Other EquipmentHeadsets and Earplugs

Section § 27400

Explanation

In California, it's generally illegal to wear headphones, earplugs, or earphones in both ears while driving a motor vehicle or riding a bicycle. However, there are exceptions.

This rule doesn't apply to emergency vehicle operators, construction and highway maintenance workers, refuse collectors with safety headsets, people wearing noise-canceling earplugs that still allow them to hear emergency sirens, or individuals using hearing aids.

A person operating a motor vehicle or bicycle may not wear a headset covering, earplugs in, or earphones covering, resting on, or inserted in, both ears. This prohibition does not apply to any of the following:
(a)CA Vehicle Code § 27400(a) A person operating authorized emergency vehicles, as defined in Section 165.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 27400(b) A person engaged in the operation of either special construction equipment or equipment for use in the maintenance of any highway.
(c)CA Vehicle Code § 27400(c) A person engaged in the operation of refuse collection equipment who is wearing a safety headset or safety earplugs.
(d)CA Vehicle Code § 27400(d) A person wearing personal hearing protectors in the form of earplugs or molds that are specifically designed to attenuate injurious noise levels. The plugs or molds shall be designed in a manner so as to not inhibit the wearer’s ability to hear a siren or horn from an emergency vehicle or a horn from another motor vehicle.
(e)CA Vehicle Code § 27400(e) A person using a prosthetic device that aids the hard of hearing.
headphones while driving bicycle earphones restriction emergency vehicle operators ...