit holder must notify each persons orally or in writing that permit holder is not an ambulance service.
C. Maintenance of persons log. The permit holder shall keep a permanent log of every trip made and each persons transported, whether the trip was one way or round trip. If the persons was transported on a round trip, and the destination of the second segment was not the point of origin of the first segment of the trip, then the permit holder shall state the destination of the second segment. The log shall contain the persons' name, the date and time the trip began, the persons' destination, the names of the gurney van driver and attendant, and the vehicle identification number or license plate number. The log shall state for each trip or portion thereof if the trip was interrupted or not completed, the reason for the partial trip or failure to complete the trip. Log entries shall be clearly written in permanent ink and in a bound volume with each permanently numbered. The log shall be kept for a period of three years from the period in which the log book was completed.
D. Title 22 of California Code of Regulations. The permit holder, in addition to meeting the requirements of this chapter, shall also meet the requirements of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. In the case of conflict, the provisions of Title 22 shall prevail.
E. Two-way communications. Permit holder shall provide evidence of an operating two-way communication in each authorized vehicle in case of emergency. Communication equipment may include a two-way radio, cellular phone, or other means of two-way communication between the van and the permit holder's office and/or the 911 communications center. No non-emergency transport vehicle may be operated with a persons on board unless there is working two-way communication equipment in the vehicle.
F. Compliance with laws. Permit holder shall comply with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and requirements.
G. Each gurney van while being operated with a gurney van persons shall have both a driver and attendant. The driver and attendant employed by permit holder for the gurney van service shall meet the minimum requirements as set forth in this chapter.
H. Gurney van persons must be transported in a prone or supine position, because such persons are incapable of sitting for the period of time needed to transport.
I. Gurney van attendants shall assist in the loading and unloading of persons from the vehicle and to provide nonmedical assistance to the persons to make the ride comfortable and safe.
J. Requires specialized safety equipment over and above that normally available in persons cars, taxicabs, or other forms of normal public conveyance.
K. Does not require the specialized services, equipment, and personnel provided in an ambulance, including, but not limited to, an intravenous line or emergency medical technician, because the persons is in stable and conscious condition and does not need observation.
L. Permits the persons to get on or off the gurney without substantial assistance from the gurney van attendant.
M. Permits the persons to self-monitor the use of oxygen, if needed.
N. Exclusions. Non-emergency transport vehicles shall not be used to transport a person if any of the following conditions exist:
1. The person requires any type of continuous medical monitoring.
2. The person requires certified medical personnel at EMT-1 level or above or the presence of any nurse or licensed physician.
3. The person has trouble breathing and/or shows signs of medical distress.
4. The person is immobilized in any type of medical apparatus or equipment.
5. The person's condition has not been certified as suitable for gurney van transport in a non-emergency medical transportation vehicle by a licensed physician.
6. The person's condition is one which falls under the transportation protocols of the County EMS agency.
(Ord. 7341 § 4, 2016; Ord. 7014 § 1, 2008)
Source: City of Riverside, California, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/riverside/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_TIT5BU_CH5.40VEHITAANAWVE_5.40.105REOPNERTRVESEFetched: 11/1/2026