Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.
The provisions of this chapter apply to vehicles upon the highways and elsewhere throughout the State unless expressly provided otherwise.
California Vehicle Code — §§ 23100-23135
Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.
The provisions of this chapter apply to vehicles upon the highways and elsewhere throughout the State unless expressly provided otherwise.
Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 685, Sec. 2. (AB 2479) Effective January 1, 2011.
fine of not less than one hundred forty-five dollars ($145) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment, except as provided in Section 23104 or 23105.
Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 15, Sec. 609. (AB 109) Effective April 4, 2011. Operative October 1, 2011, by Sec. 636 of Ch. 15, as amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 39, Sec. 68.
23103, 23104, 23105, 23109, 23109.1, 23152, or 23153, shall be punished by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code, by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 30 days nor more than six months or by a fine of not less than two hundred twenty dollars ($220) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by both the fine and imprisonment.
Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 15, Sec. 610. (AB 109) Effective April 4, 2011. Operative October 1, 2011, by Sec. 636 of Ch. 15, as amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 39, Sec. 68.
Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 16, Sec. 9. (SB 128) Effective June 27, 2025.
shall not aid or abet in a motor vehicle exhibition of speed on a highway or in an offstreet parking facility.
may order the privilege to operate a motor vehicle suspended for 90 days to six months, as provided in paragraph (8) of subdivision (a) of Section 13352. The person’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle may be restricted for 90 days to six months to necessary travel to and from that person’s place of employment and, if driving a motor vehicle is necessary to perform the duties of the person’s employment, restricted to driving in that person’s scope of employment. This subdivision does not interfere with the court’s power to grant probation in a suitable case.
fine and imprisonment.
person’s place of employment and, if driving a motor vehicle is necessary to perform the duties of the person’s employment, restricted to driving in that person’s scope of employment.
may order the privilege to operate a motor vehicle suspended for 90 days to six months for a person who violates subdivision (c), as provided in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (8) of subdivision (a) of Section 13352, only if the violation occurred as part of a sideshow.
(ii) For purposes of this section, “sideshow” is defined as an event in which two or more persons block or impede traffic on a highway or in an offstreet parking facility for the purpose of performing motor vehicle stunts, motor vehicle speed contests, motor vehicle exhibitions of speed, or reckless driving, for spectators. A sideshow is also known as a street takeover.
employment, restricted to driving in that person’s scope of employment.
shall place that restriction in the person’s records in the Department of Motor Vehicles and enter the restriction on a license subsequently issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles to that person during the period of the restriction.
Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 15, Sec. 612. (AB 109) Effective April 4, 2011. Operative October 1, 2011, by Sec. 636 of Ch. 15, as amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 39, Sec. 68.
loss of consciousness.
Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 502, Sec. 1. (AB 2186) Effective January 1, 2025.
of Section 23103.
(ii) This subparagraph does not apply to aiding or abetting an exhibition of speed on any highway or in an offstreet parking facility.
(A) If the vehicle is a stolen vehicle.
(B) If the person alleged to have been engaged in the motor vehicle speed contest, as described in subdivision (a), was not authorized by the registered owner of the motor vehicle to operate the motor vehicle at the time of the commission of the offense.
(C) If the registered owner of the vehicle was neither the driver
nor a passenger of the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation pursuant to subdivision (a), or was unaware that the driver was using the vehicle to engage in an activity described in subdivision (a).
(D) If the legal owner or registered owner of the vehicle is a rental car agency.
(E) If, prior to the conclusion of the impoundment period, a citation or notice is dismissed under Section 40500, criminal charges are not filed by the district attorney because of a lack of evidence, or the charges are otherwise dismissed by the court.
proof of current vehicle registration, or if ordered by a court.
corporation, or other licensed financial institution legally operating in this state, or is another person, not the registered owner, holding a security interest in the vehicle.
the registered owner’s agent is responsible for all towing and storage charges related to the impoundment, and any administrative charges authorized under Section 22850.5.
those charges.
impoundment should the registered owner be absolved of liability for those charges pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c). Notwithstanding this provision, an impounding agency is not prohibited from making prior payment arrangements to satisfy this requirement.
Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 501, Sec. 2. (AB 1978) Effective January 1, 2025.
If a peace officer arrests a person for a violation of subdivision (d) of Section 23109 and causes the removal and seizure of the vehicle used to commit the violation pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (h) of Section 22651, the peace officer shall not be required to take the person into custody.
Added by Stats. 1983, Ch. 953, Sec. 3.
Amended (as amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 15, Sec. 613) by Stats. 2011, Ch. 39, Sec. 65. (AB 117) Effective June 30, 2011. Operative October 1, 2011, pursuant to Secs. 68 and 69 of Ch. 39.
Amended by Stats. 1970, Ch. 1548.
No person in any vehicle and no pedestrian shall throw or discharge from or upon any road or highway or adjoining area, public or private, any lighted or nonlighted cigarette, cigar, match, or any flaming or glowing substance. This section shall be known as the Paul Buzzo Act.
Amended by Stats. 1980, Ch. 74, Sec. 4.
Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 352, Sec. 525. (AB 1317) Effective September 26, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 543 of Ch. 352.
Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 765, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2007.
Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 421, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2000.
Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 250, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2009.
Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 279, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2002.
Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 308, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2001.
As used in this subdivision, “emergency response situation” means instances in which necessary measures are needed in order to prevent injury or death to persons or to prevent, confine, or mitigate damage or destruction to property.
Added by Stats. 1987, Ch. 224, Sec. 1.
Added by Stats. 2009, Ch. 322, Sec. 11. (AB 515) Effective January 1, 2010.
impoundment, produces proof of licensure pursuant to Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 7500) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code, or proof of an exemption from licensure pursuant to Section 7500.2 or 7500.3 of the Business and Professions Code.
open to serve the public for regular, nonemergency business.
(A) When the vehicle is a stolen vehicle.
(B) When the vehicle was seized under this section for an offense that does not authorize the seizure of the vehicle.
vehicle registration, or upon order of the court.
hearing.
registered owner or his or her agent is responsible for all towing and storage charges related to the impoundment, and any administrative charges authorized under Section 22850.5.
owner or the legal owner’s agent pays all towing and storage fees related to the seizure of the vehicle. Except as specifically authorized by this subdivision, no other fees shall be charged to the legal owner or the agent of the legal owner. No lien sale processing fees shall be charged to the legal owner who redeems the vehicle prior to the 15th day of impoundment. Neither the impounding authority nor any person having possession of the vehicle shall collect from the legal owner of the type specified in paragraph (1), or the legal owner’s agent any administrative charges imposed pursuant to Section 22850.5 unless the legal owner voluntarily requested a poststorage hearing.
agent claiming the vehicle. A credit card shall be in the name of the person presenting the card. “Credit card” means “credit card” as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 1747.02 of the Civil Code, except, for the purposes of this section, credit card does not include a credit card issued by a retail seller.
reasonable monetary transaction.
for the vehicle, or title, whether paper or electronic, showing proof of legal ownership for the vehicle. The law enforcement agency, impounding agency, or any other governmental agency, or any person acting on behalf of those agencies, shall not require the presentation of any other documents.
proof of legal ownership for the vehicle. The person in possession of the vehicle, or any person acting on behalf of the person in possession, shall not require the presentation of any other documents.
person in possession of the vehicle, or anyone acting on behalf of them, that the agent is exempt from licensure pursuant to Section 7500.2 or 7500.3 of the Business and Professions Code.
governmental agency, or any person acting on behalf of those agencies, may not require any documents to be notarized. The legal owner or the legal owner’s agent shall be given a copy of any documents he or she is required to sign, except for a vehicle evidentiary hold logbook. The law enforcement agency, impounding agency, or any person acting on behalf of those agencies, or any person in possession of the vehicle, may photocopy and retain the copies of any documents presented by the legal owner or legal owner’s agent.
effort to ensure that the licenses presented are valid and possession of the vehicle will not be given to the driver who was involved in the original impound proceeding until the expiration of the impoundment period.
thousand dollars ($2,000) in addition to any other penalties established by law.
facility acting on behalf of the law enforcement agency or impounding agency, shall comply with this section and shall not be liable to the registered owner for the improper release of the vehicle to the legal owner or the legal owner’s agent provided the release complies with the provisions of this section. The legal owner shall indemnify and hold harmless a storage facility from any claims arising out of the release of the vehicle to the legal owner or the legal owner’s agent and from any damage to the vehicle after its release, including the reasonable costs associated with defending any such claims. A law enforcement agency shall not refuse to issue a release to a legal owner or the agent of a legal owner on the grounds that it previously issued a release.
Added by Stats. 1959, Ch. 531.
No person shall operate a motor vehicle while wearing glasses having a temple width of one-half inch or more if any part of such temple extends below the horizontal center of the lens so as to interfere with lateral vision.
Amended (as added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 290, Sec. 5) by Stats. 2007, Ch. 214, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2008. Section operative July 1, 2011, by its own provisions.
Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 297, Sec. 1. (AB 1222) Effective January 1, 2018.
satisfied:
Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 754, Sec. 1. (SB 194) Effective January 1, 2014.
determining whether the driver is violating subdivision (b).
Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 505, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2005.
Amended by Stats. 1973, Ch. 951.
No person shall operate an unauthorized motor vehicle on any state, county, city, private, or district hiking or horseback riding trail or bicycle path that is clearly marked by an authorized agent or owner with signs at all entrances and exits and at intervals of not more than one mile indicating no unauthorized motor vehicles are permitted on the hiking or horseback riding trail or bicycle path, except bicycle paths which are contiguous or adjacent to a roadway dedicated solely to motor vehicle use.
For the purpose of this section “unauthorized motor vehicle” means any motor vehicle that is driven upon a hiking or horseback riding trail or bicycle path without the written permission of an agent or the owner of the trail or path.
This section does not apply to the operation of an authorized emergency or maintenance vehicle on a hiking or horseback riding trail or bicycle path whenever necessary in furtherance of the purpose for which the vehicle has been classed as an authorized emergency vehicle. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Amended by Stats. 1972, Ch. 973.
It is unlawful for any person to operate a snowmobile in the following manner:
Added by Stats. 1972, Ch. 432.
No person shall drive a motor vehicle upon which is mounted a camper containing any passengers unless there is at least one unobstructed exit capable of being opened from both the interior and exterior of such camper.
Added by Stats. 1978, Ch. 421.
It is unlawful for any person to operate upon a highway any vehicle which was originally manufactured as a motorized bicycle, as defined in Section 406, and which has been modified in such a manner that it no longer conforms to the definition of a motorized bicycle.