Annually, new laws are made or changes to existing laws are done. These changed laws and new laws could apply to any aspect of life and occur on either a state or a federal level. This year, some of California’s new and altered laws apply to driving. Some of these laws relate to aspects of driving like parking, street racing, auto theft, and more. Here are some of the new laws that went into effect in the state as of January 1.
Speed Safety Pilot Program Expansion
A speed safety pilot program began in select California cities in 2024 and is being expanded this year. Originally, the program began in San Jose, Oakland, Los Angeles, Glendale, Long Beach, and San Francisco. In 2025, it is also in Malibu. The program is meant to improve road safety by installing street cameras that are set to take pictures of speeding vehicles and issue a violation to the registered vehicle owner’s address. The pilot program tests the efficiency of the cameras and sees if they actually succeed in limiting speeding on the road.
Sideshow and Street Takeovers Restrictions
A package of laws have been passed in California that create harsher punishments for street takeovers and sideshows. Law enforcement is allowed to impound any vehicle present, even ones not participating and just spectating. Also, the definition of what a street takeover is has been expanded.
Autonomous Cars and Officers
Under this new law, if one or more autonomous vehicle from an autonomous vehicle manufacturer is pulled over, the officer is allowed to issue a “notice of autonomous vehicle noncompliance” to the automaker if the vehicle is pulled over for having committed an alleged traffic violation. However, they do not have to issue such notices, the law merely gives them the ability to.
Expansion to Vehicle Theft Crimes
In 2025, a law has taken effect that expands the definition of what vehicle theft crime is. Vehicle theft crime is now any sort of theft of vehicle parts, including pieces such as catalytic converters.
Driver Monitoring Defeat Devices
Many cars that are made now have some sort of driver monitoring or driver assistance features. Under the new law, drivers are unable to add devices to their vehicles that interfere with these features. Furthermore, as an example, if a car has wheel assistance, a driver cannot add things such as wheel weights to their vehicle.
License Plate Obstruction
In 2025, a law has gone into effect that states drivers cannot alter or disrupt their license plate in anyway, specifically when it comes to the reflective coating that is on the car which helps it be detected by speed guns and/or speed cameras.
