New Vehicle Registration Laws for 2009

Unless otherwise indicated, these new laws become effective on January 1, 2009.

Amend and Add: Vehicle Code §4156, 9257.5 (AB 2241 Chapter No. 451)

This law restricts DMV from issuing temporary operating permits to allow more time to obtain a smog certificate as part of the registration renewal process. Under the law, extensions will cost $50 and are only allowed if the vehicle has been tested at a smog station and failed. The extension can be for no more than 60 days from the date registration is due. The $50 fee will be waived for owners accepted into the Bureau of Automotive Repair Consumer Assistance Program (CAP).

Amend: Vehicle Code § 4463 (SB 1720 Chapter No. 417)

This new law will make it a crime to forge, counterfeit, or falsify a Clean Air Sticker. These stickers are currently issued by DMV to certain low emission vehicles and permit vehicles with these stickers to be driven in the HOV lane.

Add: Health and Safety Code Chapter 5.8 (commencing with Section 40610) to Part 3 of Division 26 (AB 2522 Chapter No. 677)

In an effort to fund programs to reduce vehicle emissions, vehicle owners who register their vehicles in San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, and Tulare Counties and Valley portions of Kern County will be assessed an air quality fee of $6.

Amend: Vehicle Code §§5156 and 5157 (AB 1455 Chapter No. 309)

A new “Gold Star Family” special interest license will be available to family members of individuals killed in the line of duty while serving in the Armed Forces during wartime or military operations.

Add: Vehicle Code § 22511.3 (AB 190 Chapter No. 588)

This new law, when approved by local authorities, allows veterans whose vehicles display plates honoring Pearl Harbor Survivors, Legion of Valor recipients, former American Prisoners of War, Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, or Purple Heart recipients to park their vehicles that weigh not more than 6,000 pounds gross weight, without charge, in any metered parking space.

Amend: Vehicle Code §§400 and 21714 (AB 2272 Chapter No. 672)

This new law changes the definition of a motorcycle, deleting the existing weight limitation of 1500 pounds. It also removes a separate definition for electrically-powered vehicles. This change in law will also allow drivers of fully-enclosed 3-wheeled motor vehicles to use the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes.

Add: Vehicle Code §9104.2 (AB 2060 Chapter No. 92)

This new law provides a vehicle fee waiver for Indian Tribes that have entered into mutual aid agreements for their firefighting vehicles.

Amend: Vehicle Code §11515.2 (AB 2273 Chapter No. 97)

This law authorizes insurance companies and salvage pools to request the DMV to issue a nonrepairable certificate, if they are unable to obtain the properly endorsed certificate of ownership or other evidence of ownership acceptable to the Department within 30 days following oral or written acceptance by the owner of an offer of an amount in settlement of a total loss.

Amend: Vehicle Code §§4760, 4770, 40210, 40220, 40222, 40265, 40267, and 40269 (AB 2401 Chapter No. 741)

This law prohibits the Department or a processing agency from collecting outstanding parking fees and penalties from the registered owner of a vehicle if that owner was not the registered owner, lessee, or person in control of the vehicle when a parking citation was issued.

Amend: Vehicle Code §§4760, 4770, 40210, 40220, 40222, 40265, 40267, and 40269 (AB 2401 Chapter No. 741)

This law prohibits the Department or a processing agency from collecting outstanding parking fees and penalties from the registered owner of a vehicle if that owner was not the registered owner, lessee, or person in control of the vehicle when a parking citation was issued.