If you only take note of your car when it makes broken lawnmower sounds, you’ll definitely want to get familiar with California’s new 2012 laws for motorists. Why? Because they’re effective immediately.
Vehicle License Fee (VLF)
Last year the VLF was reduced from 1.15 percent of a vehicle’s value to 0.65 percent. Back in 2009, to combat the state’s budget deficit, the VLF was temporarily raised, and the 0.5 percent bump helped rake in an extra $1.7 billion for California. But a VLF increase extension wasn’t included in California’s 2011-2012 budget.
Booster Seats
California’s new child passenger restraint law requires kids 8 and under to be properly restrained in a booster seat in a car’s backseat. The previous law required that kids 6 and under (or with a weight of less than 60 pounds) be fitted with booster seats.
Registration Fees
Thanks to Senate Bill 89, the previous $31 vehicle registration fee was increased to $43. And a hearty dose of additional state and local registration fees bring the grand total to a wince-inducing $100.
Car Purchases
Assembly Bill 1215 requires that new-car dealers register all sold vehicles electronically with the DMV. This will also mean that dealers can pass these fees onto the customer and charge up to $65 for manual processing and $80 for electronic processing.
Drunk Driving
AB 353 will prohibit police officers from impounding a car at a sobriety checkpoint if the driver’s only offense is driving without a valid license. And AB 520 allows an individual convicted of alcohol-related reckless driving to apply early for a restricted license provided the individual complies with specified conditions, such as the installation of an ignition-interlock mechanism.