kind: section

code: VEH

citation: VEH § 1

text: This act shall be known as the Vehicle Code.

history: (History: Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)


citation: VEH § 2

text: The provisions of this code, insofar as they are substantially the same as existing provisions relating to the same subject matter, shall be construed as restatements and continuations thereof and not as new enactments.


citation: VEH § 3

text: All persons who, at the time this code goes into effect, hold office under the code repealed by this code, which offices are continued by this code, continue to hold them according to their former tenure.


citation: VEH § 4

text: No action or proceeding commenced before this code takes effect, and no right accrued, is affected by the provisions of this code, but all procedure thereafter taken therein shall conform to the provisions of this code so far as possible.


citation: VEH § 5

text: If any portion of this code is held unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of any other portion of this code.


citation: VEH § 6

text: Unless the provision or the context otherwise requires, these general provisions and rules of construction shall govern the construction of this code.


citation: VEH § 7

text: Division, chapter, and article headings do not in any manner affect the scope, meaning, or intent of the provisions of this code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1959, Ch. 1996.)


citation: VEH § 8

text: Whenever, by the provisions of this code, a power is granted to a public officer or a duty imposed upon such an officer, the power may be exercised or the duty performed by a deputy of the officer or by a person authorized pursuant to law by the officer.


citation: VEH § 9

text: Whenever any notice, report, statement, or record is required by this code, it shall be made in writing in the English language.


citation: VEH § 10

text: Whenever any reference is made to any portion of this code or of any other law, such reference shall apply to all amendments and additions heretofore or hereafter made.


citation: VEH § 11

text: “Section” means a section of this code unless some other statute is specifically mentioned and “subdivision” means a subdivision of the section in which that term occurs unless some other section is expressly mentioned.


citation: VEH § 12

text: The present tense includes the past and future tenses; and the future, the present.


citation: VEH § 12.2

text: “Spouse” includes “registered domestic partner,” as required by Section 297.5 of the Family Code.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 50, Sec. 117. (SB 1005) Effective January 1, 2017.)


citation: VEH § 13

text: The masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter.


citation: VEH § 14

text: The singular number includes the plural, and the plural the singular.


citation: VEH § 15

text: “Shall” is mandatory and “may” is permissive.


citation: VEH § 16

text: “Oath” includes affirmation.


citation: VEH § 17

text: “Signature” or “subscription” includes mark when the signer or subscriber cannot write, such signer’s or subscriber’s name being written near the mark by a witness who writes his own name near the signer’s or subscriber’s name; but a signature or subscription by mark can be acknowledged or can serve as a signature or subscription to a sworn statement only when two witnesses so sign their own names thereto.


citation: VEH § 18

text: Officers and employees of the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of the California Highway Patrol are, for the purposes of this code, authorized to administer oaths and acknowledge signatures, for which no fee shall be charged.


citation: VEH § 19

text: Whenever the acknowledgement of any document is required by this code or any regulation of either department, the signature of the applicant attested to in his presence by the signature of a subscribing witness is sufficient.


citation: VEH § 20

text: It is unlawful to use a false or fictitious name, or to knowingly make any false statement or knowingly conceal any material fact in any document filed with the Department of Motor Vehicles or the Department of the California Highway Patrol.


citation: VEH § 21

text:
(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided, the provisions of this code are applicable and uniform throughout the state and in all counties and municipalities therein, and a local authority shall not enact or enforce any ordinance or resolution on the matters covered by this code, including ordinances or resolutions that establish regulations or procedures for, or assess a fine, penalty, assessment, or fee for a violation of, matters covered by this code, unless expressly authorized by this code.

(b) To the extent permitted by current state law, this section does not impair the current lawful authority of the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, a joint powers authority, or any member agency constituted therein as of July 1, 2010, to enforce an ordinance or resolution relating to the management of public lands within its jurisdiction.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 616, Sec. 1. (SB 949) Effective January 1, 2011. Operative July 1, 2011, by Sec. 6 of Ch. 616.)


citation: VEH § 22

text: Whenever notice is required to be given under this code by a department or any division, officer, employee, or agent, the notice shall be given either by personal delivery to the person to be notified, by certified mail, return receipt requested, by mailing the notice, postage prepaid, addressed to the person at their address as shown by the records of the department, or by electronic notification, as authorized pursuant to Section 1801.2.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 131, Sec. 214. (AB 1754) Effective January 1, 2024.)


citation: VEH § 23

text: The giving of notice by personal delivery is complete upon delivery of a copy of the notice to the person to be notified. The giving of notice by mail is complete upon the expiration of four days after deposit of the notice in the mail, except that in the case of a notice informing a person of an offense against them under Section 40001, the notice is complete 10 days after mailing. The giving of notice by electronic notification, as authorized pursuant to Section 1801.2, is complete upon sending the electronic notification.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 838, Sec. 2. (SB 1193) Effective January 1, 2023.)


citation: VEH § 24

text: Proof of the giving of notice may be made by the certificate of any officer, employee, or agent of the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of the California Highway Patrol or of any peace officer, or by an affidavit of any person over 18 years of age, naming the person to whom the notice was given and specifying the time, place, and manner of the giving of the notice.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1154, Sec. 55. Effective September 30, 1996.)


citation: VEH § 24.5

text: All civil process in actions brought against the director and the Department of Motor Vehicles and all subpoenas for the production of department records shall be served upon the director or his appointed representatives at the department’s headquarters.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1971, Ch. 699.)


citation: VEH § 25

text:
(a) It is unlawful for a person to display or cause or permit to be displayed any sign, mark, or advertisement indicating an official connection with either the Department of Motor Vehicles or the Department of the California Highway Patrol unless the person has lawful authority, permission, or right to make that display.

(b) It is unlawful for the holder of an occupational license issued pursuant to Division 5 (commencing with Section 11100) to use the initials “DMV,” the Department of Motor Vehicles logogram, or the words “Department of Motor Vehicles” in any business name, telephone number, or internet domain name, as defined in Section 17527 of the Business and Professions Code. An occupational licensee shall not use the initials, logogram, or words in any advertisement in a way that indicates, or could be construed to indicate, an official connection with the Department of Motor Vehicles other than as a licensee.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 68, Sec. 1. (AB 1272) Effective January 1, 2026.)


citation: VEH § 25.5

text: It is unlawful for any person to falsely represent himself or herself in any manner as an employee of the Department of Motor Vehicles for the purpose of obtaining records or information to which he or she is not entitled.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 466, Sec. 105.)


citation: VEH § 27

text: Any person who without authority impersonates, or wears the badge of, a member of the California Highway Patrol with intention to deceive anyone is guilty of a misdemeanor.


citation: VEH § 28

text:
(a) Whenever possession is taken of any vehicle by or on behalf of its legal owner under the terms of a security agreement or lease agreement, the person taking possession shall contact, for the purpose of providing the information required pursuant to subdivision (d), within one hour after taking possession of the vehicle, by the most expeditious means available, the city police department where the taking of possession occurred, if within an incorporated city, or the sheriff’s department of the county where the taking of possession occurred, if outside an incorporated city, or the police department of a campus of the University of California or the California State University, if the taking of possession occurred on that campus. If, after an attempt to notify, law enforcement is unable to receive and record the notification required pursuant to subdivision (d), the person taking possession of the vehicle shall continue to attempt notification until the information required pursuant to subdivision (d) is provided.

(b) If possession is taken of more than one vehicle, the possession of each vehicle shall be considered and reported as a separate event.

(c) Any person failing to notify the city police department, sheriff’s department, or campus police department as required by this section is guilty of an infraction, and shall be fined a minimum of three hundred dollars ($300), and up to five hundred dollars ($500). The district attorney, city attorney, or city prosecutor shall promptly notify the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services of any conviction resulting from a violation of this section.

(d) For the notification required by this section, the person shall report only the following information and in the following order:

(1) The approximate location of the repossession.

(2) The date and approximate time of the repossession.

(3) The vehicle year, make, and model.

(4) The last six digits of the vehicle identification number.

(5) The registered owner as provided on the repossession assignment.

(6) The legal owner requesting the repossession as provided on the repossession assignment.

(7) The name of the repossession agency.

(8) The telephone number of the repossession agency.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 740, Sec. 13. (AB 281) Effective January 1, 2016.)


citation: VEH § 29

text: Wherever a notice or other communication is required by this code to be mailed by registered mail by or to a person or corporation, the mailing of that notice or other communication by certified mail, or by electronic notification, as authorized pursuant to Section 1801.2, shall be deemed to be a sufficient compliance with the requirements of law.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 838, Sec. 3. (SB 1193) Effective January 1, 2023.)


citation: VEH § 30

text: It is declared as a matter of legislative policy that red lights and sirens on vehicles should be restricted to authorized emergency vehicles engaged in police, fire and lifesaving services; and that other types of vehicles which are engaged in activities which create special hazards upon the highways should be equipped with flashing amber warning lamps.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1961, Ch. 653.)


citation: VEH § 31

text: No person shall give, either orally or in writing, information to a peace officer while in the performance of his duties under the provisions of this code when such person knows that the information is false.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1264.)


citation: VEH § 32

text: Whenever local authorities are given the power to take action by ordinance pursuant to Division 11 (commencing with Section 21000) and Division 15 (commencing with Section 35000), they shall also have the power to take such action by resolution.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1972, Ch. 1095.)


citation: VEH § 100

text: Unless the provision or context otherwise requires, these definitions shall govern the construction of this code.

division: 1. WORDS AND PHRASES DEFINED

path: 1. WORDS AND PHRASES DEFINED


citation: VEH § 102

text: “Ability to respond in damages” means financial responsibility.

history: (History: Added by renumbering Section 95 by Stats. 1992, Ch. 974, Sec. 2. Effective September 28, 1992.)


citation: VEH § 105

text: An “agricultural water-well boring rig” is a motor vehicle which is used exclusively in the boring of water-wells on agricultural property.


citation: VEH § 108

text: “Airbrakes” means a brake system using compressed air either for actuating the service brakes at the wheels of the vehicle or as a source of power for controlling or applying service brakes which are actuated through hydraulic or other intermediate means.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 207.)


citation: VEH § 109

text:
“Alcoholic beverage” includes any liquid or solid material intended to be ingested by a person which contains ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, drinking alcohol, or alcohol, including, but not limited to, alcoholic beverages as defined in Section 23004 of the Business and Professions Code, intoxicating liquor, malt beverage, beer, wine, spirits, liqueur, whiskey, rum, vodka, cordials, gin, and brandy, and any mixture containing one or more alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic beverage includes a mixture of one or more alcoholic beverages whether found or ingested separately or as a mixture.

For purposes of the Driver License Compact, “intoxicating liquor” as used in Section 15023 has the same meaning as “alcoholic beverage” as used in this code.

history: (History: Added by renumbering Section 23151 by Stats. 1982, Ch. 53, Sec. 25. Effective February 18, 1982.)


citation: VEH § 110

text: “Alley” is any highway having a roadway not exceeding 25 feet in width which is primarily used for access to the rear or side entrances of abutting property; provided, that the City and County of San Francisco may designate by ordinance or resolution as an “alley” any highway having a roadway not exceeding 25 feet in width.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1965, Ch. 833.)


citation: VEH § 111

text:
(a) “All-terrain vehicle” means a motor vehicle subject to subdivision (a) of Section 38010 that is all of the following:

(1) Designed for operation off of the highway by an operator with no more than one passenger.

(2) Fifty inches or less in width.

(3) Nine hundred pounds or less unladen weight.

(4) Suspended on three or more low-pressure tires.

(5) Has a single seat designed to be straddled by the operator, or a single seat designed to be straddled by the operator and a seat for no more than one passenger.

(6) Has handlebars for steering control.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), for purposes of Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 3000) of Division 2 and Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 11700) of Division 5, “all-terrain vehicle” also means a recreational off-highway vehicle as defined in Section 500 and a utility-terrain vehicle as defined in Section 531.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 279, Sec. 1. (AB 988) Effective January 1, 2015.)


text: An “all-terrain vehicle safety instructor” is a person who is sponsored by an all-terrain vehicle safety training organization, who has completed a course in all-terrain vehicle safety instruction administered by an approved all-terrain vehicle safety training organization, and who has been licensed by the department pursuant to Section 11105.1.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1987, Ch. 881, Sec. 2.)


text: An “all-terrain vehicle safety training organization” is any organization which is approved to offer a program of instruction in all-terrain vehicle safety, including all-terrain vehicle safety instruction training, by the Off-Highway Vehicle Safety Education Committee and which has been issued a license by the department pursuant to Section 11105.6.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1987, Ch. 881, Sec. 3.)


citation: VEH § 112

text: “Amber” has the same meaning as “yellow,” and is within the chromaticity coordinate boundaries for yellow specified in regulations adopted by the Department of the California Highway Patrol.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1977, Ch. 287.)


citation: VEH § 115

text: An “armored car” is a vehicle that is equipped with materials on either the front, sides, or rear for the protection of persons therein from missiles discharged from firearms.

history: (History: Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)


citation: VEH § 165

text:
An authorized emergency vehicle is:

(a) Any publicly owned and operated ambulance, lifeguard, or lifesaving equipment or any privately owned or operated ambulance licensed by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to operate in response to emergency calls.

(b) Any publicly owned vehicle operated by the following persons, agencies, or organizations:

(1) Any federal, state, or local agency, department, or district employing peace officers as that term is defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Part 2 of Title 3 of the Penal Code, for use by those officers in the performance of their duties.

(2) Any forestry or fire department of any public agency or fire department organized as provided in the Health and Safety Code.

(c) Any vehicle owned by the state, or any bridge and highway district, and equipped and used either for fighting fires, or towing or servicing other vehicles, caring for injured persons, or repairing damaged lighting or electrical equipment.

(d) Any state-owned vehicle used in responding to emergency fire, rescue, or communications calls and operated either by the Office of Emergency Services or by any public agency or industrial fire department to which the Office of Emergency Services has assigned the vehicle.

(e) (1) Any vehicle owned or operated by a federally recognized Indian tribe used in responding to emergency, fire, ambulance, or lifesaving calls. For the purposes of this section and the provisions of Sections 2501 and 2510, a vehicle used in responding to emergency, fire, ambulance, or lifesaving calls owned or operated by a federally recognized Indian tribe is considered an authorized emergency vehicle.

(2) Any vehicle owned or operated by any department or agency of the United States government when the vehicle is used in responding to emergency fire, ambulance, or lifesaving calls or is actively engaged in law enforcement work.

(f) Any vehicle for which an authorized emergency vehicle permit has been issued by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 282, Sec. 1. (AB 798) Effective January 1, 2022.)


text:
No act or omission of any rescue team operating in conjunction with an authorized emergency vehicle as defined in Section 165, while attempting to resuscitate any person who is in immediate danger of loss of life, shall impose any liability upon the rescue team or the owners or operators of any authorized emergency vehicle, if good faith is exercised.

For the purposes of this section, “rescue team” means a special group of physicians and surgeons, nurses, volunteers, or employees of the owners or operators of the authorized emergency vehicle who have been trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and have been designated by the owners or operators of the emergency vehicle to attempt to resuscitate persons who are in immediate danger of loss of life in cases of emergency.

This section shall not relieve the owners or operators of any other duty imposed upon them by law for the designation and training of members of a rescue team or for any provisions regarding maintenance of equipment to be used by the rescue team.

Members of a rescue team shall receive the training in a program approved by, or conforming to, standards prescribed by an emergency medical care committee established pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 1797.270) of Chapter 4 of Division 2.5 of the Health and Safety Code, or a voluntary area health planning agency established pursuant to Section 127155 of the Health and Safety Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1023, Sec. 421. Effective September 29, 1996.)


citation: VEH § 166

text: An “autobroker” or “auto buying service” is a dealer, as defined in Section 285, who engages in the business of brokering, as defined in Section 232.5.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1253, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1995.)


citation: VEH § 175

text:
An “autoette” is a motor vehicle, located on a natural island with an area in excess of 20,000 acres and that is within a county having a population in excess of 4,000,000, that meets all of the following requirements:

(a) Has three or more wheels in contact with the ground.

(b) Has an unladed weight of no greater than 1,800 pounds.

(c) Has an overall length of no more than 130 inches, including the front and rear bumpers.

(d) Has a width of no more than 55 inches, as measured from its widest part.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 91, Sec. 1. (AB 705) Effective January 1, 2024.)


citation: VEH § 210

text: An “automated enforcement system” is any system operated by a governmental agency, in cooperation with a law enforcement agency, that photographically records a driver’s responses to a rail or rail transit signal or crossing gate, or both, or to an official traffic control signal described in Section 21450, and is designed to obtain a clear photograph of a vehicle’s license plate and the driver of the vehicle.

history: (History: Amended (as amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 922, Sec. 1) by Stats. 1998, Ch. 54, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1999.)


citation: VEH § 220

text:
(a) An “automobile dismantler” is a person not otherwise expressly excluded by Section 221 who is engaged in the business of buying, selling, or dealing in vehicles of a type required to be registered under this code, including nonrepairable vehicles, for the purpose of dismantling the vehicles, who buys or sells the integral parts and component materials thereof, in whole or in part, or deals in used motor vehicle parts. This section does not apply to the occasional and incidental dismantling of vehicles by dealers who have secured dealer plates from the department for the current year whose principal business is buying and selling new and used vehicles, or by owners who desire to dismantle not more than three personal vehicles within any 12-month period.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), “automobile dismantler” includes a person not otherwise expressly excluded by Section 221 who keeps or maintains on real property owned by the person, or under their possession or control, either of the following vehicles or catalytic converters, whether for the purpose of resale of used parts, for the purpose of reclaiming for use some or all of the materials, whether metal, glass, fabric, or otherwise, or to dispose of them, or for any other purpose:

(1) Two or more unregistered motor vehicles no longer intended for, or in condition for, legal use on the highways.

(2) Nine or more used catalytic converters that have been cut from a motor vehicle using a sharp implement.

(c) (1) Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), a “junk dealer,” as defined in Section 21601 of the Business and Professions Code, a “recycler,” as defined in Section 21605 of the Business and Professions Code, or a “commercial enterprise” or “core recycler,” as defined in Section 21610 of the Business and Professions Code, is not an automobile dismantler even if it possesses nine or more used catalytic converters that have been cut from a motor vehicle using a sharp implement.

(2) This subdivision does not apply to a “commercial enterprise” described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 21610 of the Business and Professions Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 537, Sec. 1. (AB 641) Effective January 1, 2024.)


citation: VEH § 221

text:
(a) The term “automobile dismantler” does not include any of the following:

(1) The owner or operator of any premises on which two or more unregistered and inoperable vehicles are held or stored, or a person who possesses nine or more catalytic converters, if the vehicles or catalytic converters are used for restoration or replacement parts or otherwise, in conjunction with any of the following:

(A) Any business of a licensed dealer, manufacturer, or transporter.

(B) The operation and maintenance of any fleet of motor vehicles used for the transportation of persons or property.

(C) Any agricultural, farming, mining, or ranching business that does not sell parts of the vehicles, except for either of the following purposes:

(i) For use in repairs performed by that business.

(ii) For use by a licensed dismantler or an entity described in paragraph (3).

(D) Any motor vehicle repair business registered with the Bureau of Automotive Repair, or those exempt from registration under the Business and Professions Code or applicable regulations, that does not sell parts of the vehicles, except for either of the following purposes:

(i) For use in repairs performed by that business.

(ii) For use by a licensed dismantler or an entity described in paragraph (3).

(2) A person engaged in the restoration of vehicles of the type described in Section 5004 or in the restoration of other vehicles having historic or classic significance.

(3) The owner of a steel mill, scrap metal processing facility, or similar establishment purchasing vehicles of a type subject to registration, not for the purpose of selling the vehicles, in whole or in part, but exclusively for the purpose of reducing the vehicles to their component materials, if either the facility obtains, on a form approved or provided by the department, a certification by the person from whom the vehicles are obtained that each of the vehicles has been cleared for dismantling pursuant to Section 5500 or 11520, or the facility complies with Section 9564.

(4) Any person who acquires used parts or components for resale from vehicles which have been previously cleared for dismantling pursuant to Section 5500 or 11520.

Nothing in this paragraph permits a dismantler to acquire or sell used parts or components during the time the dismantler license is under suspension.

(b) Any vehicle acquired for the purpose specified in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) from other than a licensed dismantler, or from other than an independent hauler who obtained the vehicle, or parts thereof from a licensed dismantler, shall be accompanied by either a receipt issued by the department evidencing proof of clearance for dismantling under Section 5500, or a copy of the ordinance or order issued by a local authority for the abatement of the vehicle pursuant to Section 22660. The steel mill, scrap metal processing facility, or similar establishment acquiring the vehicle shall attach the form evidencing clearance or abatement to the certification required pursuant to this section.

All forms specified in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) and in this subdivision shall be available for inspection by a peace officer during business hours.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 537, Sec. 2. (AB 641) Effective January 1, 2024.)


citation: VEH § 223

text: Any reference in this code to “automobile driver training” shall be deemed to refer to the laboratory phase of driver education described by Section 51852 of the Education Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1980, Ch. 676, Sec. 305.)


citation: VEH § 225

text: An “auxiliary dolly” is a vehicle, not designed for carrying persons or property on its own structure, which is so constructed and used in conjunction with a semitrailer as to support a portion of the weight of the semitrailer and any load thereon, but not permanently attached to the semitrailer, although a part of the weight of such dolly may rest on another vehicle.


citation: VEH § 230

text: An “axle” is a structure or portion of a structure consisting of one or more shafts, spindles, or bearings in the same vertical transverse plane by means of which, in conjunction with wheels mounted on said shafts, spindles, or bearings, a portion of the weight of a vehicle and its load, if any, is continuously transmitted to the roadway when the vehicle is in motion.


text: A “B-train assembly” is a rigid frame extension attached to the rear frame of a semitrailer which allows for a fifth wheel connection point for a second semitrailer.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 13, Sec. 13. Effective February 13, 1991.)


citation: VEH § 231

text: A bicycle is a device upon which a person may ride, propelled exclusively by human power, except as provided in Section 312.5, through a belt, chain, or gears, and having one or more wheels. A person riding a bicycle is subject to the provisions of this code specified in Sections 21200 and 21200.5. An electric bicycle is a bicycle.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 311, Sec. 1. (SB 814) Effective January 1, 2022.)


text: A “bicycle path” or “bike path” is a Class I bikeway, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2009, Ch. 200, Sec. 5. (SB 734) Effective January 1, 2010.)


text:
(a) A “bicycle path crossing” is either of the following:

(1) That portion of a roadway included within the prolongation or connection of the boundary lines of a bike path at intersections where the intersecting roadways meet at approximately right angles.

(2) Any portion of a roadway distinctly indicated for bicycle crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), there shall not be a bicycle path crossing where local authorities have placed signs indicating no crossing.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2009, Ch. 200, Sec. 6. (SB 734) Effective January 1, 2010.)


citation: VEH § 232

text: The “board” is the New Motor Vehicle Board.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1973, Ch. 996.)


text: “Brokering” is an arrangement under which a dealer, for a fee or other consideration, regardless of the form or time of payment, provides or offers to provide the service of arranging, negotiating, assisting, or effectuating the purchase of a new or used motor vehicle, not owned by the dealer, for another or others.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1253, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 1995.)


citation: VEH § 233

text:
(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a “bus” is any vehicle, including a trailer bus, designed, used, or maintained for carrying more than 15 persons including the driver.

(b) A vehicle designed, used, or maintained for carrying more than 10 persons, including the driver, which is used to transport persons for compensation or profit, or is used by any nonprofit organization or group, is also a bus.

(c) This section does not alter the definition of a schoolbus, school pupil activity bus, general public paratransit vehicle, farm labor vehicle, or youth bus.

(d) A vanpool vehicle is not a bus.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 675, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1995.)


citation: VEH § 234

text: A “business” includes a proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and any other form of commercial enterprise.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1563, Sec. 1.)


citation: VEH § 235

text: A “business district” is that portion of a highway and the property contiguous thereto (a) upon one side of which highway, for a distance of 600 feet, 50 percent or more of the contiguous property fronting thereon is occupied by buildings in use for business, or (b) upon both sides of which highway, collectively, for a distance of 300 feet, 50 percent or more of the contiguous property fronting thereon is so occupied. A business district may be longer than the distances specified in this section if the above ratio of buildings in use for business to the length of the highway exists.

history: (History: Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)


citation: VEH § 236

text: A “business representative” means a proprietor, a limited or general partner, a managerial employee, a stockholder, a director, or an officer who is active in the management, direction, and control of that part of a business which is a licensed activity.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1563, Sec. 2.)


citation: VEH § 240

text:
In determining whether a highway is within a business or residence district, the following limitations shall apply and shall qualify the definitions in Sections 235 and 515:

(a) No building shall be regarded unless its entrance faces the highway and the front of the building is within 75 feet of the roadway.

(b) Where a highway is physically divided into two or more roadways only those buildings facing each roadway separately shall be regarded for the purpose of determining whether the roadway is within a district.

(c) All churches, apartments, hotels, multiple dwelling houses, clubs, and public buildings, other than schools, shall be deemed to be business structures.

(d) A highway or portion of a highway shall not be deemed to be within a district regardless of the number of buildings upon the contiguous property if there is no right of access to the highway by vehicles from the contiguous property.


citation: VEH § 241

text:
A “buy-here-pay-here” dealer is a dealer, as defined in Section 285, who is not otherwise expressly excluded by Section 241.1, and who does all of the following:

(a) Enters into conditional sale contracts, within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 2981 of the Civil Code, and subject to the provisions of Chapter 2b (commencing with Section 2981) of Title 14 of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code, or lease contracts, within the meaning of Section 2985.7 of the Civil Code, and subject to the provisions of Chapter 2d (commencing with Section 2985.7) of Title 14 of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code.

(b) Assigns less than 90 percent of all unrescinded conditional sale contracts and lease contracts to unaffiliated third-party finance or leasing sources within 45 days of the consummation of those contracts.

(c) For purposes of this section, a conditional sale contract does not include a contract for the sale of a motor vehicle if all amounts owed under the contract are paid in full within 30 days.

(d) The department may promulgate regulations as necessary to implement this section.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 741, Sec. 2. (AB 1534) Effective January 1, 2013.)


text:
The term “buy-here-pay-here” dealer does not include any of the following:

(a) A lessor who primarily leases vehicles that are two model years old or newer.

(b) A dealer that does both of the following:

(1) Certifies 100 percent of used vehicle inventory offered for sale at retail price pursuant to Section 11713.18.

(2) Maintains an onsite service and repair facility that is licensed by the Bureau of Automotive Repair and employs a minimum of five master automobile technicians that are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 741, Sec. 3. (AB 1534) Effective January 1, 2013.)


citation: VEH § 242

text: A “camp trailer” is a vehicle designed to be used on a highway, capable of human habitation for camping or recreational purposes, that does not exceed 16 feet in overall length from the foremost point of the trailer hitch to the rear extremity of the trailer body and does not exceed 96 inches in width and includes any tent trailer. Where a trailer telescopes for travel, the size shall apply to the trailer as fully extended. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a camp trailer shall not be deemed to be a trailer coach.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1971, Ch. 1536.)


citation: VEH § 243

text: A “camper” is a structure designed to be mounted upon a motor vehicle and to provide facilities for human habitation or camping purposes. A camper having one axle shall not be considered a vehicle.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1968, Ch. 228.)


citation: VEH § 245

text: A “carry-all” is that type of earth-moving equipment which is not self-propelled but which is designed for use behind tractors or other motive power and which is self-loading by means of a cutting blade which is lowered at an angle to dig into the ground. The term includes, but is not limited to, such types of vehicles as carry the trade names of LaPlant-Choate, LeTourneau, and Be Ge.


citation: VEH § 246

text: A “certificate of compliance” for the purposes of this code is an electronic or printed document issued by a state agency, board, or commission, or authorized person, setting forth that the requirements of a particular law, rule or regulation, within its jurisdiction to regulate or administer has been satisfied.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 1007, Sec. 15. Effective January 1, 2000.)


citation: VEH § 247

text: “Certificate of title” or “certificate of ownership” means an official record in paper or electronic form, compliant with the regulations adopted pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 4450, that establishes and provides proof of legal ownership of a vehicle.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2026, Ch. 82, Sec. 9. (SB 169) Effective July 13, 2026.)


citation: VEH § 250

text:
A “chop shop” is any building, lot, or other premises where any person has been engaged in altering, destroying, disassembling, dismantling, reassembling, or storing any motor vehicle or motor vehicle part known to be illegally obtained by theft, fraud, or conspiracy to defraud, in order to do either of the following:

(a) Alter, counterfeit, deface, destroy, disguise, falsify, forge, obliterate, or remove the identity, including the vehicle identification number, of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part, in order to misrepresent the identity of the motor vehicle or motor vehicle part, or to prevent the identification of the motor vehicle or motor vehicle part.

(b) Sell or dispose of the motor vehicle or motor vehicle part.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1993, Ch. 386, Sec. 1. Effective September 8, 1993.)


citation: VEH § 255

text: “City” includes every city and city and county within this State.


citation: VEH § 257

text:
A “clean fuel vehicle” means any passenger or commercial vehicle or pickup truck that is fueled by alternative fuels, as defined in Section 301 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (P.L. 102-486), and produces emissions which do not exceed whichever of the following standards, as defined by regulations of the State Air Resources Board in effect on January 1, 1994, is applicable to the model year of the vehicle:

(a) For a vehicle of the 1994 to 1996, inclusive, model year, the emission standard applicable to a transitional low-emission vehicle.

(b) For a vehicle of the 1997 model year, the emission standard applicable to a low-emission vehicle.

(c) For a vehicle of the 1998 to 2000, inclusive, model year, the emission standard applicable to an ultra low-emission vehicle.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1993, Ch. 1159, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 1994.)


citation: VEH § 259

text: “Collector motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle owned by a collector, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 5051, and the motor vehicle is used primarily in shows, parades, charitable functions, and historical exhibitions for display, maintenance, and preservation, and is not used primarily for transportation.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 107, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2005.)


citation: VEH § 260

text:
(a) A “commercial vehicle” is a motor vehicle of a type required to be registered under this code used or maintained for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit or designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.

(b) Passenger vehicles and house cars that are not used for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit are not commercial vehicles. This subdivision shall not apply to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 6700) of Division 3.

(c) Any vanpool vehicle is not a commercial vehicle.

(d) The definition of a commercial vehicle in this section does not apply to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 15200) of Division 6.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 222, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2004.)


citation: VEH § 265

text: The “commissioner” is the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol.


citation: VEH § 266

text: A “consignment” is an arrangement under which a dealer agrees to accept possession of a vehicle of a type required to be registered under this code from an owner for the purpose of selling the vehicle and to pay the owner or the owner’s designee from the proceeds of the sale.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 815, Sec. 1.)


citation: VEH § 267

text:
A “converter” is a person, other than a vehicle manufacturer, who, prior to the retail sale of a new vehicle, does any of the following to the vehicle:

(a) Assembles, installs, or affixes a body, cab, or special equipment to the vehicle chassis.

(b) Substantially adds to, subtracts from, or modifies the vehicle, if it is a previously assembled or manufactured new vehicle.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 211, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1996.)


citation: VEH § 270

text: “County” includes every county and city and county within this State.


citation: VEH § 273

text: A “crib sheet” or “cribbing device” is any paper or device designed for cheating by supplying examination answers without questions to an applicant for the purpose of fraudulently qualifying the applicant for any class of driver’s license, permit, or certificate.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1986, Ch. 960, Sec. 1.)


citation: VEH § 275

text:
“Crosswalk” is either:

(a) That portion of a roadway included within the prolongation or connection of the boundary lines of sidewalks at intersections where the intersecting roadways meet at approximately right angles, except the prolongation of such lines from an alley across a street.

(b) Any portion of a roadway distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, there shall not be a crosswalk where local authorities have placed signs indicating no crossing.


citation: VEH § 280

text: “Darkness” is any time from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise and any other time when visibility is not sufficient to render clearly discernible any person or vehicle on the highway at a distance of 1,000 feet.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1974, Ch. 635.)


citation: VEH § 285

text:
“Dealer” is a person not otherwise expressly excluded by Section 286 who:

(a) For commission, money, or other thing of value, sells, exchanges, buys, or offers for sale, negotiates or attempts to negotiate, a sale or exchange of an interest in, a vehicle subject to registration, a motorcycle, snowmobile, or all-terrain vehicle subject to identification under this code, or a trailer subject to identification pursuant to Section 5014.1, or induces or attempts to induce any person to buy or exchange an interest in a vehicle and, who receives or expects to receive a commission, money, brokerage fees, profit, or any other thing of value, from either the seller or purchaser of the vehicle.

(b) Is engaged wholly or in part in the business of selling vehicles or buying or taking in trade, vehicles for the purpose of resale, selling, or offering for sale, or consigned to be sold, or otherwise dealing in vehicles, whether or not the vehicles are owned by the person.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 270, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 2006.)


citation: VEH § 286

text:
The term “dealer” does not include any of the following:

(a) Insurance companies, banks, finance companies, public officials, or any other person coming into possession of vehicles in the regular course of business, who sells vehicles under a contractual right or obligation, in performance of an official duty, or in authority of any court of law, if the sale is for the purpose of saving the seller from loss or pursuant to the authority of a court.

(b) Persons who sell or distribute vehicles of a type subject to registration or trailers subject to identification pursuant to Section 5014.1 for a manufacturer to vehicle dealers licensed under this code, or who are employed by manufacturers or distributors to promote the sale of vehicles dealt in by those manufacturers or distributors. However, any of those persons who also sell vehicles at retail are vehicle dealers and are subject to this code.

(c) Persons regularly employed as salespersons by vehicle dealers licensed under this code while acting within the scope of that employment.

(d) Persons engaged exclusively in the bona fide business of exporting vehicles or of soliciting orders for the sale and delivery of vehicles outside the territorial limits of the United States, if no federal excise tax is legally payable or refundable on any of the transactions. Persons not engaged exclusively in the bona fide business of exporting vehicles, but who are engaged in the business of soliciting orders for the sale and delivery of vehicles, outside the territorial limits of the United States are exempt from licensure as dealers only if their sales of vehicles produce less than 10 percent of their total gross revenue from all business transacted.

(e) Persons not engaged in the purchase or sale of vehicles as a business, who dispose of any vehicle acquired and used in good faith, for their own personal use, or for use in their business, and not for the purpose of avoiding the provisions of this code.

(f) Persons who are engaged in the purchase, sale, or exchange of vehicles, other than motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, or trailers subject to identification under this code, that are not intended for use on the highways.

(g) Persons temporarily retained as auctioneers solely for the purpose of disposing of vehicle stock inventories by means of public auction on behalf of the owners at the owners’ place of business, or as otherwise approved by the department, if intermediate physical possession or control of, or an ownership interest in, the inventory is not conveyed to the persons so retained.

(h) Persons who are engaged exclusively in the business of purchasing, selling, servicing, or exchanging racing vehicles, parts for racing vehicles, and trailers designed and intended by the manufacturer to be used exclusively for carrying racing vehicles. For purposes of this subdivision, “racing vehicle” means a motor vehicle of a type used exclusively in a contest of speed or in a competitive trial of speed which is not intended for use on the highways.

(i) A person who is a lessor.

(j) A person who is a renter.

(k) A salvage pool.

(l) A yacht broker who is subject to the Yacht and Ship Brokers Act (Article 2 (commencing with Section 700) of Chapter 5 of Division 3 of the Harbors and Navigation Code) and who sells used boat trailers in conjunction with the sale of a vessel.

(m) A licensed automobile dismantler who sells vehicles that have been reported for dismantling as provided in Section 11520.

(n) The Director of Corrections when selling vehicles pursuant to Section 2813.5 of the Penal Code.

(o) (1) Any public or private nonprofit charitable, religious, or educational institution or organization that sells vehicles if all of the following conditions are met:

(A) The institution or organization qualifies for state tax-exempt status under Section 23701d of the Revenue and Taxation Code, and tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code.

(B) The vehicles sold were donated to the nonprofit charitable, religious, or educational institution or organization.

(C) The vehicles subject to retail sale meet all of the applicable equipment requirements of Division 12 (commencing with Section 24000) and are in compliance with emission control requirements as evidenced by the issuance of a certificate pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 44015 of the Health and Safety Code. Under no circumstances may any institution or organization transfer the responsibility of obtaining a smog inspection certificate to the buyer of the vehicle.

(D) The proceeds of the sale of the vehicles are retained by that institution or organization for its charitable, religious, or educational purposes.

(2) An institution or organization described in paragraph (1) may sell vehicles on behalf of another institution or organization under the following conditions:

(A) The nonselling institution or organization meets the requirements of paragraph (1).

(B) The selling and nonselling institutions or organizations enter into a signed, written agreement pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 1660.

(C) The selling institution or organization transfers the proceeds from the sale of each vehicle to the nonselling institution or organization within 45 days of the sale. All net proceeds transferred to the nonselling institution or organization shall clearly be identifiable to the sale of a specific vehicle. The selling institution or organization may retain a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of a particular vehicle. However, any retained proceeds shall be used by the selling institution or organization for its charitable, religious, or educational purposes.

(D) At the time of transferring the proceeds, the selling institution or organization shall provide to the nonselling institution or organization, an itemized listing of the vehicles sold and the amount for which each vehicle was sold.

(E) In the event the selling institution or organization cannot complete a retail sale of a particular vehicle, or if the vehicle cannot be transferred as a wholesale transaction to a dealer licensed under this code, the vehicle shall be returned to the nonselling institution or organization and the written agreement revised to reflect that return. Under no circumstances may a selling institution or organization transfer or donate the vehicle to a third party that is excluded from the definition of a dealer under this section.

(3) An institution or organization described in this subdivision shall retain all records required to be retained pursuant to Section 1660.

(p) A motor club, as defined in Section 12142 of the Insurance Code, that does not arrange or negotiate individual motor vehicle purchase transactions on behalf of its members but refers members to a new motor vehicle dealer for the purchase of a new motor vehicle and does not receive a fee from the dealer contingent upon the sale of the vehicle.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 836, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2005.)


citation: VEH § 288

text: “Declared combined gross weight” equals the total unladen weight of the combination of vehicles plus the heaviest load that will be transported by that combination of vehicles.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 861, Sec. 12. Effective September 29, 2000. Operative December 31, 2001, pursuant to Sec. 67 of Ch. 861.)


citation: VEH § 289

text: “Declared gross vehicle weight” means weight that equals the total unladen weight of the vehicle plus the heaviest load that will be transported on the vehicle.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 861, Sec. 13. Effective September 29, 2000. Operative December 31, 2001, pursuant to Sec. 67 of Ch. 861.)


citation: VEH § 290

text: “Department” means the Department of Motor Vehicles except, when used in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 2100) of Division 2 and in Divisions 11 (commencing with Section 21000), 12 (commencing with Section 24000), 13 (commencing with Section 29000), 14 (commencing with Section 31600), 14.1 (commencing with Section 32000), 14.3 (commencing with Section 32100), 14.5 (commencing with Section 33000), 14.7 (commencing with Section 34000), and 14.8 (commencing with Section 34500), it shall mean the Department of the California Highway Patrol.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1988, Ch. 1384, Sec. 1.)


citation: VEH § 291

text: Any reference in this code to the Department of Public Works shall be deemed to refer to the Department of Transportation, which is part of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency as provided by Section 13975 of the Government Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 454, Sec. 178.)


citation: VEH § 295

text: The “director” is the Director of Motor Vehicles.

history: (History: Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)


text:
A “disabled person” is any of the following:

(a) Any person who has lost, or has lost the use of, one or more lower extremities or both hands, or who has significant limitation in the use of lower extremities, or who has a diagnosed disease or disorder which substantially impairs or interferes with mobility, or who is so severely disabled as to be unable to move without the aid of an assistant device.

(b) Any person who is blind to the extent that the person’s central visual acuity does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye, with corrective lenses, as measured by the Snellen test, or visual acuity that is greater than 20/200, but with a limitation in the field of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle not greater than 20 degrees.

(c) Any person who suffers from lung disease to the extent of any of the following:

(1) The person’s forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for one second when measured by spirometry is less than one liter.

(2) The person’s arterial oxygen tension (pO2) is less than 60 mm/Hg on room air while the person is at rest.

(d) Any person who is impaired by cardiovascular disease to the extent that the person’s functional limitations are classified in severity as class III or class IV based upon standards accepted by the American Heart Association.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 554, Sec. 1.)


text:
A “disabled veteran” is any person who, as a result of injury or disease suffered while on active service with the armed forces of the United States, suffers any of the following:

(a) Has a disability which has been rated at 100 percent by the Department of Veterans Affairs or the military service from which the veteran was discharged, due to a diagnosed disease or disorder which substantially impairs or interferes with mobility.

(b) Is so severely disabled as to be unable to move without the aid of an assistant device.

(c) Has lost, or has lost use of, one or more limbs.

(d) Has suffered permanent blindness, as defined in Section 19153 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 554, Sec. 2.)


citation: VEH § 296

text: A “distributor” is any person other than a manufacturer who sells or distributes new vehicles subject to registration under this code, new trailers subject to identification pursuant to Section 5014.1, or new off-highway motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles subject to identification under this code, to dealers in this state and maintains representatives for the purpose of contacting dealers or prospective dealers in this state.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 836, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2005.)


citation: VEH § 297

text: A “distributor branch” is an office maintained by a distributor for the sale of new vehicles or new trailers subject to identification pursuant to Section 5014.1 to dealers or for directing or supervising, in whole or in part, the distributor’s representatives.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 539, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2002.)


citation: VEH § 300

text: A “drawbar” is a rigid structure forming a connection between a trailer and a towing vehicle, securely attached to both vehicles by nonrigid means and carrying no part of the load of either vehicle.


citation: VEH § 303

text: A “driveaway-towaway operation” is any operation in which any motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles coupled together constitutes the commodity being transported, when one or more sets of wheels of any such motor vehicle or motor vehicles are on the roadway, and when one or more of such vehicles are being operated under a manufacturer's, dealer's, or transporter’s special plates.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1961, Ch. 1989.)


citation: VEH § 305

text: A “driver” is a person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle. The term “driver” does not include the tillerman or other person who, in an auxiliary capacity, assists the driver in the steering or operation of any articulated firefighting apparatus.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1971, Ch. 213.)


citation: VEH § 310

text: A “driver’s license” is a valid license to drive the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles for which a person is licensed under this code or by a foreign jurisdiction.


text: A “driving instructor” is, except as provided in Section 11105.5, an employee of a driving school licensed by the department to instruct others in the operation of motor vehicles.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1975, Ch. 703.)


text: A “driving school” is a business which, for compensation, conducts or offers to conduct instruction in the operation of motor vehicles. As used in this section, “instruction” includes classroom driver education, in-vehicle driver training, and correspondence study.


text: A “driving school operator” is either a driving school owner who operates his own driving school or an employee of a driving school who is designated by the driving school owner of such school to personally direct and manage the school for the owner.

history: (History: Added by renumbering Section 311.5 by Stats. 1975, Ch. 703.)


citation: VEH § 311

text: A “driving school owner” is any person licensed by the department to engage in the business of giving instruction for compensation in the driving of motor vehicles or in the preparation of an applicant for examination for a driver’s license issued by the department.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1975, Ch. 703.)


citation: VEH § 312

text: The term “drug” means any substance or combination of substances, other than alcohol, which could so affect the nervous system, brain, or muscles of a person as to impair, to an appreciable degree, his ability to drive a vehicle in the manner that an ordinarily prudent and cautious man, in full possession of his faculties, using reasonable care, would drive a similar vehicle under like conditions.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1971, Ch. 1530.)


text:
(a) An “electric bicycle” is a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor that does not exceed 750 watts of power.

(1) A “class 1 electric bicycle,” or “low-speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle,” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, that is not capable of exclusively propelling the bicycle, except as provided in paragraph (4), that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour, and that is not capable of providing assistance to reach speeds greater than 20 miles per hour.

(2) A “class 2 electric bicycle,” or “low-speed throttle-assisted electric bicycle,” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.

(3) A “class 3 electric bicycle,” or “speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle,” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, that is not capable of exclusively propelling the bicycle, except as provided in paragraph (4), and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour, and equipped with a speedometer.

(4) A class 1 or class 3 electric bicycle may have start assistance or a walk mode that propels the electric bicycle on motor power alone, up to a maximum speed of 3.7 miles per hour.

(b) A person riding an electric bicycle, as defined in this section, is subject to Article 4 (commencing with Section 21200) of Chapter 1 of Division 11.

(c) On and after January 1, 2017, manufacturers and distributors of electric bicycles shall apply a label that is permanently affixed, in a prominent location, to each electric bicycle. The label shall contain the classification number, top assisted speed, and motor wattage of the electric bicycle, and shall be printed in Arial font in at least 9-point type.

(d) The following vehicles are not electric bicycles under this code and shall not be advertised, sold, offered for sale, or labeled as electric bicycles:

(1) A vehicle with two or three wheels powered by an electric motor that is intended by the manufacturer to be modifiable to attain a speed greater than 20 miles per hour on motor power alone or to attain more than 750 watts of power.

(2) A vehicle that is modified to attain a speed greater than 20 miles per hour on motor power alone or to have motor power of more than 750 watts.

(3) A vehicle that is modified to have its operable pedals removed.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 791, Sec. 2. (SB 1271) Effective January 1, 2025.)


citation: VEH § 313

text: The term “electric personal assistive mobility device” or “EPAMD” means a self-balancing, nontandem two-wheeled device, that is not greater than 20 inches deep and 25 inches wide and can turn in place, designed to transport only one person, with an electric propulsion system averaging less than 750 watts (1 horsepower), the maximum speed of which, when powered solely by a propulsion system on a paved level surface, is no more than 12.5 miles per hour.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 106, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2008.)


text: An “electrically motorized board” is any wheeled device that has a floorboard designed to be stood upon when riding that is not greater than 60 inches deep and 18 inches wide, is designed to transport only one person, and has an electric propulsion system averaging less than 1,000 watts, the maximum speed of which, when powered solely by a propulsion system on a paved level surface, is no more than 20 miles per hour. The device may be designed to also be powered by human propulsion.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 777, Sec. 1. (AB 604) Effective January 1, 2016.)


citation: VEH § 314

text:
An “expressway” is a portion of highway that is part of either of the following:

(a) An expressway system established by a county under Section 941.4 of the Streets and Highways Code.

(b) An expressway system established by a county before January 1, 1989, as described in subdivision (g) of Section 941.4 of the Streets and Highways Code.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 615, Sec. 17. Effective January 1, 2005.)


citation: VEH § 315

text: “Essential parts” are all integral and body parts of a vehicle of a type required to be registered under this code, the removal, alteration, or substitution of which would tend to conceal the identity of the vehicle or substantially alter its appearance.


citation: VEH § 320

text:
“Established place of business” is a place actually occupied either continuously or at regular periods by any of the following:

(a) A dealer, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, automobile driving school, or traffic violator school where the books and records pertinent to the type of business being conducted are kept.

(b) An automobile dismantler where the books and records pertinent to the type of business being conducted are kept. A place of business of an automobile dismantler which qualified as an “established place of business” before September 17, 1970, is an “established place of business” as defined in this section.

(c) A registration service where the books and records pertinent to the type of business being conducted are kept.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 1243, Sec. 54. Effective September 30, 1992.)


text: An “extralegal load” is a single unit or an assembled item which, due to its design, cannot be reasonably reduced or dismantled in size or weight so that it can be legally transported as a load without a permit as required by Section 35780. This section does not apply to loads on passenger cars.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1983, Ch. 145, Sec. 1. Effective June 28, 1983.)


citation: VEH § 321

text: “Factory-built housing” is a structure as defined in Section 19971 of the Health and Safety Code. As used in this code, factory-built housing is a trailer coach which is in excess of eight feet in width or in excess of 40 feet in length.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1980, Ch. 1150, Sec. 7.)


citation: VEH § 322

text:
(a) A “farm labor vehicle” is any motor vehicle designed, used, or maintained for the transportation of nine or more farmworkers, in addition to the driver, to or from a place of employment or employment-related activities.

(b) For the purpose of this section, a farmworker is any person engaged in rendering personal services for hire and compensation in connection with the production or harvesting of any farm products.

(c) “Farm labor vehicle” does not include:

(1) Any vehicle carrying only members of the immediate family of the owner or driver thereof.

(2) Any vehicle while being operated under specific authority granted by the Public Utilities Commission or under specific authority granted to a transit system by an authorized city or county agency.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 308, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2001.)


citation: VEH § 324

text: A “fifth-wheel travel trailer” is a vehicle designed for recreational purposes to carry persons or property on its own structure and so constructed as to be drawn by a motor vehicle by means of a kingpin connecting device.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1358, Sec. 1.)


text: A “former prisoner of war” is any person who, while serving as a member of the United States Armed Forces, as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Armed Forces, as a part of a United States Expeditionary Force, or as a United States civilian, was held as a prisoner of war by forces hostile to the United States during any armed conflict and is currently a resident of California.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 893, Sec. 1.)


citation: VEH § 325

text: A “foreign jurisdiction” is any other state, the District of Columbia, territories or possessions of the United States, and foreign states, provinces, or countries.

history: (History: Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)


citation: VEH § 330

text: A “foreign vehicle” is a vehicle of a type required to be registered under this code brought into this State from a foreign jurisdiction other than in the ordinary course of business, by or through a manufacturer or dealer and not registered in this State.


citation: VEH § 331

text:
(a) A “franchise” is a written agreement between two or more persons having all of the following conditions:

(1) A commercial relationship of definite duration or continuing indefinite duration.

(2) The franchisee is granted the right to offer for sale or lease, or to sell or lease at retail new motor vehicles or new trailers subject to identification pursuant to Section 5014.1 manufactured or distributed by the franchisor or the right to perform authorized warranty repairs and service, or the right to perform any combination of these activities.

(3) The franchisee constitutes a component of the franchisor’s distribution system.

(4) The operation of the franchisee’s business is substantially associated with the franchisor’s trademark, trade name, advertising, or other commercial symbol designating the franchisor.

(5) The operation of a portion of the franchisee’s business is substantially reliant on the franchisor for a continued supply of new vehicles, parts, or accessories.

(b) The term “franchise” does not include an agreement entered into by a manufacturer or distributor and a person where all the following apply:

(1) The person is authorized to perform warranty repairs and service on vehicles manufactured or distributed by the manufacturer or distributor.

(2) The person is not a new motor vehicle dealer franchisee of the manufacturer or distributor.

(3) The person’s repair and service facility is not located within the relevant market area of a new motor vehicle dealer franchisee of the manufacturer or distributor.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 539, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2002.)


text: A “franchisee” is any person who, pursuant to a franchise, receives new motor vehicles subject to registration under this code, new off-highway motorcycles, as defined in Section 436, new all-terrain vehicles, as defined in Section 111, or new trailers subject to identification pursuant to Section 5014.1 from the franchisor and who offers for sale or lease, or sells or leases the vehicles at retail or is granted the right to perform authorized warranty repairs and service, or the right to perform any combination of these activities.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 836, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2005.)


text: A “franchisor” is any person who manufactures, assembles, or distributes new motor vehicles subject to registration under this code, new off-highway motorcycles, as defined in Section 436, new all-terrain vehicles, as defined in Section 111, or new trailers subject to identification pursuant to Section 5014.1 and who grants a franchise.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 836, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2005.)


text:
A “recreational vehicle franchise” is a written agreement between two or more persons having both of the following conditions:

(a) A commercial relationship of definite duration or continuing indefinite duration.

(b) The franchisee is granted the right to offer for sale or lease, or to sell or lease at retail, new recreational vehicles, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code, that are manufactured or distributed by the franchisor, or the right to perform authorized warranty repairs and service, or the right to perform any combination of these activities.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 743, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2009.)


citation: VEH § 332

text: “Freeway” is a highway in respect to which the owners of abutting lands have no right or easement of access to or from their abutting lands or in respect to which such owners have only limited or restricted right or easement of access.


citation: VEH § 335

text: A “gantry truck” is a motor vehicle so designed and constructed that it straddles the load to be transported and by means of appropriate mechanism picks up the load and supports it during transportation.


citation: VEH § 336

text:
“General public paratransit vehicle” means any motor vehicle designed for carrying no more than 24 persons and the driver, that provides local transportation to the general public, including transportation of pupils at or below the 12th-grade level to or from a public or private school or school activity, under the exclusive jurisdiction of a publicly owned and operated transit system through one of the following modes: dial-a-ride, subscription service, or route-deviated bus service. Vehicles used in the exclusive transportation of disabled persons as defined in Section 99206.5 of the Public Utilities Code, or of persons 55 years of age or older, including any persons necessary to provide assistance to these passengers, are not general public paratransit vehicles.

However, transportation of attendants, companions, or both traveling together with those individuals with disabilities who are determined to be eligible for complementary paratransit services in accordance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-336) and federal regulations adopted pursuant thereto, shall not be sufficient to qualify a vehicle as a general public paratransit vehicle.

A vehicle that provides local transportation for the general public through one of the following modes: dial-a-ride, subscription service, or route-deviated bus service, but does not provide transportation of pupils at or below the 12th-grade level to or from a public or private school or school activity, is a transit bus, as defined by Section 642, and is not a general public paratransit vehicle.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1993, Ch. 844, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1994.)


citation: VEH § 340

text: A “garage” is a building or other place wherein the business of storing or safekeeping vehicles of a type required to be registered under this code and which belong to members of the general public is conducted for compensation.


citation: VEH § 345

text: A “golf cart” is a motor vehicle having not less than three wheels in contact with the ground, having an unladen weight less than 1,300 pounds, which is designed to be and is operated at not more than 15 miles per hour and designed to carry golf equipment and not more than two persons, including the driver.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1968, Ch. 1303.)


citation: VEH § 350

text:
(a) “Gross vehicle weight rating” (GVWR) means the weight specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single vehicle.

(b) Gross combination weight rating (GCWR) means the weight specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a combination or articulated vehicle. In the absence of a weight specified by the manufacturer, GCWR shall be determined by adding the GVWR of the power unit and the total unladen weight of the towed units and any load thereon.

history: (History: Added by renumbering Section 390 by Stats. 2000, Ch. 861, Sec. 14. Effective September 29, 2000. Operative December 31, 2001, pursuant to Sec. 67 of Ch. 861.)


citation: VEH § 353

text: “Hazardous material” is any substance, material, or device posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, or property during transportation, as defined by regulations adopted pursuant to Section 2402.7. “Hazardous material” includes explosives and hazardous wastes or substances as defined by regulations adopted pursuant to Section 25141 of the Health and Safety Code and medical wastes, as defined in Section 117690 of the Health and Safety Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1023, Sec. 422. Effective September 29, 1996.)


citation: VEH § 360

text: “Highway” is a way or place of whatever nature, publicly maintained and open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel. Highway includes street.


citation: VEH § 362

text: A “house car” is a motor vehicle originally designed, or permanently altered, and equipped for human habitation, or to which a camper has been permanently attached. A motor vehicle to which a camper has been temporarily attached is not a house car except that, for the purposes of Division 11 (commencing with Section 21000) and Division 12 (commencing with Section 24000), a motor vehicle equipped with a camper having an axle that is designed to support a portion of the weight of the camper unit shall be considered a three-axle house car regardless of the method of attachment or manner of registration. A house car shall not be deemed to be a motortruck.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1968, Ch. 875.)


citation: VEH § 365

text: An “intersection” is the area embraced within the prolongation of the lateral curb lines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways, of two highways which join one another at approximately right angles or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict.


citation: VEH § 370

text: A “legal owner” is a person holding a security interest in a vehicle which is subject to the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, or the lessor of a vehicle to the State or to any county, city, district, or political subdivision of the State, or to the United States, under a lease, lease-sale, or rental-purchase agreement which grants possession of the vehicle to the lessee for a period of 30 consecutive days or more.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1867.)


citation: VEH § 371

text: Lessee includes “bailee” and is a person who leases, offers to lease, or is offered the lease of a motor vehicle for a term exceeding four months.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1284.)


citation: VEH § 372

text: A “lessor” is a person who, for a term exceeding four months, leases or offers for lease, negotiates or attempts to negotiate a lease, or induce any person to lease a motor vehicle; and who receives or expects to receive a commission, money, brokerage fees, profit or any other thing of value from the lessee of said vehicle. “Lessor” includes “bailor” and “lease” includes “bailment.”


citation: VEH § 373

text:
A “lessor-retailer” is a lessor or renter who, except under the circumstances described in subdivision (a) of Section 286, makes a retail sale or sales of a previously leased or rented vehicle or vehicles to other than any of the following:

(a) The lessee of the vehicle, or the person who, for a period of at least one year, has been designated by the lessee as the driver of the vehicle covered by a written lease agreement.

(b) A buyer for agricultural, business, or commercial purposes.

(c) A government or governmental agency or instrumentality.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1979, Ch. 561.)


citation: VEH § 375

text:
“Lighting equipment” is any of the following lamps or devices:

(a) A headlamp, auxiliary driving, passing, or fog lamp, fog taillamp, taillamp, stoplamp, supplemental stoplamp, license plate lamp, clearance lamp, side marker lamp, signal lamp or device, supplemental signal lamp, deceleration signal device, cornering lamp, running lamp, red, blue, amber, or white warning lamp, flashing red schoolbus lamp, side-mounted turn signal lamp, and schoolbus side lamp.

(b) An operating unit or canceling mechanism for turn signal lamps or for the simultaneous flashing of turn signal lamps as vehicular hazard signals, and an advance stoplamp switch.

(c) A flasher mechanism for turn signals, red schoolbus lamps, warning lamps, the simultaneous flashing of turn signal lamps as vehicular hazard signals, and the headlamp flashing systems for emergency vehicles.

(d) Any equipment regulating the light emitted from a lamp or device or the light sources therein.

(e) A reflector, including reflectors for use on bicycles, and reflectors used for required warning devices.

(f) An illuminating device that emits radiation predominantly in the infrared or ultraviolet regions of the spectrum, whether or not these emissions are visible to the unaided eye.

(g) An illuminated sign installed on a bus that utilizes an electronic display to convey the route designation, route number, run number, public service announcement, or any combination of this information, or an illuminated sign utilized pursuant to Section 25353.1.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 529, Sec. 2. (AB 607) Effective January 1, 2012.)


citation: VEH § 377

text: A “limit line” is a solid white line not less than 12 nor more than 24 inches wide, extending across a roadway or any portion thereof to indicate the point at which traffic is required to stop in compliance with legal requirements.


citation: VEH § 378

text:
(a) “Limousine” means any sedan or sport utility vehicle, of either standard or extended length, with a seating capacity of not more than 10 passengers including the driver, used in the transportation of passengers for hire on a prearranged basis within this state.

(b) “Modified limousine” means any vehicle that has been modified, altered, or extended in a manner that increases the overall wheelbase of the vehicle, exceeding the original equipment manufacturer’s published wheelbase dimension for the base model and year of the vehicle, in any amount sufficient to accommodate additional passengers with a seating capacity of not more than 10 passengers including the driver, and is used in the transportation of passengers for hire. For purposes of this subdivision, “wheelbase” means the longitudinal distance between the vertical centerlines of the front and rear wheels.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 860, Sec. 10. (SB 611) Effective September 30, 2014.)


citation: VEH § 380

text: “Liquefied petroleum gas” means normal butane, isobutane, propane, or butylene (including isomers) or mixtures composed predominantly thereof in liquid or gaseous state having a vapor pressure in excess of 40 pounds per square inch absolute at a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1977, Ch. 825.)


citation: VEH § 385

text: “Local authorities” means the legislative body of every county or municipality having authority to adopt local police regulations.


text: A “logging dolly” is a vehicle designed for carrying logs, having one or more axles that, if there are more than one, are not more than 54 inches apart, and used in connection with a motor truck solely for the purpose of transporting logs and securely connected with the towing vehicle both by a reach and by the load.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 523, Sec. 20. (SB 788) Effective January 1, 2014.)


text: A “logging vehicle” is a vehicle used exclusively in the conduct of logging operations and not designed for the transportation of persons or property on a highway.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 523, Sec. 21. (SB 788) Effective January 1, 2014.)


text:
(a) A “low-speed vehicle” is a motor vehicle that meets all of the following requirements:

(1) Has four wheels.

(2) Can attain a speed, in one mile, of more than 20 miles per hour and not more than 25 miles per hour, on a paved level surface.

(3) Has a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 3,000 pounds.

(b) (1) For the purposes of this section, a “low-speed vehicle” is not a golf cart, except when operated pursuant to Section 21115 or 21115.1.

(2) A “low-speed vehicle” is also known as a “neighborhood electric vehicle.”

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 66, Sec. 1. Effective July 12, 2006.)


citation: VEH § 386

text: A “managerial employee” is a person who exercises control over a business licensed under this code, whether compensated by salary or commission, including, but not limited to, any person who is employed as a general manager, business manager, assistant general manager, finance and insurance manager, advertising manager, or sales manager.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1982, Ch. 791, Sec. 1.)


citation: VEH § 387

text: “Manufactured home” is a manufactured home, as defined in Section 18007 of the Health and Safety Code, a commercial coach, as defined in Section 18001. 8 of the Health and Safety Code, a mobilehome, as defined in Section 18008 of the Health and Safety Code, factory-built housing, as defined in Section 18971 of the Health and Safety Code, and a trailer coach which is in excess of 102 inches in width, or in excess of 40 feet in overall length measured from the foremost point of the trailer hitch to the rear extremity of the trailer. Manufactured home does not include a recreational vehicle, as defined in Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1986, Ch. 1185, Sec. 1.)


citation: VEH § 389

text: A “manufacturer branch” is an office maintained by a manufacturer for the sale of new vehicles to dealers or for directing or supervising in whole or in part the manufacturer’s representatives.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1978, Ch. 797.)


citation: VEH § 395

text: A “metal tire” is a tire the surface of which in contact with the highway is wholly or partly of metal or other hard nonresilient material.

history: (History: Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)


text: A “mobile billboard advertising display” means an advertising display that is attached to a mobile, nonmotorized vehicle, device, or bicycle, that carries, pulls, or transports a sign or billboard, and is for the primary purpose of advertising.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 538, Sec. 1. (AB 1298) Effective January 1, 2012.)


citation: VEH § 396

text: “Mobilehome” is a structure as defined in Section 18008 of the Health and Safety Code. For the purposes of enforcement of highway safety laws and regulations, a mobilehome is a trailer coach which is in excess of 102 inches in width, or in excess of 40 feet in overall length measured from the foremost point of the trailer hitch to the rear extremity of the trailer.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1986, Ch. 1185, Sec. 2.)


citation: VEH § 400

text:
(a) A “motorcycle” is a motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider, designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground.

(b) A motor vehicle that has four wheels in contact with the ground, two of which are a functional part of a sidecar, is a motorcycle if the vehicle otherwise comes within the definition of subdivision (a).

(c) A farm tractor is not a motorcycle.

(d) A three-wheeled motor vehicle that otherwise meets the requirements of subdivision (a), has a partially or completely enclosed seating area for the driver and passenger, is used by local public agencies for the enforcement of parking control provisions, and is operated at slow speeds on public streets, is not a motorcycle. However, a motor vehicle described in this subdivision shall comply with the applicable sections of this code imposing equipment installation requirements on motorcycles.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 672, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2009.)


citation: VEH § 405

text: A “motor-driven cycle” is any motorcycle with a motor that displaces less than 150 cubic centimeters. A motor-driven cycle does not include a motorized bicycle, as defined in Section 406.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 342, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1996.)


citation: VEH § 406

text:
(a) A “motorized bicycle” or “moped” is a two-wheeled or three-wheeled device having fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power, or having no pedals if powered solely by electrical energy, and an automatic transmission and a motor that produces less than 4 gross brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles per hour on level ground.

(b) Every manufacturer of a motorized bicycle or moped, as defined in this section, shall provide a disclosure to buyers that advises buyers that their existing insurance policies may not provide coverage for these bicycles and that they should contact their insurance company or insurance agent to determine if coverage is provided. The disclosure shall meet both of the following requirements:

(1) The disclosure shall be printed in not less than 14-point boldface type on a single sheet of paper that contains no information other than the disclosure.

(2) The disclosure shall include the following language in capital letters: “YOUR INSURANCE POLICIES MAY NOT PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THE USE OF THIS BICYCLE. TO DETERMINE IF COVERAGE IS PROVIDED YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY OR AGENT.”

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 568, Sec. 2. (AB 1096) Effective January 1, 2016.)


citation: VEH § 407

text: A “motorized quadricycle” is a four-wheeled device, and a “motorized tricycle” is a three-wheeled device, designed to carry not more than two persons, including the driver, and having either an electric motor or a motor with an automatic transmission developing less than two gross brake horsepower and capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles per hour on level ground. The device shall be utilized only by a person who by reason of physical disability is otherwise unable to move about as a pedestrian or by a senior citizen as defined in Section 13000.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1993, Ch. 1292, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1994.)


text:
(a) A “motorized scooter” is any two-wheeled device that has handlebars, has either a floorboard that is designed to be stood upon when riding or a seat and footrests in place of the floorboard, and is powered by an electric motor. This device may also be designed to be powered by human propulsion. For purposes of this section, a motorcycle, as defined in Section 400, a motor-driven cycle, as defined in Section 405, or a motorized bicycle or moped, as defined in Section 406, is not a motorized scooter.

(b) A device meeting the definition in subdivision (a) that is powered by a source other than electrical power is also a motorized scooter.

(c) (1) A manufacturer of motorized scooters shall provide a disclosure to buyers that advises buyers that the buyers’ existing insurance policies may not provide coverage for these scooters and that the buyers should contact their insurance company or insurance agent to determine if coverage is provided.

(2) The disclosure required under paragraph (1) shall meet both of the following requirements:

(A) The disclosure shall be printed in not less than 14-point boldface type on a single sheet of paper that contains no information other than the disclosure.

(B) The disclosure shall include the following language in capital letters: “YOUR INSURANCE POLICIES MAY NOT PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THE USE OF THIS SCOOTER. TO DETERMINE IF COVERAGE IS PROVIDED, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY OR AGENT.”

(d) (1) A manufacturer of motorized scooters shall provide a disclosure to a buyer that advises the buyer that the buyer may not modify or alter the exhaust system to cause that system to amplify or create an excessive noise, or to fail to meet applicable emission requirements.

(2) The disclosure required under paragraph (1) shall meet both of the following requirements:

(A) The disclosure shall be printed in not less than 14-point boldface type on a single sheet of paper that contains no information other than the disclosure.

(B) The disclosure shall include the following language in capital letters:

“YOU MAY NOT MODIFY OR ALTER THE EXHAUST SYSTEM OF THIS SCOOTER TO CAUSE IT TO AMPLIFY OR CREATE EXCESSIVE NOISE PER VEHICLE CODE SECTION 21226, OR TO FAIL TO MEET APPLICABLE EMISSION REQUIREMENTS PER VEHICLE CODE 27156.”

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 311, Sec. 2. (SB 814) Effective January 1, 2022.)


citation: VEH § 408

text: “Motor carrier” is the registered owner, lessee, licensee, or bailee of any vehicle set forth in Section 34500, who operates or directs the operation of any such vehicle on either a for-hire or not-for-hire basis. “Motor carrier” also includes a motor carrier’s agents, officers, and representatives, as well as employees responsible for the hiring, supervising, training, assigning, or dispatching of drivers and employees concerned with the installation, inspection, and maintenance of motor vehicle equipment or accessories.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 208, Sec. 7. (AB 2906) Effective January 1, 2017.)


citation: VEH § 410

text: A “motor truck” or “motortruck” is a motor vehicle designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1993, Ch. 272, Sec. 11. Effective August 2, 1993.)


citation: VEH § 415

text:
(a) A “motor vehicle” is a vehicle that is self-propelled.

(b) “Motor vehicle” does not include a self-propelled wheelchair, motorized tricycle, or motorized quadricycle, if operated by a person who, by reason of physical disability, is otherwise unable to move about as a pedestrian.

(c) For purposes of Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 3000) of Division 2, “motor vehicle” includes a recreational vehicle as that term is defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code, but does not include a truck camper.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 404, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2005.)


citation: VEH § 425

text: A “muffler” is a device consisting of a series of chambers or baffle plates, or other mechanical design, for the purpose of receiving exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, and effective in reducing noise.


citation: VEH § 426

text: “New motor vehicle dealer” is a dealer, as defined in Section 285, who, in addition to the requirements of that section, either acquires for resale new and unregistered motor vehicles from manufacturers or distributors of those motor vehicles or acquires for resale new off-highway motorcycles, or all-terrain vehicles from manufacturers or distributors of the vehicles. A distinction shall not be made, nor any different construction be given to the definition of “new motor vehicle dealer” and “dealer” except for the application of the provisions of Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 3000) of Division 2 and Sections 4456, 4750.6, and 11704.5. Sections 3001 and 3003 do not, however, apply to a dealer who deals exclusively in motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, or recreational vehicles, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 8, Sec. 20. (AB 85) Effective June 29, 2020.)


citation: VEH § 430

text: A “new vehicle” is a vehicle constructed entirely from new parts that has never been the subject of a retail sale, or registered with the department, or registered with the appropriate agency or authority of any other state, District of Columbia, territory or possession of the United States, or foreign state, province, or country.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1253, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 1995.)


citation: VEH § 431

text:
A “nonrepairable vehicle” is a vehicle of a type otherwise subject to registration that meets the criteria specified in subdivision (a), (b), or (c). The vehicle shall be issued a nonrepairable vehicle certificate and the vehicle, the vehicle frame, or unitized frame and body, as applicable, and as defined in Section 670.5, shall not be titled or registered.

(a) A nonrepairable vehicle is a vehicle that has no resale value except as a source of parts or scrap metal, and which the owner irreversibly designates solely as a source of parts or scrap metal.

(b) A nonrepairable vehicle is a completely stripped vehicle (a surgical strip) recovered from theft, missing all of the bolt on sheet metal body panels, all of the doors and hatches, substantially all of the interior components, and substantially all of the grill and light assemblies, or that the owner designates has little or no resale value other than its worth as a source of scrap metal, or as a source of a vehicle identification number that could be used illegally.

(c) A nonrepairable vehicle is a completely burned vehicle (burned hulk) that has been burned to the extent that there are no more usable or repairable body or interior components, tires and wheels, or drive train components, and which the owner irreversibly designates as having little or no resale value other than its worth as scrap metal or as a source of a vehicle identification number that could be used illegally.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 670, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2003.)


citation: VEH § 432

text: A “nonrepairable vehicle certificate” is a vehicle ownership document issued to the owner of a nonrepairable vehicle. Ownership of the vehicle may only be transferred two times on a nonrepairable vehicle certificate. A vehicle for which a nonrepairable vehicle certificate has been issued may not be titled or registered for use on the roads or highways of California. A nonrepairable vehicle certificate shall be conspicuously labeled with the word “nonrepairable” across the front.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1008, Sec. 6.5. Effective January 1, 1995. Operative July 1, 1995, by Sec. 19 of Ch. 1008.)


citation: VEH § 435

text: “Nonresident” is a person who is not a resident of this State.


text: “Nonresident daily commuter” means a person who is not a resident of this state, but who enters and leaves this state on a daily basis for the purpose of employment and whose vehicle is principally garaged out of this state.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1985, Ch. 1090, Sec. 1. Effective September 27, 1985.)


citation: VEH § 436

text: An “off-highway motorcycle” means a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle which is subject to identification under this code.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1584, Sec. 5.)


text:
An “off-highway electric motorcycle,” commonly referred to as an eMoto, is an off-highway motorcycle subject to identification under this code that meets all of the following requirements:

(a) Is designed by the manufacturer for operation primarily off the highway.

(b) Is powered by an electric motor for which a motor number is not required.

(c) Has handlebars for steering control.

(d) Has a straddle seat provided by the manufacturer.

(e) Has two wheels.

(f) Is not equipped with pedals from the manufacturer.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 588, Sec. 1. (SB 586) Effective January 1, 2026.)


citation: VEH § 440

text: An “official traffic control device” is any sign, signal, marking, or device, consistent with Section 21400, placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic, but does not include islands, curbs, traffic barriers, speed humps, speed bumps, or other roadway design features.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1220, Sec. 51. Effective September 30, 1994.)


citation: VEH § 445

text: An “official traffic control signal” is any device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and proceed and which is erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction.

history: (History: Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)


citation: VEH § 450

text: An “oil well production service unit” is any vehicle specifically designed for and used exclusively in servicing oil wells which is only incidentally operated or moved on a highway.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1969, Ch. 133.)


citation: VEH § 455

text: “Original driver’s license” means the first driver’s license issued a person under this code.