California Laws and Regulation Information.
 

Laws and Regulations that may/may not be specific to California. All this information is subject to change pending new laws, bills, and all that legal jargon. This thread is meant to help those who just want some quick information, please do some side research so you can make informed decisions regarding the law and your vehicle. Disclaimer: I am not; nor is anyone who helped with this information, responsible if you get in trouble with the law... know the laws and be informed.

Need Front License Plate?
Yes it is a law in California to have a front license plate. Many members can attest to having been pulled over or asked to fix, and many others have not. First offense is just a fix-it ticket, from that point you are probably looking at large fines and possible court dates for more then 2 offenses. Put on or don't at your own risk!

Window Tint Information Specific to California:
The CHP's (California Highway Patrols) has this under its FAQ's sections.
Source: http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/answers.html

Headlight/Taillight Tint and/or Modification:

• It is illegal to modify the headlight or taillight with tint. (Thanks Silver2SSRS6spd)

Smog Related Information:

• Camaro's are 50 state smog legal.
• If you buy out of state, the DMV may require you to get it Smog checked once it arrives. (Thanks Kas)

California has some of the most progressive and extreme smog laws in the nation. Many people wonder if ordering out of state is an issue when they need to get their vehicle smogged. CamaroScotty:thumbsup: reaffirmed as many of us know that Camaro's are 50 state smog legal. This means if you order out of state bringing your brand new toy to California will not be an issue.

Radar Detectors

• Radar Detectors are in fact legal in California.

The only states where Radar Detectors are illegal to my knowledge is Washington D.C. and Virginia (Thanks monstertodd). They are also illegal on Military Installations/bases (Thanks cplabaunza) , which is most likely a federal offense if caught. They are illegal to have on the installation, and some user's experience has been verbal warnings as long as they are not plugged in or being operated while on "post." (Thanks hoekdup)

Radar Jammers

• Radar Jammers are illegal in California (Thanks Silver2SSRS6spd)
• The reason Jammers are illegal "on the federal level" is because they violate FCC guidelines (Thanks hoekdup)

Header Information

• Shorty Headers are generally legal as long as they have passed CARB inspection
• Long Tubes will NOT pass visual smog inspection, even if they run cleaner then factory setup. Basically long tubes are illegal.

Mindz helped me with this one, thanks for the information!

Moving to California?

• You have 10 business days to report your move to the California DMV. (See Kunihiro information below)
• Active military members in California who have registered vehicles in another state may be exempt from current California vehicle codes (to an extent). Please check with other active military members to confirm specifically. This just means you may not have to change your window tint, long tube headers, and other California V.C. violations that are legal in other states while you're "stationed" here.

Out of State Military Personnel (Thanks for the updated information ghostrider2)

Per DMV: "Nonresident military personnel stationed in California or their spouses may operate their vehicles with valid out-of-state license plates from their home state or the state where the military person was last stationed" (This changes when/if you claim a homeowner's exemption in California)

Rent or lease a residence in California?
Military personnel, stationed in California are exempt from payment of the vehicle license fee (VLF) on any vehicle owned or leased and registered in California provided:

• The nonresident military owner is shown as a lessee or registered owner of the vehicle.
• The vehicle is not operated "for hire."

I decided on the idea to make a thread related to California specific laws. Any help is appreciated as maybe we can get this stickied if it turns into something good.

Thank you very much!!! Very helpful and informative!! :bow:

Radar detectors are illegal in Virginia as well.

Very helpful indeed, MikeL!!!

Thanks! :)
Yup, already got a fix-it ticket for my missing front LP :(

Anytime :thumbsup:

Thanks! Changed the info to include Virginia. Ill try to keep the post updated as much as possible.

Tint on front side windows will get you a ticket unless you have clear (non-factory tinted glass) per CVC. The web sites info is incorrect, trust me the first offense cost me $100, the second 360 and tint is gone. Sorry I do not have the code as I can not find the ticket, but you can access the CVC from the DMV's website.

Thanks for the info :yikes: Ill change it up. I kinda thought that website countered the CHP's info. I'll just remove that source all together.

Radar Detectors are also illegal in Military Installations/bases

That sucks...I realize it is only a matter of time before I get nailed... :mad0259:

This is like my 9th car I've tinted the windows in. and no flp. My experience is they wont bother you about it unless you make them (racing excessive speed)

Yeah many people get away with it just fine. But they can always use it to pull you over.


Thanks, updated

Radar jammers are ileagal in this state as well.
Jamming: Electronic Speed-Measuring Devices

28150. (a) No vehicle shall be equipped with any device that is designed for, or is capable of, jamming, scrambling, neutralizing, disabling, or otherwise interfering with radar, laser, or any other electronic device used by a law enforcement agency to measure the speed of moving objects.
(b) No person shall use, buy, possess, manufacture, sell, or otherwise distribute any device that is designed for jamming, scrambling, neutralizing, disabling, or otherwise interfering with radar, laser, or any other electronic device used by a law enforcement agency to measure the speed of moving objects.
(c) Except as provided in subdivision (d), a violation of subdivision (a) or (b) is an infraction.
(d) When a person possesses four or more devices in violation of subdivision (b), the person is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person who has a valid federal license for operating the devices described in this section may transport one or more of those devices if the license is carried in the vehicle transporting the device at all times when the device is being transported.
Jamming: Electronic Speed-Measuring Devices

28150. (a) No vehicle shall be equipped with any device that is designed for, or is capable of, jamming, scrambling, neutralizing, disabling, or otherwise interfering with radar, laser, or any other electronic device used by a law enforcement agency to measure the speed of moving objects.
(b) No person shall use, buy, possess, manufacture, sell, or otherwise distribute any device that is designed for jamming, scrambling, neutralizing, disabling, or otherwise interfering with radar, laser, or any other electronic device used by a law enforcement agency to measure the speed of moving objects.
(c) Except as provided in subdivision (d), a violation of subdivision (a) or (b) is an infraction.
(d) When a person possesses four or more devices in violation of subdivision (b), the person is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person who has a valid federal license for operating the devices described in this section may transport one or more of those devices if the license is carried in the vehicle transporting the device at all times when the device is being transported.

:popcorn: