California changed several traffic laws in 2026. Some affect daily driving. Others affect car buyers. A few only matter for teens. This guide breaks down every change in plain language.

New drivers preparing for their DMV road test should pay close attention. Examiners often test knowledge of current law.

Quick Summary Table

Here’s the fastest way to understand what changed.

Law	What It Does	Who It Affects
AB 390	Expands “Move Over” rule	All drivers
DUI Probation Law	Increases probation length	Intoxicated drivers
License Plate Rule	Bans plate-blocking covers	All vehicle owners
CARS Act	Adds 3-day return right	Car buyers
SB 506	Simplifies address updates	Anyone who moves
IID Extension	Extends interlock program	DUI offenders

Each row above is explained in detail below.

AB 390: The Move Over Law Just Got Bigger

The old rule only covered emergency vehicles. Now it covers almost everything.

If you see any stopped vehicle with hazard lights on, you must react. Change lanes if it’s safe. Slow down if you can’t.

Applies to disabled cars
Applies to roadside repair vehicles
Applies to any warning device like cones or flares

Ignoring this rule can lead to a fine. It also adds a point to your driving record.

Caltrans reported a 40% rise in roadside fatalities between 2020 and 2024. That’s the real reason lawmakers expanded this rule.
Students at our driving school practice this exact scenario. Reacting to stopped vehicles becomes second nature with repetition.

Longer Probation for Intoxicated Driving

This law targets the most serious DUI cases.

Under the old law, probation for vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated was fixed at two years. That number just changed.

Courts can now impose three to five years of probation. Judges decide the exact length based on the case.

This only applies to convictions after January 1, 2026. Older cases are not affected.

Good habits start early. Our driver’s ed courses cover the real risks of impaired driving in detail.

License Plates Must Stay Fully Visible

This one is simple. Covers, tints, or frames that block your plate are now illegal.

No smoked plastic covers
No frames that hide numbers
No tinting that blurs camera readability

This law also targets toll evasion. Blocked plates make enforcement harder for everyone.
We remind every student in our driving training school program to check this before test day.

The CARS Act: A New Right for Car Buyers

This law protects people buying cars from dealerships.

If you buy a qualifying car, you now get three days to cancel the deal. No penalty applies during that window.

A few conditions apply:

The car must be a passenger vehicle
Motorcycles and RVs don’t qualify
Dealers may charge a restocking fee
Mileage must stay within a limited range

This law also stops dealers from advertising fake discounts. Hidden fees are restricted too.

Families near Corona often ask us about this law before buying a teen’s first car.

Address Changes Just Got Easier

Before this law, your license only got a sticker after an address update. The physical card stayed outdated.

Now you can request a reprinted license. It shows your new address clearly.

This matters for REAL ID holders. Address mismatches can cause problems at federal checkpoints.

A small processing fee applies. Processing usually takes four to six weeks.

Students moving within Riverside should update their address before test day.

Ignition Interlock Program Extended to 2033

This program was supposed to end in 2026. Lawmakers extended it instead.

Anyone convicted of certain DUI offenses must install this device. It blocks the engine if alcohol is detected.

Monthly costs vary by provider. Reduced fees may apply for low-income drivers.

Avoiding this outcome starts with proper driver’s training. Good instruction reduces risky habits early on.

Smaller Changes Worth Knowing

A few smaller updates also took effect.

School zone speed limits will drop to 20 mph, but not until 2031
Landlords with five or more units must allow EV chargers
Self-driving car companies face tighter crash-reporting deadlines

None of these require immediate action. They’re still worth knowing.

Drivers across Eastvale should keep an eye on these anyway.

The same goes for students learning in Norco.

What This Means for the DMV Written Test

The DMV updates test questions regularly. New laws often appear within months.

Expect questions about the Move Over rule. Expect questions about DUI probation limits too.

Studying current law matters more than memorizing old material. Outdated guides can actually hurt your score.
We stay current so our students don’t have to guess. Check our gallery to see real lessons in action.

Preparing for the Road Ahead

New laws shape how examiners test new drivers. Staying informed protects your license and your safety.

Our instructors work with families across a wide region. We regularly train students from Moreno Valley, where these same law changes apply directly to new drivers. Nearby, in Jurupa Valley, parents ask us the same questions about DUI penalties and Move Over rules. Our coverage also extends across the wider Riverside region.

Beyond that, we support the broader Inland Empire too. On the coast, we serve the South Bay. That includes families throughout Inglewood as well. If you’re unsure whether we cover your city, our service area page lists every location we support.

If you’d like help applying any of this to your own driving plans, reach out and contact us directly. Before you do, check our prices page to see what fits your budget. We also offer flexible payment options for every household. It’s also worth checking our current summer specials before booking.

New to our school? Our about page shares who we are and how we teach. Our blog covers more topics just like this one. As always, our privacy policy explains how we handle your information. Our terms of service explains how our lessons work.

Staying current with California law is part of staying safe. Visit Corona Driving School to explore everything we offer new and returning drivers this year.