New California Laws 2025: What to Expect on the Road

As of January 1, 2025, several new laws have taken effect in California, directly impacting drivers across the state. These changes aim to enhance road safety, adjust insurance requirements, and address vehicular crimes. Understanding these updates is crucial for all motorists to ensure compliance and promote safer driving practices. 

Continue reading to find out more about these changes. 

Liability Insurance Requirements 

Senate Bill 1107, also known as the Protect California Drivers Act, increases the minimum auto insurance coverage requirements, which have not been changed in more than 50 years.  

The minimum liability insurance limits will increase from the current 15/30/5 to 30/60/15. This means drivers must carry at least the following as of January 1st:

• $30,000 for bodily injury or death per person
• $60,000 for bodily injury or death per accident
• $15,000 for property damage per accident

All existing policies with lower limits will automatically renew at the new minimum limits. Your premium may be affected if your coverage limits are increased to meet these new minimum requirements. 

Parking

Also known as the “daylighting” law, Assembly Bill 413 makes it illegal to park within 20 feet of a marked or unmarked crosswalk, regardless of whether the curb is painted red. 

While the law has technically been in effect since January 2024, California authorities will begin issuing citations this year. 

据 San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), daylighting increases pedestrian visibility at busy intersections by removing parked cars next to crosswalks. 

Sideshows

Stricter laws will apply to those participating in or watching illegal sideshows or street takeovers. The governor signed several new laws aimed at addressing street racing, sideshows, and takeovers into law. Assembly Bill 1978 allows law enforcement to impound a vehicle, even for spectators. 

Assembly Bill 2186 allows the authorities to impound vehicles involved in sideshows in parking lots or on private streets.  

Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez, the bill’s author, told CBS News that the law “will ensure that speed exhibitions will not continue in a different location once a street race has been dispersed and will keep roads, pedestrians, and other drivers safe.” 

The third law, Assembly Bill 2807, defines “sideshow” and “street takeover” violations more clearly. The final law, Assembly 3085, expands an existing law allowing officers to impound vehicles used in speed races. 

Autonomous Vehicles

Companies such as Waymo and Cruise will face a new reality in 2025: tickets for their autonomous vehicles. Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1777, allowing law enforcement to cite vehicles via a “notice of autonomous vehicle (AV) non-compliance.” 

The notice will be sent to the autonomous vehicle company, which must report it to the DMV within 72 hours. 

The bill directly addresses traffic incidents involving self-driving cars, such as disruptions to traffic flow, collisions with pedestrians, and impediments to emergency vehicles. 

License Plates

Assembly Bill 2111 in California addresses the issue of license plate alterations designed to evade identification by visual or electronic means. The bill specifically prohibits actions such as erasing or painting over a license plate’s reflective coating or otherwise altering it to prevent its capture.

AB 2111 aims to curb practices that obstruct the readability of license plates, which can impede law enforcement and automated systems used for toll collection and traffic monitoring. 

Speed Safety in Malibu

Speed cameras are coming to Malibu. SB 1297 authorizes a five-year speed safety pilot program, building upon a program released last year to curb speeding-related accidents and fatalities. Currently, speed cameras are in six California cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Long Beach, San Jose, and Glendale. 

The law addresses the dangerous driving conditions on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). From 2019 to 2023, the city reported 134 car accidents on the major road that resulted in a fatality or serious injury, more than any other city in Los Angeles with a similar population. 

Help Is Here If You Need Legal Assistance After an Accident 

Being involved in a car accident is incredibly stressful and painful if you suffer injuries. With the right legal representation, you can feel more secure that you will be properly compensated after an accident caused by someone else’s negligence.

Working directly with the insurance company doesn’t always mean you’ll be treated fairly. An experienced attorney can take on the behemoth insurance companies to obtain maximum compensation. 

We are an award-winning personal injury law firm with over $300 million for injured clients. Call us for a 免费咨询 today, and let us help you get what you deserve.