2026: New Laws For California

CHP Highlights 11 Laws

1. Crimes: Burglary Tools (AB 486, Lackey): Assembly Bill 486 makes it a misdemeanor to possess a key programming device, a key duplicating device, or a signal extender with the intent to commit burglary. The offense can result in up to six months in county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. This bill expands existing law by adding those three tools to the list of tools illegal to possess with the intent to commit burglary.
2. Electric Bicycles: Required Equipment (AB 544, Davies): Assembly Bill 544 mandates that electric bicycles must have a red reflector or a solid or flashing red light with a built-in reflector on the rear during all hours of operation, not just during darkness as the law previously required. The bill also allows the CHP-developed online electric bicycle safety and training program to fulfill the safety course requirement for minors who receive a helmet violation involving electric bicycles.
3. Electric Bicycles: Required Equipment (AB 544, Davies): Assembly Bill 544 mandates that electric bicycles must have a red reflector or a solid or flashing red light with a built-in reflector on the rear during all hours of operation, not just during darkness as the law previously required. The bill also allows the CHP-developed online electric bicycle safety and training program to fulfill the safety course requirement for minors who receive a helmet violation involving electric bicycles.
4. Off-highway Electric Motorcycles (SB 586, Jones): Senate Bill 586 defines an “off-highway electric motorcycle” or “eMoto” as a  vehicle that:
   1. Is designed primarily for off-highway use
   2. Is powered by an electric motor that does not require a motor number
   3. Has handlebars for steering, a manufacturer-provided straddle seat, and two wheels
   4. Is not equipped with manufacturer-provided pedals

      This bill also classifies an off-highway electric motorcycle as an off-highway motor vehicle (OHV), subject to the same rules and regulations. This includes a requirement that a person operating an OHV wear a safety helmet and that every OHV not registered under the  Vehicle Code display an identification plate or device issued by the Department of Motor   Vehicles.

5. Pedestrian Safety: School Zones: Speed Limits (AB 382, Berman): Assembly Bill 382 allows local authorities to lower the school zone speed limit from 25 to 20 miles per hour by ordinance or resolution through January 1, 2031. After this date, the speed limit will automatically decrease from 25 to 20 miles per hour in school zones when proper signage is posted.
6. State Highway Work Zone Speed Safety Program (AB 289, Haney): Assembly Bill 289 authorizes the Department of Transportation to establish a work zone speed safety system pilot program. The program will utilize a fixed or mobile radar or laser systems to detect speeding violations and capture a clear photograph of a vehicle’s license plate. Citations will be issued to the vehicle’s registered owner with specified requirements and procedures for program implementation, citation issuance, review, and appeal.
7. Vehicles: Highway Safety (AB 390, Wilson): Assembly Bill 390 expands the “slow down and move over” law to include any highway maintenance vehicle or stationary vehicle using flashing hazard lights or warning devices such as cones and road flares. Drivers approaching such a vehicle must move into a lane that is not next to the stopped vehicle or slow down to a safe speed if changing lanes is not possible.
8. Traffic Safety: Speed Limits (AB 1014, Rogers): Assembly Bill 1014 authorizes the Department of Transportation to reduce a speed limit by five miles per hour on a highway, and mandates warning citations during the initial 30 days after a speed limit is lowered.
9. Vehicle Removal (AB 875, Muratsuchi): Assembly Bill 875 authorizes a peace officer to impound a vehicle for at least 48 hours if the vehicle has fewer than four wheels but does not meet the definition of an electric bicycle,  is powered by an electric motor capable of exclusively propelling the vehicle over 20 MPH on a highway and the operator is not licensed to operate the vehicle or is a class 3 electric bicycle being operated by a person under 16. A safety course may be required as a condition of release if the impoundment involves a child under 16 years old operating a class 3 electric bike as described in Section 312.5 of the Vehicle Code.
10. Electric Bicycles, Powered Mobility Devices and Storage Batteries (SB 1271, Min): Beginning January 1, 2026, Senate Bill 1271 focuses on improving the safety standards for electric bicycles, powered mobility devices, and related lithium-ion batteries. It requires these devices and their components, such as batteries and charging systems, to be tested by accredited laboratories to meet specific safety standards. The bill also mandates labeling these products to show compliance with safety regulations, ensuring consumers are informed. Furthermore, it prohibits distributing, selling, or leasing e-bikes and related equipment unless they meet these standards, aiming to reduce risks like fire hazards and electrical malfunctions. Beginning January 1, 2028, the bill would prohibit a person from renting or offering for rental an electric bicycle, powered mobility device, charging system, or storage battery unless it has been tested to the specified safety standard.
11. Autonomous Vehicles (AB 1777, Ting): Upon the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) adoption of necessary regulations, 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.

DMV Highlights 13 laws:

1. Ignition Interlock Devices — AB 366 (Petrie-Norris): Extends the Statewide Ignition Interlock Device (IID) Pilot Program for specified driving-under-the-influence (DUI) offenders to January 1, 2033.
2. Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated — AB 1087 (Patterson): Increases the term of probation from two years to between three and five years for a person convicted of vehicular manslaughter or gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
3. School Zone Speed Limit — AB 382 (Berman): Lowers the school zone speed limit from 25 miles per hour to 20 miles per hour beginning January 1, 2031, to help reduce speeding and save lives.
4. “Slow Down, Move Over” — AB 390 (Wilson): Expands the requirement that a driver approaching a stationary vehicle slow down and move over to include any stationary vehicles, including marked highway maintenance vehicles and those displaying flashing hazard lights or another warning device.
5. Automated Traffic Enforcement System Programs — SB 720 (Ashby): Allows local governments to use an alternative automated camera program to enforce red light violations. Specifies that violations recorded by an automated traffic enforcement system are subject only to civil penalties.
6. License Plate Obstruction or Alteration — AB 1085 (Stefani): Makes it an infraction with a fine of $1,000 to manufacture in California a product or device that obscures, or is intended to obscure or interfere with the visual or electronic reading of a license plate, addressing the use of illegal license plate covers that enable toll evasion and other criminal activity.
7. Abandoned Recreational Vehicles — AB 630 (Mark González): Authorizes Alameda and Los Angeles Counties, until January 1, 2030, to remove and dispose of an abandoned recreational vehicle (RV) if it is estimated to have a value of $4,000 or less and a public agency has verified that it is inoperable prior to removal.
8. Autonomous Vehicle Marker Lamps — SB 480 (Archuleta): Allows an autonomous vehicle (AV) to be equipped with automated driving system (ADS) marker lamps. The lamps notify other drivers, pedestrians and law enforcement when an AV’s ADS is activated.
9. Off Highway Electric Motorcycles — SB 586 (Jones): Classifies an “off-highway electric motorcycle” or “eMoto” as an off-highway motor vehicle (OHV), thereby requiring them to follow OHV rules, including displaying a DMV-issued ID plate or placard.
10. California Combating Auto Retail Scams (CARS) Act — SB 766 (Allen): Enacts the CARS Act, effective October 1, 2026, to prohibit a dealer from misrepresenting various aspects of a vehicle sale, such as the vehicle’s total cost and financing terms. It will also require a dealer to provide customers a three-day right to cancel the purchase or lease of a vehicle under $50,000.
11. “DMV” on Website Addresses — AB 1272 (Dixon): Bans businesses that hold occupational licenses issued by the DMV from using “Department of Motor Vehicles” or “DMV” in their internet domain names. The goal is to ensure customers are not misled when seeking to do business with the real DMV.
12. Duplicate Driver’s License for Change of Address — SB 506 (Committee on Transportation): Allows a person to request a duplicate driver’s license (DL) from the DMV after they change their address. Current law limits duplicate licenses to cases where the license is lost, destroyed, mutilated, or if a new true full name is required.
13. Parking Tickets — AB 1299 (Bryan): Authorizes local governments to waive or reduce parking penalties if a person is unable to pay and requires the provision of a payment plan if requested, helping prevent escalating fines, vehicle towing, and lien sales that can disproportionately impact low-income individuals.