Keeping Up with California: Rules and Regs.

That old adage, that the only thing constant is change…we’ve all heard it, right? Maybe it’s not always expected or welcome, but oftentimes change can be a marvelous thing. Change can mean growth, expansion, and improvement. And who doesn’t love those things, eh?

As you may be aware, here at eTags we are a little obsessed with the automotive world. After all, we specialize in things like title transfers, registration renewals, as well as in specialty and conventional license plate issuance.  It’s our job, and we love it.

But we also love to keep up with trends – whether they are related to vehicle styles, fuel types, or whatever is surging in the auto world.  And in addition to trends, we make it our business to keep a finger on the pulse of the rules and regulations put in place by the motor vehicle institutions across different states and territories.

Now, considering that truth mentioned earlier, that the only constant is change, it should go without saying that rules and regs are also subject to change.

A law that has been effect for years can suddenly change in an instant.  It’s just the way of the world.  So while we do our best to stay current with auto-related rules and regulations, it behooves each of us to double check the status of a law.  We know that we strive for this, and we recommend that others follow suit.

That said, we thought we’d feature a selection of some new laws put in effect by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) this year (2024).  The following were announced in December, at the start of the year, but many will stay in effect for years to come.

In case you missed them, here are the highlights:

The first item of order is the introduction of driver’s license renewal alternatives. The new bill offers an alternative to the pre-existing law, which required drivers to appear in person at a DMV branch in order to apply for a license renewal.  In lieu of this, the bill would allow the DMV to “establish a program to evaluate the traffic safety and other effects of renewing driver’s licenses by virtual or remote processes.”

Meaning, California residents would have a third option for renewal.  If they prefer to renew in person, they can. The second choice is to renew by mail, and the third is online. While folks over 70 years old will have to pass a vision and knowledge test, these can both be done remotely. Which we think makes the whole shebang a lot more convenient.

The next new element is the Speed Camera Pilot Program. This is a five-year pilot program taking place in Long Beach, San Francisco, Glendale, Los Angeles, San Jose, and Oakland. It would give these territories the authority to install a certain number of speed-detecting cameras on streets where there are legitimate concerns for safety. The cameras will record a speeding vehicle’s license plate and send a notification of the violation to the registered owner of the car via post. The purpose and goal of the program, is of course to reduce driving speeds, thereby decreasing the number of crashes, serious injuries, and loss of life.

Third on the list of new laws is the move to improve visibility at intersections and pedestrian crosswalks. The new bill prohibits drivers from parking a car, truck, or SUV within a designated twenty-foot distance from the vehicle-approach side of any crosswalk – marked or unmarked. It also forbids parking within fifteen feet of any crosswalk where there is an extension of the curb. Bicycles and motorized scooters, however, would be allowed to park within twenty feet of a crosswalk.

Known as “daylighting,” this safety measure is meant to make for clearer visibility for all drivers and pedestrians by removing parked vehicles near intersections and crosswalks.

This next bill is super interesting to us. It is the Crackdown on Catalytic Converter Theft.  The new law would require all motor vehicle dealers to sell vehicles equipped with only catalytic converters that have been permanently marked with the vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Although there are few exceptions to the rule, it also prohibits (read: misdemeanor) any one person from being in possession of nine or more catalytic converters that have been removed from a vehicle. Furthermore, the bill renders it a misdemeanor to erase or alter a VIN or other special mark from any catalytic converter, or even possess more than three with altered markings.

Our last featured bill is another act that we think will make life a bit easier for California drivers.  The bill would repeal the authority of courts to impound a driver’s license as punishment for not paying bail or fines on time. In the past, a court could both impound the license and order a person to not drive for thirty days. But in an effort to make for leniency to low-income individuals who need to drive to work or access essential services, there will no longer be an impounding due to late or missed payments on bails and fines.

All in all, while the above bills point to significant changes in California automotive laws, it seems to us that they all have the well-being and safety of Golden State residents in mind.  And this makes us happy, because we’re here to lend a helping hand too.  In California, we’re there for all your title transfers, for the replacement of your lost titles, for the replacement of your lost license plates or stickers, and for the renewal of your registration.

We love that feeling of a happy person in possession of a fresh title after that coffee-stained one made it impossible to use.

We adore assisting folks who need a new stickers because the neighbor’s dog chewed the last one off.  You get it…. So for any of your title or tag needs, head over to our site and let us get you started with our quick and easy online services. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again, cuz it’s true: here at eTags, we’re here to help.