TL;DR: California's 2026 traffic law package took effect January 1 and brings five major changes every driver should know — the expanded "Slow Down, Move Over" rule under AB 390, longer probation for vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, the CARS Act giving you a three-day right to cancel certain vehicle purchases, easier duplicate licenses after an address change via SB 506, and continued enforcement of the statewide ignition interlock program. Stay sharp with our free 2026-updated practice tests before your next renewal.

What changed in California traffic law on January 1, 2026?

Governor Newsom signed a slate of new traffic laws in late 2025, with most provisions effective January 1, 2026. The headline changes affect three groups: everyday drivers passing roadside vehicles, anyone convicted of impaired driving, and consumers buying cars from dealerships. The 2026 package builds on top of last year's traffic law updates — if you haven't reviewed those, start there first.

AB 390: The "Slow Down, Move Over" law gets wider

Before 2026, California's Move Over law (CVC §21809) only protected stationary emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and Caltrans crews with flashing lights. AB 390 expands the rule dramatically — now any stationary vehicle displaying hazard lights or warning devices triggers the requirement.

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When you approach any stopped vehicle with flashing hazards or roadside warning equipment (cones, flares, triangles) on a multi-lane road, you must either:

• Move out of the lane closest to the stopped vehicle, OR
• Slow to a reasonable and safe speed if you can't change lanes safely

The penalty for violation is a base fine plus court fees, totaling roughly $238 in most counties. Insurance impact is one point on your driving record.

Why the change? Caltrans reported a 40% rise in roadside-worker fatalities from 2020 to 2024, and dozens of drivers were also killed while changing flat tires on the shoulder. The expanded law recognizes that any stopped vehicle is a roadside hazard zone.

SB 506: Duplicate license after an address change

Under prior law, if you moved within California, you could update your address with DMV but received only a sticker or notification — your actual driver license still showed the old address. SB 506 changes that. Now, when you update your address, you can request a fully reprinted duplicate license showing the new address for the standard $39 duplicate fee.

This matters for two reasons:

1. Many financial institutions, employers, and federal agencies require a driver license that matches your current physical address on file.
2. If you have a REAL ID, the address printed on the card needs to match other identity documents when crossing federal checkpoints.

The process is straightforward — log in to your MyDMV account, update your address, pay the duplicate fee, and the new card arrives in 4-6 weeks. We walk through the full flow in our 2026 online renewal guide.

Longer probation for vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated

For conviction of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated or vehicular manslaughter with intoxication (CVC §191.5 and §192.5), the mandatory minimum probation period jumps from two years to between three and five years, at the court's discretion. Courts can also impose additional conditions like enhanced reporting and victim impact participation.

This change applies to convictions on or after January 1, 2026. It does not retroactively change probation terms for people already sentenced before that date.

Ignition interlock pilot program extended to 2033

California's statewide Ignition Interlock Device (IID) Pilot Program was originally scheduled to sunset on January 1, 2026. The 2026 legislation extends it through January 1, 2033 — giving lawmakers more time to study whether to make the program permanent.

Under the pilot, anyone convicted of certain DUI offenses must install an IID on every vehicle they drive. The device requires a breath sample with a blood alcohol concentration below the program threshold (typically 0.02%) before the engine will start.

Installation and monthly monitoring costs range from $60 to $80 per month, paid by the offender. Indigent applicants may qualify for reduced fees. For the full eligibility list and process, see our companion guide on how the IID pilot works in 2026 (publishing soon).

CARS Act: Three-day right to cancel a car purchase

The California Combating Auto Retail Scams (CARS) Act is a consumer-protection law taking effect in 2026. If you buy or lease a passenger vehicle priced under $50,000 from a licensed California dealer, you now have a three-day right to cancel the transaction without penalty.

Key conditions of the CARS Act protection:

• The vehicle must be a new or used passenger car or light truck under $50,000 total sale price
• The cancellation right doesn't apply to motorcycles, RVs, or commercial vehicles
• The dealer can charge a restocking fee not to exceed $500 for a vehicle priced over $20,000 (lower fees for cheaper cars)
• The vehicle must be returned in the same condition with mileage limits (typically 250 miles)
• You must give written notice to the dealer within three calendar days

The act also prohibits dealers from advertising a discount price that's not actually available and bars certain hidden "documentation fees" that don't reflect actual services.

Smaller 2026 changes worth knowing

A few additional provisions took effect alongside the headline laws:

• License plate obstruction: Penalties increase for license-plate frames or covers that block any part of the plate from camera readability. Some toll-evading frames are now classified as a moving violation.
• School zone speed limit reduction: Locally optional for now — full statewide drop from 25 mph to 20 mph in active school zones doesn't take effect until January 1, 2031.
• EV charging at multi-unit dwellings: Landlords with five or more units must allow tenant-installed EV chargers under specified conditions, accelerating EV adoption.
• Autonomous vehicle reporting: Companies operating autonomous vehicles must report disengagements and crashes to the DMV within new tighter deadlines.

What this means for the 2026 written test

The California DMV updates its written test questions periodically to reflect current law. Expect questions on the expanded Move Over rule, the new probation thresholds for vehicular manslaughter, and the basic principles of the CARS Act consumer protections by mid-2026. Our 2026-updated practice tests already include questions on these new laws, with explanations grounded in the official statute language.

How to stay current

California's traffic laws change every year. The DMV publishes a yearly summary at dmv.ca.gov/new-laws. We also publish a refresh every January — bookmark our Traffic Laws category for ongoing coverage.

Practice for your California DMV test

Whether you're preparing for your first license or just keeping your knowledge current after a renewal, our free California DMV practice tests are the fastest way to drill the rules. We have 1,164+ questions in 11 languages, including a full 46-question simulation identical to the real exam format.