SAN DIEGO — In October 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed 890 bills into law with the vast majority set to go into effect on January 1.
A handful of them impact drivers throughout California as well as San Diego County residents.
Assembly Bill 1606 - New Alternatives for Renewing your license
This new law authorizes the DMV Director to establish a program to evaluate the traffic safety and other effects of renewing driver’s licenses by virtual or other remote processes. This is in addition to current online renewal options offered to most drivers under 70 years old. The program would allow drivers 70 and older to complete certain driver’s license renewal requirements, such as vision and knowledge tests, by virtual or remote means. Drivers 80 and older would still be required to renew in person at the DMV. The law is intended to provide older drivers with renewal alternatives to visiting a DMV office, while overall increasing customer convenience and reducing the number of visits to DMV offices.
Assembly Bill 2773 - Notification by Peace Officers during stops
The purpose of AB 2773 is to require a peace officer making a traffic or pedestrian stop to state the reason for the stop before asking investigatory questions unless the officer reasonably believes that withholding the reason for the stop is necessary to protect life or property from imminent threat. Additionally, the bill adds information regarding this requirement to the DMV Driver’s Handbook, and requires local law enforcement agencies to report additional stop information to the DOJ.
Assembly Bill 256 - Vehicle Registration
Existing law requires current month and year tabs to be displayed on the registered vehicle’s rear license plate. Beginning July 1, 2024, and until Jan. 1, 2030, a violation of vehicle registration shall not be the sole basis for any enforcement action before the second month after the month of expiration of a vehicle’s registration, per AB 256. However, if a vehicle is stopped for any other Vehicle Code violation, enforcement action for a violation of vehicle registration may be taken before the second month following the month of expiration. Late registration fees from the Department of Motor Vehicles will still apply.
Assembly Bill 925 - Towing Vehicles with Expired Registration
This new law requires traffic enforcement officials to verify whether a vehicle's registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles before towing a vehicle for expired registration longer than six months. It also prohibits the vehicle from being towed if the officer or traffic enforcement official does not have immediate access to those records.
Assembly Bill 645 - Speed Safety System Pilot Program
The cities of Los Angeles, Oakland, San Jose, Glendale, Long Beach, and the City and County of San Francisco may install a limited number of cameras to enforce speed limits under AB 645. It will be a five-year pilot period in school zones, areas with a high volume of collisions or where illegal street racers congregate. Recorded violations will be subject to a civil penalty.
WATCH RELATED: New California traffic laws coming in 2024