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With the new year, brings new laws pertaining to drivers! Sadly, not many people are aware of them so let us bring you up to speed with the below laws that went into effect January 1, 2020:
- AB 317 makes it against the law for anyone to sell, or offer for sale, a DMV appointment;
- SB 957 allows certain used vehicles that were previously issued a green or white clean air vehicle decal to receive another decal, which allows access to high occupancy vehicle lanes until January 1, 2024. However, in order to qualify, the vehicle must have a new owner whose income is 80% or less than the statewide median income;
- The courts will no longer have the authority to revoke, restrict or order the DMV to delay the driving privilege of a person convicted of a non-driving offence since SB 485 was approved;
- AB 1614 extends a pilot program to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and use of alternatives to license plates and registration cards until Jan 1, 2021;
- Drivers who are in the US Foreign Service as well as their spouses will benefit from SB 267. The bill extends the validity of their driver’s licenses for the period of their service and up to 30 days after they return to California;
- AB 1810 allows any person with a valid driver’s license or permit of any class to operate a motorized scooter. A class M2 driver’s license or permit will no longer be required;
- Drivers who are approaching or passing a stopped waste service vehicle will need to make a lane change and pass at safe distance, according to AB 2115;
- AB 544 created a new program to grant low emission vehicles and transitional zero-emission vehicles access to HOV lanes for about four years, regardless of the vehicle occupancy level. The DMV will issue orange decals in 2020 that grant access to HOV lanes until January 1, 2024.
As always, be safe out on the roads and contact us with any questions or concerns!
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2020 from the Law Office of Scott J. Corwin.