Any person driving any vehicle, object or contrivance upon any city street is liable for all damages which the highway or highway structure may sustain as a result of any illegal operation driving or moving of the vehicle, object or contrivance, or as a result of operation driving, or moving any vehicle, object or contrivance in excess of the maximum weight authorized by and pursuant to the issuance of a special permit. When the driver is not the owner of the vehicle, object or contrivance, but is operating, driving or moving the same with the express or implied permission of the owner, then the owner and driver are jointly and severally liable for any damage. The damage may be recovered in a civil action brought by the city.
(Prior Code, § 1105.11)