New 2012 Motorist Laws
During 2011, the California State Legislature approved a number of new laws pertaining to motorists. Unless otherwise noted, these measures take effect January 1, 2012. Courtesy of http://www.examiner.com/cars-in-los-angeles/new-2012-motor-vehicle-laws-be-informed
Vehicle License Fee (VLF)
On July 1, 2011, the VLF was reduced from 1.15% of a vehicle’s assessed value to 0.65%. In 2009, the VLF had been temporarily raised to help reduce California chronic budget deficit; the 0.5% increase generated approximately $1.7 billion each year for the state. An extension of the VLF increase was not included in the state’s 2011-2012 fiscal year budget.
Registration Fees
Senate Bill 89 increased the registration fee for vehicles to $43 per year, up from$31, effective July 1. The increase, which will raise approximately $360 million per year for the state, will be used to fund DMV operations. A number of additional state and local registration fees assessed bring the overall fee total to about $100. These are added to the VLF charge (see above item), which is assessed as a percentage of a vehicle’s value.
Booster Seats
SB 949 strengthens California’s child passenger restraint law by requiring children under the age of 8 (unless at least 4 feet, 9 inches tall) to be properly restrained in a booster seat in a vehicle’s backseat. Previously, children up to age 6 or weighing less than 60 pounds were required to use booster seats. The Automobile Club of Southern California supported this measure.
Vehicle Purchases
Starting July 1, Assembly Bill 1215 requires that when new-car dealers sell a vehicle, they register it electronically with the DMV. The measure also allows dealers to charge up to $80 for electronic document processing and up to $65 for manual processing. AB 1215 also requires used-car dealers to make a vehicle history report from the National Motor Vehicle Title Information Service (NMVTIS) available to buyers prior to sale and prohibits the dealer from offering a used vehicle for sale unless the dealer first obtains the report. This requirement does not apply to the sale of motorcycles, off-road vehicles, or recreational vehicles.
Drunk Driving
Two measures signed into law alter DUI (driving under the influence) penalties in noteworthy ways. AB 353 prohibits law enforcement from impounding a vehicle at a sobriety checkpoint if the driver’s only offense is not having a valid driver license. Police must also make a reasonable attempt to identify the registered owner of the vehicle in order to release the vehicle to the registered owner or to a licensed driver authorized by the registered owner. AB 520 allows a person convicted of alcohol-related reckless driving (“wet reckless”) to apply for a restricted license early if he or she complies with specified requirements, including the installation of an ignition-interlock device.
http://www.examiner.com/cars-in-los-angeles/new-2012-motor-vehicle-laws-be-informed
