Section § 27600

Explanation

This law states that if you're driving a vehicle with three or more wheels, or towing a trailer or semitrailer, it must have fenders or similar equipment to prevent water or mud from splashing onto the road. The protective gear needs to be as wide as the tire tread. However, this rule doesn't apply to certain lightweight vehicles under 1,500 pounds that are exempt from registration or manufactured before 1971.

No person shall operate any motor vehicle having three or more wheels, any trailer, or semitrailer unless equipped with fenders, covers, or devices, including flaps or splash aprons, or unless the body of the vehicle or attachments thereto afford adequate protection to effectively minimize the spray or splash of water or mud to the rear of the vehicle and all such equipment or such body or attachments thereto shall be at least as wide as the tire tread. This section does not apply to those vehicles exempt from registration, trailers and semitrailers having an unladen weight of under 1,500 pounds, or any vehicles manufactured and first registered prior to January 1, 1971, having an unladen weight of under 1,500 pounds.

Section § 27602

Explanation

You can't drive a car if it has a TV or video screen showing entertainment or business applications that's in front of the driver's seat or visible to the driver. There are exceptions: vehicle information displays, GPS units, mapping systems, displays that help with driving, and equipment with interlock devices that block videos while driving. Work vehicles from utilities or certain services can have operating screens if they're covered so the driver can't see them. Emergency vehicles or vehicles used in emergencies are also exempt.

(a)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(a) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle if a television receiver, a video monitor, or a television or video screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal that produces entertainment or business applications, is operating and is located in the motor vehicle at a point forward of the back of the driver’s seat, or is operating and the monitor, screen, or display is visible to the driver while driving the motor vehicle.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to the following equipment when installed in a vehicle:
(1)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(b)(1) A vehicle information display.
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(b)(2) A global positioning display.
(3)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(b)(3) A mapping display.
(4)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(b)(4) A visual display used to enhance or supplement the driver’s view forward, behind, or to the sides of a motor vehicle for the purpose of maneuvering the vehicle.
(5)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(b)(5) A television receiver, video monitor, television or video screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal, if that equipment satisfies one of the following requirements:
(A)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(b)(5)(A) The equipment has an interlock device that, when the motor vehicle is driven, disables the equipment for all uses except as a visual display as described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive.
(B)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(b)(5)(B) The equipment is designed, operated, and configured in a manner that prevents the driver of the motor vehicle from viewing the television broadcast or video signal while operating the vehicle in a safe and reasonable manner.
(6)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(b)(6) A mobile digital terminal that is fitted with an opaque covering that does not allow the driver to view any part of the display while driving, even though the terminal may be operating, installed in a vehicle that is owned or operated by any of the following:
(A)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(b)(6)(A) An electrical corporation, as defined in Section 218 of the Public Utilities Code.
(B)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(b)(6)(B) A gas corporation, as defined in Section 222 of the Public Utilities Code.
(C)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(b)(6)(C) A sewer system corporation, as defined in Section 230.6 of the Public Utilities Code.
(D)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(b)(6)(D) A telephone corporation, as defined in Section 234 of the Public Utilities Code.
(E)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(b)(6)(E) A water corporation, as defined in Section 241 of the Public Utilities Code.
(F)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(b)(6)(F) A local publicly owned electric utility, as defined in Section 224.3 of the Public Utilities Code.
(G)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(b)(6)(G) A city, joint powers agency, or special district, if that local entity uses the vehicle solely in the provision of sewer service, gas service, water service, or wastewater service.
(c)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(c) Subdivision (a) does not apply to a mobile digital terminal installed in an authorized emergency vehicle or to a motor vehicle providing emergency road service or roadside assistance.
(d)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(d) Subdivision (a) does not apply to a mobile digital terminal installed in a vehicle when the vehicle is deployed in an emergency to respond to an interruption or impending interruption of electrical, natural gas, telephone, sewer, water, or wastewater service, and the vehicle is owned or operated by any of the following:
(1)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(d)(1) An electrical corporation, as defined in Section 218 of the Public Utilities Code.
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(d)(2) A gas corporation, as defined in Section 222 of the Public Utilities Code.
(3)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(d)(3) A sewer system corporation, as defined in Section 230.6 of the Public Utilities Code.
(4)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(d)(4) A telephone corporation, as defined in Section 234 of the Public Utilities Code.
(5)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(d)(5) A water corporation, as defined in Section 241 of the Public Utilities Code.
(6)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(d)(6) A local publicly owned electric utility, as defined in Section 224.3 of the Public Utilities Code.
(7)CA Vehicle Code § 27602(d)(7) A city, joint powers agency, or special district, if that local entity uses the vehicle solely in the provision of sewer service, gas service, water service, or wastewater service.

Section § 27603

Explanation

If you buy a vehicle that was once a school bus and plan to use it for non-school-related purposes, you must paint it a different color than the standard school bus color before driving it on public roads. This law ensures that the vehicle isn't mistaken for a school bus. However, if a school bus is temporarily transferred to a nonprofit and will be returned to the original owner within 90 days, this requirement does not apply.

When a motor vehicle formerly used as a schoolbus is sold to any person and is used exclusively for purposes other than the transportation of pupils pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 39830) of Chapter 5 of Part 23 of the Education Code, it shall be painted by the purchaser a color different than that prescribed by the Department of the California Highway Patrol for schoolbuses before it is operated on any street or highway other than to have the vehicle painted or moved to a place of storage.
The provisions of this section shall not apply where the ownership of a schoolbus is transferred to a nonprofit organization under a contractual arrangement under which the ownership is required to be retransferred to the original owner within 90 days of the date of the original transfer.

Section § 27604

Explanation

This law requires that when a former police vehicle, painted for law enforcement, is sold to someone for non-law enforcement use, it must be repainted or altered so it doesn't look like an active police car. Any police insignia or markings must be removed by the seller before the vehicle can be driven on public roads, except to get painted or relocated to storage.

Exceptions include former police cars without insignia that are one solid color, used for film production with 'movie car' signs, or police motorcycles without insignia. There is also an exception for vehicles held by public historical societies or museums that secure them from unauthorized use and don't drive them on roads, unless for venues like parades or if they're over 25 years old.

(a)CA Vehicle Code § 27604(a) When a motor vehicle, painted, as required by Section 40800, and formerly used in the enforcement of the provisions of Division 10 (commencing with Section 20000) or 11 (commencing with Section 21000), is sold to any person and is used for purposes other than law enforcement, the vehicle shall be painted or partially painted by the seller or agency formerly using such vehicle so that it will no longer resemble a vehicle complying with Section 40800 and any insignia or other marking of the vehicle identifying it as a traffic law enforcement vehicle shall be removed by the seller or agency formerly using such vehicle before it shall be operated on any street or highway, other than to have the vehicle moved to be painted or to a place of storage.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 27604(b) This section shall not apply to former law enforcement vehicles, without insignia, which are painted one solid color, or which are used exclusively for movie or television production and display signs stating “movie car” prominently on the doors, or which are motorcycles, as defined in Section 400, without insignia.
(c)CA Vehicle Code § 27604(c) This section shall not apply to a vehicle, if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1)CA Vehicle Code § 27604(c)(1) The vehicle is possessed by a federal, state, or local historical society or museum that is open to the public.
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 27604(c)(2) The vehicle is secured from unauthorized operation.
(3)CA Vehicle Code § 27604(c)(3) The vehicle is not operated on any public road or highway, unless one of the following applies:
(A)CA Vehicle Code § 27604(c)(3)(A) The vehicle is being operated within a temporary street closure for the purposes of celebrations, parades, local special events, and other purposes when the operation is approved by local authorities having jurisdiction over the street closure.
(B)CA Vehicle Code § 27604(c)(3)(B) The vehicle is of a model year of at least twenty-five years prior to the year of operation.

Section § 27605

Explanation

This California law prohibits anyone from owning or driving a car that looks like it belongs to the police, primarily for enforcing specific traffic and vehicle rules. However, there are exceptions: cars painted one solid color or registered before 1979, those owned by car manufacturers or dealers, law enforcement agencies, movie or TV productions with 'movie car' signs, used for funeral escorts, and motorcycles without insignia. Additionally, the rule doesn't apply to historical vehicles kept in museums, as long as they're secure and not used on public roads unless it's for approved events or the vehicle is over 25 years old.

(a)CA Vehicle Code § 27605(a) No person shall own or operate a motor vehicle painted in the manner described in Section 40800 to resemble a motor vehicle used by a peace officer or traffic officer on duty for the primary purpose of enforcing the provisions of Division 10 (commencing with Section 20000) or Division 11 (commencing with Section 21000) pursuant to Section 40800.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 27605(b) This section shall not apply to vehicles which are painted one solid color or to vehicles first registered on or before January 1, 1979. These provisions shall not apply to vehicles that are any of the following:
(1)CA Vehicle Code § 27605(b)(1) Owned by vehicle manufacturers or dealers.
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 27605(b)(2) Used by law enforcement agencies in the enforcement of the provisions of Division 10 (commencing with Section 20000) or Division 11 (commencing with Section 21000).
(3)CA Vehicle Code § 27605(b)(3) Owned by persons or companies who use the vehicles exclusively for movie or television production and display signs stating “movie car” prominently on the doors.
(4)CA Vehicle Code § 27605(b)(4) Owned by persons or companies who use the vehicles exclusively for funeral escort purposes.
(5)CA Vehicle Code § 27605(b)(5) Motorcycles, as defined in Section 400, without insignia.
(c)CA Vehicle Code § 27605(c) This section shall not apply to a vehicle, if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1)CA Vehicle Code § 27605(c)(1) The vehicle is possessed by a federal, state, or local historical society or museum that is open to the public.
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 27605(c)(2) The vehicle is secured from unauthorized operation.
(3)CA Vehicle Code § 27605(c)(3) The vehicle is not operated on any public road or highway, unless one of the following applies:
(A)CA Vehicle Code § 27605(c)(3)(A) The vehicle is being operated within a temporary street closure for the purposes of celebrations, parades, local special events, and other purposes when the operation is approved by local authorities having jurisdiction over the street closure.
(B)CA Vehicle Code § 27605(c)(3)(B) The vehicle is of a model year of at least twenty-five years prior to the year of operation.

Section § 27606

Explanation

This law makes it illegal to own or drive a vehicle that has a light bar resembling those used by police or traffic officers. A light bar refers to any light on a car roof emitting amber, red, or blue lights. It doesn't matter how much the light emits; even a fake light bar counts. However, exceptions exist for vehicles owned by museums or historical societies, as long as they can't be operated by unauthorized people. These vehicles can’t be driven on public roads, except during specific events like parades, or if the vehicle is at least 25 years old from the current year.

(a)CA Vehicle Code § 27606(a) No person shall own or operate a motor vehicle which is equipped with a light bar, or facsimile thereof, to resemble a motor vehicle used by a peace officer or traffic officer while on duty within that jurisdiction for the primary purpose of enforcing Division 10 (commencing with Section 20000) or Division 11 (commencing with Section 21000) pursuant to Section 40800.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 27606(b) For purposes of this section the following definitions apply:
(1)CA Vehicle Code § 27606(b)(1) A “light bar” means any light or device affixed to or mounted upon the roof of a vehicle and extending the width of the roof, or a substantial portion thereof, which emits amber, red, or blue, or any combination of those lights.
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 27606(b)(2) A “facsimile of a light bar” is any device designed or contrived to resemble a light bar regardless of the degree of light emission or lack thereof.
(c)CA Vehicle Code § 27606(c) This section shall not apply to a vehicle, if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1)CA Vehicle Code § 27606(c)(1) The vehicle is possessed by a federal, state, or local historical society or museum that is open to the public.
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 27606(c)(2) The vehicle is secured from unauthorized operation.
(3)CA Vehicle Code § 27606(c)(3) The vehicle is not operated on any public road or highway, unless one of the following applies:
(A)CA Vehicle Code § 27606(c)(3)(A) The vehicle is being operated within a temporary street closure for the purposes of celebrations, parades, local special events, and other purposes when the operation is approved by local authorities having jurisdiction over the street closure.
(B)CA Vehicle Code § 27606(c)(3)(B) The vehicle is of a model year of at least twenty-five years prior to the year of operation.

Section § 27607

Explanation

This law clarifies that certain vehicles used by professionals who are licensed under specific sections of the Business and Professions Code are not subject to Section 27606, which typically regulates how a vehicle can be marked or equipped. However, even these professionals cannot install a light bar on their vehicles if other laws or regulations prohibit it.

(a)CA Vehicle Code § 27607(a) Section 27606 does not apply to vehicles owned or used by persons licensed pursuant to Article 3.1 (commencing with Section 7540) or Article 3.2 (commencing with Section 7544) of Chapter 11.5 of, or Chapter 11.6 (commencing with Section 7590) of, Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code in the performance of their duties under those provisions.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 27607(b) This section does not authorize those persons described in subdivision (a) to equip a vehicle with a light bar if prohibited by other provisions of existing law or regulation.