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
AV legislation

Authorizes full deployment without a human operator.

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: no mail renewal

California
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

None

California
Marijuana Possession and Use

Decriminalized and legal for medical and recreational use

California
Marijuana Impaired Driving

None

California
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)

70

California
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

55

California
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)

65

California
Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

55

California
Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)

70

California
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)

55

California
Limited driving privileges during suspension

After 30 days

California
Ignition Interlocks

Discretionary. Mandatory for all convictions in Alameda, Los Angeles, Tulare, and Sacramento counties (pilot project – extended)

California
Open container laws

Yes

California
Repeat Offender Laws

No

California
Increased penalty for high BAC

0.15

California
Administrative license suspension on first offense

4 months

California
Child Restraint Required

Under 2 yrs and under 40 lbs and under 40" tall in rear-facing safety seat
Under 8 yrs and under 57" tall in rear seat if available

California
Adult Safety Belt Permissible

8-15 yrs or 57" and taller

California
Full Privilege Minimum Age

17 years

California
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

15 / 6

California
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)

6

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

50 (10)

California
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

16

California
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction

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

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

First 12 months: no passengers under 20 (secondary enforcement)

California
Type of Law

Primary

California
Who is Covered?

16 and over

California
In What Seat?

All

California
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers

Drivers under 18. Secondary law.

California
Text Messaging Ban?

All drivers. Primary law.

California
Hand-Held Ban?

Yes. Primary law.

California
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers

Yes. Primary law.

California
Speed Cameras: State Law

None

California
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted

n/a

California
Red Light Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law

California
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted

Statewide

Regional Policy Lead

Who We Are

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As the Pandemic Opens More Roadways to Pedestrians, States Help Launch October as Pedestrian Safety Month

As pedestrian fatalities have soared to historic levels in the past decade, GHSA joined earlier today with U.S. Department of Transportation officials and walking advocates to designate October National Pedestrian Safety Month.

As the Pandemic Opens More Roadways to Pedestrians, States Help Launch October as Pedestrian Safety Month

GHSA News Release
September 29, 2020

Lyft Grant Results: California

The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) was one of five State Highway Safety Offices to receive a grant from GHSA and ride-hailing company Lyft to prevent impaired driving during the 2019 holiday season. With its grant, California OTS offered Lyft credits to promote the use of safe alternatives to impaired driving through its "Go Safely, California" traffic safety awareness effort. This broad effort helps Californians get where they are going — safely.

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