California Vehicle Code General Provisions

• Section 1.
  This act shall be known as the Vehicle Code.(Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)
• Section 2.
  The provisions of this code, insofar as they are substantially the same as existing provisions relating to the same subject matter, shall be construed as...
• Section 3.
  All persons who, at the time this code goes into effect, hold office under the code repealed by this code, which offices are continued by...
• Section 4.
  No action or proceeding commenced before this code takes effect, and no right accrued, is affected by the provisions of this code, but all procedure...
• Section 5.
  If any portion of this code is held unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of any other portion of this code.(Enacted by Stats....
• Section 6.
  Unless the provision or the context otherwise requires, these general provisions and rules of construction shall govern the construction of this code.(Enacted by Stats. 1959,...
• Section 7.
  Division, chapter, and article headings do not in any manner affect the scope, meaning, or intent of the provisions of this code.(Amended by Stats. 1959,...
• Section 8.
  Whenever, by the provisions of this code, a power is granted to a public officer or a duty imposed upon such an officer, the power...
• Section 9.
  Whenever any notice, report, statement, or record is required by this code, it shall be made in writing in the English language.(Enacted by Stats. 1959,...
• Section 10.
  Whenever any reference is made to any portion of this code or of any other law, such reference shall apply to all amendments and additions...
• Section 11.
  “Section” means a section of this code unless some other statute is specifically mentioned and “subdivision” means a subdivision of the section in which that...
• Section 12.
  The present tense includes the past and future tenses; and the future, the present.(Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)
• Section 12.2.
  “Spouse” includes “registered domestic partner,” as required by Section 297.5 of the Family Code.(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 50, Sec. 117. (SB 1005) Effective January...
• Section 13.
  The masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter.(Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)
• Section 14.
  The singular number includes the plural, and the plural the singular.(Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)
• Section 15.
  “Shall” is mandatory and “may” is permissive.(Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)
• Section 16.
  “Oath” includes affirmation.(Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)
• Section 17.
  “Signature” or “subscription” includes mark when the signer or subscriber cannot write, such signer’s or subscriber’s name being written near the mark by a witness...
• Section 18.
  Officers and employees of the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of the California Highway Patrol are, for the purposes of this code, authorized...
• Section 19.
  Whenever the acknowledgement of any document is required by this code or any regulation of either department, the signature of the applicant attested to in...
• Section 20.
  It is unlawful to use a false or fictitious name, or to knowingly make any false statement or knowingly conceal any material fact in any...
• Section 21.
  (a) Except as otherwise expressly provided, the provisions of this code are applicable and uniform throughout the state and in all counties and municipalities therein, and...
• Section 22.
  Whenever notice is required to be given under this code by a department or any division, officer, employee, or agent, the notice shall be given...
• Section 23.
  The giving of notice by personal delivery is complete upon delivery of a copy of the notice to the person to be notified. The giving...
• Section 24.
  Proof of the giving of notice may be made by the certificate of any officer, employee, or agent of the Department of Motor Vehicles and...
• Section 24.5.
  All civil process in actions brought against the director and the Department of Motor Vehicles and all subpoenas for the production of department records shall...
• Section 25.
  (a) It is unlawful for any person to display or cause or permit to be displayed any sign, mark, or advertisement indicating an official connection with...
• Section 25.5.
  It is unlawful for any person to falsely represent himself or herself in any manner as an employee of the Department of Motor Vehicles for...
• Section 27.
  Any person who without authority impersonates, or wears the badge of, a member of the California Highway Patrol with intention to deceive anyone is guilty...
• Section 28.
  (a) Whenever possession is taken of any vehicle by or on behalf of its legal owner under the terms of a security agreement or lease agreement,...
• Section 29.
  Wherever any notice or other communication is required by this code to be mailed by registered mail by or to any person or corporation, the...
• Section 30.
  It is declared as a matter of legislative policy that red lights and sirens on vehicles should be restricted to authorized emergency vehicles engaged in...
• Section 31.
  No person shall give, either orally or in writing, information to a peace officer while in the performance of his duties under the provisions of...
• Section 32.
  Whenever local authorities are given the power to take action by ordinance pursuant to Division 11 (commencing with Section 21000) and Division 15 (commencing with...

Last modified: October 22, 2018