2025 California Driving Laws
California is leading the way in improving road safety and adapting to modern challenges with new traffic laws for 2025. By staying informed about these updates, Californians can contribute to safer streets. Let’s dive into the new traffic laws for 2025.
Daylighting Law
Assembly Bill 413, also known as the Daylighting Law, amends Section 22500 of the California Vehicle Code. Effective January 1, 2025, vehicles cannot park within 20 feet of a marked or unmarked crosswalk or 15 feet of any crosswalk with a curb extension.
Nearly 20 pedestrians lose their lives in motor vehicle crashes every day across the US. California has a pedestrian fatality rate almost 25% higher than the national average.
This law aims to reduce accidents caused by drivers failing to see pedestrians or cyclists crossing the road. Effective January 1, 2025, offenders will receive citations.
Speed Safety Pilot Program
The Speed Safety Pilot Program will allow the implementation of automated speed enforcement systems in select high-risk areas across California. Senate Bill 1297 allows the City of Malibu to create a five-year speed safety pilot program utilizing an automated speed enforcement system with a limit of five systems in the city.
These systems use cameras and radar technology to identify vehicles exceeding posted speed limits. This pilot program mirrors those already authorized in Los Angeles, San Jose, Oakland, Glendale, Long Beach, and San Francisco. The primary goal is to reduce speeding and save lives. The cameras will automatically take a picture of a speeding car’s license plate and mail a notice of violation to the registered owner.
New Requirements for Autonomous Vehicles
California’s 2025 laws include updated requirements for autonomous vehicles (AVs) to help ensure their integration does not compromise public safety. Assembly Bill 1777 permits law enforcement to issue citations through a “notice of autonomous vehicle (AV) non-compliance.”
The bill specifically targets traffic incidents involving self-driving cars, including disruptions to traffic flow and collisions with pedestrians and emergency vehicles.
Minimum Auto Insurance Coverage Limits Increase
For the first time in over 50 years, California is increasing its minimum insurance liability limits. Senate Bill 1107 requires drivers to carry higher liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage.
Effective January 1, 2025, the minimum financial responsibility requirement for private passenger vehicles will increase to:
- $30,000 for injury/death to one person.
- $60,000 for injury/death to more than one person.
- $15,000 for damage to property.
All policies with lower limits will be automatically renewed at the new minimum limits. Your premium may change if your coverage limits are increased to meet these new requirements.
This law aims to provide California drivers with greater financial protection in the face of rising medical and repair costs. Increasing the minimum liability limits can benefit drivers who are not at fault in an accident because they will be covered for more expenses related to the crash compared to previous limits.
License Plate Obstruction or Alteration
California is cracking down on license plate obstruction and alteration. Assembly Bill 2111 prohibits any modifications that obscure license plate visibility, including tinted covers, stickers, or painting over a license plate’s reflective coating.
This law aims to ensure that all vehicles’ plates remain legible to traffic cameras and law enforcement officers. It also addresses concerns about individuals tampering with plates to evade tolls or detection.
E-Bike Safety Pilot Programs
California has launched safety pilot programs focused on e-bike safety. These programs aim to reduce e-bike-related accidents by promoting safe riding practices and creating designated bike lanes.
Assembly Bill 1778 allows Marin County and its cities to ban individuals under 16 from riding a class 2 electric bicycle (e-bike) and mandate helmet use for all riders until January 1, 2029.
Assembly Bill 2234 grants San Diego County and its cities the authority to prevent people under 12 from riding a class 1 or 2 e-bike until January 1, 2029. Both pilot programs aim to reduce injuries among youth.
Key elements of the pilot include:
- Teaching e-bike riders about traffic laws and safe riding practices.
- Establishing more bike lanes and ensuring they are clearly marked.
- Monitoring accident trends and usage patterns to evaluate the program’s success.
Illegal Sideshows and Street Takeovers
California is intensifying its crackdown on illegal sideshows and street takeovers, which pose significant risks to public safety. Tragically, many drag racing incidents have led to the deaths of drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians. The new laws impose harsher penalties:
- Assembly Bill 1978 grants law enforcement the authority to impound vehicles, including those of spectators.
- Assembly Bill 2186 permits authorities to impound vehicles involved in sideshows occurring in parking lots or on private streets.
- Assembly Bill 2807 provides clearer definitions for “sideshow” and “street takeover” violations.
- Assembly Bill 3085 broadens an existing law, giving officers the power to impound vehicles used in speed races.
Law enforcement agencies are also using technology, such as Stop Sticks, drones, and surveillance cameras, to identify those involved and prevent street takeovers.
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