California: What is legal, what is not...

[hakk97se]

---Sticky---

Worried about what is legal in CA and what isn't? Scared after reading stories about Matthel and Hoon being harrassed by the man?

Here in the West Coast forum we often get a lot of questions about what is and isn't legal in the state of California regarding the vehicle code; specifically laws regarding smog certification, tint regulations, lighting regulations, etc. There are many misconceptions about these regulations because often they are more strict than other states. The laws also change on a regular basis. For example, a tint ticket used to be a simple fixit ticket. Now some areas are more strict and give you a couple fixits and then regard it as a moving violation, etc.

Remember however, that enforcement of some of these laws can vary by area and by officer. Many of the common mods done to Maxima's may be technically illegal in CA, but for many people confrontations are rare. These resources are provided as informational only. It is always ultimately up to you how you want to observe them.

With that said, here are some resources for people with questions. I invite participation in this thread if you can provide some authoritative resource for more information or if you know of a change in laws, smog regs, etc.

I'll start us off with these:
The California Highway Patrol's definition of "Street Legal"
This site gives a brief overview of everything from tint, lights, and radar to exhaust. Each item has a pointer to the specific vehicle code section that makes it illegal. Keep in mind that this site is maintained by the CHP and some of the overviews tend to be a conservative interpretation of the actual section of the vehicle code they cite.

The complete California Vehicle Code
Read somewhere about a vehicle code and want to see exactly what it means? This is the complete, unending, wordy resource.

CARB Aftermarket Device Certification
This site allows you to search to see if a specific part is CARB certified. A CARB certification is required for modifications, usually for air intakes or exhaust, in order to pass CA state emissions testing.

California Smog and Emissions Information
The type of smog check you need may depend on where you live. Some areas have begun testing cars on a dyno so that they can measure emissions under engine load. Find out what really goes and what doesn't, how often you have to do it, what to do incase of failure, etc.

[hakk97se]

Here are some useful, often quoted sections from the vehicle code:

VC24953: Turn Signal Lamps

VC5200: Display of Licence Plates

VC4300: Registering an out of state vehicle

[happyricefob]

wow...i think this thread could be resourceful. moderators mind making this a sticky?

[nadir_s]

nice write up jon! do you mind if I include this writeup of yours to the norcal site?

I read the turn signal part... i always wondered if it was illegal to put white bulbs in my clear bumper turn signals. cool, now i have nothin to worry.

[hakk97se]

Originally Posted by nadir_s

nice write up jon! do you mind if I include this writeup of yours to the norcal site?

I read the turn signal part... i always wondered if it was illegal to put white bulbs in my clear bumper turn signals. cool, now i have nothin to worry.

Sure, go for it.

Let's try to keep this thread clean and informational guys... PM me for any other questions.

[TZapper]

I just want to agree with Jon, California is a big state but laws vary by area and law enforcement officers. I for one can say that San Mateo County, especially Daly City is much stricter than San Francisco. I have been given bogus bs tickets in Daly City. A friend of mine was pulled over for having his taillighs painted black on a Maxima, but not his 5% all-around tint, weird eh. I have seen people fly on a red light, having ultra-bright blueish lights, ultra-loud 10" wide fart-cans and cops were just a dozen feet away and did nothing, and thats in SF.

Becareful though and obey the rules.

By the way, that jeep going over 100mph on Fulton street and smashing into the ocean beach wall, people are going really crazy these days.

Originally Posted by hakk97se

Sure, go for it.

Let's try to keep this thread clean and informational guys... PM me for any other questions.

[hakk97se]

Why is this thread not sticky'd yet? Bump.

[TurDz]

So clear corners can have regular white bulbs in them eh? nice...

[hakk97se]

Well, I still don't know why this thread never got sticky'd, but there have been some questions recently, which have been common in the past, about the california tint laws.. Even I was spouting incorrect information from time to time. Well, here you go.

The answer to most people's question: how much tint can I put on my windows? Answer is, in most circumstances none on the windshield, 88% on the front side windows, and anything on the rear side and rear windows. This is all contingent on the fact that you have side view mirrors that give you good visibility to the rear.

In reference to the front side windows, Section 26708 subsection D1 states:
(1) The material has a minimum visible light transmittance of 88 percent.

Here is the whole section from the vehicle code:

Material Obstructing or Reducing Driver's View

26708. (a) (1) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows.

(2) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied in or upon the vehicle which obstructs or reduces the driver's clear view through the windshield or side windows.

(3) This subdivision applies to a person driving a motor vehicle with the driver's clear vision through the windshield, or side or rear windows, obstructed by snow or ice.

(b) This section does not apply to any of the following:

(1) Rearview mirrors.

(2) Adjustable nontransparent sunvisors which are mounted forward of the side windows and are not attached to the glass.

(3) Signs, stickers, or other materials which are displayed in a 7-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest removed from the driver, signs, stickers, or other materials which are displayed in a 7-inch square in the lower corner of the rear window farthest removed from the driver, or signs, stickers, or other materials which are displayed in a 5-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield nearest the driver.

(4) Side windows which are to the rear of the driver.

(5) Direction, destination, or termini signs upon a passenger common carrier motor vehicle or a schoolbus, if those signs do not interfere with the driver's clear view of approaching traffic.

(6) Rear window wiper motor.

(7) Rear trunk lid handle or hinges.

(8) The rear window or windows, when the motor vehicle is equipped with outside mirrors on both the left- and right-hand sides of the vehicle that are so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway through each mirror for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle.

(9) A clear, transparent lens affixed to the side window opposite the driver on a vehicle greater than 80 inches in width and which occupies an area not exceeding 50 square inches of the lowest corner toward the rear of that window and which provides the driver with a wide-angle view through the lens.

(10) Sun screening devices meeting the requirements of Section 26708.2 installed on the side windows on either side of the vehicle's front seat, if the driver or a passenger in the front seat has in his or her possession a letter or other document signed by a licensed physician and surgeon certifying that the person must be shaded from the sun due to a medical condition, or has in his or her possession a letter or other document signed by a licensed optometrist certifying that the person must be shaded from the sun due to a visual condition. The devices authorized by this paragraph shall not be used during darkness.

(11) An electronic communication device affixed to the center uppermost portion of the interior of a windshield within an area that is not greater than 5 inches square, if the device provides either of the following:

(A) The capability for enforcement facilities of the Department of the California Highway Patrol to communicate with a vehicle equipped with the device.

(B) The capability for electronic toll and traffic management on public or private roads or facilities.

(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), transparent material may be installed, affixed, or applied to the topmost portion of the windshield if the following conditions apply:

(1) The bottom edge of the material is at least 29 inches above the undepressed driver's seat when measured from a point 5 inches in front of the bottom of the backrest with the driver's seat in its rearmost and lowermost position with the vehicle on a level surface.

(2) The material is not red or amber in color.

(3) There is no opaque lettering on the material and any other lettering does not affect primary colors or distort vision through the windshield.

(4) The material does not reflect sunlight or headlight glare into the eyes of occupants of oncoming or following vehicles to any greater extent than the windshield without the material.

(d) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), clear, colorless, and transparent material may be installed, affixed, or applied to the front side windows, located to the immediate left and right of the front seat if the following conditions are met:

(1) The material has a minimum visible light transmittance of 88 percent.

(2) The window glazing with the material applied meets all requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205 (49 C.F.R. 571.205), including the specified minimum light transmittance of 70 percent and the abrasion resistance of AS-14 glazing, as specified in that federal standard.

(3) The material is designed and manufactured to enhance the ability of the existing window glass to block the sun's harmful ultraviolet A rays.

(4) The driver has in his or her possession, or within the vehicle, a certificate signed by the installing company certifying that the windows with the material installed meet the requirements of this subdivision and identifies the installing company and the material's manufacturer by full name and street address, or, if the material was installed by the vehicle owner, a certificate signed by the material's manufacturer certifying that the windows with the material installed according to manufacturer's instructions meets the requirements of this subdivision and identifies the material's manufacturer by full name and street address.

(5) If the material described in this subdivision tears or bubbles, or is otherwise worn to prohibit clear vision, it shall be removed or replaced.
Amended Sec. 77, Ch. 1154, Stats. 1996. Effective September 30, 1996.
Amended Sec. 1, Ch. 476, Stats. 1998. Effective January 1, 1999.

[NiNe7-Gxe]

ahhh.. i remember this thread, made me so happy that my clear corners are legal, i agree with you this is very resourceful and would cut down on the "what is legal" threads

[nadir_s]

I wanted to put this on the norcal website but it's down............

good info jon.

[aussie983]

So, can someone explain the deal/ legality of Y-pipes?

[1FSTMAX]

Originally Posted by aussie983

So, can someone explain the deal/ legality of Y-pipes?

Y pipes are not street legal.

[crazyrodent]

i thought they made a cali spec y pipe

[TZapper]

Originally Posted by crazyrodent

i thought they made a cali spec y pipe

cali spec doesnt mean its legal in california. Fed spec and Cali spec differentiates by having different amount and location of O2 sensors on the pipe - so this is just a technical specification that doesnt define any legal issues.

[looslip]

Any laws that define the necessity of a 3rd tail light? I want to get a different spoiler but that would do away with my 3rd brake light.

[RacertilTheEnd]

So, in general, are cat-back exhaust systems street legal in CA? What are the main things to watch out for with an exhaust in light of noise levels and size of exhaust tip and what not.

[Maximum Depth]

California's Vehicle Code 27150 and 27151 deal with exhaust system regulations. Section 27150.2 (b) states, "Exhaust systems installed on motor vehicles, other than motorcycles, with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of less than 6,000 pounds comply with Sections 27150 and 27151 if they emit no more than 95 dbA when tested in accordance with Society of Automotive Engineers Standard J1169 May 1998." (http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc27150_2.htm)

There are no size regulations that I'm aware of. BTW-a cat-back system is the exhaust pipe running from the catalytic converter (cat) all the way (back) to the muffler. All cars have them, in fact in California, it is illegal not to have a muffler (Calif. VC: 38370). The lawmakers have to allow car owners to repair their exhausts using non-stock parts, or few exhaust repairs would ever be made. They regulate the non-stock exhaust systems through SMOG testing and Noise Law enforcement.

A point on Window Tinting: The law on this one is poorly worded. The California Law (VC: 26708) states in (a), "No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows." Then the law later states in (d) that a material with minimum visible light transmittal of 88% can be used. WHICH IS IT? None or 88%? Confused? Read on. Later in 26708(d)(2) it states that the window should be no darker than 70%. (fyi - the lower the percentage, the darker the windows) AND...AND it also says that you must have a Tinting Certificate from the installing company to show the detaining officer, or your window tint will be regarded as illegal. And to make matters worse, the cops are under the belief that NO tinting of the front or side windows is legal. (There is no question or limit on tinting for rear or rear side windows for cars with both side mirrors.)

The website maintained by the IWFA (Int'l Window Film Assoc) lists the legal window tinting for every state, and lists California's as 70% for the front and front side windows (http://www.iwfa.com/iwfa/consumer_in...statelaws.html). Even the CA courts have interpreted California's tint law as 70%. But it depends on which officer stops you. If you do get written up for window tinting, if you can, get the officer to write it up as a 26708(5) infraction (a fix-it ticket) instead of a 26708(a) fine and ticket.

[thephatOne]

what about lighting, Im trying to get the 7000k ones from maximabest but if anything ill go with 6000k

[Boon]

anything on hids?

[gassian]

does anyone know how can someone join the MCC (Maxima Club of California) club??? the website doesn't allow it and i really wanna join it.....

[Mad Katharine]

I notice that even though the state of California's CARB certification website is updated to last May, none of Stillen's intakes for anything 2001 and newer is listed. Can anyone tell me if Stillen's Maxima 2002-2003 intake is pending CARB certification?

[RHMax]

Originally Posted by Mad Katharine

I notice that even though the state of California's CARB certification website is updated to last May, none of Stillen's intakes for anything 2001 and newer is listed. Can anyone tell me if Stillen's Maxima 2002-2003 intake is pending CARB certification?

My understanding for smog is any mods before the throtle body and after the cat(alytic converter) will pass visual inspection. I had several cars somg w/ intakes and exhausts and never had any issues with visual inspections, just have to make sure that it will pass the emmision test. That being said, all forced inductions (turbos and superchargers) are before throtle bodies, but won't fly visually . Headers and y-pipe won't pass either (even w/ CARB certs sometimes). Any one has more information or more correct information, please let us know.

Originally Posted by Mad Katharine

I notice that even though the state of California's CARB certification website is updated to last May, none of Stillen's intakes for anything 2001 and newer is listed. Can anyone tell me if Stillen's Maxima 2002-2003 intake is pending CARB certification?

injen has the CARB cert now, if you buy one it comes with the label right on the intake.

[Rowan]

any word on retrofitted HID projectors with stock 4100-4300k bulbs? How about above 4300k but with projectors?

[ae01maxine]

Originally Posted by RHMax

My understanding for smog is any mods before the throtle body and after the cat(alytic converter) will pass visual inspection. I had several cars somg w/ intakes and exhausts and never had any issues with visual inspections, just have to make sure that it will pass the emmision test. That being said, all forced inductions (turbos and superchargers) are before throtle bodies, but won't fly visually . Headers and y-pipe won't pass either (even w/ CARB certs sometimes). Any one has more information or more correct information, please let us know.

Yeah i heard visuals would pass with Intakes and Exhaust but if they actually happen to do the smog right and look under your car and notice Stock Cat isnt there and you got a full pipe all the way down then your screwed.. But i never seen smog Techs look under any car.

Thats what i was told..

[rxm6]

Originally Posted by ae01maxine

But i never seen smog Techs look under any car.

Thats what i was told..

Smog techs do look under the car, especially the ones at gas stations or "in the public eye" meaning they are easily accessible to the average public. There are those that do not look under the car, or if they do, have no idea that the pre-cats are missing. This seems to be a popular theme with max's passing smog: the tech's have no clue about the pre-cats. I have met one that had a clue, but he was a real a-hole anyhow.

I think when looking for a smog technician, look for a recommendation from your friends or other .org members.

[GAMERA30]

SUP GUYS ..... I heard from a few people in other car groups that Hi-flow cats are now illegal for sale in California. Anyone know if this is true ?

[MrDicks95SE]

Originally Posted by GAMERA30

SUP GUYS ..... I heard from a few people in other car groups that Hi-flow cats are now illegal for sale in California. Anyone know if this is true ?

i wouldnt know as i dont have either lol.

[GAMERA30]

dude... i thought ya car looked familiar. I saw it at Performance Bike today around 6-7 pm. I was parked across from you. lol Nice ride

[MrDicks95SE]

Originally Posted by GAMERA30

dude... i thought ya car looked familiar. I saw it at Performance Bike today around 6-7 pm. I was parked across from you. lol Nice ride

yeah i saw your car in the parking lot. lol you left before i could say whats up.

[Oldnewbie]

Originally Posted by GAMERA30

SUP GUYS ..... I heard from a few people in other car groups that Hi-flow cats are now illegal for sale in California. Anyone know if this is true ?

Sorry GAMERA30...

I mistakenly started a conversation on the new Cali cat law (1 Jan '09) on the "P0420 related to bad/wrong fuel?" at
P0420 related to bad/wrong fuel?
as I didn't realize at the time that this would be a better thread for it.

See my posts on that thread. Rather than re-entering them here, maybe a monitor will cut and paste them over into this thread.

[saylee]

Originally Posted by RacertilTheEnd

So, in general, are cat-back exhaust systems street legal in CA? What are the main things to watch out for with an exhaust in light of noise levels and size of exhaust tip and what not.

i think they go by dB level..i got in trouble cause of my mr2 turbo but its a 3 to 3.5"" all the way..but itll have to be pretty loud an obnoxious,( my mr2 sounded sexy tho .!!)

[saylee]

damn i have no front license plate and my windows are all tinted like 8%..over here they pull you over to measure your ride height and thats stupid!!

[accordztech]

Originally Posted by GAMERA30

SUP GUYS ..... I heard from a few people in other car groups that Hi-flow cats are now illegal for sale in California. Anyone know if this is true ?

All cats sold after january first 2009 must have a carb number on them. any others are conciderd illegal. However, a smog tech CANNOT lift up your car to see it, and must visually identify it. However they usually only visually see if there is a CAT there or not.

sometimes they just do a quick look or use a big mirror to see. so if it looks like a CAT you may be ok. You can actually say it was purchased before 2009 and that would basically get around it. If your car needs to be reffed, the reff will look for that CAT but still cannot lift your car.

there are still high flow cats but they have to have the EO number on them to be sold legal in california.

Im practicing to be a smog tech so i thought id just let you guys know.

and anything past the CAT doesnt need a CARB number, however it has to be within the legal dB limits. You can have a straight pipe and its still legal.

[BigOgre]

Originally Posted by saylee

damn i have no front license plate and my windows are all tinted like 8%..over here they pull you over to measure your ride height and thats stupid!!

Ride height? really? what the legal ride height in california?