California introduced several new traffic laws and regulations in 2025 to improve road safety and update driving rules. Below is a summary of key changes—from speed enforcement and distracted driving to DUI penalties and intersection safety—and how they affect drivers. Here are the new traffic laws for California Drivers in 2025.
Speed Limits and Automated Enforcement
California did not change its statewide speed limit laws in 2025 but is piloting new ways to enforce them. Notably, a law now allows automated speed cameras in specific cities to deter speeding. For the first time, speed safety camera systems will be tested in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Glendale, Long Beach, and (new for 2025) the City of Malibu.
These cameras use radar or laser to detect speeding and capture license plates, issuing tickets by mail to drivers who exceed posted limits. The goal is to reduce speeding-related crashes by increasing the certainty of enforcement (in pilot areas, a 30-day warning period will precede actual tickets). Bottom line: Drivers should remember that speeding could now be automatically recorded in these cities, so adhering to posted speed limits is more important than ever.
Hands-Free Driving (Distracted Driving) Laws
Using a handheld phone while driving has been illegal in California for years, but 2025 brings stricter distracted-driving laws and penalties. In alignment with the “Put The Phone Away or Pay” campaign, the state has increased fines for texting or holding a phone behind the wheel, and repeat offenders may be required to attend a driver education course.
California Vehicle Code §23123 already prohibits drivers from holding a phone (calls must be hands-free, and texting or social media use is banned), but now enforcement is more challenging. Drivers caught a second time within 36 months will pay a higher fine and face a point on their driving record, which can impact insurance. In short: Put the phone down entirely while driving – even at red lights or stop signs – to avoid hefty penalties and stay safe.
DUI Regulations and Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence penalties have been significantly tightened in 2025 to discourage repeat offenses and address drug-impaired driving. Several new measures affect drivers who drink or use drugs:
- Harsher repeat-offender penalties: A third DUI conviction within 10 years carries a minimum jail sentence of 180 days (six months) – up from 120 days previously. A fourth DUI in 10 years can result in permanent driver’s license revocation, making it much more complicated (or impossible) for chronic offenders to drive legally.
- Ignition interlock devices (IID): California expanded its IID program. Now, even many first-time DUI offenders must install a breathalyzer device in their vehicle’s ignition if their blood alcohol concentration was exceptionally high. For example, drivers with a BAC of 0.15% or above on a first offense must use an IID for at least 6 months . Judges also have more leeway to order IIDs in other cases, such as DUIs involving reckless driving or a child passenger.
- Cracking down on aggravated DUIs: Penalties are more onerous if you drive under the influence with a minor in the car. A first DUI with a child (under 14) as a passenger now brings a mandatory 48-hour jail term on top of standard penalties, and a second offense with a minor means at least 30 days in jail (and could be charged as a felony). Meanwhile, with the rise of legal cannabis and other substances, drugged driving enforcement is up: police are deploying new roadside saliva testing devices to detect marijuana, opioids, and other drugs. Drivers found with a mix of alcohol and drugs in their system will face enhanced penalties, reflecting a zero-tolerance approach.
Takeaway: All drivers should know that California is getting more challenging on impaired driving in 2025. Never drive after drinking or using impairing drugs – the legal and safety consequences are more severe than ever.
Red Light and Stop Sign Rules
The basic rules for traffic signals and stop signs remain the same – drivers must stop on red and at stop signs – but 2025 brings new measures to improve safety at intersections:
“Daylighting” law (AB 413): To improve visibility at intersections, parking within 20 feet of any marked or unmarked crosswalk in Californiais illegal.
By keeping cars back at least one car-length from crosswalks, drivers approaching intersections can better see pedestrians and other vehicles (and vice versa). This new no-parking buffer (often called a daylighting zone) applies whether or not curbs are painted red. Drivers must avoid parking too close to crosswalks or risk a ticket (after an initial grace period). The law aims to reduce collisions by eliminating “blind spots” caused by cars blocking the view near corners.
- A complete stop is required for pedestrians in crosswalks: California law has long required yielding to pedestrians. However, starting in 2025, the state is emphasizing that drivers must come to a full stop when a pedestrian is in any part of the crosswalk. In practice, if a person is crossing the street (on your half or even approaching your half of the road), you should not just slow down or edge through – you need to stop and wait until they have safely crossed. This clarification reinforces pedestrian right-of-way and aims to curb the high rate of pedestrian collisions. Running through intersections when people are present can more easily result in citations for failing to yield.
- Red-light and stop-sign enforcement: Apart from the parking change above, there were no sweeping new rules for red lights or stop signs in 2025. Drivers can still make a right turn on red after a full stop unless a posted sign forbids it. However, some cities are considering banning right-on-red at certain busy intersections for safety (San Francisco, for example, is exploring this). As always, come to a full stop at red lights and stop signs and proceed only when safe and legal.
Lane Usage and Road Safety Updates
A variety of new laws will affect how drivers use lanes and share the road in 2025, all with an eye toward safety and efficiency:
- HOV lane access for clean-air vehicles extended: California has extended the green and white decal program that allows electric and other low-emission vehicles to use carpool (HOV) lanes even with a single occupant. Under AB 2678, drivers with a valid clean air vehicle sticker can continue to enjoy HOV lane access until January 1, 2027, provided federal authorization remains (the program was set to expire sooner). If you drive an eligible EV or plug-in hybrid with a decal, you can bypass traffic in the carpool lane for a couple more years.
- Yield to buses with a new “signal”: To improve transit safety and schedules, transit buses statewide can now use a rear-mounted “Yield” sign that flashes when the bus merges back into traffic from a stop. Under AB 1904, when a bus activates this yield sign (located on the left rear of the bus), drivers in the adjacent lane should yield and let the bus re-enter the lane. This law expands a successful pilot and is intended to reduce sudden braking or swerving around buses, effectively giving them the right-of-way when they signal to merge. Drivers need to be alert for these yield signs on buses and know that it’s legally required (and safer) to allow the bus to pull out.
- Crackdown on illegal street racing and sideshows: Responding to dangerous “street takeover” events, new laws give police more potent tools to seize vehicles used in street racing or sideshows. For example, AB 1978 and AB 3085 authorize law enforcement to impound a car for up to 30 days if it was used to facilitate a street race or sideshow, even if the driver isn’t immediately arrested.
- Organizing or aiding such events (like blocking a highway to allow a sideshow) can also lead to impoundment without prior notice. In short, participating in illegal racing or stunt driving meets can now cost you your car for a month, on top of existing criminal penalties. This is meant to deter reckless driving events and improve public safety.
- Other road safety notes: California also launched pilot programs in some counties to increase e-bike safety (e.g., requiring helmets for more riders and restricting young teens from riding faster e-bikes) and reduce injuries. While these primarily affect bicyclists, drivers may notice more enforcement of traffic rules involving e-bikes and should continue to share the road safely with all cyclists.
Other Notable Changes Affecting Drivers
In addition to the topics above, a few other 2025 legal changes will impact California drivers’ responsibilities and wallets:
- Higher minimum insurance coverage: California has raised the mandatory minimum auto liability insurance limits for the first time in decades. Starting January 1, 2025, drivers must carry at least $30,000 coverage for a single injury or death (up from $15,000), $60,000 per accident for multiple injuries/deaths (up from $30,000), and $15,000 for property damage (up from $5,000). This change (SB 1107) essentially doubles the required insurance protection. It means premiums may increase for those who previously had only the old minimum, but more coverage will be available to victims in the event of a crash. Drivers should check their insurance policy and ensure it meets the new 30/60/15 minimums to avoid penalties or personal liability.
- License plate obstruction ban: Drivers using spray-on coatings or covers to thwart toll or red-light cameras should note that a new law explicitly prohibits altering or obscuring your license plate’s reflective coating. Assembly Bill 2111 was passed to crack down on toll evasion and ghost plates. Any device or method that makes your license plate harder to read (to any camera or entity) is illegal. This includes tinted plate covers or films that reflect flash. You could be cited if a plate is intentionally defaced to hinder identification. Keep your plates clear and legible.
- Grace period for expired registration: As of mid-2024 (and continuing in 2025), California now gives drivers a bit of leeway if they’re late in renewing their vehicle registration. Assembly Bill 256 created a 60-day grace period during which police cannot ticket solely for an expired registration sticker. From July 1, 2024, until Jan 1, 2030, if your tags just expired, you have up to two months to get them renewed without fear of an immediate fix-it ticket or stop for that alone. Important: This doesn’t mean you can drive an unregistered vehicle indefinitely – you still owe the fees, and after 60 days, you can be cited. Also, an officer may still notice the expired tag if you commit another violation. The intent is to reduce minor traffic stops and give drivers a reasonable window to handle registration delays. Drivers should use this grace period to comply, not as an excuse to ignore registration.
- Other laws: California passed numerous laws (from employment-related driving rules to rules for autonomous vehicles and even a requirement for schools to teach about DUI prevention). For instance, schools will be adding curriculum about the dangers of drunk driving (inspired by a legislator’s own DUI incident). While these don’t directly change day-to-day driving rules, they underscore the state’s focus on traffic safety education in the long run.
In summary, California’s 2025 traffic laws strongly emphasize safety: slower, more careful driving and greater accountability. Drivers should be prepared for automated speed enforcement in big cities, put their phones away whenever driving, and avoid impaired driving, given the stiffer DUI punishments. At intersections, give pedestrians plenty of space and visibility, and don’t park too close to crosswalks. Stay courteous with buses and cautious around street racers (who face new crackdowns). Also, check your insurance and vehicle paperwork to meet the new requirements. By understanding and following these updates, drivers can avoid fines and help make the roads safer for everyone in 2025 and beyond.
Sources:
- California DMV – “DMV Highlights New Laws in 2025” (Press Release)dmv.ca.gov chp.ca.gov
- California Highway Patrol – “New Laws for 2025” (Highlights) chp.ca.gov chp.ca.gov
- AB 413 Daylighting Law – California Legislative Info & Alameda Post foxla.co malamedapost.com
- Harris Personal Injury Lawyers – “New Traffic Laws in CA for 2025” harrispersonalinjury.comharrispersonalinjury.com
- San Diego DUI Law Center – “New DUI Laws in 2025”sandiegoduilawyer.comsandiegoduilawyer.com
- FOX 11 Los Angeles – Coverage of 2025 Driving Laws foxla.comfoxla.com
- 511 Contra Costa – “New CA Transportation Laws 2025” 511contracosta.org 511contracosta.org