New Driver License Laws for 2009

Unless otherwise indicated, these new laws become effective on January 1, 2010.

Charter-Party Carriers: Bus Drivers

Amend: Public Utilities Code §5387
Amend: California Vehicle Code §§1803, 13369
Add: Public Utilities Code §5387.3
Add: California Vehicle Code §14602.9

This law requires the DMV to suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue or renew a passenger vehicle endorsement or certificate for a five-year period, if a person drives a charter-party passenger bus without having been issued the proper class of license, endorsement, or certificate.

Ignition Interlock Device

Amend: California Vehicle Code §§13386, 23576
Add: California Vehicle Code §23700
Effective July 1, 2010

This new law establishes a four-county pilot program in Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Tulare to assess the effectiveness of Ignition Interlock Device (IID) installation in reducing driving under the influence violations in those counties.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Amend: California Vehicle Code §§13352, 13352.5, 23109, 23550, 23550.5, 23552, 23566, 23568
Effective July 1, 2010

This law revises the penalty statutes related to DUI of alcohol or drugs to encourage the use of an IID by authorizing restricted driving privileges upon installation of an IID in lieu of a longer driver license suspension term.