Vehicle Registration for 2008

Unless otherwise indicated, these new laws become effective on January 1, 2008.

Add: Vehicle Code §4755 (AB 233 Chapter No. 592)

Prohibits the DMV from registering, renewing the registration, or transferring the ownership of a heavy-duty diesel motor vehicle, as specified, if the owner or operator has an outstanding emissions-related citation until that citation is cleared as determined by the Air Resources Board.

Amend, Repeal, and Add: Health & Safety Code §§44010.5, 44011, 44012 (AB 1488 Chapter No. 739)

Adds diesel-powered vehicles manufactured after the 1997 model-year that have a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 8,501 pounds to be in the biennial smog check program.

Amend: Government Code §14679 Amend: Vehicle Code §§22511.59, 22511.8, 42001.13 Add: Vehicle Code §22511.95 (AB 1531 Chapter 413)

Limits the maximum consecutive number of times a person can renew a temporary disability parking placard.
Increases fines for second and third violations related to illegal parking in disabled spaces.
Alters signage and painting requirements for disabled parking spaces of buildings constructed or renovated on or after July 1, 2008.

Add: Vehicle Code §§9250.1, 9261.1, and 9853.6 (AB 118 Chapter 750)

Establishes the Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program, the Air Quality Improvement Program, and the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program (Health and Safety Code) and provides funding for these programs through an increase in the smog abatement fee, the vehicle registration fee, the vessel registration fee, and the identification plate fee.

Amend: Vehicle Code §§38165, and 38301 Amend and Repeal: Vehicle Code §38225 (SB 742 Chapter 541)

Increases the registration fee for OHVs.
Requires the department, in the design of the OHV identification plate or device, to make the identification number the most prominent feature.

Amend: Vehicle Code §§5101.5, 5101.6, and 9105 (SB 386 Chapter No. 357)

Exempts the surviving spouse of a former American Prisoner of War or of a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient from paying specified vehicle-related fees if she/he elects to retain the deceased spouse’s special license plates.
Authorizes a member of the former prisoner of war’s family, or the Congressional Medal of Honor recipient’s family, as defined, to retain one of the special license plates as a family heirloom.

Add: Vehicle Code §§9852.9, 9853.7, and 9853.8 (AB 695 Chapter 609)

Prohibits the DMV from registering vessels with stern drive or inboard engines manufactured after January 1, 2008, if they do not meet emissions regulations.
Requires the retail seller to certify on the original application for a CF number if the vessel is in compliance with the emissions regulations
Requires vessels with a spark-ignition marine engine of less than 500 hp manufactured on or after January 1, 2008, or
Vessels with a spark-ignition marine engine with any rated output power manufactured on or after January 1, 2009, to have a permanent affixed label indicating that the engine meets or exceeds the emissions standards, and
Requires the hang tag for the engine to be submitted with the initial application for a CF number.

Amend: Vehicle Code §5004.1 (AB 462 Chapter No. 497)

Extends the Year of Manufacture (YOM) license plate program to include 1969 year model or older passenger vehicles and 1972 or older commercial vehicles.
Increases the original YOM application fee to $45.

Amend: Vehicle Code §§34623.5, 34630, 34640, and 34671 (AB 913 Chapter 58)

Authorizes the DMV to waive the $150 reinstatement fee if a Motor Carrier Permit was suspended for a lapse in insurance coverage, and it is subsequently found that there was no lapse in coverage.