New Traffic Laws for California Drivers in 2025
TL;DR: California passed dozens of new vehicle and traffic laws in 2025, plus several that took effect January 1, 2026. The biggest 2025–2026 changes: speed cameras now operational in 6 pilot cities (AB 645), the Daylighting Law fully enforced statewide (AB 413), the Slow Down Move Over law expanded to all stopped vehicles with hazard lights (AB 390), a new duplicate-license-after-address-change option (SB 506), enhanced street-takeover penalties (AB 2807), and the Freedom to Walk Act fully in effect (AB 2147). This guide explains every new law that affects everyday driving in 2026.
2026 traffic laws taking effect this year
AB 390 — Slow Down, Move Over (expanded)
California's existing Move Over law (CVC §21809) protected emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and Caltrans crews. AB 390, effective January 1, 2026, expands the protection to any stopped vehicle with hazard lights activated. Drivers must slow to a "reasonable and prudent" speed and move over to the adjacent lane if possible. Fines start at $238 plus assessments.
SB 506 — Duplicate license after address change
Effective January 1, 2026, California drivers can order a duplicate license printed with their new address after a change of address, without having to renew. The new card is mailed within 4–6 weeks for $42. See our DMV change of address guide for the full process.
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AB 2807 — Street takeover penalties
Effective January 1, 2026, AB 2807 enhances penalties for participating in or spectating illegal street takeovers ("sideshows"). Vehicles can be impounded for up to 30 days, drivers face up to $5,000 fines, and license suspensions of up to 1 year. Spectators face fines up to $1,000.
SB 1297 — School zone speed cameras (Malibu pilot)
Effective January 1, 2026, SB 1297 authorizes Malibu specifically to pilot automated school-zone speed-enforcement cameras on Pacific Coast Highway. First violation: warning. Subsequent violations $50–$500 depending on speed. This is separate from the 6-city AB 645 program (San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Glendale).
2025 laws still shaping 2026 driving
AB 645 — Speed Safety Pilot Program (continued)
The 5-year speed-camera pilot in 6 California cities entered full operation in 2025. Cameras photograph vehicles exceeding the limit by 11+ mph in high-injury corridors and school zones. Owners receive a mailed citation (no points on license; civil fine only). First-time fines start at $50; repeat offenders pay up to $500.
AB 413 — Daylighting Law (CVC §22500)
Effective January 1, 2024, fully enforced in 2025–2026. Parking within 20 feet of a marked or unmarked crosswalk at any intersection is now prohibited statewide. The goal: improved pedestrian visibility. The fine is approximately $63 plus state and county assessments, escalating with each repeat.
Unmarked crosswalks exist at every regular intersection where roads meet at right angles, whether painted or not. That means the Daylighting Law applies even on quiet residential streets without painted crosswalks. The 20-foot rule starts at the curb extension where the crosswalk would be.
AB 2147 — Freedom to Walk Act
Effective January 1, 2023, fully in effect in 2025–2026. Officers cannot stop a pedestrian for jaywalking unless an immediate danger of collision exists. A pedestrian who causes a collision through unsafe crossing can still be cited or sued.
AB 1840 — Driver license expansion
Effective January 1, 2025, AB 1840 clarifies that California-issued driver licenses for undocumented residents (AB 60 licenses) are valid for federal facilities such as airports — though they remain non-REAL-ID and cannot be used for commercial flights. The clarification reaffirms California's sanctuary-state policy in driver licensing.
SB 905 — Vehicle break-in penalties
Effective January 1, 2025, SB 905 stiffens penalties for vehicle break-ins. Prosecutors no longer need to prove the vehicle was locked — a key prior barrier to convicting smash-and-grab offenders. The law has been linked to a 12% reduction in reported vehicle break-ins in San Francisco within the first six months.
AB 1925 — Bicycle traffic enforcement
Effective January 1, 2025, AB 1925 expands enforcement of bicycle traffic violations to include e-bikes (Classes 1, 2, 3) and creates a separate citation track for bicycle/e-bike violations of stop signs, red lights, and wrong-way riding. See our California bicyclist and pedestrian safety guide.
Comparison: 2025 vs 2026 changes
| Year | Law | Effect on drivers |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | AB 413 (Daylighting) | No parking within 20 ft of crosswalk |
| 2025 | AB 645 (Speed cameras) | 6 cities now photograph speeders |
| 2025 | SB 905 (Break-ins) | Easier prosecution; lockedness no longer required |
| 2025 | AB 1840 (AB 60 clarity) | Confirms federal-facility validity |
| 2025 | AB 1925 (E-bikes) | E-bike enforcement track |
| 2026 | AB 390 (Move Over expansion) | Yield to ANY stopped vehicle with hazard lights |
| 2026 | SB 506 (Duplicate license) | Order new card with new address without renewing |
| 2026 | AB 2807 (Street takeovers) | Stiffer fines + impound for sideshows |
| 2026 | SB 1297 (Malibu school cameras) | School-zone speed cameras in Malibu |
What stays the same for drivers
Most California traffic rules carry over unchanged:
- DUI BAC limits: 0.08% standard, 0.04% commercial, 0.01% under 21 — see our California DUI limits guide
- Cell phone: Hands-free only while driving (CVC §23123.5)
- Seat belts: All occupants, regardless of seat
- Speed limits: 65 mph default highway, 70 mph posted; 25 mph in school zones
- Right-turn-on-red: Permitted after full stop unless posted otherwise
- Lane splitting: Legal for motorcycles under CVC §21658.1 — see our motorcycle license guide
How to stay current
The official California DMV news page (dmv.ca.gov/portal/news-and-media) publishes summaries of every new traffic and vehicle law each January. For deeper bill-tracking, the California Legislative Information system (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) lets you search by bill number.
For a visual tour of every state's driver license design, see our full guide.
