The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has announced several new laws will take effect on January 1, 2025, unless otherwise noted. DMV excerpts from a press release dated December 27, 2024;
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- No Parking Within 20 Feet of an Intersection – The California state legislature passed this law Assembly Bill 413 in September 2023, and it will be enforceable beginning Jan. 1, 2025. For the first 60 days, San Diego Police will issue warning notices to vehicles parked in violation of the new law, and ticketing will commence after the warning period concludes. Details from City of San Diego at: https://www.universitycitynews.org/UCCA/NoParking-Daylighting
For more information from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) about new laws for 2025, visit: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/news-and-media/dmv-highlights-new-laws-in-2025/
See also:
New Law for 2025: No Parking Within 20 Feet of an Intersection
New State Laws in Place Jan. 1 Run Gamut from Theft to Parking to Seashells
