Press Release

Auto Club of So. California Summarizes New California Laws for 1997

12/24/96

Southern California motorists face new laws in 1997

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE) -- California motorists will face more
than 300 changes in the vehicle code in 1997 -- including required
proof of insurance to register a vehicle, the impoundment of a vehicle
whose registration expired six months earlier and a traffic citation
amnesty program to name a few.

``The penalties for violating many of these new laws can be severe,
including large fines and license suspension,'' said Alice Bisno, the
Auto Club's government relations manager. The following are brief
summaries of key changes that will affect motorists. Unless otherwise
specified, the laws take effect Jan. 1, 1997. Proof of Insurance

Assembly Bill 650 requires motorists to provide proof of insurance
when they register their vehicles. They also must provide similar
information to a law enforcement officer when they are stopped for a
suspected traffic violation or following an accident.

Fines for a first offense range from $500 to $1000, not including
penalty assessments. Fines for subsequent convictions range from $1000
to $2000. In addition, a court may impound the uninsured
vehicle. Providing false evidence of financial responsibility is a
misdemeanor and could result in suspension of the driver's
license. Smog Check

Assembly Bill 2515 requires the state to license ``gold shield''
stations to facilitate the retesting of high-polluting vehicles that
fail a smog check. The gold shield stations are able to repair, retest
and issue a smog certificate. The bill also removes the state's
authority to impound gross polluting vehicles whose owners have failed
to repair and retest them. Traffic Citation Amnesty Program

Assembly Bill 3095 allows counties to implement an amnesty program to
reduce the fines on certain outstanding Vehicle Code violations that
are not more than six months delinquent.  Alcoholic Beverages in a
Vehicle

AB 2000 makes it a misdemeanor for anyone under 21 years old to
knowingly carry alcohol in a vehicle. The charge for this offense
previously has been an infraction. Vehicle Impound

Assembly Bill 1869 allows for the impoundment of a vehicle whose
registration expired at least six months earlier, a reduction from
current law which allows one year before impound.  Car rental Charges

Senate Bill 1070 requires car rental agencies to separately charge
customers for the cost of the car's vehicle license fee. Car renters
may see additional costs of $1 - $2 per day. Carpool Lanes

Assembly Bill 3020 allows cars to exit a carpool lane by crossing the
double parallel lines that separate this lane from other freeway lanes
if necessary to avoid an approaching emergency vehicle that has lights
and sirens on. Normally, crossing these lines can result in a fine of
$271. New Car Costs

Assembly Bill 2574 allows auto dealers to increase by $10 the amount
they may charge to new car purchasers for document preparation and
smog certificate fees. The charge may not exceed $45. Oversize Truck
Loads

Assembly Bill 420 will allow manufactured homes up to 16 feet wide to
be transported on state highways under limited conditions. The average
highway lane is 12 feet wide. Smog Certificates

Senate Bill 1528 exempts vehicles in which ownership is transferred
between siblings from the requirement of obtaining a smog check at the
time of transfer.

The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of
the American Automobile Association, has been serving members since
1900.

Today, the Auto Club's 4.3 million members benefit by the
organization's emergency road service, public safety programs, travel
planning, highway and transportation safety programs, automotive
pricing, buying and financing programs, automobile and homeowners
insurance and legislative advocacy.