reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 2 - Lighting Equipment › ARTICLE 16 - Equipment Testing › Section 26101.

26101. (a) A person shall not sell or offer for sale for use upon or as part of the equipment of a vehicle any device that is intended to modify the original design or performance of any lighting equipment, safety glazing material, or other device, unless the modifying device meets the provisions of Section 26104.
(b) A person shall not use upon a vehicle, and a person shall not drive a vehicle upon a highway that has installed a device that is intended to modify the original design or performance of a lighting, safety glazing material, or other device, unless the modifying device complies with Section 26104.
(c) This section does not apply to a taillamp or stop lamp in use on or prior to December 1, 1935, or to lamps installed on authorized emergency vehicles.
(Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 491, Sec. 45. (SB 1318) Effective January 1, 2011.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 2 - Lighting Equipment › ARTICLE 16 - Equipment Testing › Section 26102.

26102. In the event any equipment in actual use meets the requirements of this code or a department regulation adopted pursuant to this code, a subsequent regulation shall not require the replacement of the equipment and shall be applicable only to equipment installed after the effective date of the regulation.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1979, Ch. 723.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 2 - Lighting Equipment › ARTICLE 16 - Equipment Testing › Section 26103.

26103. (a) The department may adopt and enforce regulations establishing standards and specifications for safety belts, safety glazing material, safety helmets, sirens, tire traction devices, bunk stakes, and synthetic binders. The standards and specifications may include installation and aiming requirements.
(b) Notwithstanding rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department shall adopt regulations for lighting devices permitted by this code and incorporate by reference the applicable standards published by SAE International for these devices and a corresponding publication date. Notwithstanding the specified publication date, a person may sell or use upon a vehicle a device meeting the requirements of a revised standard.
(c) A federal motor vehicle safety standard adopted pursuant to Chapter 301 (commencing with Section 30101) of Part A of Subtitle VI of Title 49 of the United States Code that covers the same aspect of performance of a device shall prevail over provisions of this code or regulations adopted pursuant to this code. Lamps, devices, and equipment certified by the manufacturer to meet applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards as original equipment on new vehicles and the identical replacements for those items need not be certified to the department.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 311, Sec. 7. (SB 814) Effective January 1, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 2 - Lighting Equipment › ARTICLE 16 - Equipment Testing › Section 26104.

26104. (a) Every manufacturer who sells, offers for sale, or manufactures for use upon a vehicle devices subject to requirements established by the department shall, before the device is offered for sale, have laboratory test data showing compliance with such requirements. Tests may be conducted by the manufacturer.
(b) The department may at any time request from the manufacturer a copy of the test data showing proof of compliance of any device with the requirements established by the department and additional evidence that due care was exercised in maintaining compliance during production. If the manufacturer fails to provide such proof of compliance within 30 days of notice from the department, the department may prohibit the sale of the device in this state until acceptable proof of compliance is received by the department.
(Amended by Stats. 1980, Ch. 399, Sec. 8. Effective July 11, 1980.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 2 - Lighting Equipment › ARTICLE 16 - Equipment Testing › Section 26105.

26105. The department may purchase any equipment sold for use on vehicles and test or retest the same as to conformance with the requirements of this code and department regulations adopted pursuant to this code and any expense incurred in such purchase and test shall be a legal charge against the Motor Vehicle Fund.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1979, Ch. 723.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 2 - Lighting Equipment › ARTICLE 16 - Equipment Testing › Section 26106.

26106. The department may issue a permit for the use of equipment for experimental purposes. The use of such equipment under the permit is not a violation of this code.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1979, Ch. 723.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 1 - Brake Requirements › Section 26301.

26301. Any motor vehicle first registered in this state after January 1, 1940, shall be equipped with power brakes if its gross weight exceeds 14,000 pounds, except that any such vehicle having a gross weight of less than 18,000 pounds may, in lieu of power brakes, be equipped with two-stage hydraulic actuators of a type designed to increase braking effect of its brakes.
(Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 789, Sec. 1.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 1 - Brake Requirements › Section 26301.5.

26301.5. Every passenger vehicle manufactured and first registered after January 1, 1973, except motorcycles, shall be equipped with an emergency brake system so constructed that rupture or leakage-type failure of any single pressure component of the service brake system, except structural failures of the brake master cylinder body or effectiveness indicator body, shall not result in complete loss of function of the vehicle’s brakes when force on the brake pedal is continued.
(Added by Stats. 1971, Ch. 1110.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 1 - Brake Requirements › Section 26302.

26302. (a) Every trailer or semitrailer, manufactured and first registered after January 1, 1940, and having a gross weight of 6,000 pounds or more and which is operated at a speed of 20 miles per hour or over shall be equipped with brakes.
(b) Every trailer or semitrailer manufactured and first registered after January 1, 1966, and having a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or more shall be equipped with brakes on at least two wheels.
(c) Every trailer or semitrailer manufactured after January 1, 1982, and equipped with air brakes shall be equipped with brakes on all wheels.
(d) Brakes required on trailers or semitrailers shall be adequate, supplemental to the brakes on the towing vehicle, to enable the combination of vehicles to comply with the stopping distance requirements of Section 26454.
(e) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any vehicle being used to support the boom or mast attached to a mobile crane or shovel.
(Amended by Stats. 1981, Ch. 774, Sec. 6.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 1 - Brake Requirements › Section 26303.

26303. Every trailer coach and every camp trailer having a gross weight of 1,500 pounds or more, but exclusive of passengers, shall be equipped with brakes on at least two wheels which are adequate, supplemental to the brakes on the towing vehicle, to enable the combination of vehicles to comply with the stopping distance requirements of Section 26454.
(Amended by Stats. 1971, Ch. 1536.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 1 - Brake Requirements › Section 26304.

26304. (a) Power brakes on any trailer or semitrailer manufactured after December 31, 1955, operated over public highways and required to be equipped with brakes shall be designed to be automatically applied upon breakaway from the towing vehicle and shall be capable of stopping and holding such vehicle stationary for not less than 15 minutes.
(b) Every new truck or truck tractor manufactured after December 31, 1955, operated over public highways and used in towing a vehicle shall be equipped with service brakes capable of stopping the truck or truck tractor in the event of breakaway of the towed vehicle.
(Amended by Stats. 1972, Ch. 733.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 1 - Brake Requirements › Section 26307.

26307. No forklift truck manufactured after January 1, 1970, shall be towed behind another vehicle unless it is equipped with brakes on the wheels of the rearmost axle when the forklift truck is in the towing position, which brakes shall be adequate, supplemental to the brakes on the towing vehicle, to enable the combination of vehicles to comply with the stopping distance requirements of Section 26454.
(Added by Stats. 1969, Ch. 132.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 1 - Brake Requirements › Section 26311.

26311. (a) Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with service brakes on all wheels in contact with the roadway, except as follows:
(1) Trucks and truck tractors manufactured before July 25, 1980, having three or more axles need not have brakes on the front wheels, except when such vehicles are equipped with at least two steerable axles, the wheels of one such axle need not be equipped with brakes.
(2) The final towed vehicle in a triple saddle-mount driveaway-towaway operation.
(3) Any vehicle manufactured prior to 1930.
(4) Any two-axle truck tractor manufactured prior to 1964.
(5) Any sidecar attached to a motorcycle.
(6) Any motorcycle manufactured prior to 1966. Such motorcycle shall be equipped with brakes on at least one wheel.
(b) Any bus, truck, or truck tractor may be equipped with a manual or automatic means for reducing the braking effort on the front wheels. The manual means shall be used only when operating under adverse road conditions, such as wet, snowy, or icy roads.
(c) Vehicles and combinations of vehicles exempted in subdivisions (a) and (b) from the requirements of brakes on all wheels shall comply with the stopping distance requirements of Section 26454.
(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 451, Sec. 53. (SB 491) Effective January 1, 2016.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 2 - Operation of Brakes › Section 26450.

26450. Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a service brake system and every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, shall be equipped with a parking brake system. Both the service brake and parking brake shall be separately applied.
If the two systems are connected in any way, they shall be so constructed that failure of any one part, except failure in the drums, brakeshoes, or other mechanical parts of the wheel brake assemblies, shall not leave the motor vehicle without operative brakes.
(Amended by Stats. 1967, Ch. 369.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 2 - Operation of Brakes › Section 26451.

26451. The parking brake system of every motor vehicle shall comply with the following requirements:
(a) The parking brake shall be adequate to hold the vehicle or combination of vehicles stationary on any grade on which it is operated under all conditions of loading on a surface free from snow, ice or loose material. In any event the parking brake shall be capable of locking the braked wheels to the limit of traction.
(b) The parking brake shall be applied either by the driver’s muscular efforts, by spring action, or by other energy which is isolated and used exclusively for the operation of the parking brake or the combination parking brake and emergency stopping system.
(c) The parking brake shall be held in the applied position solely by mechanical means.
(Amended by Stats. 1981, Ch. 774, Sec. 8.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 2 - Operation of Brakes › Section 26452.

26452. All motor vehicles shall be so equipped as to permit application of the brakes at least once for the purpose of bringing the vehicle to a stop within the legal stopping distance after the engine has become inoperative.
(Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 2 - Operation of Brakes › Section 26453.

26453. All brakes and component parts thereof shall be maintained in good condition and in good working order. The brakes shall be so adjusted as to operate as equally as practicable with respect to the wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle.
(Amended by Stats. 1959, Ch. 2183.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 2 - Operation of Brakes › Section 26455.

26455. In respect to any motor vehicle designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property which is not equipped with a plate or marker showing the manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating, for purposes of stopping distance requirements, the weight of a vehicle shall be determined as follows:
(a) Any motor vehicle having less than six wheels is the equivalent of a vehicle having a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of less than 10,000 pounds.
(b) Any motor vehicle having six wheels or more is the equivalent of a vehicle having a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or more.
(Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 2 - Operation of Brakes › Section 26456.

26456. Stopping distance requirement tests shall be conducted on a substantially level, dry, smooth, hard-surfaced road that is free from loose material and where the grade does not exceed plus or minus 1 percent. Stopping distance shall be measured from the instant brake controls are moved and from an initial speed of approximately 20 miles per hour. No test of brake performance shall be made upon a highway at a speed in excess of 25 miles per hour.
(Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 2 - Operation of Brakes › Section 26457.

26457. Special mobile equipment, logging vehicles, equipment operated under special permit, and any chassis without body or load are not subject to stopping distance requirements, but if any such vehicle or equipment cannot be stopped within 32 feet from an initial speed of 15 miles per hour, it shall not be operated at a speed in excess of that permitting a stop in 32 feet.
(Amended by Stats. 1975, Ch. 517.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 2 - Operation of Brakes › Section 26458.

26458. (a) The braking system on every motor vehicle used to tow another vehicle shall be so arranged that one control on the towing vehicle shall, when applied, operate all the service brakes on the power unit and combination of vehicles when either or both of the following conditions exist:
(1) The towing vehicle is required to be equipped with power brakes.
(2) The towed vehicle is required to be equipped with brakes and is equipped with power brakes.
(b) Subdivision (a) shall not be construed to prohibit motor vehicles from being equipped with an additional control to be used to operate the brakes on the trailer or trailers.
(c) Subdivision (a) does not apply to any of the following combinations of vehicles, if the combination of vehicles meets the stopping distance requirements of Section 26454:
(1) Vehicles engaged in driveaway-towaway operations.
(2) Disabled vehicles, while being towed.
(3) Towed motor vehicles.
(4) Trailers equipped with inertially controlled brakes which are designed to be applied automatically upon breakaway from the towing vehicle and which are capable of stopping and holding the trailer stationary for not less than 15 minutes.
(Amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 121, Sec. 1.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 2 - Operation of Brakes › Section 26458.5.

26458.5. Pursuant to Section 26458, whenever a motor vehicle is equipped with an additional control to operate the brakes on a trailer, that control shall not be used in lieu of the service brake control, except in the case of failure of the service brake system.
(Added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 316, Sec. 1.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 3 - Airbrakes › Section 26502.

26502. (a) Airbrakes of every motor vehicle and combination of vehicles shall be so adjusted and maintained as to be capable of providing full service brake application at all times except as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 26311. A full service brake application shall deliver to all brake chambers not less than 90 percent of the air reservoir pressure remaining with the brakes applied.
(b) The department may by regulation authorize the use of special devices or systems to automatically reduce the maximum air pressure delivered to the brake chambers in order to compensate for load variation and to obtain balanced braking. Permitted systems shall be of the fail safe type and shall not increase the vehicle stopping distance.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1789.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 3 - Airbrakes › Section 26503.

26503. Every motor vehicle equipped with airbrakes or equipped to operate airbrakes on towed vehicles shall be equipped with a standard type safety valve which shall be installed so as to have an uninterrupted connection with the air reservoir or tank. It shall be adjusted and maintained so that it will open and discharge the air system under any condition at a pressure of not to exceed 150 pounds per square inch and close and reseat itself at a point above the maximum air governor setting. The department may by regulation prescribe a higher maximum opening pressure for air pressure systems designed for, and capable of safely operating with, pressure safety valves with a higher opening pressure.
(Amended by Stats. 1967, Ch. 1578.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 3 - Airbrakes › Section 26504.

26504. The air governor cut-in and cut-out pressures of every motor vehicle equipped with airbrakes or equipped to operate airbrakes on towed vehicles shall be adjusted so that the maximum pressure in the air system and the minimum cut-in pressure shall be within limits prescribed by the department. In adopting regulations specifying such pressures the department shall consider the safe operating capacities of the various airbrake systems which are now or may be used on motor vehicles and shall be guided by the designed capabilities of those systems.
(Amended by Stats. 1967, Ch. 1578.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 3 - Airbrakes › Section 26505.

26505. A motor vehicle equipped with airbrakes or equipped to operate airbrakes on towed vehicles shall be equipped with a pressure gauge of reliable and satisfactory construction and maintained in an efficient working condition, accurate within 10 percent of the actual air reservoir pressure, and visible and legible to a person when seated in the driving position.
(Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 491, Sec. 46. (SB 1318) Effective January 1, 2011.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 3 - Airbrakes › Section 26506.

26506. (a) Every motor vehicle airbrake system used to operate the brakes on a motor vehicle or on a towed vehicle shall be equipped with a low air pressure warning device that complies with either the requirements set forth in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards in effect at the time of manufacture or the requirements of subdivision (b).
(b) The device shall be readily visible or audible to the driver and shall give a satisfactory continuous warning when the air supply pressure drops below a fixed pressure, which shall be not more than 75 pounds per square inch nor less than 55 pounds per square inch with the engine running. A gauge indicating pressure shall not satisfy this requirement.
(Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 1241, Sec. 25. Effective January 1, 1993.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 3 - Airbrakes › Section 26507.

26507. A check valve shall be installed and properly maintained in the air supply piping of every motor vehicle equipped with airbrakes, either between the air compressor and the first reservoir or tank immediately adjacent to the air intake of said reservoir, or between No. 1 reservoir (wet tank) and No. 2 reservoir (dry tank) immediately adjacent to the air intake of the No. 2 reservoir; provided, that the air supply for the brakes is not drawn from the No. 1 reservoir and that the No. 1 and No. 2 reservoirs are connected by only one pipeline.
(Added by Stats. 1959, Ch. 510.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 4 - Vacuum Brakes › Section 26520.

26520. Motor vehicles required to be equipped with power brakes and which are equipped with vacuum or vacuum-assisted brakes shall be equipped with a properly maintained vacuum gauge of reliable and satisfactory construction, accurate within 10 percent of the actual vacuum in the supply reservoir, and visible and legible to the driver at all times.
This section shall not apply to a two-axle motor truck operated singly.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 386.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 4 - Vacuum Brakes › Section 26521.

26521. Motor vehicles required to be equipped with power brakes and equipped with vacuum or vacuum-assisted brakes and motor vehicles used to tow vehicles equipped with vacuum brakes or vacuum-assisted brakes shall be equipped with either an audible or visible warning signal to indicate readily to the driver when the vacuum drops to eight inches of mercury and less. A vacuum gauge shall not be deemed to meet this requirement.
This section shall not apply to a two-axle motor truck operated singly nor to any motor vehicle manufactured prior to 1964.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 386.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 3 - Brakes › ARTICLE 4 - Vacuum Brakes › Section 26522.

26522. Vehicles required to be equipped with power brakes and equipped with vacuum or vacuum-assisted brakes shall have a check valve installed and properly maintained in the vacuum system between the source of vacuum and the vacuum reserve.
(Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 386.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 4 - Windshields and Mirrors › Section 26700.

26700. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b) or (c), a passenger vehicle, other than a motorcycle, and every bus, motortruck or truck tractor, and every firetruck, fire engine or other fire apparatus, whether publicly or privately owned, shall be equipped with an adequate windshield.
(b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to any vehicle issued identification plates pursuant to Section 5004 which was not required to be equipped with a windshield at the time it was first sold or registered under the laws of this state, another state, or foreign jurisdiction.
(c) This section does not apply to an autonomous vehicle, as defined in Section 38750, that is not capable of operation with a human occupant in the vehicle, provided that this exemption is consistent with, or authorized by, any applicable federal law, regulation, or exemption thereto.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 428, Sec. 5. (SB 570) Effective January 1, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 4 - Windshields and Mirrors › Section 26701.

26701. (a) No person shall sell, offer for sale, or operate any motor vehicle, except a motorcycle, manufactured after January 1, 1936, unless it is equipped with safety glazing material wherever glazing materials are used in interior partitions, doors, windows, windshields, auxiliary wind deflectors or openings in the roof.
(b) No person shall sell or offer for sale any camper manufactured after January 1, 1968, nor shall any person operate a motor vehicle registered in this state which is equipped with that camper, unless the camper is equipped with safety glazing materials wherever glazing materials are used in outside windows and doors, interior partitions, and openings in the roof.
(c) No person shall operate a motorcycle manufactured after January 1, 1969, equipped with a windshield containing glazing material unless it is safety glazing material.
(d) No person shall sell, offer for sale, or operate any motor vehicle equipped with red, blue, or amber translucent aftermarket material in any partitions, windows, windshields, or wind deflectors.
(e) No person shall sell, offer for sale, or operate any trailer coach manufactured after January 1, 1977, that is capable of being towed with a fifth-wheel device unless the trailer coach is equipped with safety glazing materials wherever glazing materials are used in windows or doors, interior partitions, and openings in the roof.
(Amended by Stats. 1993, Ch. 540, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1994.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 4 - Windshields and Mirrors › Section 26703.

26703. (a) No person shall replace any glazing materials used in interior partitions, doors, windows, or openings in the roof in any motor vehicle, in the outside windows, doors, interior partitions, or openings in the roof of any camper, or in windows, doors, interior partitions, or openings in the roof of a trailer coach capable of being towed with a fifth-wheel device, with any glazing material other than safety glazing material.
(b) No person shall replace any glazing material used in the windshield, rear window, auxiliary wind deflectors, or windows to the left and right of the driver with any material other than safety glazing material.
(Amended by Stats. 1976, Ch. 900.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 4 - Windshields and Mirrors › Section 26705.

26705. On or after January 1, 1969, no person shall sell or offer for sale for use upon or as part of the equipment of a motorcycle any motorcycle windshield unless the glazing material used therein is safety glazing material.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1968, Ch. 1469.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 4 - Windshields and Mirrors › Section 26706.

26706. (a) Every motor vehicle, except motorcycles, equipped with a windshield shall also be equipped with a self-operating windshield wiper.
(b) Every new motor vehicle first registered after December 31, 1949, except motorcycles, shall be equipped with two windshield wipers, one mounted on the right half and one on the left half of the windshield, except that any motor vehicle may be equipped with a single wiper so long as it meets the wiped area requirements in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Governing Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems.
(c) This section does not apply to snow removal equipment equipped with adequate manually operated windshield wipers.
(d) This section does not apply to an autonomous vehicle, as defined in Section 38750, that is not capable of operation by a human driver seated in the vehicle, provided that this exemption is consistent with, or authorized by, any applicable federal law, regulation, or exemption thereto.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 428, Sec. 6. (SB 570) Effective January 1, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 4 - Windshields and Mirrors › Section 26707.

26707. Windshield wipers required by this code shall be maintained in good operating condition and shall provide clear vision through the windshield for the driver. Wipers shall be operated under conditions of fog, snow, or rain and shall be capable of effectively clearing the windshield under all ordinary storm or load conditions while the vehicle is in operation.
(Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 4 - Windshields and Mirrors › Section 26708.2.

26708.2. Sun screening devices permitted by paragraph (10) of subdivision (b) of Section 26708 shall meet the following requirements:
(a) The devices shall be held in place by means allowing ready removal from the window area, such as a frame, a rigid material with temporary fasteners, or a flexible roller shade.
(b) Devices utilizing transparent material shall be green, gray, or a neutral smoke in color and shall have a luminous transmittance of not less than 35 percent.
(c) Devices utilizing nontransparent louvers or other alternating patterns of opaque and open sections shall have an essentially uniform pattern over the entire surface, except for framing and supports. At least 35 percent of the device area shall be open and no individual louver or opaque section shall have a projected vertical dimension exceeding
3
/
16
inch.
(d) The devices shall not have a reflective quality exceeding 35 percent on either the inner or outer surface.
(Added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 74, Sec. 2.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 4 - Windshields and Mirrors › Section 26708.5.

26708.5. (a) No person shall place, install, affix, or apply any transparent material upon the windshield, or side or rear windows, of any motor vehicle if the material alters the color or reduces the light transmittance of the windshield or side or rear windows, except as provided in subdivision (b), (c), or (d) of Section 26708.
(b) Tinted safety glass may be installed in a vehicle if (1) the glass complies with motor vehicle safety standards of the United States Department of Transportation for safety glazing materials, and (2) the glass is installed in a location permitted by those standards for the particular type of glass used.
(Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 476, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 4 - Windshields and Mirrors › Section 26708.7.

26708.7. Notwithstanding any other law, a vehicle operated and owned or leased by a federal, state, or local agency, department, or district, that employs peace officers, as defined by Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, for use by those peace officers in the performance of their duties, is exempt from California law, and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, prohibiting or limiting material that may be placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied to the side or rear windows, commonly referred to as window tinting or glazing.
(Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 171, Sec. 1. (AB 2660) Effective January 1, 2013.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 4 - Windshields and Mirrors › Section 26709.

26709. (a) (1) Every motor vehicle registered in a foreign jurisdiction and every motorcycle subject to registration in this state shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle.
(2) Every motor vehicle subject to registration in this state, except a motorcycle, shall be equipped with not less than two mirrors, including one affixed to the left-hand side.
(b) The following described types of motor vehicles, of a type subject to registration, shall be equipped with mirrors on both the left- and right-hand sides of the vehicle so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway through each mirror for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle:
(1) A motor vehicle so constructed or loaded as to obstruct the driver’s view to the rear.
(2) A motor vehicle towing a vehicle and the towed vehicle or load thereon obstructs the driver’s view to the rear.
(3) A bus or trolley coach.
(c) The provisions of subdivision (b) shall not apply to a passenger vehicle when the load obstructing the driver’s view consists of passengers.
(d) This section does not apply to an autonomous vehicle, as defined in Section 38750, that is not capable of operation by a human driver seated in the vehicle, provided that this exemption is consistent with, or authorized by, any applicable federal law, regulation, or exemption thereto.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 428, Sec. 7. (SB 570) Effective January 1, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 4 - Windshields and Mirrors › Section 26710.

26710. (a) It is unlawful to operate any motor vehicle upon a highway when the windshield or rear window is in such a defective condition as to impair the driver’s vision either to the front or rear.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), it is unlawful to operate any motor vehicle described in Section 34500 upon a highway when the condition of the windshield is other than described in Section 393.60(c) of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(c) In the event any windshield or rear window fails to comply with this code the officer making the inspection shall direct the driver to make the windshield and rear window conform to the requirements of this code within 48 hours. The officer may also arrest the driver and give them notice to appear and further require the driver or the owner of the vehicle to produce in court satisfactory evidence that the windshield or rear window has been made to conform to the requirements of this code.
(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 295, Sec. 16. (AB 2956) Effective January 1, 2023.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 4 - Windshields and Mirrors › Section 26711.

26711. Every bus or trolley coach, except those first registered prior to January 1, 1960, and engaged in urban and suburban service as defined in Section 35107, shall be equipped with movable eyeshades of sufficient size to shade the eyes of the operator of a bus or trolley coach while it is being driven facing the sun.
(Amended by Stats. 1963, Ch. 661.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 4 - Windshields and Mirrors › Section 26712.

26712. (a) Every passenger vehicle used or maintained for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit shall be equipped with a defrosting device that is adequate to remove snow, ice, frost, fog, or internal moisture from the windshield.
(b) This section does not apply to an autonomous vehicle, as defined in Section 38750, that is not capable of operation by a human driver seated in the vehicle, provided that this exemption is consistent with, or authorized by, any applicable federal law, regulation, or exemption thereto.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 428, Sec. 8. (SB 570) Effective January 1, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 5 - Other Equipment › ARTICLE 1 - Horns, Sirens and Amplification Devices › Section 27000.

27000. (a) A motor vehicle, when operated upon a highway, shall be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet, but no horn shall emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound. An authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with, and use in conjunction with the siren on that vehicle, an air horn that emits sounds that do not comply with the requirements of this section.
(b) A refuse or garbage truck shall be equipped with an automatic backup audible alarm that sounds on backing and is capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 100 feet or shall be equipped with an automatic backup device that is in good working order, located at the rear of the vehicle and that immediately applies the service brake of the vehicle on contact by the vehicle with any obstruction to the rear. The backup device or alarm shall also be capable of operating automatically when the vehicle is in neutral or a forward gear but rolls backward.
(c) A refuse or garbage truck, except a vehicle, known as a rolloff vehicle, that is used for the express purpose of transporting waste containers such as open boxes or compactors, purchased after January 1, 2010, shall also be equipped with a functioning camera providing a video display for the driver that enhances or supplements the driver’s view behind the truck for the purpose of safely maneuvering the truck.
(d) (1) A construction vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) in excess of 14,000 pounds that operates at, or transports construction or industrial materials to and from, a mine or construction site, or both, shall be equipped with an automatic backup audible alarm that sounds on backing and is capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet.
(2) As used in this subdivision, “construction vehicle” includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(A) A vehicle designed to transport concrete, cement, clay, limestone, aggregate material as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 23114, or other similar construction or industrial material, including a transfer truck or a tractor trailer combination used exclusively to pull bottom dump, end dump, or side dump trailers.
(B) A vehicle that is a concrete mixer truck, a truck with a concrete placing boom, a water tank truck, a single engine crane with a load rating of 35 tons or more, or a tractor that exclusively pulls a low-boy trailer.
(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 235, Sec. 1. (SB 341) Effective January 1, 2012.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 5 - Other Equipment › ARTICLE 1 - Horns, Sirens and Amplification Devices › Section 27001.

27001. (a) The driver of a motor vehicle when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation shall give audible warning with his horn.
(b) The horn shall not otherwise be used, except as a theft alarm system which operates as specified in Article 13 (commencing with Section 28085) of this chapter.
(Amended by Stats. 1977, Ch. 993.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 5 - Other Equipment › ARTICLE 1 - Horns, Sirens and Amplification Devices › Section 27002.

27002. (a) No vehicle, except an authorized emergency vehicle, shall be equipped with, nor shall any person use upon a vehicle any siren except that an authorized emergency vehicle shall be equipped with a siren meeting requirements established by the department.
(b) An authorized emergency vehicle may also be equipped with a Hi-Lo audible warning sound meeting requirements established by the department.
(c) A Hi-Lo warning sound may only be used to notify the public of an immediate evacuation in case of an emergency and is not a siren. For the purposes of Section 21055, a Hi-Lo shall not be used in lieu of a siren if the sounding of a siren is reasonably necessary pursuant to that section.
(Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 262, Sec. 1. (SB 909) Effective September 29, 2020.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 5 - Other Equipment › ARTICLE 1 - Horns, Sirens and Amplification Devices › Section 27003.

27003. An armored car may be equipped with a siren which may be used while resisting armed robbery. At all other times, the siren shall not be sounded. The authority to use a siren granted by this section does not constitute an armored car an authorized emergency vehicle, and all other provisions of this code applicable to drivers of vehicles apply to drivers of armored cars.
(Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 5 - Other Equipment › ARTICLE 1 - Horns, Sirens and Amplification Devices › Section 27007.

27007. No driver of a vehicle shall operate, or permit the operation of, any sound amplification system which can be heard outside the vehicle from 50 or more feet when the vehicle is being operated upon a highway, unless that system is being operated to request assistance or warn of a hazardous situation.
This section does not apply to authorized emergency vehicles or vehicles operated by gas, electric, communications, or water utilities. This section does not apply to the sound systems of vehicles used for advertising, or in parades, political or other special events, except that the use of sound systems on those vehicles may be prohibited by a local authority by ordinance or resolution.
(Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 538, Sec. 1.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 5 - Other Equipment › ARTICLE 2 - Exhaust Systems › Section 27150.

27150. (a) Every motor vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine and subject to registration shall at all times be equipped with an adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise, and no muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass, or similar device.
(b) Except as provided in Division 16.5 (commencing with Section 38000) with respect to off-highway motor vehicles subject to identification, every passenger vehicle operated off the highways shall at all times be equipped with an adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained so as to meet the requirements of Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 27200), and no muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass, or similar device.
(c) The provisions of subdivision (b) shall not be applicable to passenger vehicles being operated off the highways in an organized racing or competitive event conducted under the auspices of a recognized sanctioning body or by permit issued by the local governmental authority having jurisdiction, or to vehicles not equipped with an internal combustion engine.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 428, Sec. 9. (SB 570) Effective January 1, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 5 - Other Equipment › ARTICLE 2 - Exhaust Systems › Section 27150.1.

27150.1. No person engaged in a business that involves the selling of motor vehicle exhaust systems, or parts thereof, including, but not limited to, mufflers, shall offer for sale, sell, or install, a motor vehicle exhaust system, or part thereof, including, but not limited to, a muffler, unless it meets the regulations and standards applicable pursuant to this article. Motor vehicle exhaust systems or parts thereof include, but are not limited to, nonoriginal exhaust equipment.
A violation of this section is a misdemeanor.
(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 569, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003.)
2023 California Code › Vehicle Code - VEH › DIVISION 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES › CHAPTER 5 - Other Equipment › ARTICLE 2 - Exhaust Systems › Section 27150.2.

27150.2. (a) Stations providing referee functions pursuant to Section 44036 of the Health and Safety Code shall provide for the testing of vehicular exhaust systems and the issuance of certificates of compliance only for those vehicles that have received a citation for a violation of Section 27150 or 27151.
(b) A certificate of compliance for a vehicular exhaust system shall be issued pursuant to subdivision (a) if the vehicle complies with Sections 27150 and 27151. Exhaust systems installed on motor vehicles, other than motorcycles, with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of less than 6,000 pounds comply with Sections 27150 and 27151 if they emit no more than 95 dbA when tested in accordance with the most current SAE International standard.
(c) An exhaust system certificate of compliance issued pursuant to subdivision (a) shall identify, to the extent possible, the make, model, year, license number, and vehicle identification number of the vehicle tested, and the make and model of the exhaust system installed on the vehicle.
(d) The station shall charge a fee for the exhaust system certificate of compliance issued pursuant to subdivision (a). The fee charged shall be calculated to recover the costs incurred by the Department of Consumer Affairs to implement this section. The fees charged by the station shall be deposited in the Vehicle Inspection and Repair Fund established by Section 44062 of the Health and Safety Code.
(e) Vehicular exhaust systems are exempt from the requirements of Sections 27150 and 27151 if compliance with those sections, or the regulations adopted pursuant thereto, would cause an unreasonable hardship without resulting in a sufficient corresponding benefit with respect to noise level control.
(f) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.
(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 595, Sec. 1. (AB 2496) Effective January 1, 2023. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, by its own provisions. See later operative version added by Sec. 2 of Stats. 2022, Ch. 595.)