California strengthened street-takeover and driver-monitoring laws for 2025
The California DMV’s December 27, 2024 announcement outlined laws taking effect January 1, 2025, including new authority to impound or remove vehicles involved in certain street-takeover conduct and a ban on devices that interfere with driver-monitoring systems. The provisions address different conduct, from facilitating speed events to defeating driver attention safeguards.
Period covered: 2025-01-01
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New vehicle-removal authority for street events
The California DMV announced on December 27, 2024, that several laws addressing sideshows and street takeovers would take effect January 1, 2025. AB 1978 authorizes law enforcement to impound a vehicle without taking its driver into custody when it is used to obstruct or place a barricade on a highway or off-street parking facility to facilitate or aid a speed contest or exhibition of speed. [1]
AB 2186 separately authorizes law enforcement to remove for up to 30 days a motor vehicle used in an exhibition of speed in an off-street parking facility. AB 2807 clarifies that vehicle sideshows are also known as street takeovers. The announcement also lists AB 3085, which expands offenses for which law enforcement may impound a vehicle pursuant to a warrant or court order, including speed contests or exhibitions of speed on a highway or in an off-street parking facility. [1]
A visual guide to three provisions in the DMV announcement. They concern distinct conduct; the announcement does not provide enforcement totals.
LACEHH original graphic · Sources: California DMV.
A ban on driver-monitoring defeat devices
SB 1313 prohibits equipping a vehicle with, or using, a device designed to neutralize or interfere with a driver-monitoring system on a vehicle with advanced driver-assistance features or autonomous technology. The DMV gave steering-wheel weights that mimic hands on the wheel as an example. The announcement says such devices bypass safety features designed to ensure drivers are alert. [1]
The law addresses interference with a monitoring system; driver-assistance features do not grant permission to stop paying attention. The DMV announcement describes the prohibition and its intended safety concern but does not provide enforcement totals. [1]
Preparation still includes hands-on driving
The DMV’s current handbook says original-license applicants must pass a multiple-choice knowledge test and a behind-the-wheel test. Advanced driver-assistance features such as automated parking, lane departure and adaptive cruise control are not permitted during the drive test. Backup cameras and blind-spot monitors may be used, but they do not replace visual checks of mirrors and blind spots. The handbook describes the test process; it does not provide a question bank about the 2025 laws. [2]
Sources & further reading
- DMV Highlights New Laws in 2025California DMV · 2024-12-27
- California Driver’s HandbookCalifornia DMV · Undated; checked October 28, 2026
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