NEW DRIVING LAWS FOR 2025 IN CALIFORNIA

Not surprisingly, many of the new laws here in California address the skyrocketing problem of organized theft, property crimes and shoplifting but, for the rest of us, there are things we need to take note of as drivers. Many of the new laws focus on safety issues, while one targets speeders in the celebrity-studded enclave of Malibu.

Everything takes effect January 1, 2025, unless otherwise noted. Drive safely and you may just "Stay Alive in '25!"

"Daylighting" at Intersections - AB 413

California's pedestrian fatality rate is more than 25 percent higher than the national average. New law addresses that with a "Daylighting Law" that creates a safety zone at intersections. Larger vehicles that stop and park near intersections block the sight line of smaller vehicles and pedestrians, therefore, AB 413 prohibits any vehicle from being left, stopped or parked within 20 feet of an intersection. The law actually took effect in January 2024, but the state allowed a one-year grace period to educate the public on the new law. But, since many drivers still aren't aware of the Daylighting Law, some cities are offering grace periods of up to 60 days (from January 1, 2025,) before their police officers issue citations to those who violate the new law.

Sideshows & Street Takeovers / Vehicle Removal & Impoundment - AB 1978; AB 2186; AB 2807; AB 3085

A welcome and much appreciated effort to make our streets safer, these laws are part of a package to help law enforcement crack down on dangerous sideshows and street takeovers. AB 1978 authorizes law enforcement to impound a vehicle without taking the driver into custody for obstructing or placing a barricade upon a highway, or an off-street parking facility for the purpose of facilitating or aiding a speed contest or exhibition of speed. AB 2186 authorizes law enforcement to remove a motor vehicle used in an exhibition of speed in an off-street parking facility for no more than 30 days. AB 2807 clarifies that vehicle sideshows are also known as “street takeovers.” AB 3085 expands the list of offenses where law enforcement may impound a vehicle pursuant to a warrant or court order, including engaging in a motor vehicle speed contest or an exhibition of speed upon a highway or off-street parking facility.

Emergency Alert Information / Toll Collection Systems - AB 2645

You can run, but you can't hide - from toll collection systems, that is. Assembly Bill 2645 allows transportation agencies operating electronic toll collection systems to share real-time license plate data with law enforcement during active emergency alerts, such as Amber (child abduction,) Ebony (suspicious disappearance of a Black woman or Black person,) or Feather (unexplainable disappearance of an indigenous woman or indigenous person) Alerts. This legislation eliminates the need for a search warrant in such situations, enabling quicker responses to locate suspect vehicles linked to emergencies, such as child abductions.

Clean Air Vehicles in HOV Lanes - AB 2678

New California law permits vehicles with a Clean Air Vehicle decal to drive in High Occupancy Vehicle (aka Carpool) lanes until January 1, 2027, if federal law permits.

Obstruction or Alteration of License Plates - AB 2111

It's already a violation of law to use any type of covering or coating on your vehicle's license plate to avoid citations from ticketing cameras, but new law prohibits the alteration of a license plate's reflective coating to avoid detection from any entity, not just law enforcement. This is aimed at those drivers (and YOU know who YOU are) that may try to evade tolls or commit traffic violations that can be detected by cameras.

Crimes: Unlawful Entry or Theft From A Vehicle - SB 905

Unlawful entry of a vehicle with the intent to commit a theft or any felony is now a crime in California. It also adds the crime of Automotive Property Theft for Resale, which addresses possessing stolen property obtained from a vehicle with the intent to sell or exchange the property for something of value. The property's value must be over $950.00 (I think that threshold should be MUCH lower) and not for personal use. The value of property can be combined within two years of separate acts.

Vehicle Break-Ins and Theft - AB 2536

AB 2536 expands the definition of “vehicle theft crimes” to include the theft of vehicle parts such as catalytic converters. The law gives counties more flexibility to use existing vehicle registration fees to combat vehicle-related crime.

Speed Enforcement in Malibu - SB 1297

Malibu, home of celebrities, beautiful beaches, bougie restaurants and...speed cameras! Senate Bill 1297 establishes a five-year Speed Safety System Pilot Program in the City of Malibu. The bill defines a ‘speed safety system’ as a fixed or mobile radar or laser system, or any other electronic device that utilizes automated equipment, to detect a violation of speed laws and obtains a clear photograph of a speeding vehicle’s license plate.

Transit Buses: Yield Right-of-Way Sign - AB 1904

To enhance pedestrian safety around transit buses, Assembly Bill 1904 authorizes a transit agency to equip a transit bus with a “yield” right-of-way sign on the left rear of the bus. The sign may be a static decal or a
flashing LED sign.

Vehicle Tracking and Remote Access - SB 1394

New law requires vehicle manufacturers to allow drivers to terminate remote access to a vehicle and its location under certain circumstances. With some newer vehicles now able to be tracked and controlled remotely, the law will empower survivors of domestic violence to have more control over their privacy and prevent abusive partners from exploiting vehicle technology to continue their behavior. Beginning July 1, 2025, a vehicle manufacturer must provide on its website an option for a driver to submit a request to terminate remote access.

Autonomous Vehicles: Driver Monitoring Defeat Devices - SB 1313

New law prohibits a vehicle from being equipped with, or a person from using or selling, a device that is designed to neutralize or interfere with a driver monitoring system on a vehicle with advanced driver-assistance system features or autonomous technology. The law is intended to help address the issue of drivers overriding their driver monitoring systems while the vehicle is in motion, such as placing steering wheel weights on the wheel to take the place of human hands. In other words, don't attempt to bypass the safety features designed to ensure drivers remain alert on the road.

Autonomous Vehicles: Traffic Violations & Interaction with First Responders - AB 1777

Ever wonder how a driverless car gets a ticket? AB 1777 creates new authority for a law enforcement officer to issue a “notice of autonomous vehicle (AV) noncompliance” to an AV manufacturer for an alleged traffic violation committed by one of their vehicles. Beginning July 1, 2026, AB 1777 establishes additional requirements for how AVs that operate without a human operator in the vehicle interact with first responders, including a requirement for manufacturers to provide a two-way device in the vehicles to communicate with first responders.

E-Bike Safety Pilot Programs: Marin County & San Diego County - AB 1778; AB 2234

In an attempt to reduce youth injuries, AB 1778 authorizes Marin County and its cities to prohibit people under the age of 16 from riding a class 2 electric bicycle (e-bike) and to require all individuals to wear a helmet when riding one until January 1, 2029. AB 2234 authorizes San Diego County and its cities to prohibit people under the age of 12 from riding a class 1 or 2 e-bike until January 1, 2029.

For more information on California driving law:
dmv.ca.gov
chp.ca.gov