On July 1, 2024, new laws were implemented in California, including laws on drug testing, firearms, housing, and education. Among these laws is one that influences the Department of Motor Vehicles and how law enforcement can pull over a vehicle.
Under the previous law, all California vehicles must prominently display their current registration sticker on their rear license plates. If the vehicle registration expires, law enforcement officers may pull over the car and charge the driver. Assembly Bill 256, which took effect on July 1, 2024, and is valid until January 1, 2030, will prevent this from happening.
The new legislation, sponsored by Republican Assembly Member Diane Nixon, seeks to amend provisions related to vehicles in Sections 4000, 5204, and 40225 of the California Vehicle Code. According to the published law, it will “prohibit a violation of these provisions from being the sole basis for any enforcement action before the 2nd month after the month of expiration of the vehicle’s registration. Notwithstanding this provision, the bill would authorize enforcement action before the 2nd month following the month of expiration if a vehicle is stopped for any other violation of the Vehicle Code.”
In summary, AB 256 aims to prohibit recently expired vehicle registration as the main reason for a car to get pulled over by the police unless two months have commenced since the expiry indicated on the sticker. It also seeks to delay fees that are charged to the driver due to the expired tag violation.
For individuals who may face legal consequences as a result of vehicle accidents or other injuries due to these evolving laws, consulting with an Anaheim Personal Injury Lawyer can provide crucial guidance. Other representatives supported the bill, claiming that the current law had room for abuse where law enforcement officers would pull over a car and conduct an investigation for an unrelated reason.
