Equipment Testing - Lighting Equipment - Vehicle - CA

Section § 26100

This law makes it illegal to sell or use lighting equipment, safety glazing materials, or similar devices on vehicles unless they meet certain standards. These standards are detailed in Section 26104. It's also illegal to drive a vehicle on the highway if it has equipment that doesn't meet these standards. However, there is an exception for taillamps or stop lamps that were in use before December 1, 1935.

(a) A person shall not sell or offer for sale for use upon or as part of the equipment of a vehicle any lighting equipment, safety glazing material, or other device that does not meet 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 is equipped with, any lighting equipment, safety glazing material, or other device that is not in compliance with Section 26104.

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Section § 26101

You cannot sell or use any device that changes how a car's lighting, safety glass, or other equipment works unless it meets certain standards outlined in another section, Section 26104. This rule is important for ensuring that modifications do not compromise safety.

However, there are two exceptions: this does not affect taillamps or stop lamps used before December 1, 1935, and it does not apply to lights on emergency vehicles.

(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.

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Section § 26102

This law says that if your vehicle equipment already meets legal standards when it's being used, you don't have to replace it just because a new rule comes out later. The new rule only applies to equipment put in after the rule starts.

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.

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Section § 26103

This section of the law explains that the California Department of Motor Vehicles can create and enforce rules about safety equipment like seat belts, helmets, and sirens, as well as how they should be fitted. The law also states that the department will make rules about vehicle lighting, and these rules will use standards from SAE International. If there's a newer standard, people can use products that meet it.

Moreover, if there are federal safety standards for the same equipment, those take precedence. Items that come with new vehicles, certified to meet federal standards, don't need additional certification by the department.

(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.

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Section § 26104

This law requires manufacturers who sell or make devices for use on vehicles to have proof, like lab test data, that their products meet the standards set by the state department. These tests can be done by the manufacturer.

If the department asks, manufacturers must provide this proof within 30 days or face a ban on selling their product in the state until they comply.

(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.

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Section § 26105

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in California can buy vehicle equipment to test if it meets legal standards. The costs for buying and testing this equipment will be paid from the Motor Vehicle Fund.

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.

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Section § 26106

This law allows the department to issue a permit that lets people use certain equipment for testing and experimentation. When equipment is used with this permit, it doesn’t count as breaking the law.

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.

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