DMV announces changes to traffic laws

http://www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=112190&provider=top


DMV announces changes to traffic laws
Elizabeth Bishop
SACRAMENTO, CA - Drivers under 21 who want a permit for a motorcycle will need to complete a safety course under a new law announced by the Department of Motor Vehicles Wednesday.

The law means that anyone younger than 21 will have to complete a motorcycle safety course before they can get a permit to practice driving a motorcycle. They'll need to have the permit for six months before they'll be issued a class M motorcycle driver license.

Other laws that take effect January 2 and announced by the DMV include:

- Traffic Violator School Program: Drivers with traffic violations will be able to take court-approved courses online and at home in addition to going to traditional classrooms. This law will take three years to implement.

- High-Occupancy Vehicle Lanes: Instead of expiring on January 1, 2011, the "sunset" date for hybrid vehicles with yellow stickers will expire on July 1, 2011. Those with white stickers (on electric and compressed natural gas vehicles) will expire on January 1, 2015. A third sticker will be created for plug-in hybrids. It will be valid from January 1, 2012 until January 1, 2015.

- New Firefighter Endorsement: The law will make operators of firefighting vehicles exempt from the Commercial Driver License program and will create a new license endorsement process.

Laws that take effect July 1 or later include:

- Organ donation: The application for a driver's license will include a "no" option when asking whether an applicant wants to register as a possible organ donor, and applicants will have to answer with either a yes or a no in the organ donation registration field.

- Local traffic ordinances: Local authorities will not be able to enact or enforce a local ordinance on a matter covered by the California Vehicle Code. The new law is an effort to ensure that traffic convictions are properly recorded by the DMV.

- Driving Under the Influence: Starting January 1, 2012, drivers convicted of a third or subsequent DUI violation could lose their licenses for 10 years. Reinstatement will be possible after five years if specific conditions are met.
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http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/dec/15/new-year-ahead-new-laws-california-motorists/

New year ahead, new laws for California motorists By Robert J. Hawkins

Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 10:07 p.m.

With the new year nearly upon us that can mean only one thing for Californians: More laws to follow. Legislators can't pass budgets but they sure know how to pass new laws.

Actually, for motorists, only four new laws take effect Jan. 1, according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

For would be motorcyclists under the age of 21, an approved motorcycle safety course must be passed before an applicant can receive a instruction permit. That permit must be held for six months before the applicant can get a Class M motorcycle driver license.

DMV says there are more than 6,000 motorcycle drivers in California under the age of 19.

For drivers who must attend traffic school, there's a bit of good news -- you no longer have to sit through the "stand up comic" school or any of the other gimmicky brick-and-mortar classrooms. Now court-approved online and home school programs will be acceptable. According to the DMV, this law has a "three-year implementation process."

Under the same law, DMV is required to investigate numerous issues surrounding the traffic violator school program.

Do you have a hybrid or electric vehicle? Good news. You can still ride solo in the high-occupancy lanes without penalty for a while longer. SB 535 extends the "sunset" date for the original law which was due to expire Jan. 1.

Now hybrids displaying a yellow sticker can join the carpools until Jul 1. Fully electric and compressed natural gas-fueled vehicles with a white sticker have until Jan. 1, 2015. A new sticker, for plug-in hybrid vehicles will also be good until Jan. 1, 2015.

And finally, a new license will be created for firefighters who drive fire vehicles, ending the requirement for them to obtain a Commercial Driver License.

But wait, there's more.

Starting July 1, drivers license applicants will have the option of checking off "yes" or "no" when asked if they wish to become a prospective organ donor . Apparently you only had one answerable option in the past.

Also on July 1, local authorities will not be allowed to enact any law that is already covered by the state 's vehicle code.

And finally, on Jan. 1, 2012 courts will be able to revoke the drivers license of a three-time convicted DUI driver for ten years. The license can still be restored after five years if certain court-specified conditions are met.

Massachusetts is also changing their permitting for new motorcyclists. If you let your 6 month permit lapse without taking either a safety course, or road test; before you can renew, you'll have to complete one or the other!!