Any advertisement, brochure, owner’s manual, or sales manual relating to any gasoline-powered motor vehicle of a type subject to registration with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of under 6,000 pounds of 1972 or later year model which contains any reference to the horsepower of the engine of the vehicle shall state only the Society of Automotive Engineers horsepower rating of such engine, as installed (net), as determined by S.A.E. Standard J1349.
Chapter 1Advertising, Brochures, and Manuals
Section § 9950
If you're advertising, selling, or creating materials about gasoline-powered vehicles from 1972 or later with a gross weight under 6,000 pounds, you must use the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) net horsepower rating when mentioning the engine's horsepower. This specific rating is determined by SAE Standard J1349.
advertising gasoline vehicles SAE horsepower rating gross vehicle weight under 6000 pounds 1972 vehicle models Society of Automotive Engineers engine horsepower reference SAE Standard J1349 brochures and manuals compliance vehicle registration engine specifications disclosure
Section § 9951
This law requires manufacturers of vehicles with event data recorders (EDRs) or sensing and diagnostic modules (SDMs) to disclose this feature in the owner's manual. These devices record data like speed, travel history, steering, brake use, seatbelt status, and accident information. Data retrieval is restricted to the vehicle's owner unless there's consent, a court order, or it's for improving vehicle safety or medical research without revealing the owner's identity. It can also be accessed by dealers or technicians for repairs. Subscription services that record or transmit data must disclose this in their agreements. These rules apply to vehicles made after July 1, 2004.
(a)CA Vehicle Code § 9951(a) A manufacturer of a new motor vehicle sold or leased in this state that is equipped with one or more recording devices commonly referred to as “event data recorders (EDR)” or “sensing and diagnostic modules (SDM),” shall disclose that fact in the owner’s manual for the vehicle.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 9951(b) As used in this section, “recording device” means a device that is installed by the manufacturer of the vehicle and does one or more of the following, for the purpose of retrieving data after an
accident:
(1)CA Vehicle Code § 9951(b)(1) Records how fast and in which direction the motor vehicle is traveling.
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 9951(b)(2) Records a history of where the motor vehicle travels.
(3)CA Vehicle Code § 9951(b)(3) Records steering performance.
(4)CA Vehicle Code § 9951(b)(4) Records brake performance, including, but not limited to, whether brakes were applied before an accident.
(5)CA Vehicle Code § 9951(b)(5) Records the driver’s seatbelt status.
(6)CA Vehicle Code § 9951(b)(6) Has the ability to transmit information concerning an accident in which the motor vehicle has been involved to a central communications system when an accident occurs.
(c)CA Vehicle Code § 9951(c) Data described in subdivision (b) that is recorded on a
recording device may not be downloaded or otherwise retrieved by a person other than the registered owner of the motor vehicle, except under one of the following circumstances:
(1)CA Vehicle Code § 9951(c)(1) The registered owner of the motor vehicle consents to the retrieval of the information.
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 9951(c)(2) In response to an order of a court having jurisdiction to issue the order.
(3)CA Vehicle Code § 9951(c)(3) For the purpose of improving motor vehicle safety, including for medical research of the human body’s reaction to motor vehicle accidents, and the identity of the registered owner or driver is not disclosed in connection with that retrieved data. The disclosure of the vehicle identification number (VIN) for the purpose of improving vehicle safety, including for medical research of the human body’s reaction to motor vehicle accidents, does not constitute the disclosure of
the identity of the registered owner or driver.
(4)CA Vehicle Code § 9951(c)(4) The data is retrieved by a licensed new motor vehicle dealer, or by an automotive technician as defined in Section 9880.1 of the Business and Professions Code, for the purpose of diagnosing, servicing, or repairing the motor vehicle.
(d)CA Vehicle Code § 9951(d) A person authorized to download or otherwise retrieve data from a recording device pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c), may not release that data, except to share the data among the motor vehicle safety and medical research communities to advance motor vehicle safety, and only if the identity of the registered owner or driver is not disclosed.
(e)Copy CA Vehicle Code § 9951(e)
(1)Copy CA Vehicle Code § 9951(e)(1) If a motor vehicle is equipped with a recording device that is capable of recording or transmitting information as described in paragraph (2) or (6) of
subdivision (b) and that capability is part of a subscription service, the fact that the information may be recorded or transmitted shall be disclosed in the subscription service agreement.
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 9951(e)(2) Subdivision (c) does not apply to subscription services meeting the requirements of paragraph (1).
(f)CA Vehicle Code § 9951(f) This section applies to all motor vehicles manufactured on or after July 1, 2004.
event data recorder sensing and diagnostic modules owner's manual disclosure vehicle speed recording travel history data steering performance recording brake performance data seatbelt status accident data transmission owner consent for data retrieval court order for data access vehicle safety improvement medical research data licensed motor vehicle dealer subscription service agreement
Section § 9952
If someone creates, shares, or sells any advertisement or manual that goes against the rules set in Section 9950, they are committing a minor legal violation called an infraction.
Any person who publishes, or causes to be published, or offers for sale or sells, or gives to another person, any advertisement, brochure, owner’s manual, or sales manual which violates Section 9950 is guilty of an infraction.
publish advertisement brochure owner's manual sales manual infraction violation Section 9950 offers for sale guilty gives to another person cause to be published advertising compliance vehicular advertising rules penalty for violation
Section § 9953
This law requires car manufacturers to inform owners and dealers if a new vehicle can't use tire chains. They must mention this in the owner's manual or other written materials given to the buyer and send a list of affected vehicle models to their dealers every year before new models come out. This list must include details like tire sizes to help dealers know when to inform buyers as required by another law.
Every manufacturer of a new motor vehicle sold in this state which, as equipped, may not be operated with tire chains shall do both of the following:
(a)CA Vehicle Code § 9953(a) Indicate that fact in the owner’s manual for the vehicle or other written material provided by the manufacturer regarding the vehicle.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 9953(b) Provide each of its franchised new motor vehicle dealers in this state with a list of the affected vehicle models on an annual basis and prior to
the manufacturer’s introduction of its new model year vehicles. The list shall include sufficient information, including information regarding tire sizes where necessary, to allow the selling dealer to determine when disclosure is required pursuant to Section 11713.6.
vehicle manufacturers new motor vehicles tire chains owner's manual written materials franchised dealers affected vehicle models annual list tire sizes disclosure requirements franchise dealers new model year California motor vehicle sale of new vehicles manufacturer obligations
Section § 9954
This California vehicle law requires motor vehicle manufacturers to make key information available 24/7 to registered locksmiths so they can create replacement keys for registered vehicle owners. Locksmiths must verify the identity of the person requesting the service and provide proof of verification to access the necessary information.
After completing the service, locksmiths must hand over any key codes obtained to the vehicle owner and destroy any accessed information. Both locksmiths and manufacturers are protected from liability if they follow the procedures unless there's fraud or misappropriation.
This law applies to new vehicles sold or leased from 2008 onwards but excludes vehicles that cannot have replacement keys made by third parties and those from manufacturers who only sold up to 5,000 of a particular model in the prior year. The law includes a definition of key terms and notes that manufacturers can delegate these duties to an agent.
(a)CA Vehicle Code § 9954(a) This section applies only to new vehicles sold or leased in this state on or after January 1, 2008, except as provided in subdivision (d) or (e).
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 9954(b) A motor vehicle manufacturer of a motor vehicle sold or leased in this state shall provide the means whereby the registered owner of that motor vehicle, through a registered locksmith, can access the information, and only that information, that is necessary to permit the production of a replacement key or other functionally similar
device by the registered locksmith that will allow the registered vehicle’s owner to enter, start, and operate his or her vehicle. The means to access this information shall be available by telephone or electronically 24 hours a day and seven days a week, as follows:
(1)CA Vehicle Code § 9954(b)(1) When a registered locksmith is requested by the motor vehicle’s registered owner or the registered owner’s family member, to produce a replacement key or other functionally similar device that will allow the vehicle to be entered, started, and operated, and the information is needed from the vehicle manufacturer in order to produce the requested key or other functionally similar device, in addition to the requirement in Section 466.6 of the Penal Code, the registered locksmith shall visually verify the identity of the requesting party through that party’s driver’s license; shall visually verify that the registration of the vehicle matches the requesting party’s identity and
address (or last name and address if the requesting party is a family member of the registered owner); and shall visually verify that the vehicle identification number of the vehicle matches with the vehicle identification number on the registration. Upon satisfactory verification of all three requirements, the registered locksmith shall sign an affidavit that he or she has visually verified the information and file the affidavit along with, and for the same time period as, the work order required by Section 466.6 of the Penal Code, and proceed to access the needed information from the vehicle manufacturer.
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 9954(b)(2) Upon completing the services, the registered locksmith shall give any key code information obtained from the vehicle manufacturer to the registered owner, or if applicable, the owner’s family member, and shall destroy all information accessed from the vehicle manufacturer in his or her possession.
(3)CA Vehicle Code § 9954(b)(3) Except in cases of fraud or misappropriation, a registered locksmith who follows these procedures shall incur no liability for theft of the vehicle related to the locksmith’s production of a replacement key or functionally similar device that will allow the vehicle to be entered, started, and operated.
(4)CA Vehicle Code § 9954(b)(4) When a vehicle manufacturer receives a request from a registered locksmith for information to enable the locksmith to produce a replacement key or other functionally similar device that will allow the vehicle to be entered, started, and operated, and that request is made at the behest of the vehicle’s registered owner or the registered owner’s family member, the vehicle manufacturer shall require the registered locksmith to confirm the locksmith’s registration with the manufacturer’s registry; provide the security password issued by the manufacturer; and comply with any other
reasonable authentication procedure. The manufacturer shall also require the registered locksmith to confirm the locksmith’s visual identity and vehicle verifications, pursuant to paragraph (1). Upon satisfactory verification of these requirements, and upon presentation of the vehicle identification number and model number, the vehicle manufacturer shall provide to the registered locksmith, for the vehicle identified by the vehicle identification number and model number, the information necessary to enable production of a replacement key or other functionally similar device that allows the vehicle to be entered, started, and operated.
(5)CA Vehicle Code § 9954(b)(5) A motor vehicle manufacturer subject to this section shall retain and make the information available in accordance with this section for at least 25 years from the date of manufacture.
(6)CA Vehicle Code § 9954(b)(6) A vehicle manufacturer that follows these procedures
shall incur no liability for theft of the vehicle related to furnishing the information to a registered locksmith for the production of a replacement key or functionally similar device that will allow the vehicle to be entered, started, and operated.
(c)CA Vehicle Code § 9954(c) For purposes of this section the following definitions apply:
(1)CA Vehicle Code § 9954(c)(1) “Information” includes, but is not limited to, the vehicle’s key code and, if applicable, immobilizer or access code, and its successor technology and terminology.
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 9954(c)(2) “Motor vehicle” is a passenger vehicle as defined in Section 465 and pickup truck as defined in Section 471, and does not include a housecar, a motorcycle, or other two-wheeled motor vehicle.
(3)CA Vehicle Code § 9954(c)(3) A “registered locksmith” means a locksmith licensed and bonded in California
that has registered with a motor vehicle manufacturer, and has been issued a registry number and security password by the manufacturer.
(4)CA Vehicle Code § 9954(c)(4) A registered owner, as defined in Section 505, also includes a lessee of the vehicle when the lessee’s name appears on the vehicle registration.
(d)Copy CA Vehicle Code § 9954(d)
(1)Copy CA Vehicle Code § 9954(d)(1) This section does not apply to a vehicle line of a motor vehicle manufacturer that on January 1, 2006, does not provide for the production of a replacement key or other functionally similar device that allows the vehicle to be entered, started, and operated, by anyone other than the vehicle manufacturer itself and only itself, provided that the vehicle manufacturer operates a telephone or electronic request line 24 hours a day and seven days a week, and upon a request of the registered owner or family member of the registered owner of the vehicle, a replacement key or
other functionally similar device that will allow the vehicle to be entered, started, and operated, is furnished to the registered owner at a reasonable cost within one day of the request or via the next overnight delivery.
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 9954(d)(2) If subsequent to January 1, 2008, a vehicle line of the manufacturer exempted by this subdivision provides for the production of a replacement by anyone, other than the vehicle manufacturer itself, of a key or other functionally similar device that will allow the vehicle to be entered, started, and operated, this section shall apply to that vehicle line.
(3)CA Vehicle Code § 9954(d)(3) This subdivision shall remain operative until January 1, 2013, and as of that date shall become inoperative, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2013, deletes or extends that date.
(e)Copy CA Vehicle Code § 9954(e)
(1)Copy CA Vehicle Code § 9954(e)(1) This section does not apply to a vehicle line of a motor vehicle manufacturer that sold between 2,500 and 5,000 vehicles of that line in the prior calendar year in the state.
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 9954(e)(2) This subdivision shall remain operative until January 1, 2013, and as of that date shall become inoperative, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2013, deletes or extends that date.
(f)CA Vehicle Code § 9954(f) This section shall not apply to a make that sold fewer than 2,500 vehicles in the prior calendar year in the state.
(g)CA Vehicle Code § 9954(g) The duties imposed on a manufacturer pursuant to this section may be performed either by the manufacturer or by an agent through a contract.
(h)CA Vehicle Code § 9954(h) The provisions of this section are severable. If any provision of this section or its application is held invalid, that
invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
replacement key registered locksmith vehicle owner verification key code access identity verification locksmith liability manufacturer liability 24/7 access vehicle key information passenger vehicles pickup trucks registry number exclusion criteria vehicle sales threshold contracted agents
Section § 9955
This law requires manufacturers of pocket bikes to attach a sticker on the bike that clearly states it is illegal to ride them in certain areas. Specifically, pocket bikes cannot be used on sidewalks, roads, highways, or any type of trail, whether for bicycles, horses, hiking, or recreation, nor on public lands meant for off-road vehicle use.
The sticker must be in large, bold font (at least 14-point), and dedicated solely to conveying this information. It must also include a specific statement about these restrictions.
(a)CA Vehicle Code § 9955(a) A manufacturer of a pocket bike shall affix on the pocket bike a sticker with a disclosure stating that the device is prohibited from being operated on a sidewalk, roadway, or any part of a highway, or on a bikeway, bicycle path or trail, equestrian trail, hiking or recreational trail, or on public lands open to off-highway motor vehicle use.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 9955(b) The disclosure required under subdivision (a) shall meet both of the following requirements:
(1)CA Vehicle Code § 9955(b)(1) Be printed in not less than 14-point boldface type on a sticker that contains only the disclosure.
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 9955(b)(2) Include the following statement:
pocket bike restrictions sidewalk operation prohibition roadway use ban highway use restriction trail usage restrictions public land off-highway use manufacturer requirements disclosure sticker bold font requirement bicycle path prohibition equestrian trail ban hiking trail prohibition recreational trail prohibition
