DMV Highlights New Laws in 2025

Contact: Office of Public Affairs
2415 First Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 657–6437 | dmvpublicaffairs@dmv.ca.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 27, 2024

Sacramento – The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today announced that several new laws will take effect on January 1, 2025, unless otherwise noted.

Making Our Roads and Communities Safer

Sideshows and Street Takeovers – AB 1978 (Sanchez), AB 2186 (Wallis), AB 2807 (Villapudua) and AB 3085 (Gipson)

These laws are part of a package signed by Governor Newsom in September to help law enforcement crack down on dangerous sideshows and street takeovers. AB 1978 authorizes law enforcement to impound a vehicle without taking the driver into custody for obstructing or placing a barricade upon a highway, or an off-street parking facility for the purpose of facilitating or aiding a speed contest or exhibition of speed. AB 2186 authorizes law enforcement to remove a motor vehicle used in an exhibition of speed in an off-street parking facility for no more than 30 days. AB 2807 clarifies that vehicle sideshows are also known as “street takeovers.” AB 3085 expands the list of offenses where law enforcement may impound a vehicle pursuant to a warrant or court order, including engaging in a motor vehicle speed contest or an exhibition of speed upon a highway or off-street parking facility.

Autonomous Vehicles Interactions with First Responders and Traffic Violation Notices – AB 1777 (Ting)

Upon the 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 for communication with first responders.

E-Bike Safety Pilot Programs – AB 1778 (Connolly) and AB 2234 (Boerner)

AB 1778 authorizes Marin County and its cities to prohibit people under the age of 16 from riding a class 2 electric bicycle (e-bike) and to require all individuals to wear a helmet when riding one until January 1, 2029. AB 2234 authorizes San Diego County and its cities to prohibit people under the age of 12 from riding a class 1 or 2 e-bike until January 1, 2029. The goal of both pilot programs is to reduce youth injuries.

License Plate Obstruction or Alteration – AB 2111 (Wallis)

Prohibits a person from altering their license plate’s reflective coating to evade electronic capture of the license plate for any reason. The law is aimed at curbing toll evasion and other traffic violations that can be detected by cameras.

Vehicle Break-Ins and Theft – AB 2536 (Hoover)

Expands the definition of “vehicle theft crimes” to include the theft of vehicle parts such as catalytic converters. The law gives counties more flexibility to use existing vehicle registration fees to combat vehicle-related crime.

City of Malibu’s Speed Safety Pilot Program – SB 1297 (Allen)

Authorizes the City of Malibu to establish a five-year speed safety pilot program using an automated speed enforcement system. The law limits Malibu to five such systems. The pilot program is similar to existing pilot programs authorized in Los Angeles, San Jose, Oakland, Glendale, Long Beach and San Francisco. The goal is to reduce speeding and save lives.

Driver Monitoring “Defeat” Devices – SB 1313 (Ashby)

Prohibits a vehicle from being equipped with, or a person from using, a device that is designed to neutralize or interfere with a driver monitoring system on a vehicle with advanced driver-assistance system features or autonomous technology. The law is intended to help address the issue of drivers overriding their driver monitoring systems while the vehicle is in motion, such as placing steering wheel weights to mimic hands placed on the wheel. These devices bypass the safety features designed to ensure that drivers are alert.

Vehicle Tracking and Remote Access – SB 1394 (Min)

Requires vehicle manufacturers to allow drivers to terminate remote access to a vehicle and its location under certain circumstances. With some newer vehicles now able to be tracked and controlled remotely, the law will empower survivors of domestic violence to have more control over their privacy and prevent abusive partners from exploiting vehicle technology to continue their behavior. Beginning July 1, 2025, a vehicle manufacturer must provide on its website an option for a driver to submit a request to terminate remote access. Beginning January 1, 2028, for vehicles manufactured on or after that date that have remote access, or on July 1, 2026, for vehicles manufactured prior to January 1, 2028, that have remote access and have the capability to receive software updates that provides the necessary functionality, the manufacturer must provide a mechanism for a driver inside a vehicle to immediately disable such access. The law also requires a vehicle with remote access beginning on January 1, 2028, to indicate to anyone inside the vehicle when a person outside the vehicle has accessed its features or location.

Advancing Modernization

License Plate and Registration Card Alternatives – AB 3138 (Wilson)

Authorizes any vehicle, beginning January 1, 2027, to use an alternative device to a traditional license plate or vehicle registration card that includes vehicle location technology. The law specifies requirements for how vehicle location technology is disabled or enabled and prohibits an alternative device from recording or transmitting personal identifiable information. This law also expands the types of specialized license plates that may be replicated on an alternative device.

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