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2026 California Motor Laws: What Every Driver Needs to Know
Published March 18th, 2026 | Maximus Law Editorial Team – Kayla Kpanquoi California just rolled out 13 new motor vehicle laws in 2026 — and some of them are already in effect. Whether you’re a daily commuter, a car buyer, or a rideshare driver, there’s something in here that applies to you. Here’s a quick rundown, organized by when each law kicks in. IN EFFECT NOW — January 1, 2026 Road Safety You Must Move Over for Any Car With Hazards On — AB 390 [1] This one’s simple: if you see a vehicle pulled over with its hazard lights on, you need to move to another lane or slow down. It used to only apply to emergency vehicles and Caltrans trucks. Now it covers everyone — broken-down drivers, tow trucks, delivery vehicles, you name it. Fail to comply, and you’re looking at an infraction, a fine, and a point on your record. If there’s a crash involved, it can escalate to reckless driving. 💡 Maximus Law Tip: Were you rear-ended while stopped with your hazards on? AB 390 may strengthen your injury claim. Call us. Vehicle Compliance ‘Ghost Plate’ Covers Now Cost $1,000 — AB 1085 [2] Those tinted license plate covers and reflective sprays that make your plate unreadable to cameras? Illegal — and now the fine is $1,000 per violation. The law targets toll evaders and hit-and-run drivers who use these products to avoid detection. If your plate has legitimate wear that affects its reflectivity, get it replaced before you get flagged. 💡 Maximus Law Tip: If you were the victim of a hit-and-run in which the at-fault driver used an obscured license plate, this law shifts more accountability to those drivers. We can help you pursue your claim. DUI & Impaired Driving DUI? You’re Getting an Ignition Interlock Device — AB 366 [3] California’s Ignition Interlock Device (IID) program has been extended through 2033, and it now applies to all DUI offenders, including first-time offenders. An IID is a breathalyzer wired to your ignition. If it detects alcohol, your car won’t start. Tampering with the device or having someone else blow into it carries serious consequences, including extended suspension and potential criminal charges. 💡 Maximus Law Tip: A DUI conviction triggers fines, IID installation costs, insurance hikes, and license restrictions. Talk to our team before a conviction seals all of that. DUI Penalties Killing Someone While Drunk Now Means Longer Probation — AB 1087 [4] If a DUI results in someone’s death, probation used to max out at two years. Under AB 1087, it’s now three to five years — bringing it in line with standard felony DUI sentencing. More time on probation means more opportunity for a violation, which can mean prison. 💡 Maximus Law Tip: Facing a vehicular manslaughter charge is one of the most serious situations a driver can face. Get an attorney involved early. Autonomous Vehicles Self-Driving Cars Get Special Marker Lights — SB 480 [5] Autonomous vehicles can now be equipped with special ADS (Automated Driving System) marker lamps — lights that let other drivers, pedestrians, and law enforcement know the car is operating in self-driving mode. It’s a small but important safety step as AVs become more common on California roads. 💡 Maximus Law Tip: If you were in a collision with an autonomous vehicle, liability can be complicated. It may fall on the manufacturer rather than the driver. We stay current on AV law — reach out. Off-Road Vehicles Electric Off-Road Motorcycles Need to Be Registered — SB 586 [6] Off-highway electric motorcycles (eMotos) are now classified as Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs). That means they need a DMV-issued ID plate or placard, and riders must follow all OHV rules about where they can and can’t be operated. Riders under 18 must wear a helmet. Riding an unregistered eMoto or taking it somewhere it’s not allowed can result in fines and impoundment. Electric Vehicles E-Bikes Must Have Rear Lights — and Batteries Must Meet Safety Standards — SB 1271 [7] Two changes here. First, e-bike batteries and charging systems must now be tested and certified to meet safety standards — a response to a string of battery fires. Second, all e-bikes are now required to have a rear red light or reflector on at all times (not just at night). A few counties are also piloting age restrictions: Marin County requires riders to be 16+ for Class 2 e-bikes, and San Diego County sets the floor at 12 for Class 1 and 2. 💡 Maximus Law Tip: E-bike injuries are on the rise. Whether you’re a rider or a pedestrian, if you were hurt in an e-bike accident, there may be a product liability or negligence claim involved. Financial Hardship Struggling to Pay a Parking Ticket? You Can Now Request a Payment Plan — AB 1299 [8] Local governments are now required to offer payment plans to anyone who asks, and they can waive or reduce fines entirely for people who demonstrate financial hardship. The goal is to stop a single parking ticket from snowballing into towing fees, lien sales, and a suspended license. COMING SOON — July 1, 2026 Autonomous Vehicles Autonomous Vehicles Must Be Able to Talk to First Responders — SB 480 (Phase 2) [5] By July 1, all AV manufacturers must install two-way communication devices in their vehicles. This lets emergency personnel communicate with a remote operator during a roadside incident — something that’s proven tricky when a driverless car gets pulled over or is involved in a crash. Law enforcement will also be able to issue formal noncompliance notices to AV manufacturers when their vehicles violate traffic laws — putting legal accountability squarely on the company. 💡 Maximus Law Tip: AV liability is a fast-changing area of law. If a driverless car caused your accident, the question of who’s responsible matters a lot. Our attorneys can help you figure that out. COMING THIS FALL — October