Many new laws affecting California drivers will take effect on January 1, 2026, according to a recent announcement by the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.

AB 366 extends the Statewide Ignition Interlock Device (IID) Pilot Program for specified driving-under-the-influence (DUI) offenders to January 1, 2033.

AB 1087 increases the term of probation from two years to between three and five years for a person convicted of vehicular manslaughter or gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

AB 382 lowers the school zone speed limit from 25 miles per hour to 20 miles per hour beginning January 1, 2031, to help reduce speeding.

AB 390 expands the requirement that a driver approaching a stationary vehicle slow down and move over to include any stationary vehicles, including marked highway maintenance vehicles and those displaying flashing hazard lights or another warning device.

SB 720 allows local governments to use an alternative automated camera program to enforce red light violations and specifies that violations recorded by an automated traffic enforcement system are subject only to civil penalties.

AB 1085 makes it an infraction with a fine of $1,000 to manufacture in California a product or device that obscures, or is intended to obscure or interfere with the visual or electronic reading of a license plate, addressing the use of illegal license plate covers that enable toll evasion and other criminal activity.

SB 480 allows an autonomous vehicle (AV) to be equipped with automated driving system (ADS) marker lamps. The lamps notify other drivers, pedestrians, and law enforcement when an AV’s ADS is activated.

SB 586 classifies an “off-highway electric motorcycle” or “eMoto” as an off-highway motor vehicle (OHV), thereby requiring them to follow OHV rules, including displaying a DMV-issued ID plate or placard.