Vehicle Code Appendix B
List of Violations of the Vehicle Code
Division 12 - Equipment of Vehicles
Types of Violations
C – Civil
F – Felony
I – Infraction
M – Misdemeanor
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This section, excepting entries for Occupational Licensing and Business Regulation (Div.5), is provided by the California Highway Patrol as an informational guide only and is not intended to supplant sections of the vehicle code enacted into law. The following list has not been codified and does not carry the force or effect of statute.
| Type | VC Section | Violation |
|---|---|---|
| I | 24002(a) | Unsafe condition of vehicle, load or equipment presenting immediate safety hazard. |
| I | 24002(b) | Vehicle not properly equipped. |
| M | 24002.5 | Unsafe condition of a farm labor vehicle that presents an immediate safety hazard. |
| I | 24003 | Unlawful lights, other than those required or permitted. |
| I | 24004 | Unlawful operation, after notice by peace officer. |
| I | 24005 | Unlawful equipment, selling, offering for sale, installing or replacing with. |
| I | 24005.5 | Sale of synthetic rope or webbing not certified to CHP. |
| I | 24006 | Unapproved equipment, selling or offering for sale. |
| I | 24007(a) | Dealer selling vehicle not in compliance with code. |
| I | 24007(b) | Any person selling vehicle not in compliance with smog requirements. |
| I | 24007.5(a) | Auctioneer, or public agency, vehicle not in compliance with code. |
| I | 24007.5(b) | Auctioneer, or public agency, notify bidder that certificate of compliance required. |
| I | 24007.5(c) | Auctioneer, or public agency, surrender certificates of registration and ownership, and plates to DMV. |
| I | 24007.5(d) | Auctioneer, or public agency, provide bill of sale and license plate number. |
| I | 24008 | Passenger vehicle or commercial vehicle under 6,000 lbs., clearance modified to less than rim height. |
| I | 24008.5(a) | Maximum frame height of vehicle less than 10,000 pounds, operation prohibited. |
| I | 24009 | Dealer, sale of new truck, truck tractor or bus without ID plate and GVW rating. |
| I | 24010(a) | Vehicle rental; necessary equipment, conform to safety standards mechanically safe and sound. |
| I | 24010(b) | Vehicle rental; vehicle not in compliance. |
| I | 24010(c) | Vehicle rental agreement to include specified information. |
| I | 24011 | Sale of vehicle or equipment not in compliance with federal standards or not properly marked. |
| M | 24011.3(a) | Manufacturer sticker affixed to passenger vehicle-bumper strength notice. |
| I | 24012 | Lighting equipment or devices, failure to comply with mounting requirements. |
| I | 24013 | Seller to inform buyer of minimum fuel octane rating. |
| I | 24013.5(a) | Light duty trucks, dealers not affixing pricing information. |
| I | 24014(a) | Dealer offering motorcycle for sale without label indicating price. |
| I | 24014(b) | Dealer offering motorcycle for sale without specified information on label. |
| I | 24015(a) | Motorized bicycle: comply with National Motor Vehicle Act. |
| I | 24015(b) | Motorized bicycle: mirror and muffler. |
| I | 24016(b)(1) | Motorized bicycle; operation without properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet. |
| I | 24016(b)(4) | Motorized bicycle; operation by person under 16 years of age. |
| I | 24016(b)(5) | Motorized bicycle; manufacturer shall certify compliance with equipment and manufacturing requirements for bicycles. |
| I | 24016(c) | Motorized bicycle; tampering with or modifying to increase speed capability. |
| I | 24018(a) | Public transit bus, shall be equipped with a two-way communication device. |
| I | 24250 | Driving without lights during darkness. |
| I | 24252(a) | Lighting equipment of required type, maintain in good working order. |
| I | 24252(b) | Voltage of required lamps to be 85% of design voltage. |
| I | 24252(c) | Combined lamps,
reflectors shall meet department specifications. (1) Turn signal shall not be combined with stop lamp. (Certain exceptions.) (2) Clearance lamps shall not be combined with tail or identification lamps. |
| I | 24253(a) | Adequate battery required on motor vehicle first registered after 1/1/70. |
| I | 24253(b) | Adequate battery required on motorcycles first registered after 1/1/70. |
| I | 24255(a) | Infrared lighting equipment violation. |
| I | 24255(b) | Operation of infrared lighting system without use of headlights. |
| I | 24400(a)(1) | Equipped with headlamps, height 22 to 54 inches. |
| 24400(a)(2) | Operated during darkness, inclement weather, or both. | |
| I | 24401 | Parked vehicle, with lights on high beam. |
| I | 24402(a) | Auxiliary driving lamps; two maximum, height 16 to 42 inches. Cannot be lighted with lower beam. |
| I | 24402(b) | Auxiliary passing lamps; two maximum, height 24 to 42 inches. |
| I | 24403 | Fog lamps on vehicles other than motorcycle, number 2, height 12 to 30 inches, properly adjusted. On motorcycle height of 12 to 40 inches, properly adjusted. |
| I | 24404(a) | Spotlamps, number 2, not substituted for headlamps, white only. |
| I | 24404(b) | Spotlamps, exceeding 32 c.p. or glaring light ahead. |
| I | 24404(c) | Spotlamps, improper use on highway. |
| I | 24404(e) | Spotlamps, directed to illuminate moving vehicle. |
| I | 24405(a) | Forward lamps, not to exceed 4 lighted. |
| I | 24406 | Dimmer switch, driver unable to select proper light distribution. |
| I | 24407(a) | High beam, project at least 350 feet. |
| I | 24407(b) | Low beam, project at least 100 feet without glare. |
| I | 24408(a) | High beam indicator required. |
| I | 24408(b) | Readily visible, not to exceed 2 c.p. or show to front or sides when on exterior. |
| I | 24409(a) | Failure to dim, within 500 feet of approaching vehicle. |
| I | 24409(b) | Failure to dim, within 300 feet of overtaken vehicle. |
| I | 24410(a) | Single beam, proper adjustment. |
| I | 24410(b) | Single beam, project at least 200 feet. |
| I | 24411 | Off-highway lamps: more than allowed, not mounted properly, not covered, or used when operated on the highway. |
| I | 24600(a) | Taillamp-one required all such vehicles. |
| I | 24600(b) | Taillamp-two all vehicles manufactured after 1/1/58, except motorcycles, trailers and semitrailers less than 30 inches wide. |
| I | 24600(c) | Taillamp-two all vehicles subject to 22406a. |
| I | 24600(d) | Taillamp-when two required, must have one on left, one on right side at same level. |
| I | 24600(e) | Taillamp-red, visible 500 ft., vehicle manufactured after 1/1/69 visible 1,000 ft. |
| I | 24600(f) | Taillamp-must be mounted 15 to 72 inches on vehicles manufactured after 1/1/69. Additional lamps allowed on tow truck masts. |
| I | 24601 | License plate light, render clearly visible from 50 feet. |
| I | 24602(a) | Not more than 2 red fog taillamps mounted on rear when visibility less than 500 feet. |
| I | 24602(b) | Fog taillamps; mounted as close as practical to sides, between 15 and 60 inches, 4 inches from stoplamp, wired properly, with switch, with nonflashing amber pilot light. |
| I | 24603(a) | Stoplamps-every vehicle must be equipped with one or more. |
| I | 24603(b) | Stop lamps-two required, vehicles manufactured after 1/1/58 (except motorcycles, trailers and semitrailers less than 30 inches wide). |
| I | 24603(c) | Stoplamps-mounted 15 to 72 inches on vehicles manufactured after 1/1/69. Additional lamps allowed on tow truck masts. |
| I | 24603(d) | Stoplamps-when two required one must be on left, one on right at same level. |
| I | 24603(e) | Stoplamps-red or amber, visible 300 ft., vehicles of size requiring clearance lamps must be visible 500 ft. |
| I | 24603(f) | Must be activated by foot brakes and by hand valve for power brakes. May be activated by sudden release of accelerator. Manual transmission; mechanical device to activate stoplamps. |
| I | 24603(g) | Supplemental stoplamps installed after January 1, 1979, shall be red and mounted not lower than 15 inches above roadway. |
| I | 24604 | Projecting load, 4 feet to rear, 2 red lights at night, 12" red or fluorescent orange flag otherwise. |
| I | 24605(a) | Tow truck or dismantler’s tow vehicle, carry stop and taillamp with extension cord. |
| I | 24605(b) | Tow truck or dismantler’s tow vehicle, display tail and stop lamp on rear of disabled vehicle. |
| I | 24606(a) | Backup lamp required on vehicles subject to registration manufactured after 1/1/69. |
| I | 24606(b) | Backup lamp white only, beam not over 75 ft. to rear. |
| I | 24606(c) | Backup lamp used other than when backing. |
| I | 24606(d) | Vehicle may be equipped with supplemental backup lamps, lighted only with backup lights. |
| I | 24607(a) | Reflectors, every vehicle must have one, visible 350 to 100 ft. with upper beams. |
| I | 24607(b) | Reflectors, every vehicle manufactured and first registered after 1/1/65, except motorcycles, low speed vehicles, trailers and semitrailers less than 30 inches wide, must have two. |
| I | 24607(c) | Reflectors, motortruck with unladen weight of 5,000 lbs., trailer coach, vehicle at end of combination, vehicles 80 inches or more wide manufactured after 1/1/69, must have two visible 600 ft. to 100 ft. with upper beams. |
| I | 24607(d) | Reflectors, when more than one required, one must be on right, one on left at same level. Additional reflectors may be mounted at any height. Additional reflectors allowed on tow cars. |
| I | 24608(a) | Reflectors, motortrucks, semitrailers, buses 80" wide manufactured after 1/1/68, must have amber reflector on each side at front, red reflector on each side at rear. |
| I | 24608(b) | Reflectors, such vehicles 30 ft. or more in length shall have amber reflector on each side at midpoint. |
| I | 24608(c) | Reflectors, on sides must be mounted 15 to 60 inches. Additional reflectors may be mounted at any height. |
| I | 24608(d) | Reflectors required or permitted by (a) and (b) must be visible 600 ft. to 1,000 ft. with upper beam. |
| I | 24609 | Reflectors, white or amber on front to be mounted 15 to 60 inches. Reflectors/lights amber in color on a school bus, mounted on the left and right sides at equal height. |
| I | 24610 | Reflectors, button type to contain not less than 7 units with total area of not less than 3 sq. inches. |
| I | 24612 | Trailers/semitrailers of specified width/weight to be equipped with conspicuity system pursuant to federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108 (49 C.F.R. 571.108). |
| I | 24615 | Slow-moving vehicle emblem, vehicles designed and operated 25 mph or less. |
| I | 24616 | Vehicles allowed one/two rear-facing auxiliary lamps meeting specified lamp/mounting standards. |
| I | 24800 | Parking lights, driving with, unless headlamps also lighted. |
| I | 24950 | Trailer coach, turn signal lamps required. |
| I | 24951(b)(1) | Turn signals required, passenger vehicles, trucks, truck tractors, buses manufactured and first registered after 1/1/58. |
| I | 24951(b)(2) | Turn signals required, trailers and semitrailers manufactured and first registered between 12/31/57 and 1/1/69. |
| I | 24951(b)(3) | Turn signals required, trailers and semitrailers 80 inches or more in width manufactured after 1/1/69. |
| I | 24951(b)(4) | Turn signals required on motorcycles manufactured and first registered after 1/1/73. Except motor- driven cycles whose speed attainable in one mile is 30 mph or less. |
| I | 24951(c) | Turn signals on vehicles manufactured after 1/1/69, 15-inch minimum height. |
| I | 24952 | Turn signal lamps, clearly visible 300 feet front and rear (500 feet for vehicles with clearance lamps). |
| I | 24953(a) | Turn signal lamps, white or amber to front, red or amber to rear. |
| I | 24953(b) | Side-mounted turn signals, mounted to rear of center must be red. |
| I | 24953(d) | Side-view mirror-mounted turnsignals: Must flash in unison with car mounted signals, must be visible only from the rear and not visible to the driver, except for visual indicator. |
| I | 25100(a) | Vehicle over 80 inches: (1) clearance lamps; 1 amber each side on front, 1 red each side on rear. (2) Side-marker lamps; 1 amber each side near front, 1 red each side near rear. (3) 1 amber each side near center if trailer over 30 feet. (4) 1 amber sidemarker midpoint of multipurpose passenger vehicles, motor trucks, buses 30 ft. in length manufactured after 1/1/69. |
| I | 25100(b) | Vehicle over 80 inches not equipped under (a): (1) Truck tractor, 1 amber clearance lamp each side on front of cab or sleeper, amber side-marker lamps OK on sides. (2) Truck tractor manufactured and first registered after 1/1/69, one amber side marker on each side near front. (3) Pole or logging dolly, 1 red combination clearance and side-marker lamp each side. (4) Vehicles (except tractors) over 80 inches for 3 feet or less: if near front, 1 amber combination lamp each side; if near rear, 1 red combination lamp each side. (5) Driveaway-towaway towing vehicle: 1 amber clearance lamp each side on front, 1 amber side- marker lamp each side near front. (6) driveaway- towaway towed vehicle: 1 amber side-marker each side of intermediate vehicles; 1 red side-marker lamp each side and 1 red clearance lamp near each side on rearmost vehicle. |
| I | 25100(c) | Loads over 80 inches extending beyond side: 1 amber combination lamp on side at front and red combination lamp on side at rear. If projecting load not over 3 feet front to rear: 1 amber combination lamp on side if load near front, 1 red combination lamp on side if near rear of vehicle. |
| I | 25100(e) | Visibility requirements. |
| I | 25100(f) | Mounting requirements-required positions. |
| I | 25102 | Side lamps, recessed, not to exceed 2 c.p. or use color red. |
| I | 25103(a) | Projecting load to left, amber light to front and rear. |
| I | 25103(b) | Projecting load to left, amber light to front, red light to rear if projection exceeds 120 inches. |
| I | 25104 | Overwidth vehicles, display 12 inch red or fluorescent orange flag, left front and rear. |
| I | 25105(a) | Running board lamps, 6 c.p., white or green without glare. |
| I | 25105(b) | Door-mounted lamps or reflectors, 6 c.p., red. |
| I | 25105(c) | Entrance/exit exterior lamps lighted only when vehicle motionless, lamp not to exceed 32 c.p. or 30 watts. |
| I | 25106(a) | Front cowl or fender lamps, white or amber; 1 amber side lamp near front, 1 red side lamp near rear, 4 c.p. maximum. |
| I | 25106(b) | Lamps installed within 24 inches of rear shall be red; all other locations amber. |
| I | 25107 | Cornering lamps, not over 2, to reveal objects while turning. |
| I | 25108(a) | Exterior signal indicator lamps, amber, properly mounted, not exceeding 5 c.p., at night or 15 c.p. day. |
| I | 25108(b) | Pilot indicators; steady burning, lighted lens area of not more than 3/4 of an inch, no more than 5 c.p., and not red. |
| I | 25108(d) | Tow vehicle equipped with exterior mounted pilot lamp for antilock braking system; readily visible, not more than 5 c.p., shall not show to sides or rear, not red. Lamp for antilock braking system shall not allow to show to sides, must comply with FMVSS. |
| I | 25109 | Running lamps, 2 on front, white or amber, not lighted at night. |
| I | 25110(b) | Utility flood or loading lamps. Improper use of such devices. |
| I | 25250 | Flashing lights prohibited, exceptions listed. |
| I | 25251(b) | Disabled vehicle on roadway, failure to activate flashing signal lamps. |
| I | 25252 | Authorized emergency vehicle, red lamp required. |
| I | 25252.5(a) | Authorized emergency vehicles-flashing headlamps prohibited during darkness. |
| I | 25252.5(c) | Flashing headlamps permitted only (1) during emergency call or when in pursuit; (2)when red warning light displayed and siren is sounded. |
| I | 25253(a) | Tow trucks, flashing amber warning lights required; exemptions. |
| I | 25253(c) | A tow truck shall not display flashing amber warning lights unless an unusual traffic hazard or extreme hazard exists. |
| I | 25254 | Marshal’s cars: misuse of flashing amber warning lamp. |
| I | 25257(a) | Schoolbus, flashing red signal system required. |
| I | 25257(b)(1) | Schoolbus manufactured on or after 9/1/92, stop signal arm required. |
| I | 25257(b)(2) | Schoolbus manufactured on or after 7/1/93, amber warning light system required. |
| I | 25257.2 | Schoolbus transporting developmentally disabled, unlawful use of flashing red light signal, amber light signal system, and stop signal arm. |
| I | 25259(c) | Authorized emergency vehicles-not more than 2 flashing white lights to the front mounted above roofline and 2 below roofline. |
| I | 25259.1(c) | Disaster service worker, must cover or remove flashing amber lights when not in use. |
| I | 25259.5 | American National Red Cross, flashing amber warning lights on other than emergency or disaster service vehicles. |
| I | 25260.4 | Amber warning lights on hazardous substance spill response vehicle must be covered when not engaged in a cleanup. |
| I | 25262 | Armored cars, misuse of red light. |
| I | 25265 | Warning lights on sanitation vehicles not to be lighted when vehicle in motion. |
| I | 25266 | State aqueduct vehicle: misuse of flashing amber warning lamp. |
| I | 25268 | Flashing amber warning lights, improper use. |
| I | 25269 | Red warning lights, improper use. |
| I | 25270 | Pilot cars and vehicles: improper use of or failure to cover amber warning lamps. |
| I | 25270.5 | Livestock herding vehicles, misuse of flashing amber warning lamps. |
| I | 25275 | Improper display of amber flashing lights on truck tractor in the absence of unusual traffic hazard. |
| I | 25275.5 | Improper use of flashing crime lights by bus driver. |
| I | 25276(a) | Improper use of warning lamps by vehicle used to transport handicapped or mentally retarded. |
| I | 25279(b) | Private security vehicle; misuse of flashing amber lights; distinctively marked on rear and two sides. |
| I | 25279(d) | Private security vehicle; flashing amber warning system installed without written authorization of CHP. |
| I | 25281 | Water tender vehicles; misuse of flashing amber lights. |
| I | 25300(a) | Warning devices required on vehicles subject to 25100 and any truck tractor. |
| I | 25300(b) | Display, when truck or any trailer disabled on roadway. |
| I | 25300(c) | Display, when parked or disabled within 10 ft. of roadway during darkness. |
| I | 25300(e) | Display continuously during darkness, if disabled on roadway or parked within 10 ft. |
| I | 25301(a) | Utility vehicles, failure to display proper warning devices during daylight. |
| I | 25301(b) | Utility vehicles, failure to display proper warning device during darkness. |
| I | 25305(a) | Fusee used on highway. |
| I | 25305(b) | Unlawful to use other than red fusee. |
| I | 25350 | Noncompliance with Vehicle Code Standards for illuminated identification signs. |
| I | 25351(a) | Commercial vehicles and vehicles 80 inches or more in width; ID lamps front or rear but front not below windshield. |
| I | 25351(b) | Vehicles manufactured prior to 1/1/68; ID lamps amber, green or white to front; red to rear. |
| I | 25351(c) | ID lamps, vehicles manufactured after 1/1/68, may exhibit only amber to front and red to rear. |
| I | 25351(d) | ID lamps unlawful on passenger vehicles. |
| I | 25352(a) | Devices affecting traffic control signals on buses visible light not to exceed an average of .0003 candela per flash. |
| I | 25352(b) | Public transit bus using signal sequence changing device on other than authorized routes. |
| I | 25352(c) | Failure to give emergency vehicles priority in changing traffic control signals. |
| I | 23353(a) | Public transit buses, light and sign regulations. |
| I | 25400(a) | Exterior lamp or device not to emit light of more than .05 candela per square inch of area. |
| I | 25400(b) | Diffused light, no red to front or interference with required lamps. |
| I | 25400(c) | Diffused light, 720 sq. inches maximum, rental use limited. |
| I | 25400(d) | Internally illuminated sign, no white background. |
| I | 25401 | Diffused light on vehicle, resembling official traffic control device. |
| I | 25452 | Acetylene headlamps, emitting glaring light. |
| I | 25500(a) | Reflectorizing material, resembling or conflicting with any warning device or signal. |
| I | 25650 | Motorcycle’s headlamps, one required, two permitted. |
| I | 25650.5 | Motorcycle have lighted headlamp if manufactured after 1/1/78. |
| I | 25651(a) | Motor driven cycle headlamps, reveal person 100 ft. \@ 25 mph, 200 ft. up to 35 mph, 300 ft. over 35 mph. |
| I | 25651(c) | Motor driven cycle, single beam headlamp adjustment. |
| I | 25803(a) | All other vehicles, display white light front, red to rear, visible 500 ft. |
| I | 25803(b) | All other vehicles, also display reflectors, amber left front and red left rear, height 16 to 60 inches, visible 500 feet. |