California

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of California. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

California
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 18.

California
Motorcycle Helmet Required?

Universal helmet law enacted 1992.

California
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

5 years

California
Provisions for Mature Drivers

70 and over: mail or online renewal through Dec. 31, 2022

California
Marijuana Possession and Use

Decriminalized and legal for medical and recreational use

California
Marijuana Impaired Driving

None

California
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

None

California
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)

70

California
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

55

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Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)

65

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Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

55

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Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)

70

California
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)

55

California
Increased penalty for high BAC

0.15

California
Administrative license suspension on first offense

4 months

California
Limited driving privileges during suspension

After 30 days

California
Ignition Interlocks

Mandatory for all repeat and injury-involved offenses, first-time injury or vehicular manslaughter offenses.

California
Open container laws

Yes

California
Repeat Offender Laws

No

California
Child Restraint Required

Under 2 yrs and under 40 pounds or 40” in rear-facing car seat, following manufacturer instructions and in a back seat

Under 8 yrs or under 57" tall in child safety seat or booster seat in the back seat, following manufacturer instructions 

California
Adult Safety Belt Permissible

Under 16 yrs properly restrained, including a seat belt

California
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)

First 12 months: no passengers under 20 (secondary enforcement) unless accompanied by parent, guardian or other adult 25 years or older

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Full Privilege Minimum Age

17 years

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Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

15 / 6

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Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)

6

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Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)

50 (10)

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Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

16

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Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction

11 p.m. - 5 a.m. (secondary enforcement)

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Type of Law

Primary

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Who is Covered?

16 and over

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In What Seat?

All

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Hand-Held Ban?

Yes. Primary law.

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All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers

Yes. Primary law.

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All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers

Drivers under 18. Secondary law.

California
Text Messaging Ban?

All drivers. Primary law.

California
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted

In six specified jurisdictions in a pilot program until 2032

California
Red Light Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law

California
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted

Statewide

California
Speed Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law

Maison Law

Maison Law provides skilled, experienced and personalized legal guidance to the voiceless and the injured throughout California. Clients are the firm’s priority, and they work with the best experts in the field to help win their cases.

California Allows Cities to Catch Speeding Drivers With Automated Cameras

Slow down, California drivers. Speed cameras can be installed next year in six cities, including San Francisco and Los Angeles, after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation on Friday approving a trial run of enforcement systems that can automatically flag errant drivers for citations.

California Allows Cities to Catch Speeding Drivers With Automated Cameras

Story by Heather Knight
October 13, 2023

California, Land of the Car, Could Soon Have Speed Cameras

California likes to think of itself as a cutting-edge lab for policymaking, a place where laws get passed first and then copied around the country. But for years, it has banned a basic measure used in many cities to slow drivers: the humble speed camera. In the state that practically invented car culture and the thrill of hitting the open road, speed cameras have faced steep resistance.

GHSA Adopts New Roadway Safety Priorities, Including Support of Lower State BAC Limits, Equity, Safe System Approach

Amid a recent surge in traffic deaths and dangerous driving behaviors, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) has updated the Policies and Priorities that guide the organization’s work to prevent traffic crashes, injuries and deaths on U.S. roads.

GHSA Adopts New Roadway Safety Priorities, Including Support of Lower State BAC Limits, Equity, Safe System Approach

Amid a recent surge in traffic deaths and dangerous driving behaviors, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) has updated the Policies and Priorities that guide the organization’s work to prevent traffic crashes, injuries and deaths on U.S. roads.

Sanath Javagal

Sanath Dhananjayamurty Javagal is a Senior System Engineer at a self-driving vehicle technology company in San Francisco, California, where he focuses on autonomous vehicle network architecture and systems engineering.

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