Merrill v. Department of Motor Vehicles , 71 Cal. 2d 907 ( 1969 )

SULLIVAN, J.

The Department of Motor Vehicl (Department) appeals from a judgment granting a writ mandate commanding it to set aside a decision denying í application for a motor vehicle dealer’s license.

Clifford L. Merrill and Harold E. Morris, dba The Me chandiser, a copartnership (Merchandiser), operate what commonly known as a membership discount house. In additk to selling furniture, appliances and household goods, Me chandiser offers new automobiles to its members by means an arrangement with several franchised automobile deale whereby the dealers sell automobiles to customers referred 1 Merchandiser for less than the normal retail price.

The record shows that Merchandiser’s method of doir business was substantially as follows. It would obtain from i member-customer upon a printed form a detailed descriptic of the type of automobile and accessories which the membi desired to purchase. Its salesman would then fill in the whol sale price of the car and the accessories, adding a marku which had been agreed upon between Merchandiser and tl dealer. The salesman would give one copy of the form to tl customer in a sealed envelope, send one copy to the dealer an keep one copy. The customer would then take the envelope 1 the dealer who would quote to the customer the price coi tained therein. If the customer found the price satisfactor and decided to purchase the car, he would sign all contrae! with, and pay the purchase price to, the dealer directly. Th latter would pay Merchandiser a commission.

On March 3, 1965, the Department wrote a letter to Mei chandiser which informed it that it had been engaged i activity which rendered it a motor vehicle dealer within th provisions of section 285 of the Vehicle Code¹ and advised i that it must desist from such activity unless it obtained license. (§11700.) Merchandiser thereupon filed with th Department an application for a license — which applicatioi was proper in form and included all information required b; aw. (§11704) With the application Merchandiser filed a ond as required by law. (§11710.) The Department aformed Merchandiser that the application would be denied ,nd, at Merchandiser’s request, scheduled a hearing in the aatter. (§ 11708.) On February 11, 1966, a hearing was held n conformity with the Administrative Procedure Act (Gov. lode, § 11500 et seq.; see Veh. Code, § 11708, subd. (b)), and he matter was submitted on stipulated facts together with :ertain testimony.

On April 11, 1966, the hearing officer issued a proposed decision recommending denial of the application, and this lecision was subsequently adopted by the Department. Six grounds for denial of the application were stated in the decision, each of which was declared to constitute reasonable cause for such denial. (§11702).² Three of these, however, vere essentially restatements of the three basic grounds, vhich were these: (1) that Merchandiser’s activity was ‘most akin” to that of a motor vehicle salesman as that term s defined by section 675, subdivision (a)(1), and ‘‘issuance of a dealer’s license would permit [Merchandiser], by said referrals to many dealers, to gain an unfair economic advantage over those licensed motor vehicle salesmen whose activities are confined to one licensed dealership pursuant to the provisions of section 11806 of the Vehicle Code”;³ (2) that Merchandiser’s ‘‘present and intended future status, with reference to having no inventory of a stock of motor vehicles for sale to the public, fails to meet the requirements of seetio 285 of the Vehicle Code in conjunction with section 11701 ol said Code [⁴] in that [it does] not now, and will not in th| future qualify as a bona fide motor vehicle dealer”; and (3 that the issuance of a license to Merchandiser would b beyond the jurisdiction of the Department because the Legii lature has not- ‘ ‘ authorized a type of license for the type o: activity respondents now practice or intend to practice in th. future. ’ ’

Merchandiser filed a petition for a writ of mandate in the superior court to review the determination of the Department! (Code Civ. Proc., §1094.5; see Gov. Code, §11523.) After reviewing the record of the administrative hearing, consider ing extensive briefs submitted by both parties, and hearin oral argument, the court issued a writ of mandate commanding the Department to set aside its decision and reconsider thf application in. light of the court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law. The judgment further expressly stated that it was not intended to “limit or control in any way the discretion legally vested in the Department of Motor Vehicles.’ (See Code Civ. Proc., § 1094.5, subd. (e).)

The trial court found and concluded in substance that the Department had jurisdiction to issue a dealer’s license and certificate to Merchandiser and that it was a -prejudicial abuse of discretion within the meaning of section 1094.5, subdivision (b), of the Code of Civil Procedure⁵ to refuse to issue such a license and certificate because the grounds stated in the deci sion of the Department were not legal grounds for the denial of Merchandiser’s application and did not constitute reasona-e cause for refusal to issue a license (§11702). It deter - ined that the ground of undue economic- advantage over ilesmen was not reasonable cause for refusal because all salers have such an advantage over salesmen. It determined íat the ground of lack of bona fides (§11701) because of úlure to maintain an inventory was not reasonable cause for ifusal because the presence of an inventory was not a iquisite of bona fide dealership, and no statute required that n applicant maintain an inventory in order to qualify as a ealer. Finally, the court made findings relative to two rounds not stated in the Department’s decision and appar-ntly raised for the first time in the mandate proceeding. It oncluded that Merchandiser’s lack of a manufacturer’s ranchise to sell new cars⁶ was not reasonable cause to refuse license because the presence of a franchise was not a require of bona fide dealership and no statute required such a ranchise of a dealer. It also concluded “That no cause for efusal to issue petitioners a dealer’s license was proved on he ground that petitioners- did not have an established place f business.’’⁷

•We first summarize the rules governing the trial court’s cope of review. Section 1094.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure urnishes the basic framework in subdivisions (b) and. (c), vhich provide: “(b) The inquiry in such a ease [i.e., one nvolving review of an administrative decision by writ of uandate] shall extend to the questions whether the respond-nt has proceeded' without, or in excess of jurisdiction; vhether there was a fair trial; and whether there was any ire judicial abuse of discretion. Abuse of discretion is estab-ished if the respondent has not proceeded in the manner •equired by law, the order or decision is not supported by the indings, or the findings are not supported by the evidence.

“(e) "Where it is claimed that the findings are not su] ported by the evidence, in cases in which the court is autho ized by law to exercise its independent judgment on the ev dence, abuse of discretion is established if the court dete: mines that the findings are not supported by the weight of tl evidence; and in all other cases abuse of discretion is estal lished if the court determines that the findings are not suj ported by substantial evidence in the light of the who! record.” (Italics added.)

The statute does not indicate those cases “in which th court is authorized by law to exercise its independent judgment on the evidence,” but this has been accomplished b; means of judicial decision. Generally speaking, such determ: nation depends on whether the right or interest affected b; the administrative decision⁸ is a “vested” one. If th right affected is “vested” the decision is reviewed by mean of a limited trial de novo⁹ in which the trial court not only examines the record for errors of law but also exercises it independent judgment upon the weight of the evidence pro duced before the administrative agency together with ani further evidence properly admitted by the court.¹⁰ (Dare v Board of Medical Examiners (1943) 21 Cal.2d 790, 795 [130 P.2d 304]; Laisne v. California State Board of Optometry (1942) 19 Cal.2d 831 [123 P.2d 457]; cf. Southern Cal Jockey Club, Inc. v. California etc. Racing Board (1950) 36 Cal.2d 167, 173-175 [223 P.2d 1]; McDonough v. Goodcell (1939) 13 Cal.2d 741 [91 P.2d 1035, 123 A.L.R. 1205].)¹¹ If, on the other hand, the right is not “vested” the dal court’s scope of review extends only to matters of law ppearing on the record of the administrative proceeding, and ccordingly its review of the evidence produced below is mited to a determination of whether it is legally sufficient to ustain the decision. (Southern Cal. Jockey Club, Inc. v. Caliornia etc. Racing Board, supra, Cal.2d 167, 175; McDonough v. Goodcell, supra, 13 Cal.2d 741, 748-749, 752-753.)¹²

The question whether or not the right affected is ‘vested” is .decided by the courts on a case-by-case basis compare Thomas v. California Emp. Stability Com. (1952) 9 Cal.2d 501 [247 P.2d 561], with Bertch v. Social Welfare Dept. (1955) 45 Cal.2d 524 [289 P.2d 485]). It has been held hat the denial of a license to a previously unlicensed person loes not affect a “vested” right, whereas the suspension or revocation of an existing license does affect such a right. [Southern Cal. Jockey Club, Inc. v. California etc. Racing Board, supra, 36 Cal.2d 167, 173-175; McDonough v. Goodcell, supra, 13 Cal.2d 741, 748-749; Val Strough Chevrolet v. Bright (1969) 269 Cal.App.2d 855, 860 [75 Cal.Rptr. 363].)

We make some observations concerning the nature and scope of review after an appeal has been taken from a judgnent of the trial court in a mandamus proceeding. In a ease wherein the trial court is authorized to conduct a limited trial le novo (see fn. 9, ante, and accomp.anying text) the province of the appellate court is analogous to that assumed by it in an ordinary civil appeal; only errors of law are subject to its eognizance, and a factual finding can be overturned only if the evidence received by the trial court, including the record of the administrative proceeding, is insufficient as a matter of law to sustain the finding. (Moran v. Board of Medical Examiners (1948) 32 Cal.2d 301, 308 [196 P.2d 20]; cf. Estate of Bristol (1943) 23 Cal.2d 221, 223 [143 P.2d 689]; see Yakov v. Board of Medical Examiners (1968) 68 Cal.2d 67, 69-73 [64 Cal.Rptr. 785, 435 P.2d 553]; Tringham v. State Board of Education (1958) 50 Cal.2d 507, 508 [326 P.2d 850]; see generally 3 Witkin, Cal. Procedure (1954) supra, Appeal, § 90, pp. 2254-2256; California Administrative Mandamus (Cont.Ed.Bar 1966) §15.25, pp. 280-281.) In a case wherein no limited trial de novo is authorized by law, however, the trial court itself exercises an essentially appellal function in that only errors of law appearing on the adminil trative record are subject to its cognizance. In súchil case, therefore, the trial and appellate courts occupy identic! positions with regard to the administrative record, and til function of the appellate court, like that of the trial court, 1 to determine whether that record is free from legal erro! (Southern Cal. Jockey Club, Inc. v. California etc. Racing Board, supra, 36 Cal.2d 167, 175.)¹³

Applying these principles to the ease at bench, it 1 clear that the right or interest affected by the Department! decision is not a “vested” right within the meaning of the Jockey Club and McDonough cases. (Cf. Val Strough Chevrolet v. Bright, supra, 269 Cal.App.2d 855, 860.) Therefoj no limited trial de novo was authorized by law, and the fum tion of the trial court was to determine whether the Depar ment, in denying Merchandiser’s application for a dealer license, had eommited errors of law. Insofar as this detei mination concerned a review of the evidence in support of th findings of the Department, the trial court was required t uphold such findings if they were supported by substantii evidence. Our scope of review on appeal is identical to that o the trial court.

It is not disputed herein that Merchandiser falls within th definition of a “dealer” which is set forth in section 28i subdivision (a), of the Vehicle Code. (See fn. 1, ante.)' It i equally clear that Merchandiser may not “act as a dealer’ (§ 11700) unless and until it procures a license and certificat from the Department in accordance with section 11701. Th latter section, which we have set forth in relevant part abov< (fn. 4, ante), requires that an applicant for a dealer’s licensi and certificate “submit proof of his status as a bona fid< . . . dealer” to the Department; and section 11702, whicl pthorizes the Department to refuse to issue a license and rtificate “for reasonable cause shown” (fn. 2, ante), has en interpreted by it to authorize such refusal when the |pplicant fails to demonstrate that he is a “bona fide deal-It is not contended that this interpretation is improper. The keystone of the Department’s decision denying Mer-Ihandiser a dealer’s license was its determination that Mer-[handiser is not a “bona fide” dealer because it neither has or intends to have an inventory of new automobiles for sale the public. The trial court concluded as a 'matter of law |hat this determination was incorrect, and that Merchandiser as a “bona fide” dealer within the meaning of section 11701 spite of its present and anticipated future lack of inven-ory. It thus appears that the primary question for deci-ion by this court is one of statutory interpretation: What is bona fide” dealer within the meaning of section 11701 of he Vehicle Code? Clearly, this is a question of law. Al-hough our review of the factual findings of the Depart-nent is governed by the rule of substantial evidence,¹⁴ the dtimate legal conclusion to be drawn from those facts falls vithin our own peculiar competence.¹⁵ (See and compare Ganco Steel, Inc. v. Workmen’s Comp. App. Board (1968) 68 Cal.2d 191, 197 [65 Cal.Rptr. 287, 436 P.2d 287]; Yakov v. Board of Medical Examiners, supra, 68 Cal.2d 67, 74, fn. 7; Mercer-Fraser Co. v. Industrial Acc. Com. (1953) 40 Cal.2d 102, 115 [251 P.2d 955]; Bila v. Young (1942) 20 Cal.2d 865, 867 [129 P.2d 364]; see generally Netterville, Administrative “Questions of Law” and the Scope of Judicial Review in California (1956) 29 So.Cal.L.Rev. 434.)

We have been unable to find, and neither party has referrec] us to, any legislative history bearing upon the meaning to b ascribed to the phrase "bona fide . . . dealer” as it is usec| in section 11701. To our knowledge no appellate court of this state has construed the phrase. Therefore we must interpre the statute in question in accordance with applicable rulei of statutory construction, fundamental among which ar those which counsel that the aim of such construction shouli be the ascertainment of legislative intent so that the purposi of the law may be effectuated (Select Base Materials, Inc. v Board of Equalization (1959) 51 Cal.2d 640, 645 [335 P.2d 672], and cases there cited); that a statute should be con-| strued with reference to the entire statutory system of which it forms a part in such a way that harmony may be achieved among the parts (Stafford v. Los Angeles etc. Retirement Board (1954) 42 Cal.2d 795, 799 [270 P.2d 12]; Select Base Materials v. Board of Equalization, supra, 51 Cal.2d 640, 645); and that courts should give effect to statutes "according to the usual, ordinary import of the language employed in framing them.” (In re Alpine (1928) 203 Cal. 731, 737 [265 P. 947, 58 A.L.R. 1500]; Chavez v. Sargent (1959) 52 Cal.2d 162, 203 [339 P.2d 801].)

Looking to the entire statutory scheme governing the licensing of automobile dealers (Veh. Code, div. 5, ch. 4, art. 1) we observe that the primary concern therein manifested is that the public be protected from unscrupulous and irresponsible persons in the sale of vehicles subject to registration under the code. This concern is furthered by various provisions seeking to insure, in the words of the Department’s brief, "the honesty and integrity of automobile dealers.” Thus it is provided that the Department may, generally speaking, refuse to issue a license to a previously licensed person whose previous license has been revoked or suspended for cause (§11703, subds. (a) through (c)), or who has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude (§11703, subd. (d)). A license may be refused to one who has illegally used or permitted use of special license plates issued under a former dealer’s license, has commited fraud in making application for the registration of a vehicle, has failed to deliver to a transferee a properly indorsed certificate of ownership, has illegally used a dealer’s report of sale (see § 4456), has knowingly dealt in stolen vehicles, has failed to provide and maintain a clear physical division between his dealer’s business and other businesses conducted at the place of business, has violated certain statutory provisions dealing with the registration of motor vehicles, has violated certain statutory provisions dealing with stolen and stored vehicles, has violated certain duly published regulations issued pursuant to statutory provision, or has submitted a subsequently dishonored check or draft in payment of an obligation or fee due the state. (§§11703.1, 11705.) An existing license may be suspended or revoked on the same grounds (§ 11705) and may be temporarily suspended when such action is deemed by the Department to be “in the public interest” (§ 11706).

The code further provides that a license shall not be issued to one who does not have an “established place of business” within the meaning of the code and that a licensed person who ceases to have such a place of business shall surrender his license. (§11712.; see fn. 7, ante.) Moreover, the Department may revoke or suspend a license if the holder thereof has failed to post proper signs identifying himself ‘ ‘ to enable any person doing business with such dealer to identify him properly.” (§ 11709; see § 11705.)

A major feature of the statutory scheme is that requiring an applicant for a license to file with the Department a good and sufficient corporate surety or secured cash bond in the amount of $5,000 “conditioned that said applicant shall not practice any fraud [or] make any fraudulent representation which will cause a monetary loss to a purchaser, seller, financing agency, or governmental agency.” (§11710; see §§ 11710.1, 11722.) Persons suffering damage by reason of any such fraud or fraudulent representation are under certain conditions provided with a rig-ht of action against the dealer, his agents, and the surety on the bond (§11711, subd. (a)), and the state and its political subdivisions have a similar right of action for damage caused them (§11711, subd. (b)). An applicant must file with the Department an instrument appointing it the applicant’s agent for the service of process in any such action. (§ 11710, subd. (c).)

Finally, section 11713 of the code sets forth 14 kinds of activity on the part of a dealer which are unlawful and constitute cause for revocation or suspension of a license (see §11705). Among these are specifically detailed varieties of misleading or false advertising (subds. (a) through (d), (k)), addition of unauthorized costs to the selling price (subd. (g)), employment of unlicensed salesmen (subd. (h)), delivery of improperly equipped vehicles (subd. (i)), and tampering with the odometer on any motor vehicle (subd. (n)).

As we have suggested, we consider that the dominant concern of this statutory scheme is that of protecting the purchaser from the various harms which can be visited upon him by an irresponsible or unscrupulous dealer. It is within this context that we now address ourselves to the specific phrase whose interpretation is here in question.

“Bona fide” is of course a Latin term whose literal English translation is the compound adjective “good faith.” Webster’s Third New International Dictionary (1961) indicates that it is or has been used in three different senses. The first of these signifies an absence of fraud or deceit and is used in connection with promises or representations — e.g., a bona fide contract. The second imparts sincerity or ‘ earnest or wholehearted intent” — e.g., a bona fide proposal or suggestion. The third expresses genuineness or authenticity and is the antithesis of the spurious or counterfeit — e.g., a bona fide Renoir.

The term “bona fide” has been used in a variety of legal contexts. Each such use reflects an emphasis upon one or more of the basic meanings set forth above. For example, a “bona fide restaurant” within the meaning of article XX, section 22 (9th par.) of the Constitution is one in which there are actual and substantial sales of food rather than one wherein token sales of food are made “as a mere subterfuge in order to obtain the right to sell liquor.” (Covert v. State Board of Equalization, supra, 29 Cal.2d 125, 134.) The second and third lexical senses of the term here predominate. On the other hand, a “bona fide purchaser” is, generally speaking, one who purchases for value and without actual or constructive notice of prior rights. (See County Bank of San Luis Obispo v. Fox (1897) 119 Cal. 61, 64 [51 P. 11]; Frankish v. Federal Mortg. Co. (1939) 30 Cal.App.2d 700, 716 [87 P.2d 90].) Here the notion of honesty and lack of sharp dealing predominates, and therefore the first lexical meaning of the term is paramount. As a final example, a ‘ ‘ bona fide agent or broker” within the meaning of section 760 of the Probate Code is one wlm does not act as a mere middleman or finder but is invested with “authority or duties beyond merely bringing the parties together.” (Batson v. Strehlow (1968) 68 Cal.2d 662, 669, 672 [68 Cal.Rptr. 589, 441 P.2d 101].) Here again the emphasis falls upon authenticity or genuineness] and the question is whether “ ‘the thing [is], in fact, just what it purports to be. ’ ” (Hammond v. McDonald (1942) 49 Cal.App.2d 671, 685 [122 P.2d 332].)

Viewing the term “bona fide” within the entire statutory scheme in which it appears, we conclude that it is there used in the first lexical sense adverted to above — to wit, that of honesty, fair dealing, and freedom from deceit. There are two basic reasons for this interpretation.

First, we observe that the Legislature in its wisdom has set forth in section 285 of the code an extremely broad definition of the term “dealer,” and has excluded from the scope of that definition five categories of persons, including salesmen. (See fn. 1, ante.) Through this arrangement of definition and exclusion the Legislature has intimate control over who shall be and who shall not be a “dealer” within the meaning of the code — at any time the Legislature may enact additional exclusions and thereby contract the scope of the term. It has not, however, chosen to exclude persons in Merchandiser’s category, i.e., discount houses, and therefore Merchandiser is clearly a “dealer” within the meaning of the code. There is here no question that Merchandiser is “just what it purports to be” — that is, a “dealer” — because it falls within the statutory definition and does not fall within any exclusion. Therefore, because the Legislature has itself undertaken to prescribe who shall be an authentic and genuine “dealer,” its use of the term “bona fide” to modify the term “dealer” must have reference to some quality other than authenticity. That quality, as we have suggested, is honesty and fair dealing.

Our second reason for reaching this conclusion is also grounded upon our view of the whole statutory scheme. As we have indicated the dominant concern of the scheme is that of protecting purchasers from irresponsible and unscrupulous persons in the sale of automobiles. It is wholly consistent with and in furtherance of that concern that the Legislature has provided in section 11701 that an applicant submit proof of his bona fides “as may reasonably be required.” (See fn. 4, ante.) This requirement simply allows the Department to determine whether an applicant possesses those qualities of reliability and honesty which the statutory scheme is intended to foster.

In the case .at bench the Department found that Merchandiser was not a "bona fide dealer,” and that therefore reasonable cause existed to refuse it a license, because it lacked an inventory of motor vehicles for sale to the public. What we have said above, however, makes it clear that a dealer can be found lacking in bona fides within the meaning of the statute only if he is found lacking in the qualities of honesty and reliability for which the statutory scheme manifests concern. Although the presence of an inventory might be considered one of the usual indicia of reliability in a dealer, we think it clear that a stock of new ears is not a necessary concomitant to "bona fide” dealership, for one lacking an inventory might demonstrate the reliability and honesty requisite to that status in other ways.¹⁶ In the absence of any evidence or finding to the effect that Merchandiser lacks such honesty and reliability as is requisite to "bona fide” dealership, the conclusion of the Department that Merchandiser is not a “bona fide dealer” cannot be sustained. The trial court properly determined that the decision of the Department cannot be supported on this ground.

The Department’s decision was also based upon the ground that if Merchandiser were issued a dealer’s license it would thereby gain an unfair economic advantage over licensed motor vehicle salesmen, whose activities are confined to one licensed dealership. (§ 11806.) To state an effect of granting the application, however, is not to state a ground for denial thereof. As the trial court found, all motor vehicle dealers have an economic advantage over salesmen. Although the nature of Merchandiser’s advantage differs from that enjoyed by most dealers, i.e., those having an inventory of vehicles, the present statutory scheme clearly does not prohibit such a situation. The trial court properly concluded that the existence of Merchandiser’s economic advantage over salesmen was not reasonable cause for refusal of a license, and that the decision of the Department cannot be supported on this ground.

The third ground upon which the Department’s decision was based was that it had no jurisdiction to issue a license to Merchandiser because the Legislature had not "authorized a type of license for the type of activity respondents now practice or intend to practice in the future. ’ ’ What we have said above makes it clear that this ground rests upon an erroneous interpretation of the statutory scheme. The trial court properly found that the Department had jurisdiction in the premises.

For the foregoing reasons we have concluded that the Department’s stated grounds for refusing to issue a dealer’s license and certificate to Merchandiser were legally insufficient to support its decision, and that the trial court therefore properly issued its writ of mandate. (See Code Civ. Proe., §1094.5, subd. (b).) The judgment must therefore be affirmed.

We do not here consider the two possible grounds of refusal which were raised for the first time in the mandate proceeding. (See fns. 6 and 7, ante, and accompanying text.) As to the ground of lack of franchise, the Department has stated in its briefs that it does not require a franchise in order to obtain a dealer’s license, and we assume that this position is taken in light of decisions in other states holding that such a requirement would be unconstitutional. (See Killingsworth v. West Way Motors, Inc. (1959) 87 Ariz. 74 [347 P.2d 1098]; Ohio Motor Vehicle Dealers’ & Salesmen’s Licensing Board v. Memphis Auto Sales (1957) 103 Ohio App. 347 [142 N.E.2d 268]; Signore v. Rizzolo (1950) 9 N.J. Super. 539 [75 A.2d 757]; Nelsen v. Tilley (1939) 137 Neb. 327 [289 N.W. 388].) We express no present opinion on this point. As to the ground of lack of an “established place of business,” we think that the findings of the trial court allow and contemplate that evidence dealing with this matter may be produced and considered by the Department in the course of any subsequent proceedings undertaken pursuant to the judgment of the trial court.

The judgment is affirmed.

Traynor, C. J., McComb, J., Peters, J., Tobriner, J., Mosk, J., and Burke, J., concurred.

1 Section 285 provides: “ ‘Dealer’ is a person not otherwise express! excluded by Section 286 who: (a) For commission, money, or other thin of value, sells, exchanges, buys, or offers for sale, negotiates or attempt to negotiate, a sale or exchange of an interest in, a vehicle subject t registration under this code, or induces or attempts to induce any persoi to buj or exchange an interest in a vehicle and, who receives or expect to receive a commission, money, brokerage fees, profit, or any other thing of value, from either the seller or purchaser of said vehicle, or (b) Is engaged wholly or in part in the business of selling vehicles or buying or taking in trade, vehicles for the purpose of resale, selling, or offering for sale, or consigned to be sold, or otherwise dealing in vehicles, whether or not such vehicles are owned by such person. ’ ’

Section 286 excludes from the definition of “dealer,” generally speaking, (a) financing institutions and public officials holding vehicles in the course of contraetural arrangements or under legal duty; (b) wholesalers; (c) salesmen employed by dealers; (d) exporters; and (e) persons disposing of vehicles acquired for their own use. It is not contended that Merchandiser falls into any of these categories.

Unless otherwise indicated, all section references hereafter are to the Vehicle Code.

2 Section 11702 provides: “The department may issue, or for reasonable cause shown, refuse to issue a license and certificate to any applicant applying for a manufacturer’s, transporter’s, or dealer’s license and certificate. ’ ’

3 Section 675, subdivision (a)(1) provides: “(a) ‘Vehicle salesman’ is a person not otherwise expressly excluded by this section, who: (1) Is employed as a salesman by a dealer as defined in Section 285, or who, under any form of contract, agreement, or arrangement with a dealer, for commission, money, profit, or other thing of value, sells, exchanges, buys, or offers for sale, negotiates, or attempts to negotiate a sale or exchange of an interest in a vehicle required to be registered under this code; ...”

Section 11806 at the time here relevant provided: “A vehicle salesman, as defined herein, shall not engage in such activity other than for the account of or for and on behalf of a single employer, who shall be a licensed dealer.”

4 Section 11701 provides in relevant part: "Every . . . dealer in vehicles of a typo subject to registration shall make application to the department for a license and certificate containing a general distinguishing number. The applicant shall submit proof of his status as a dona fide . . . dealer as may reasonably be required by the department.” (Italics added.)

5 Section 1094.5, subdivision (b), which we shall set forth in full infra, provides inter alia that the trial court may base its issuance of the writ upon a "prejudicial abuse of discretion,” on the part of the administrative agency.

6 Although the decision, of the Department did not state lack of fran-jóse as one of the grounds for refusal, Merchandiser in its petition, for i writ of mandate alleged that such lack was ‘‘ the real underlying basis md reason” for the Department’s action.

7 Section 11712 provides that a dealer’s license shall not be issued “to my applicant therefor who has not an established place of business as is defined in this code.” Section 320 provides in relevant part: “ ‘Established place of business’ is a place actually occupied either continuously n- at regular periods by a dealer . . . where the books and records pertinent to the type of business being conducted are kept. The place of business shall have an office and in the case of a dealer . . . have a display . . . area, situated on the same property where the business peculiar to the type of license issued by the department is or may be transacted.” (Ita’ies added.)

8 We deal here only with the review of decisions by statewide administrative agencies not clothed with constitutional quasi-judicial powers. Different rules are applicable to the review by mandate of decisions rendered by statewide administrative agencies in which the Constitution lodges quasi-judicial powers and to the review of the decisions of local agencies. (See Covert v. State Board of Equalization (1946) 29 Cal.2d 125, 131-132 [173 P.2d 545].)

9 See Dare v. Board of Medical Examiners (1943) 21 Cal.2d 790, 795-801 [136 P.2d 304].

10 Section 1094.5, subdivision (d), provides in relevant substance that the court, in eases where it is authorized to exercise its independent judgment on the evidence, may admit and consider “relevant evidence which, in the exercise of reasonable diligence, could not have been produced or which was improperly excluded” by the administrative agency. (See and compare Dare v. Board of Medical Examiners, supra, 21 Cal.2d 790, 795, 798.)

11 Cases decided prior to 1945, the effective date of section 1094.5, are relevant to its interpretation because the section codified the rules developed in such cases. (See Beverly Hills Federal Sav. Loan Assn. v. Superior Court (1968) 259 Cal.App.2d 306, 313 [66 Cal.Rptr. 183]; Munns v. Stenman (1957) 152 Cal.App.2d 543, 556 [314 P.2d 67]; California Administrative Mandamus (Cont. Ed. Bar 1966), § 1.1, p. 3.)

12 See generally Beverly Hills Federal Sav. & Loan Assn. v. Superior Court, supra, 259 Cal.App.2d 306, 312-318; 3 Witkin, Cal. Procedure (1954) Extraordinary Writs, §§ 16, 18, pp. 2484-2486, 2488-2490.

13 This rule of review, which is here stated in the context of decision: of ordinary statewide agencies not involving “vested” rights, is als( applicable to appellate review of eases wherein the trial court has re viewed the decision of an agency having quasi-judicial powers derivec from the Constitution. (See Stewart v. State Personnel Board (1967) 250 Cal.App.2d 445, 447-448 [58 Cal.Rptr. 280]; Sweeney v. State Personnel Board (1966) 245 Cal.App.2d 246, 251 [53 Cal.Rptr. 766]; Forstner v. City and County of San Francisco (1966) 243 Cal.App.2d 625, 631-632 [52 Cal.Rptr. 621]; Hingsbergen v. State Personnel Board (1966) 240 Cal.App.2d 914, 916-917 [50 Cal.Rptr. 59]; Neely v. California State Personnel Board (1965) 237 Cal.Rptr. 487, 488-489 [47 Cal.Rptr. 64]; see also California Administrative Mandamus, supra, § 15.26, p. 281.)

14 The parties are not in disagreement as to any properly factual finding made by the Department. Thus, the scope and manner of Merchandiser’s operation in the area of automobile sales is not in dispute. It is the legal effect of this scope and manner of operation which is here in issue. (See Covert v. State Board of Equalization, supra, 29 Cal.2d 125, 133.)

15 “ We recognize, of course, that an administrative agency charged with carrying out a particular statute must adopt some preliminary construction of the statute as a basis upon which to proceed. It is likewise true that the administrative interpretation of a statute will be accorded great respect by the courts and will be followed if not clearly erroneous. [Citations.] But such a tentative administrative interpretation makes no pretense at finality and it is the duty of this court, when such a question of law is properly presented, to state the true meaning of the statute finally and conclusively, even though this requires the overthrow of an earlier erroneous administrative construction. [Citations.] The ultimate interpretation of a statute is an exercise of the judicial power. [Citations.]” (Bodinson Mfg. Co. v. California Emp. Com. (1941) 17 Cal.2d 321, 325-326 [109 P.2d 935].)

16 It has not been contended in this proceeding that Merchandiser is deficient in those qualities relevant to its bona, fides — or that its lack of inventory has an effect upon its honesty and trustworthiness.