reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 2 - Suspensions Following Unsatisfied Judgments › ARTICLE 2 - Suspension of Driving Privilege › Section 16377.

16377. (a) For the purposes of this chapter, every judgment shall be deemed satisfied if any of the following apply:
(1) Fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) has been credited, upon any judgment in excess of that amount, or upon all judgments, collectively, which together total in excess of that amount, for personal injury to, or death of, one person as a result of any one accident.
(2) Subject to the limit of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) as to one person, the sum of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) has been credited, upon any judgment in excess of that amount, or upon all judgments, collectively, which together total in excess of that amount, for personal injury to, or death of, more than one person as a result of any one accident.
(3) Five thousand dollars ($5,000) has been credited, upon any judgment in excess of that amount, or upon all judgments, collectively, each of which is in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000), and which together total in excess of five thousand dollars ($5,000), for damage to property of others as a result of any one accident.
(4) The judgment debtor or a person designated by him or her has deposited with the department a sum equal to the amount of the unsatisfied judgment for which the suspension action was taken and presents proof, satisfactory to the department, of inability to locate the judgment creditor.
(b) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2017.
(Amended (as added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 451, Sec. 39) by Stats. 2016, Ch. 86, Sec. 301. (SB 1171) Effective January 1, 2017.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 2 - Suspensions Following Unsatisfied Judgments › ARTICLE 2 - Suspension of Driving Privilege › Section 16378.

16378. (a) Money deposited pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 16377 shall be:
(1) Deposited by the department in the special deposit fund with the Treasurer.
(2) Payable to the judgment creditor upon presentation of a valid claim establishing that he or she is the judgment creditor for which the deposit was made and that the judgment remains unsatisfied.
(3) Refunded to the person making the deposit or to a person designated by himself or herself if the deposit remains unclaimed by the judgment creditor for a period of two years following the date of the deposit.
(4) The Controller shall draw his or her warrant on the Treasurer for any payment ordered pursuant to this section as ordered by the department.
(b) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2017.
(Repealed (in Sec. 40) and added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 451, Sec. 41. (SB 491) Effective January 1, 2016. Section operative January 1, 2017, by its own provisions.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 2 - Suspensions Following Unsatisfied Judgments › ARTICLE 2 - Suspension of Driving Privilege › Section 16379.

16379. (a) The department shall not suspend a license and shall restore any suspended license following nonpayment of a final judgment when the judgment debtor gives proof of financial responsibility for future damages and when the trial court in which the judgment was rendered orders the payment of the judgment in installments and while the payment of any installment payment is not in default.
(b) Whenever the trial court orders the payment of a judgment in installments as provided in this section, upon payment of the required fees by the judgment creditor, it shall forward a certified copy of the order to the department, together with a certified copy of the judgment or a certified copy of the register of actions in an action resulting in a judgment for damages and a certificate of facts relative to the judgment on a form provided by the department.
(c) The court shall determine the required fees, which shall be commensurate with the cost incurred by the court in carrying out the provisions of this section.
(Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 44, Sec. 13. Effective January 1, 2002.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 2 - Suspensions Following Unsatisfied Judgments › ARTICLE 2 - Suspension of Driving Privilege › Section 16380.

16380. The trial court may order the payment of a judgment in installments only when the defendant is not insured or the insurance policy covering the automobile involved in the accident, for the ownership or operation of which the defendant is held liable, is not sufficient to pay the amount of the judgment, and then only as to such portion of the judgment not covered by the insurance policy. The order shall fix the amounts and times of payment of the installments and shall be without prejudice to any other legal remedies available to the judgment creditor.
(Added by renumbering Section 16486 by Stats. 1967, Ch. 211.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 2 - Suspensions Following Unsatisfied Judgments › ARTICLE 2 - Suspension of Driving Privilege › Section 16381.

16381. In the event that it is made to appear to the court that the judgment debtor has failed to pay any installment as permitted by the order of the court, upon the payment of required fees by the judgment creditor, the court shall give notice of the default to the department and the department shall forthwith suspend the driving privilege of the judgment debtor until the judgment is satisfied as provided in this chapter. The court shall determine the required fees, which shall be commensurate with the cost incurred by the court in carrying out the provisions of this section.
(Amended by Stats. 1981, Ch. 362, Sec. 3.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 3 - Proof of Financial Responsibility › ARTICLE 1 - Proof Requirements › Section 16430.

16430. (a) “Proof of financial responsibility,” when required by this code, means proof of financial responsibility resulting from the ownership or operation of a motor vehicle and arising by reason of personal injury to, or death of, any one person, of at least fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) and, subject to the limit of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) for each person injured or killed, of at least thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) for the injury to, or the death of, two or more persons in any one accident, and for damages to property in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000), of at least five thousand dollars ($5,000) resulting from any one accident. Proof of financial responsibility may be given in any manner authorized in this chapter.
(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2025, and as of that date is repealed.
(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 717, Sec. 4. (SB 1107) Effective January 1, 2023. Repealed as of January 1, 2025, by its own provisions. See later operative version added by Sec. 5 of Stats. 2022, Ch. 717.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 3 - Proof of Financial Responsibility › ARTICLE 1 - Proof Requirements › Section 16430.

16430. (a) “Proof of financial responsibility,” when required by this code, means proof of financial responsibility resulting from the ownership or operation of a motor vehicle and arising by reason of personal injury to, or death of, any one person, of at least thirty thousand dollars ($30,000), and, subject to the limit of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) for each person injured or killed, of at least sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) for the injury to, or the death of, two or more persons in any one accident, and for damages to property in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000), of at least fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) resulting from any one accident. Proof of financial responsibility may be given in any manner authorized in this chapter.
(b) (1) On January 1, 2035, the minimum liability coverage shall be increased by twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) for bodily injury or death for each person, by forty thousand dollars ($40,000) for bodily injury or death for all persons, and by ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for property damage.
(2) The Insurance Commissioner shall, by July 1, 2033, distribute a bulletin soliciting rate applications from insurers to effectuate the January 1, 2035, increase and shall process and approve them consistent with the manner outlined in Section 12960 of the Insurance Code.
(c) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025.
(Repealed (in Sec. 4) and added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 717, Sec. 5. (SB 1107) Effective January 1, 2023. Operative January 1, 2025, by its own provisions.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 3 - Proof of Financial Responsibility › ARTICLE 1 - Proof Requirements › Section 16431.

16431. (a) Proof of financial responsibility may be given by the written certificate or certificates of any insurance carrier duly authorized to do business within the state, that it has issued to or for the benefit of the person named therein a motor vehicle liability policy as defined in Section 16450, an automobile liability policy as defined in Section 16054, or any other liability policy issued for vehicles with less than four wheels that meets the requirements of Section 16056, which, at the date of the certificate or certificates, is in full force and effect. Except as provided in subdivision (b), the certificate or certificates issued under any liability policy set forth in this section shall be accepted by the department and satisfy the requirements of proof of financial responsibility of this chapter. Nothing in this chapter requires that an insurance carrier certify that there is coverage broader than that provided by the actual policy issued by the carrier.
(b) The department shall require that a person whose driver’s license has been revoked, suspended, or restricted under Section 13350, 13351, 13352, 13353, 13353.2, 13353.3, 13353.7, or 16370, provide, as proof of financial responsibility, a certificate or certificates that covers all motor vehicles registered to the person before reinstatement of his or her driver’s license.
(c) Subdivision (b) does not apply to vehicles in storage if the current license plates and registration cards are surrendered to the department in Sacramento.
(d) (1) A resident of another state may provide proof of financial responsibility when required to do so under this code from a company authorized to do business in that person’s state of residence, if that proof is satisfactory to the department, covers the operation of a vehicle in this state, and meets the minimum coverage limit requirements specified in Section 16056.
(2) If the person specified in paragraph (1) becomes a resident of this state during the period that the person is required to maintain proof of financial responsibility with the department, the department may not issue or return a driver’s license to that person until the person files a written certificate or certificates, as authorized under subdivision (a), that meets the minimum coverage limit requirements specified in Section 16056 and covers the period during which the person is required to maintain proof of financial responsibility.
(e) This section shall become operative on September 20, 2005.
(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 952, Sec. 28. Effective January 1, 2005. Amended version operative September 20, 2005, pursuant to earlier operation of new subdivision (e).)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 3 - Proof of Financial Responsibility › ARTICLE 1 - Proof Requirements › Section 16433.

16433. A certificate or certificates shall certify, if the liability policy therein cited has been canceled, that the department shall be notified in writing within 10 days after the cancellation of insurance becomes final.
Nothing in this section extends coverage beyond the date stated in the notice of cancellation.
(Amended by Stats. 1990, Ch. 314, Sec. 8. Effective July 17, 1990.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 3 - Proof of Financial Responsibility › ARTICLE 1 - Proof Requirements › Section 16434.

16434. (a) Proof of financial responsibility may be given by a bond. The bond shall be conditioned for the payment of the amount specified in Section 16430, and shall provide for the entry of judgment on motion of the state in favor of any holder of any final judgment on account of damages to property over one thousand dollars ($1,000) in amount, or injury to any person caused by the operation of the person’s motor vehicle.
(b) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2017.
(Repealed (in Sec. 44) and added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 451, Sec. 45. (SB 491) Effective January 1, 2016. Section operative January 1, 2017, by its own provisions.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 3 - Proof of Financial Responsibility › ARTICLE 1 - Proof Requirements › Section 16435.

16435. (a) Proof of financial responsibility may be given by the deposit of thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000), as provided in Section 16054.2. The department shall not accept a deposit where any judgment theretofore obtained against that person as a result of damages arising from the operation of any motor vehicle shall not have been paid in full.
(b) This section shall remain in effect until January 1, 2025, and as of that date is repealed.
(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 717, Sec. 6. (SB 1107) Effective January 1, 2023. Repealed as of January 1, 2025, by its own provisions. See later operative version added by Sec. 7 of Stats. 2022, Ch. 717.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 3 - Proof of Financial Responsibility › ARTICLE 1 - Proof Requirements › Section 16435.

16435. (a) Proof of financial responsibility may be given by the deposit of seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) as provided in Section 16054.2. The department shall not accept a deposit where any judgment theretofore obtained against that person as a result of damages arising from the operation of any motor vehicle shall not have been paid in full.
(b) The deposit requirement in subdivision (a) shall be increased by fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) on January 1, 2035.
(c) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025.
(Repealed (in Sec. 6) and added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 717, Sec. 7. (SB 1107) Effective January 1, 2023. Operative January 1, 2025, by its own provisions.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 3 - Proof of Financial Responsibility › ARTICLE 1 - Proof Requirements › Section 16436.

16436. Proof of financial responsibility may be given by the written certificate of a self-insurer holding a certificate of self-insurance for bodily injury and property damage issued by the department.
The certification shall name the employee in whose behalf it is filed and shall bind the self-insurer in a like manner and to the same amounts as provided for in Section 16430 for damages arising from the operation of a motor vehicle by the employee within the scope of his or her employment by the self-insurer. In that case, the department shall restrict any driver’s license issued to the employee to the operation of motor vehicles owned by the self-insurer within the scope of his or her employment by the self-insurer.
The certificate shall be canceled upon 10 days’ prior written notice to the department by the self-insurer.
(Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 1157, Sec. 14.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 3 - Proof of Financial Responsibility › ARTICLE 2 - Insurance Policy › Section 16450.

16450. A “motor vehicle liability policy,” as used in Chapters 1 (commencing with Section 16000), 2 (commencing with Section 16250), and 4 (commencing with Section 16500), and this chapter, means an owner’s policy or an operator’s policy, or both, of liability insurance, certified as provided in Section 16431 as proof of financial responsibility, issued by an insurance carrier authorized to transact that business in this state to or for the benefit of the person named therein as assured. Any requirements set forth in Chapters 1 (commencing with Section 16000), 2 (commencing with Section 16250), and 4 (commencing with Section 16500), and this chapter relating to a motor vehicle liability policy shall apply only to those policies which have been certified as proof of financial responsibility as provided in Section 16431.
(Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 1157, Sec. 15.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 3 - Proof of Financial Responsibility › ARTICLE 2 - Insurance Policy › Section 16451.

16451. (a) An owner’s policy of motor vehicle liability insurance shall insure the named insured and any other person using any motor vehicle registered to the named insured with the express or implied permission of the named insured, against loss from the liability imposed by law for damages arising out of ownership, maintenance, or use of the motor vehicle within the continental limits of the United States to the extent and aggregate amount, exclusive of interest and costs, with respect to each motor vehicle, of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) for bodily injury to or death of each person as a result of any one accident, and, subject to the limit as to one person, the amount of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) for bodily injury to or death of all persons as a result of any one accident and the amount of five thousand dollars ($5,000) for damage to property of others as a result of any one accident.
(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2025, and as of that date is repealed.
(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 717, Sec. 8. (SB 1107) Effective January 1, 2023. Repealed as of January 1, 2025, by its own provisions. See later operative version, as amended by Sec. 20 of Stats. 2023, Ch. 204.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 3 - Proof of Financial Responsibility › ARTICLE 2 - Insurance Policy › Section 16451.

16451. (a) (1) An owner’s policy of motor vehicle liability insurance shall insure the named insured and any other person using any motor vehicle registered to the named insured with the express or implied permission of the named insured against loss from the liability imposed by law for damages arising out of ownership, maintenance, or use of the motor vehicle within the continental limits of the United States to the extent and aggregate amount, exclusive of interest and costs, with respect to each motor vehicle, of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) for bodily injury to or death of each person as a result of any one accident, and, subject to the limit as to one person, the amount of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) for bodily injury to or death of all persons as a result of any one accident and the amount of five thousand dollars ($5,000) for damage to property of others as a result of any one accident.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an owner’s policy of motor vehicle liability insurance issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, shall insure the named insured and any other person using any motor vehicle registered to the named insured with the express or implied permission of the named insured, against loss from the liability imposed by law for damages arising out of ownership, maintenance, or use of the motor vehicle within the continental limits of the United States to the extent and aggregate amount, exclusive of interest and costs, with respect to each motor vehicle, of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) for bodily injury to or death of each person as a result of any one accident, and, subject to the limit as to one person, the amount of sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) for bodily injury to or death of all persons as a result of any one accident and the amount of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) for damage to property of others as a result of any one accident.
(b) For an owner’s policy of motor vehicle liability insurance issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2035, the minimum liability coverage shall be increased by twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) for bodily injury or death for one person, by forty thousand dollars ($40,000) for bodily injury or death for all persons, and by ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for property damage.
(c) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025.
(Amended (as added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 717, Sec. 9) by Stats. 2023, Ch. 204, Sec. 20. (AB 1140) Effective January 1, 2024. Operative January 1, 2025, by its own provisions.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 3 - Proof of Financial Responsibility › ARTICLE 2 - Insurance Policy › Section 16452.

16452. An operator’s policy of motor vehicle liability insurance shall insure the person named as insured therein against loss from the liability imposed on that person by law for damages arising out of use by that person of any motor vehicle not owned by that person, and for any subsequently acquired motor vehicle for a period not to exceed 10 days from date of purchase, within the same territorial limits and subject to the same limits of liability as are provided for in an owner’s policy of liability insurance.
(Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 1157, Sec. 17.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 3 - Proof of Financial Responsibility › ARTICLE 2 - Insurance Policy › Section 16453.

16453. Any motor vehicle liability policy may grant any lawful coverage in excess of or in addition to the coverage herein specified or contain any agreements, provisions or stipulations not in conflict with the provisions of this code and not otherwise contrary to law.
(Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 3 - Proof of Financial Responsibility › ARTICLE 2 - Insurance Policy › Section 16454.

16454. Any motor vehicle liability policy need not cover any liability for injury to the assured or any liability of the assured assumed by or imposed upon the assured under any workers’ compensation law nor any liability for damage to property in charge of the assured or the assured’s employees or agents.
(Amended by Stats. 1974, Ch. 1454.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 3 - Proof of Financial Responsibility › ARTICLE 2 - Insurance Policy › Section 16455.

16455. The provisions of Section 16451 shall not apply to vehicles in storage if the current license plates and registration cards are surrendered to the department in Sacramento.
(Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 3 - Proof of Financial Responsibility › ARTICLE 2 - Insurance Policy › Section 16457.

16457. Whenever proof of financial responsibility is required to be filed pursuant to this chapter, no person of whom that proof is required shall drive any motor vehicle not covered by the certificate of proof of financial responsibility filed by him or her with the department, nor shall any applicant for that proof knowingly fail to disclose ownership of a motor vehicle in the application for proof of financial responsibility or to disclose any subsequently acquired motor vehicle.
(Amended (as amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1126, Sec. 14) by Stats. 1999, Ch. 880, Sec. 19. Effective January 1, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 3 - Proof of Financial Responsibility › ARTICLE 3 - Release of Proof › Section 16480.

16480. (a) The department shall upon request, or may at its own discretion, cancel any bond or any certificate of insurance, or the department shall direct the return to the person entitled thereto of any money or securities deposited pursuant to this code as proof of financial responsibility, or the department shall waive the requirement of filing proof of financial responsibility in any of the following events:
(1) When the person is no longer required to maintain the proof under the provisions of this code.
(2) At any time after three years from the date the proof was required.
(3) Upon the death of the person on whose behalf the proof was filed.
(4) The permanent incapacity of the person to operate a motor vehicle if the person surrenders for cancellation his or her driver’s license to the department.
(b) The department shall not release proof filed by the bond of individual sureties as set forth in Section 16434, or if given in the manner prescribed by Section 16435, if any action for damages upon a liability referred to in this code is then pending or if any judgment upon any the liability is outstanding and unsatisfied. An affidavit of the applicant of the nonexistence of those facts shall be prima facie evidence thereof.
(Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 1157, Sec. 19.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 3 - Proof of Financial Responsibility › ARTICLE 3 - Release of Proof › Section 16482.

16482. (a) Any person whose privilege to operate a motor vehicle has been suspended because of failure to satisfy a judgment and the judgment has been outstanding for a period of three years or more, may be relieved of the penalties therein provided and the privilege of the person to operate a motor vehicle may be restored in the event the person files with the department and thereafter maintains proof of financial responsibility notwithstanding that the judgment which gave rise to the order of suspension has not been paid or fully satisfied.
(b) Any person who has filed proof of financial responsibility as required for three years, or who has been eligible to file that proof for three years, may be relieved of the requirement of filing proof as provided in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 16480.
(Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 1157, Sec. 20.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 3 - Proof of Financial Responsibility › ARTICLE 3 - Release of Proof › Section 16483.

16483. The department shall cancel any bond or any certificate of insurance or direct the return of any money or securities to the person entitled thereto, upon the substitution and acceptance of other adequate proof of financial responsibility pursuant to this code.
(Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 1157, Sec. 21.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 3 - Proof of Financial Responsibility › ARTICLE 3 - Release of Proof › Section 16484.

16484. Except when a nonresident minor’s certificate or minor’s license is canceled as required by Sections 12504 and 17704, respectively, whenever any evidence of proof of financial responsibility filed by any person under the provisions of this code no longer fulfills the purpose for which required, the department shall require other evidence of financial responsibility as required by Article 1 (commencing with Section 16430) and shall suspend the privilege of the person to operate a motor vehicle upon a highway. The suspension shall remain in effect until adequate proof of financial responsibility is filed with the department by the person.
(Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 1157, Sec. 22.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 4 - Commercial Vehicles › Section 16500.

16500. (a) Every owner of a vehicle used in the transportation of passengers for hire, including taxicabs, when the operation of the vehicle is not subject to regulation by the Public Utilities Commission, shall maintain, whenever the owner may be engaged in conducting those operations, proof of financial responsibility resulting from the ownership or operation of the vehicle and arising by reason of personal injury to, or death of, any one person, of at least fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000), and, subject to the limit of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) for each person injured or killed, of at least thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) for the injury to, or the death of, two or more persons in any one accident, and for damages to property of at least five thousand dollars ($5,000) resulting from any one accident. Proof of financial responsibility may be maintained by either:
(1) Being insured under a motor vehicle liability policy against that liability.
(2) Obtaining a bond of the same kind, and containing the same provisions, as those bonds specified in Section 16434.
(3) By depositing with the department thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000), which amount shall be deposited in a special deposit account with the Controller for the purpose of this section.
(4) Qualifying as a self-insurer under Section 16053.
(b) The department shall return the deposit to the person entitled thereto when they are no longer required to maintain proof of financial responsibility as required by this section or upon their death.
(c) This section shall remain in effect until January 1, 2025, and as of that date is repealed.
(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 717, Sec. 10. (SB 1107) Effective January 1, 2023. Repealed as of January 1, 2025, by its own provisions. See later operative version, as amended by Sec. 21 of Stats. 2023, Ch. 204.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 4 - Commercial Vehicles › Section 16501.

16501. The provisions of this chapter shall not prevent local authorities, within the reasonable exercise of the police power, from adopting rules and regulations, by ordinance or resolution, licensing and regulating the operation of any vehicle for hire and the drivers of passenger vehicles for hire.
(Amended by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1554.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 4 - Commercial Vehicles › Section 16502.

16502. (a) An owner shall not use, or with his or her consent permit the use of, a vehicle used in the transportation of persons or property in the conduct of a business, without maintaining proof of financial responsibility as required by this chapter.
(b) A motor vehicle from another country in which there is no evidence of financial responsibility required pursuant to this chapter or Part 387 (commencing with Section 387.1) of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations shall be denied entry into the state.
(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 288, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2007.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 4 - Commercial Vehicles › Section 16503.

16503. The department shall suspend the registration of all vehicles used in the transportation of persons or property in the conduct of a business, except vehicles subject to regulation by the Public Utilities Commission, which are registered in the name of any person convicted of violating Section 16502 immediately upon receipt of a duly certified abstract of the record of the court in which the person was convicted.
The suspension shall remain in effect and no such vehicle shall be registered in the name of the person until he or she gives the department proof of his or her financial responsibility as required by Section 16500.
(Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 1157, Sec. 26.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 7 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS › CHAPTER 6 - Interstate Highway Carriers › Section 16560.

16560. (a) Any person or corporation who operates or causes to be operated on the highways of this state any motor vehicle in the interstate or foreign transportation of property, other than household goods, for compensation without having first complied with the requirements of paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) of Section 7232 of the Revenue and Taxation Code is guilty of a misdemeanor, and is punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than three months, or by both that fine and imprisonment.
(b) Any person or corporation who operates or causes to be operated on the highways of this state any motor vehicle in the interstate or foreign transportation of household goods for compensation without having first complied with the requirements of Chapter 3.1 (commencing with Section 19225) of Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code or passengers for compensation without having first complied with the requirements of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 3901) of Division 2 of the Public Utilities Code is guilty of a misdemeanor, and is punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than three months, or both that fine and imprisonment.
(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 295, Sec. 15. (AB 2956) Effective January 1, 2023.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 9 - CIVIL LIABILITY › CHAPTER 1 - Civil Liability of Owners and Operators of Vehicles › ARTICLE 1 - Public Agencies › Section 17000.

17000. As used in this chapter:
(a) “Employee” includes an officer, employee, or servant, whether or not compensated, but does not include an independent contractor.
(b) “Employment” includes office or employment.
(c) “Public entity” includes the state, the Regents of the University of California, a county, city, district, public authority, public agency, and any other political subdivision or public corporation in the state.
(Amended by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1527.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 9 - CIVIL LIABILITY › CHAPTER 1 - Civil Liability of Owners and Operators of Vehicles › ARTICLE 1 - Public Agencies › Section 17001.

17001. A public entity is liable for death or injury to person or property proximately caused by a negligent or wrongful act or omission in the operation of any motor vehicle by an employee of the public entity acting within the scope of his employment.
(Amended by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1527.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 9 - CIVIL LIABILITY › CHAPTER 1 - Civil Liability of Owners and Operators of Vehicles › ARTICLE 1 - Public Agencies › Section 17002.

17002. Subject to Article 4 (commencing with Section 825) of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 3.6 of Title 1 of the Government Code, a public entity is liable for death or injury to person or property to the same extent as a private person under the provisions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 17150) of this chapter.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1527.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 9 - CIVIL LIABILITY › CHAPTER 1 - Civil Liability of Owners and Operators of Vehicles › ARTICLE 1 - Public Agencies › Section 17004.

17004. A public employee is not liable for civil damages on account of personal injury to or death of any person or damage to property resulting from the operation, in the line of duty, of an authorized emergency vehicle while responding to an emergency call or when in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm or other emergency call.
(Amended by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1527.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 9 - CIVIL LIABILITY › CHAPTER 1 - Civil Liability of Owners and Operators of Vehicles › ARTICLE 1 - Public Agencies › Section 17004.5.

17004.5. Any private firm or corporation, or employee thereof, which maintains a fire department and has entered into a mutual aid agreement pursuant to Section 13855, 14095, or 14455.5 of the Health and Safety Code shall have the same immunity from liability for civil damages on account of personal injury to or death of any person or damage to property resulting from the operation of an authorized emergency vehicle while responding to, but not upon returning from, a fire alarm or other emergency call as is provided by law for the district and its employees with which the firm or corporation has entered into a mutual aid agreement, except when the act or omission causing the personal injury to or death of any person or damage to property occurs on property under the control of such firm or corporation.
(Added by Stats. 1961, Ch. 1880, Sec. 5.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 9 - CIVIL LIABILITY › CHAPTER 1 - Civil Liability of Owners and Operators of Vehicles › ARTICLE 2 - Private Owners › Section 17150.

17150. Every owner of a motor vehicle is liable and responsible for death or injury to person or property resulting from a negligent or wrongful act or omission in the operation of the motor vehicle, in the business of the owner or otherwise, by any person using or operating the same with the permission, express or implied, of the owner.
(Amended by Stats. 1967, Ch. 702.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 9 - CIVIL LIABILITY › CHAPTER 1 - Civil Liability of Owners and Operators of Vehicles › ARTICLE 2 - Private Owners › Section 17150.5.

17150.5. The presumptions created by Section 803 of the Family Code as to the acquisition of property by a married woman by an instrument in writing shall not apply in an action based on Section 17150 with respect to the acquisition of a motor vehicle by a married woman and her husband.
(Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 163, Sec. 134. Effective January 1, 1993. Operative January 1, 1994, by Sec. 161 of Ch. 163.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 9 - CIVIL LIABILITY › CHAPTER 1 - Civil Liability of Owners and Operators of Vehicles › ARTICLE 2 - Private Owners › Section 17151.

17151. (a) The liability of an owner, bailee of an owner, or personal representative of a decedent imposed by this chapter and not arising through the relationship of principal and agent or master and servant is limited to the amount of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) for the death of or injury to one person in any one accident and, subject to the limit as to one person, is limited to the amount of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) for the death of or injury to more than one person in any one accident and is limited to the amount of five thousand dollars ($5,000) for damage to property of others in any one accident.
(b) An owner, bailee of an owner, or personal representative of a decedent is not liable under this chapter for damages imposed for the sake of example and by way of punishing the operator of the vehicle. Nothing in this subdivision makes an owner, bailee, or personal representative immune from liability for damages imposed for the sake of example and by way of punishing him for his own wrongful conduct.
(Amended by Stats. 1967, Ch. 862, Sec. 8.5.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 9 - CIVIL LIABILITY › CHAPTER 1 - Civil Liability of Owners and Operators of Vehicles › ARTICLE 2 - Private Owners › Section 17152.

17152. In any action against an owner, bailee of an owner, or personal representative of a decedent on account of liability imposed by Sections 17150, 17154, or 17159 for the negligent or wrongful act or omission of the operator of a vehicle, the operator shall be made a party defendant if service of process can be made in a manner sufficient to secure personal jurisdiction over the operator. Upon recovery of judgment, recourse shall first be had against the property of the operator so served.
(Amended by Stats. 1967, Ch. 702.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 9 - CIVIL LIABILITY › CHAPTER 1 - Civil Liability of Owners and Operators of Vehicles › ARTICLE 2 - Private Owners › Section 17153.

17153. If there is recovery under this chapter against an owner, bailee of an owner, or personal representative of a decedent, the owner, bailee of an owner, or personal representative of a decedent is subrogated to all the rights of the person injured or whose property has been injured and may recover from the operator the total amount of any judgment and costs recovered against the owner, bailee of an owner, or personal representative of a decedent.
(Amended by Stats. 1967, Ch. 702.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 9 - CIVIL LIABILITY › CHAPTER 1 - Civil Liability of Owners and Operators of Vehicles › ARTICLE 2 - Private Owners › Section 17154.

17154. If the bailee of an owner with the permission, express or implied, of the owner permits another to operate the motor vehicle of the owner, then the bailee and the driver shall both be deemed operators of the vehicle of the owner within the meaning of Sections 17152 and 17153.
Every bailee of a motor vehicle is liable and responsible for death or injury to person or property resulting from a negligent or wrongful act or omission in the operation of the motor vehicle, in the business of the bailee or otherwise, by any person using or operating the same with the permission, express or implied, of the bailee.
(Amended by Stats. 1967, Ch. 702.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 9 - CIVIL LIABILITY › CHAPTER 1 - Civil Liability of Owners and Operators of Vehicles › ARTICLE 2 - Private Owners › Section 17155.

17155. If two or more persons are injured or killed in one accident, the owner, bailee of an owner, or personal representative of a decedent may settle and pay any bona fide claims for damages arising out of personal injuries or death, whether reduced by judgment or not, and the payments shall diminish, to the extent of those payments, the person’s total liability on account of the accident. Payments aggregating the full sum of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) shall extinguish all liability of the owner, bailee of an owner, or personal representative of a decedent for death or personal injury arising out of the accident that exists pursuant to this chapter, and did not arise through the negligent or wrongful act or omission of the owner, bailee of an owner, or personal representative of a decedent nor through the relationship of principal and agent or master and servant.
(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 538, Sec. 660. Effective January 1, 2007.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 9 - CIVIL LIABILITY › CHAPTER 1 - Civil Liability of Owners and Operators of Vehicles › ARTICLE 2 - Private Owners › Section 17156.

17156. If a motor vehicle is sold under a contract of conditional sale whereby the title to such motor vehicle remains in the vendor, such vendor or his assignee shall not be deemed an owner within the provisions of this chapter, but the vendee or his assignee shall be deemed the owner notwithstanding the terms of such contract, until the vendor or his assignee retake possession of the motor vehicle. A chattel mortgagee of a motor vehicle out of possession is not an owner within the provisions of this chapter.
(Amended by Stats. 1967, Ch. 702.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 9 - CIVIL LIABILITY › CHAPTER 1 - Civil Liability of Owners and Operators of Vehicles › ARTICLE 2 - Private Owners › Section 17157.

17157. If a motor vehicle is gratuitously loaned to a school district, the bailee and not the bailor shall be deemed to be the owner within the provisions of this chapter notwithstanding the terms of any contract, until the bailor retakes possession of the motor vehicle.
(Added by Stats. 1969, Ch. 289.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 9 - CIVIL LIABILITY › CHAPTER 1 - Civil Liability of Owners and Operators of Vehicles › ARTICLE 2 - Private Owners › Section 17158.

17158. No person riding in or occupying a vehicle owned by him and driven by another person with his permission has any right of action for civil damages against the driver of the vehicle or against any other person legally liable for the conduct of the driver on account of personal injury to or the death of the owner during the ride, unless the plaintiff in any such action establishes that the injury or death proximately resulted from the intoxication or willful misconduct of the driver.
(Amended by Stats. 1973, Ch. 803.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 9 - CIVIL LIABILITY › CHAPTER 1 - Civil Liability of Owners and Operators of Vehicles › ARTICLE 2 - Private Owners › Section 17159.

17159. Every person who is a personal representative of a decedent who has control or possession of a motor vehicle subject to administration for the purpose of administration of an estate is, during the period of such administration, or until the vehicle has been distributed under order of the court or he has complied with the requirements of subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 5602, liable and responsible for death or injury to person or property resulting from a negligent or wrongful act or omission in the operation of the motor vehicle by any person using or operating the same with the permission, express or implied, of the personal representative.
(Amended by Stats. 1967, Ch. 702.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 9 - CIVIL LIABILITY › CHAPTER 1 - Civil Liability of Owners and Operators of Vehicles › ARTICLE 2.5 - Uninsured Owners › Section 17200.

17200. Where an uninsured owner or operator has obtained a judgment against or agreed to a settlement with the owner or operator of an insured motor vehicle based on the negligence of the insured owner or operator, the amount of the judgment or settlement payable by the insured or his or her insurer shall be reduced by the amount paid or payable to the insured owner or operator or occupants of the insured motor vehicles or their heirs or legal representatives from coverage provided by an uninsured motorist endorsement where the claim of the insured, the owner, or occupants of the insured motor vehicle and the uninsured motorist arise out of the same accident. If the insured or his or her insurer becomes entitled to a reduction, the reduction shall not exceed the amount of the settlement or judgment awarded the uninsured owner or operator.
(Added by Stats. 1983, Ch. 1252, Sec. 10.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 9 - CIVIL LIABILITY › CHAPTER 1 - Civil Liability of Owners and Operators of Vehicles › ARTICLE 2.5 - Uninsured Owners › Section 17201.

17201. The payment of any settlement with an uninsured owner or operator or the payment of any final judgment for damages obtained by an uninsured owner or operator in a civil action against an insured owner or operator shall not be made until the claims of the owner, the operator, or the occupants of the insured motor vehicle, if any, or their heirs or legal representatives for benefits under the uninsured motorist endorsement are settled by the insurer and the claimants under the uninsured motorist endorsement or are determined by the arbitrator in arbitration proceedings conducted pursuant to Section 11580.2 of the Insurance Code.
(Added by Stats. 1983, Ch. 1252, Sec. 10.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 9 - CIVIL LIABILITY › CHAPTER 1 - Civil Liability of Owners and Operators of Vehicles › ARTICLE 2.5 - Uninsured Owners › Section 17202.

17202. This article is not intended to affect the rights granted pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 11580.2 of the Insurance Code.
(Added by Stats. 1983, Ch. 1252, Sec. 10.)