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    All persons who, at the time this code goes into effect, hold office under the code repealed by this code, which offices are continued by...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