AB 1913: Licensure: emergency equipment.
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2026-08-27
Current Status:
Passed
(2026-08-27: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 133, Statutes of 2026.)
Introduced
In Committee
Awaiting First Chamber Vote
Passed First Chamber
In Committee
Awaiting Second Chamber Vote
Passed Second Chamber
Enacted
What does this bill do?
The bill allows employees and registered volunteers of law enforcement agencies to drive certain emergency vehicles using a regular (class C) driver’s license if they complete a new training and pass a written test. It defines which vehicles qualify (limited class A/B‑type units owned or controlled by the agency), requires at least 16 hours of classroom training and 14 hours of supervised behind‑the‑wheel practice, and sets instructor rules including minimum experience and instructor certification; trainees must already hold a valid class C license.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
Existing law prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle upon a highway unless that person holds a valid drivers license to operate the type of vehicle that the person is driving.
Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to require an examination for issuance of a drivers license. The examination is required to be appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive or tow, in accordance with certain license classifications. A class C drivers license includes the operation of, among other vehicles, firefighting equipment, provided that the equipment is operated by a person who holds a firefighter endorsement, as specified.
This bill would include the operation of specified emergency equipment under a class C drivers license, provided the equipment is owned by a law enforcement agency and is operated by a person who has completed the emergency equipment training described below.
Existing law establishes the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to set minimum standards for the recruitment and training of peace officers and to develop training courses and curriculum.
This bill would require specified peace officers and volunteers registered with specified law enforcement agencies be permitted to operate emergency equipment, as specified. The bill would require the training to include both classroom and driver training components, as specified, and a written examination. The bill would impose certification, experience, and licensure requirements on instructors for the training program, including, among other things, a requirement that an instructor be certified as a qualified training instructor by the State of California, the federal government, or a county training officers association.
The bill would define emergency equipment as a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles that meets the definition of a class A or class B vehicle and is subject to certain requirements, including, but not limited to, that they are used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, to and from a place where the emergency equipment is repaired or positioned, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by, or under the exclusive control of specified law enforcement agencies.
Existing law prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle upon a highway unless that person holds a valid drivers license to operate the type of vehicle that the person is driving.
Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to require an examination for issuance of a drivers license. The examination is required to be appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive or tow, in accordance with certain license classifications. A class C drivers license includes the operation of, among other vehicles, firefighting equipment, provided that the equipment is operated by a person who holds a firefighter endorsement, as specified.
This bill would include the operation of specified emergency equipment under a class C drivers license, provided the equipment is owned by a law enforcement agency and is operated by a person who has completed the emergency equipment training described below.
Existing law establishes the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to set minimum standards for the recruitment and training of peace officers and to develop training courses and curriculum.
This bill would require specified peace officers and volunteers registered with specified law enforcement agencies be permitted to operate emergency equipment, as specified. The bill would require the training to include both classroom and driver training components, as specified, and a written examination. The bill would impose certification, experience, and licensure requirements on instructors for the training program, including, among other things, a requirement that an instructor be certified as a qualified training instructor by the State of California, the federal government, or a county training officers association.
The bill would define emergency equipment as a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles that meets the definition of a class A or class B vehicle and is subject to certain requirements, including, but not limited to, that they are used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, to and from a place where the emergency equipment is repaired or positioned, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by, or under the exclusive control of specified law enforcement agencies.
Existing law prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle upon a highway unless that person holds a valid drivers license to operate the type of vehicle that the person is driving.
Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to require an examination for issuance of a drivers license. The examination is required to be appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive or tow, in accordance with certain license classifications. A class C drivers license includes the operation of, among other vehicles, firefighting equipment, provided that the equipment is operated by a person who holds a firefighter endorsement, as specified.
This bill would include the operation of specified emergency equipment under a class C drivers license, provided the equipment is owned by a law enforcement agency and is operated by a person who has completed the emergency equipment training described below.
Existing law establishes the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to set minimum standards for the recruitment and training of peace officers and to develop training courses and curriculum.
This bill would require specified peace officers and volunteers registered with specified law enforcement agencies be permitted to operate emergency equipment, as specified. The bill would require the training to include both classroom and driver training components, as specified, and a written examination. The bill would impose certification, experience, and licensure requirements on instructors for the training program, including, among other things, a requirement that an instructor be certified as a qualified training instructor by the State of California, the federal government, or a county training officers association.
The bill would define emergency equipment as a motor vehicle operated under a class A or class B license or combination of vehicles that meets the definition of a class A or class B vehicle and is subject to certain requirements, including, but not limited to, that is they are used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, to and from a place where the emergency equipment is repaired or positioned, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by, or under the exclusive control of specified law enforcement agencies.
Existing law prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle upon a highway unless that person holds a valid drivers license to operate the type of vehicle that the person is driving.
Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to require an examination for issuance of a drivers license. The examination is required to be appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive or tow, in accordance with certain license classifications. A class C drivers license includes the operation of, among other vehicles, firefighting equipment, provided that the equipment is operated by a person who holds a firefighter endorsement, as specified.
This bill would include the operation of specified emergency equipment under a class C drivers license, provided the equipment is owned by a law enforcement agency and is operated by a person who has completed, or is currently participating in, completed the emergency equipment training described below.
Existing law establishes the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to set minimum standards for the recruitment and training of peace officers and to develop training courses and curriculum.
This bill would require specified peace officers and volunteers registered with specified law enforcement agencies be permitted to operate emergency equipment, as specified. The bill would require the training to include both classroom and driver training components, as specified, and a written examination. The bill would impose certification, experience, and licensure requirements on instructors for the training program, including, among other things, a requirement that an instructor be certified as a qualified training instructor by the State of California, the federal government, or a county training officers association.
The bill would define emergency equipment as a motor vehicle operated under a class A or class B license that is used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, to and from a place where the emergency equipment is repaired or positioned, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by, or under the exclusive control of specified law enforcement agencies.
Existing law prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle upon a highway unless that person holds a valid drivers license to operate the type of vehicle that the person is driving.
Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to require an examination for issuance of a drivers license. The examination is required to be appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive or tow, in accordance with certain license classifications. A class C drivers license includes the operation of, among other vehicles, firefighting equipment, provided that the equipment is operated by a person who holds a firefighter endorsement, as specified.
This bill would include the operation of specified emergency equipment under a class C drivers license, provided the equipment is owned by a law enforcement agency and is operated by a person who has completed, or is currently participating in, the emergency equipment training and certification program described below.
Existing law establishes the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to set minimum standards for the recruitment and training of peace officers and to develop training courses and curriculum.
This bill would require the commission to develop an emergency equipment training and certification program for specified peace officers and volunteers registered with specified law enforcement agencies. agencies be permitted to operate emergency equipment, as specified. The bill would require the training to include both classroom and driver training components, as specified, and a written examination. The bill would impose certification, experience, and licensure requirements on instructors for the training program, including, among other things, a requirement that an instructor be certified as a qualified training instructor by the State of California, the federal government, or a county training officers association. The bill would require a training program participant to possess a valid class C drivers license. The bill would require the commission to issue an emergency equipment operation certification to a training participant who completes the training components and passes the written examination described above.
The bill would define emergency equipment as a motor vehicle operated under a class A or class B license that is used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation situation, to and from a place where the emergency equipment is repaired or positioned, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by, or under the exclusive control of specified law enforcement agencies.
Existing law prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle upon a highway unless that person holds a valid drivers license to operate the type of vehicle that the person is driving.
Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to require an examination for issuance of a drivers license. The examination is required to be appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive or tow, in accordance with certain license classifications. A class C drivers license includes the operation of, among other vehicles, firefighting equipment, provided that the equipment is operated by a person who holds a firefighter endorsement, as specified.
This bill would include the operation of specified emergency equipment under a class C drivers license, provided the equipment is owned by a law enforcement agency and is operated by a person who has completed, or is currently participating in, the emergency equipment training and certification program described below.
Existing law establishes the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to set minimum standards for the recruitment and training of peace officers and to develop training courses and curriculum.
This bill would require the commission to develop an emergency equipment training and certification program for specified peace officers and volunteers registered with specified law enforcement agencies. The bill would require the training to include both classroom and driver training components, as specified, and a written examination. The bill would impose certification, experience, and licensure requirements on instructors for the training program, including, among other things, a requirement that an instructor be certified as a qualified training instructor by the State of California, the federal government, or a county training officers association. The bill would require a training program participant to possess a valid class C drivers license. The bill would require the commission to issue an emergency equipment operation certification to a training participant who completes the training components and passes the written examination described above.
The bill would define emergency equipment as a motor vehicle operated under a class A or class B license that is used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by, or under the exclusive control of specified law enforcement agencies.
Existing law establishes the practices and procedures for the issuance of a license to operate firefighting equipment as a driver or tiller operator. Existing law requires that the applicant either obtain and maintain a firefighter endorsement and either a class C license, restricted class A license, or noncommercial class B license, as specified, or obtain and maintain a class A or B license, as specified.This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to those provisions.Existing law establishes the practices and procedures for the issuance of a license to operate firefighting equipment as a driver or tiller operator. Existing law requires that the applicant either obtain and maintain a firefighter endorsement and either a class C license, restricted class A license, or noncommercial class B license, as specified, or obtain and maintain a class A or B license, as specified.
This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to those provisions.
(a)An employee of, or a volunteer registered with, a law enforcement agency, as defined in Section 830.1 or 830.2 of the Penal Code, shall be permitted to operate emergency equipment pursuant to this section.
(b)In order to operate emergency equipment as defined in this section, an employee or volunteer described in subdivision (a) shall complete training that includes all of the following:
(1)A classroom portion of at least 16 hours taught by an instructor who meets or exceeds the standards adopted by the law enforcement agency described in subdivision (a) for the operation of emergency equipment.
(2)A driver training portion of at least 14 hours that includes directly-supervised behind-the-wheel training by an instructor approved by the law enforcement agency described in subdivision (a) and who possesses a minimum of five years of experience as an emergency vehicle operator.
(3)A written emergency equipment operation examination.
(c)Instructors for the training program shall meet both of the following requirements:
(1)Possess a valid California class A or class B license, or, alternatively, a class C license, having completed the emergency equipment operation training described in this section, and possessing at least five years of experience operating emergency equipment as defined in this section.
(2)Be certified as a qualified training instructor or training officer by the State of California, the federal government, or a county training officers association.
(d)A training program participant shall possess a valid California class C license.
(e)(1)For purposes of this section, emergency equipment means a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles that meets the definition of a class A or class B vehicle described in subdivision (b) of Section 12804.9, subject to the following limitations:
(A)The motor vehicle shall not exceed 45 feet in length and the towed vehicle, if applicable, shall not exceed 30,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or gross vehicle weight rating, whichever is greater.
(B)The motor vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, to and from a place where the emergency equipment is repaired or repositioned, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by, or under the exclusive control of a law enforcement agency described in Section 830.1 or 830.2 of the Penal Code.
(2)For purposes of this section, an authorized emergency vehicle that has been issued a license by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to operate in response to emergency calls is not emergency equipment.
(3)Vehicles operated pursuant to this section are not exempt from the provisions of Division 15 (commencing with Section 35000).
SEC. 2.Section 12804.9 of the Vehicle Code, as amended by Section 3 of Chapter 16 of the Statutes of 2025, is amended to read:12804.9.(a)(1)The examination shall include all of the following:
(A)A test of the applicants knowledge and understanding of the provisions of this code governing the operation of vehicles upon the highways.
(B)A test of the applicants ability to read and understand simple English used in highway traffic and directional signs.
(C)A test of the applicants understanding of traffic signs and signals, including the bikeway signs, markers, and traffic control devices established by the Department of Transportation.
(D)An actual demonstration of the applicants ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in operating a motor vehicle by driving it under the supervision of an examining officer. The applicant shall submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive, except that the department may waive the driving test part of the examination for any applicant who submits a license issued by another state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico if the department verifies through any acknowledged national driver record data source that there are no stops, holds, or other impediments to its issuance. The examining officer may request to see evidence of financial responsibility for the vehicle before supervising the demonstration of the applicants ability to operate the vehicle. The examining officer may refuse to examine an applicant who is unable to provide proof of financial responsibility for the vehicle, unless proof of financial responsibility is not required by this code.
(E)A test of the hearing and eyesight of the applicant, and of other matters that may be necessary to determine the mental and physical fitness of the applicant to operate a motor vehicle upon the highways, and whether any grounds exist for refusal of a license under this code.
(2)(A)Before a class A or class B drivers license, or class C drivers license with a commercial endorsement, may be issued or renewed, the applicant shall have in the applicants driver record a valid report of a medical examination of the applicant given not more than two years before the date of the application by a health care professional. As used in this paragraph, health care professional means a person who is licensed, certified, or registered in accordance with applicable state laws and regulations to practice medicine and perform physical examinations in the United States. Health care professionals are doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, physician assistants, and registered advanced practice nurses, or doctors of chiropractic who are clinically competent to perform the medical examination presently required of motor carrier drivers by the United States Department of Transportation. The report shall be on a form approved by the department. In establishing the requirements, consideration may be given to the standards presently required of motor carrier drivers by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
(B)The department may accept a federal waiver of one or more physical qualification standards if the waiver is accompanied by a report of a nonqualifying medical examination for a class A or class B drivers license, or class C drivers license with a commercial endorsement, pursuant to Section 391.41(a)(3)(ii) of Subpart E of Part 391 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(3)A physical defect of the applicant that, in the opinion of the department, is compensated for to ensure safe driving ability, shall not prevent the issuance of a license to the applicant.
(b)In accordance with the following classifications, an applicant for a drivers license shall be required to submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive:
(1)Class A includes the following:
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (3), a combination of vehicles, if a vehicle being towed has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds.
(B)A vehicle towing more than one vehicle.
(C)A trailer bus.
(D)The operation of all vehicles under class B and class C.
(2)Class B includes the following:
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (3), a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds.
(B)A single vehicle with three or more axles, except any three-axle vehicle weighing less than 6,000 pounds.
(C)A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds, except a trailer bus.
(D)A farm labor vehicle.
(E)A single vehicle with three or more axles or a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
(F)A house car over 40 feet in length, excluding safety devices and safety bumpers.
(G)The operation of all vehicles covered under class C.
(3)Class C includes the following:
(A)A two-axle vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, including when the vehicle is towing a trailer or semitrailer with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
(B)Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a trailer coach not exceeding 9,000 pounds gross.
(C)A house car of 40 feet in length or less.
(D)A three-axle vehicle weighing 6,000 pounds gross or less.
(E)A house car of 40 feet in length or less or a vehicle towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, including when a tow dolly is used. A person driving a vehicle may not tow another vehicle in violation of Section 21715.
(F)(i)A two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing either a trailer coach or a fifth-wheel travel trailer not exceeding 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, when the towing of the trailer is not for compensation.
(ii)A two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a fifth-wheel travel trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds, but not exceeding 15,000 pounds, gross vehicle weight rating, when the towing of the trailer is not for compensation, and if the person has passed a specialized written examination provided by the department relating to the knowledge of this code and other safety aspects governing the towing of recreational vehicles upon the highway.
(iii)The authority to operate combinations of vehicles under this subparagraph may be granted by endorsement on a class C license upon completion of that written examination.
(G)A vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating or a gross vehicle weight rating, as those terms are defined in subdivisions (j) and (k), respectively, of Section 15210, of 26,000 pounds or less, if all of the following conditions are met:
(i)Is operated by a farmer, an employee of a farmer, or an instructor credentialed in agriculture as part of an instructional program in agriculture at the high school, community college, or university level.
(ii)Is used exclusively in the conduct of agricultural operations.
(iii)Is not used in the capacity of a for-hire carrier or for compensation.
(H)Firefighting equipment, provided that the equipment is operated by a person who holds a firefighter endorsement pursuant to Section 12804.11.
(I)A motorized scooter.
(J)A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, except a trailer bus.
(K)Class C does not include a two-wheel motorcycle or a two-wheel motor-driven cycle.
(L)Emergency equipment, provided the equipment is operated by a person who has completed the emergency equipment training described in Section 12528. Emergency equipment has the same meaning as that term is defined by Section 12528.
(4)Class M1. A two-wheel motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle. Authority to operate a vehicle included in a class M1 license may be granted by endorsement on a class A, B, or C license upon completion of an appropriate examination.
(5)(A)Class M2 includes a motorized bicycle or moped, or a bicycle with an attached motor, except an electric bicycle as described in subdivision (a) of Section 312.5.
(B)Authority to operate vehicles included in class M2 may be granted by endorsement on a class A, B, or C license upon completion of an appropriate examination. Persons holding a class M1 license or endorsement may operate vehicles included in class M2 without further examination.
(c)A drivers license or driver certificate is not valid for operating a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, any other motor vehicle listed in paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (b), or any other vehicle requiring a driver to hold any driver certificate or any drivers license endorsement under Section 15275, unless a medical certificate approved by the department that has been issued within two years of the date of the operation of that vehicle and a copy of the medical examination report from which the certificate was issued is on file with the department. Otherwise, the license is valid only for operating class C vehicles that are not commercial vehicles, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, and for operating class M1 or M2 vehicles, if so endorsed, that are not commercial vehicles, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210.
(d)A license or driver certificate issued before the enactment of Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 15200) is valid to operate the class or type of vehicles specified under the law in existence before that enactment until the license or certificate expires or is otherwise suspended, revoked, or canceled. Upon application for renewal or replacement of a drivers license, endorsement, or certificate required to operate a commercial motor vehicle, a valid medical certificate on a form approved by the department shall be submitted to the department.
(e)The department may accept a certificate of driving skill that is issued by an employer, authorized by the department to issue a certificate under Section 15250, of the applicant, in lieu of a driving test, on class A or B applications, if the applicant has first qualified for a class C license and has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying. The certificate may be submitted as evidence of the applicants skill in the operation of the types of equipment covered by the license for which the applicant is applying.
(f)The department may accept a certificate of competence in lieu of a driving test on class M1 or M2 applications, when the certificate is issued by a law enforcement agency for its officers who operate class M1 or M2 vehicles in their duties, if the applicant has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying.
(g)The department may accept a certificate of satisfactory completion of a motorcyclist training program approved by the commissioner pursuant to Section 2932 in lieu of a driving test on class M1 or M2 applications, if the applicant has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying. The department shall review and approve the written and driving test used by a program to determine whether the program may issue a certificate of completion.
(h)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), a person holding a valid California drivers license of any class may operate a short-term rental motorized bicycle without taking any special examination for the operation of a motorized bicycle, and without having a class M2 endorsement on that license. As used in this subdivision, short-term means 48 hours or less.
(i)A person under 21 years of age shall not be issued a class M1 or M2 license or endorsement unless the person provides evidence satisfactory to the department of completion of a novice motorcycle safety training program that is operated pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 2930) of Chapter 5 of Division 2.
(j)A driver of a vanpool vehicle may operate with a class C license but shall possess evidence of a medical examination required for a class B license when operating vanpool vehicles. In order to be eligible to drive the vanpool vehicle, the driver shall keep in the vanpool vehicle a statement, signed under penalty of perjury, that the driver has not been convicted of reckless driving, drunk driving, or a hit-and-run offense in the last five years.
(k)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 3.Section 12804.9 of the Vehicle Code, as amended by Section 4 of Chapter 16 of the Statutes of 2025, is amended to read:12804.9.(a)(1)The examination shall include all of the following:
(A)A test of the applicants knowledge and understanding of the provisions of this code governing the operation of vehicles upon the highways.
(B)A test of the applicants ability to read and understand simple English used in highway traffic and directional signs.
(C)A test of the applicants understanding of traffic signs and signals, including the bikeway signs, markers, and traffic control devices established by the Department of Transportation.
(D)An actual demonstration of the applicants ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in operating a motor vehicle by driving it under the supervision of an examining officer. The applicant shall submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive, except that the department may waive the driving test part of the examination for any applicant who submits a license issued by another state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico if the department verifies through any acknowledged national driver record data source that there are no stops, holds, or other impediments to its issuance. The examining officer may request to see evidence of financial responsibility for the vehicle before supervising the demonstration of the applicants ability to operate the vehicle. The examining officer may refuse to examine an applicant who is unable to provide proof of financial responsibility for the vehicle, unless proof of financial responsibility is not required by this code.
(E)A test of the hearing and eyesight of the applicant, and of other matters that may be necessary to determine the mental and physical fitness of the applicant to operate a motor vehicle upon the highways, and whether any grounds exist for refusal of a license under this code.
(2)(A)Before a class A or class B drivers license, or class C drivers license with a commercial endorsement, may be issued or renewed, the applicant shall have in the applicants driver record a valid report of a medical examination of the applicant given not more than two years before the date of the application by a health care professional. As used in this paragraph, health care professional means a person who is licensed, certified, or registered in accordance with applicable state laws and regulations to practice medicine and perform physical examinations in the United States. Health care professionals are doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, physician assistants, and registered advanced practice nurses, or doctors of chiropractic who are clinically competent to perform the medical examination presently required of motor carrier drivers by the United States Department of Transportation. The report shall be on a form approved by the department. In establishing the requirements, consideration may be given to the standards presently required of motor carrier drivers by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
(B)The department may accept a federal waiver of one or more physical qualification standards if the waiver is accompanied by a report of a nonqualifying medical examination for a class A or class B drivers license, or class C drivers license with a commercial endorsement, pursuant to Section 391.41(a)(3)(ii) of Subpart E of Part 391 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(3)A physical defect of the applicant that, in the opinion of the department, is compensated for to ensure safe driving ability, shall not prevent the issuance of a license to the applicant.
(b)In accordance with the following classifications, an applicant for a drivers license shall be required to submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive:
(1)Class A includes the following:
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (3), a combination of vehicles, if a vehicle being towed has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds.
(B)A vehicle towing more than one vehicle.
(C)A trailer bus.
(D)The operation of all vehicles under class B and class C.
(2)Class B includes the following:
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (3), a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds.
(B)A single vehicle with three or more axles, except any three-axle vehicle weighing less than 6,000 pounds.
(C)A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds, except a trailer bus.
(D)A farm labor vehicle.
(E)A single vehicle with three or more axles or a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
(F)A house car over 40 feet in length, excluding safety devices and safety bumpers.
(G)The operation of all vehicles covered under class C.
(3)Class C includes the following:
(A)A two-axle vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, including when the vehicle is towing a trailer or semitrailer with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
(B)Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a trailer coach not exceeding 9,000 pounds gross.
(C)A house car of 40 feet in length or less.
(D)A three-axle vehicle weighing 6,000 pounds gross or less.
(E)A house car of 40 feet in length or less or a vehicle towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, including when a tow dolly is used. A person driving a vehicle may not tow another vehicle in violation of Section 21715.
(F)(i)A two-axle vehicle when towing a trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds, but not exceeding 15,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight, if all of the following conditions are met:
(I)The towing of the trailer is not for compensation or commercial purposes.
(II)The trailer is coupled to the towing vehicle by a bed-mounted gooseneck hitch or a fifth-wheel and kingpin connection.
(III)The trailer is used exclusively for recreational purposes.
(IV)The trailer is used for the transportation of property or human habitation, or both.
(V)The person has passed a specialized written examination provided by the department relating to the knowledge of this code and other safety aspects governing the towing of recreational vehicles upon the highway.
(ii)A vehicle towing a fifth-wheel travel trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds, but not exceeding 15,000 pounds, gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight, when the towing of the trailer is not for compensation, and if the person has passed a specialized written examination provided by the department relating to the knowledge of this code and other safety aspects governing the towing of recreational vehicles upon the highway.
(iii)The authority to operate combinations of vehicles under this subparagraph may be granted by endorsement on a class C license upon completion of that written examination.
(G)A vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating or a gross vehicle weight rating, as those terms are defined in subdivisions (j) and (k), respectively, of Section 15210, of 26,000 pounds or less, if all of the following conditions are met:
(i)Is operated by a farmer, an employee of a farmer, or an instructor credentialed in agriculture as part of an instructional program in agriculture at the high school, community college, or university level.
(ii)Is used exclusively in the conduct of agricultural operations.
(iii)Is not used in the capacity of a for-hire carrier or for compensation.
(H)Firefighting equipment, provided that the equipment is operated by a person who holds a firefighter endorsement pursuant to Section 12804.11.
(I)A motorized scooter.
(J)A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, except a trailer bus.
(K)Class C does not include a two-wheel motorcycle or a two-wheel motor-driven cycle.
(L)Emergency equipment, provided the equipment is operated by a person who has completed the emergency equipment training described in Section 12528. Emergency equipment has the same meaning as that term is defined by Section 12528.
(4)Class M1. A two-wheel motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle. Authority to operate a vehicle included in a class M1 license may be granted by endorsement on a class A, B, or C license upon completion of an appropriate examination.
(5)(A)Class M2 includes a motorized bicycle or moped, or a bicycle with an attached motor, except an electric bicycle as described in subdivision (a) of Section 312.5.
(B)Authority to operate vehicles included in class M2 may be granted by endorsement on a class A, B, or C license upon completion of an appropriate examination. Persons holding a class M1 license or endorsement may operate vehicles included in class M2 without further examination.
(c)A drivers license or driver certificate is not valid for operating a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, any other motor vehicle listed in paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (b), or any other vehicle requiring a driver to hold any driver certificate or any drivers license endorsement under Section 15275, unless a medical certificate approved by the department that has been issued within two years of the date of the operation of that vehicle and a copy of the medical examination report from which the certificate was issued is on file with the department. Otherwise, the license is valid only for operating class C vehicles that are not commercial vehicles, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, and for operating class M1 or M2 vehicles, if so endorsed, that are not commercial vehicles, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210.
(d)A license or driver certificate issued before the enactment of Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 15200) is valid to operate the class or type of vehicles specified under the law in existence before that enactment until the license or certificate expires or is otherwise suspended, revoked, or canceled. Upon application for renewal or replacement of a drivers license, endorsement, or certificate required to operate a commercial motor vehicle, a valid medical certificate on a form approved by the department shall be submitted to the department.
(e)The department may accept a certificate of driving skill that is issued by an employer, authorized by the department to issue a certificate under Section 15250, of the applicant, in lieu of a driving test, on class A or B applications, if the applicant has first qualified for a class C license and has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying. The certificate may be submitted as evidence of the applicants skill in the operation of the types of equipment covered by the license for which the applicant is applying.
(f)The department may accept a certificate of competence in lieu of a driving test on class M1 or M2 applications, when the certificate is issued by a law enforcement agency for its officers who operate class M1 or M2 vehicles in their duties, if the applicant has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying.
(g)The department may accept a certificate of satisfactory completion of a motorcyclist training program approved by the commissioner pursuant to Section 2932 in lieu of a driving test on class M1 or M2 applications, if the applicant has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying. The department shall review and approve the written and driving test used by a program to determine whether the program may issue a certificate of completion.
(h)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), a person holding a valid California drivers license of any class may operate a short-term rental motorized bicycle without taking any special examination for the operation of a motorized bicycle, and without having a class M2 endorsement on that license. As used in this subdivision, short-term means 48 hours or less.
(i)A person under 21 years of age shall not be issued a class M1 or M2 license or endorsement unless the person provides evidence satisfactory to the department of completion of a novice motorcycle safety training program that is operated pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 2930) of Chapter 5 of Division 2.
(j)A driver of a vanpool vehicle may operate with a class C license but shall possess evidence of a medical examination required for a class B license when operating vanpool vehicles. In order to be eligible to drive the vanpool vehicle, the driver shall keep in the vanpool vehicle a statement, signed under penalty of perjury, that the driver has not been convicted of reckless driving, drunk driving, or a hit-and-run offense in the last five years.
(k)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2029.
(a)An employee of, or a volunteer registered with, a law enforcement agency, as defined in Section 830.1 or 830.2 of the Penal Code, shall be permitted to operate emergency equipment pursuant to this section.
(b)In order to operate emergency equipment as defined in this section, an employee or volunteer described in subdivision (a) shall complete training that includes all of the following:
(1)A classroom portion of at least 16 hours taught by an instructor who meets or exceeds the standards adopted by the law enforcement agency described in subdivision (a) for the operation of emergency equipment.
(2)A driver training portion of at least 14 hours that includes directly-supervised behind-the-wheel training by an instructor approved by the law enforcement agency described in subdivision (a) and who possesses a minimum of five years of experience as an emergency vehicle operator.
(3)A written emergency equipment operation examination.
(c)Instructors for the training program shall meet both of the following requirements:
(1)Possess a valid California class A or class B license, or, alternatively, a class C license, having completed the emergency equipment operation training described in this section, and possessing at least five years of experience operating emergency equipment as defined in this section.
(2)Be certified as a qualified training instructor or training officer by the State of California, the federal government, or a county training officers association.
(d)A training program participant shall possess a valid California class C license.
(e)(1)For purposes of this section, emergency equipment means a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles that meets the definition of a class A or class B vehicle described in subdivision (b) of Section 12804.9, subject to the following limitations:
(A)The motor vehicle shall not exceed 45 feet in length and the towed vehicle, if applicable, shall not exceed 30,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or gross vehicle weight rating, whichever is greater.
(B)The motor vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, to and from a place where the emergency equipment is repaired or repositioned, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by, or under the exclusive control of a law enforcement agency described in Section 830.1 or 830.2 of the Penal Code.
(2)For purposes of this section, an authorized emergency vehicle that has been issued a license by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to operate in response to emergency calls is not emergency equipment.
(3)Vehicles operated pursuant to this section are not exempt from the provisions of Division 15 (commencing with Section 35000).
SEC. 2.Section 12804.9 of the Vehicle Code, as amended by Section 3 of Chapter 16 of the Statutes of 2025, is amended to read:12804.9.(a)(1)The examination shall include all of the following:
(A)A test of the applicants knowledge and understanding of the provisions of this code governing the operation of vehicles upon the highways.
(B)A test of the applicants ability to read and understand simple English used in highway traffic and directional signs.
(C)A test of the applicants understanding of traffic signs and signals, including the bikeway signs, markers, and traffic control devices established by the Department of Transportation.
(D)An actual demonstration of the applicants ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in operating a motor vehicle by driving it under the supervision of an examining officer. The applicant shall submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive, except that the department may waive the driving test part of the examination for any applicant who submits a license issued by another state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico if the department verifies through any acknowledged national driver record data source that there are no stops, holds, or other impediments to its issuance. The examining officer may request to see evidence of financial responsibility for the vehicle before supervising the demonstration of the applicants ability to operate the vehicle. The examining officer may refuse to examine an applicant who is unable to provide proof of financial responsibility for the vehicle, unless proof of financial responsibility is not required by this code.
(E)A test of the hearing and eyesight of the applicant, and of other matters that may be necessary to determine the mental and physical fitness of the applicant to operate a motor vehicle upon the highways, and whether any grounds exist for refusal of a license under this code.
(2)(A)Before a class A or class B drivers license, or class C drivers license with a commercial endorsement, may be issued or renewed, the applicant shall have in the applicants driver record a valid report of a medical examination of the applicant given not more than two years before the date of the application by a health care professional. As used in this paragraph, health care professional means a person who is licensed, certified, or registered in accordance with applicable state laws and regulations to practice medicine and perform physical examinations in the United States. Health care professionals are doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, physician assistants, and registered advanced practice nurses, or doctors of chiropractic who are clinically competent to perform the medical examination presently required of motor carrier drivers by the United States Department of Transportation. The report shall be on a form approved by the department. In establishing the requirements, consideration may be given to the standards presently required of motor carrier drivers by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
(B)The department may accept a federal waiver of one or more physical qualification standards if the waiver is accompanied by a report of a nonqualifying medical examination for a class A or class B drivers license, or class C drivers license with a commercial endorsement, pursuant to Section 391.41(a)(3)(ii) of Subpart E of Part 391 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(3)A physical defect of the applicant that, in the opinion of the department, is compensated for to ensure safe driving ability, shall not prevent the issuance of a license to the applicant.
(b)In accordance with the following classifications, an applicant for a drivers license shall be required to submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive:
(1)Class A includes the following:
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (3), a combination of vehicles, if a vehicle being towed has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds.
(B)A vehicle towing more than one vehicle.
(C)A trailer bus.
(D)The operation of all vehicles under class B and class C.
(2)Class B includes the following:
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (3), a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds.
(B)A single vehicle with three or more axles, except any three-axle vehicle weighing less than 6,000 pounds.
(C)A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds, except a trailer bus.
(D)A farm labor vehicle.
(E)A single vehicle with three or more axles or a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
(F)A house car over 40 feet in length, excluding safety devices and safety bumpers.
(G)The operation of all vehicles covered under class C.
(3)Class C includes the following:
(A)A two-axle vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, including when the vehicle is towing a trailer or semitrailer with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
(B)Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a trailer coach not exceeding 9,000 pounds gross.
(C)A house car of 40 feet in length or less.
(D)A three-axle vehicle weighing 6,000 pounds gross or less.
(E)A house car of 40 feet in length or less or a vehicle towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, including when a tow dolly is used. A person driving a vehicle may not tow another vehicle in violation of Section 21715.
(F)(i)A two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing either a trailer coach or a fifth-wheel travel trailer not exceeding 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, when the towing of the trailer is not for compensation.
(ii)A two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a fifth-wheel travel trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds, but not exceeding 15,000 pounds, gross vehicle weight rating, when the towing of the trailer is not for compensation, and if the person has passed a specialized written examination provided by the department relating to the knowledge of this code and other safety aspects governing the towing of recreational vehicles upon the highway.
(iii)The authority to operate combinations of vehicles under this subparagraph may be granted by endorsement on a class C license upon completion of that written examination.
(G)A vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating or a gross vehicle weight rating, as those terms are defined in subdivisions (j) and (k), respectively, of Section 15210, of 26,000 pounds or less, if all of the following conditions are met:
(i)Is operated by a farmer, an employee of a farmer, or an instructor credentialed in agriculture as part of an instructional program in agriculture at the high school, community college, or university level.
(ii)Is used exclusively in the conduct of agricultural operations.
(iii)Is not used in the capacity of a for-hire carrier or for compensation.
(H)Firefighting equipment, provided that the equipment is operated by a person who holds a firefighter endorsement pursuant to Section 12804.11.
(I)A motorized scooter.
(J)A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, except a trailer bus.
(K)Class C does not include a two-wheel motorcycle or a two-wheel motor-driven cycle.
(L)Emergency equipment, provided the equipment is operated by a person who has completed the emergency equipment training described in Section 12528. Emergency equipment has the same meaning as that term is defined by Section 12528.
(4)Class M1. A two-wheel motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle. Authority to operate a vehicle included in a class M1 license may be granted by endorsement on a class A, B, or C license upon completion of an appropriate examination.
(5)(A)Class M2 includes a motorized bicycle or moped, or a bicycle with an attached motor, except an electric bicycle as described in subdivision (a) of Section 312.5.
(B)Authority to operate vehicles included in class M2 may be granted by endorsement on a class A, B, or C license upon completion of an appropriate examination. Persons holding a class M1 license or endorsement may operate vehicles included in class M2 without further examination.
(c)A drivers license or driver certificate is not valid for operating a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, any other motor vehicle listed in paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (b), or any other vehicle requiring a driver to hold any driver certificate or any drivers license endorsement under Section 15275, unless a medical certificate approved by the department that has been issued within two years of the date of the operation of that vehicle and a copy of the medical examination report from which the certificate was issued is on file with the department. Otherwise, the license is valid only for operating class C vehicles that are not commercial vehicles, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, and for operating class M1 or M2 vehicles, if so endorsed, that are not commercial vehicles, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210.
(d)A license or driver certificate issued before the enactment of Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 15200) is valid to operate the class or type of vehicles specified under the law in existence before that enactment until the license or certificate expires or is otherwise suspended, revoked, or canceled. Upon application for renewal or replacement of a drivers license, endorsement, or certificate required to operate a commercial motor vehicle, a valid medical certificate on a form approved by the department shall be submitted to the department.
(e)The department may accept a certificate of driving skill that is issued by an employer, authorized by the department to issue a certificate under Section 15250, of the applicant, in lieu of a driving test, on class A or B applications, if the applicant has first qualified for a class C license and has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying. The certificate may be submitted as evidence of the applicants skill in the operation of the types of equipment covered by the license for which the applicant is applying.
(f)The department may accept a certificate of competence in lieu of a driving test on class M1 or M2 applications, when the certificate is issued by a law enforcement agency for its officers who operate class M1 or M2 vehicles in their duties, if the applicant has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying.
(g)The department may accept a certificate of satisfactory completion of a motorcyclist training program approved by the commissioner pursuant to Section 2932 in lieu of a driving test on class M1 or M2 applications, if the applicant has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying. The department shall review and approve the written and driving test used by a program to determine whether the program may issue a certificate of completion.
(h)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), a person holding a valid California drivers license of any class may operate a short-term rental motorized bicycle without taking any special examination for the operation of a motorized bicycle, and without having a class M2 endorsement on that license. As used in this subdivision, short-term means 48 hours or less.
(i)A person under 21 years of age shall not be issued a class M1 or M2 license or endorsement unless the person provides evidence satisfactory to the department of completion of a novice motorcycle safety training program that is operated pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 2930) of Chapter 5 of Division 2.
(j)A driver of a vanpool vehicle may operate with a class C license but shall possess evidence of a medical examination required for a class B license when operating vanpool vehicles. In order to be eligible to drive the vanpool vehicle, the driver shall keep in the vanpool vehicle a statement, signed under penalty of perjury, that the driver has not been convicted of reckless driving, drunk driving, or a hit-and-run offense in the last five years.
(k)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 3.Section 12804.9 of the Vehicle Code, as amended by Section 4 of Chapter 16 of the Statutes of 2025, is amended to read:12804.9.(a)(1)The examination shall include all of the following:
(A)A test of the applicants knowledge and understanding of the provisions of this code governing the operation of vehicles upon the highways.
(B)A test of the applicants ability to read and understand simple English used in highway traffic and directional signs.
(C)A test of the applicants understanding of traffic signs and signals, including the bikeway signs, markers, and traffic control devices established by the Department of Transportation.
(D)An actual demonstration of the applicants ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in operating a motor vehicle by driving it under the supervision of an examining officer. The applicant shall submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive, except that the department may waive the driving test part of the examination for any applicant who submits a license issued by another state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico if the department verifies through any acknowledged national driver record data source that there are no stops, holds, or other impediments to its issuance. The examining officer may request to see evidence of financial responsibility for the vehicle before supervising the demonstration of the applicants ability to operate the vehicle. The examining officer may refuse to examine an applicant who is unable to provide proof of financial responsibility for the vehicle, unless proof of financial responsibility is not required by this code.
(E)A test of the hearing and eyesight of the applicant, and of other matters that may be necessary to determine the mental and physical fitness of the applicant to operate a motor vehicle upon the highways, and whether any grounds exist for refusal of a license under this code.
(2)(A)Before a class A or class B drivers license, or class C drivers license with a commercial endorsement, may be issued or renewed, the applicant shall have in the applicants driver record a valid report of a medical examination of the applicant given not more than two years before the date of the application by a health care professional. As used in this paragraph, health care professional means a person who is licensed, certified, or registered in accordance with applicable state laws and regulations to practice medicine and perform physical examinations in the United States. Health care professionals are doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, physician assistants, and registered advanced practice nurses, or doctors of chiropractic who are clinically competent to perform the medical examination presently required of motor carrier drivers by the United States Department of Transportation. The report shall be on a form approved by the department. In establishing the requirements, consideration may be given to the standards presently required of motor carrier drivers by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
(B)The department may accept a federal waiver of one or more physical qualification standards if the waiver is accompanied by a report of a nonqualifying medical examination for a class A or class B drivers license, or class C drivers license with a commercial endorsement, pursuant to Section 391.41(a)(3)(ii) of Subpart E of Part 391 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(3)A physical defect of the applicant that, in the opinion of the department, is compensated for to ensure safe driving ability, shall not prevent the issuance of a license to the applicant.
(b)In accordance with the following classifications, an applicant for a drivers license shall be required to submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive:
(1)Class A includes the following:
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (3), a combination of vehicles, if a vehicle being towed has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds.
(B)A vehicle towing more than one vehicle.
(C)A trailer bus.
(D)The operation of all vehicles under class B and class C.
(2)Class B includes the following:
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (3), a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds.
(B)A single vehicle with three or more axles, except any three-axle vehicle weighing less than 6,000 pounds.
(C)A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds, except a trailer bus.
(D)A farm labor vehicle.
(E)A single vehicle with three or more axles or a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
(F)A house car over 40 feet in length, excluding safety devices and safety bumpers.
(G)The operation of all vehicles covered under class C.
(3)Class C includes the following:
(A)A two-axle vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, including when the vehicle is towing a trailer or semitrailer with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
(B)Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a trailer coach not exceeding 9,000 pounds gross.
(C)A house car of 40 feet in length or less.
(D)A three-axle vehicle weighing 6,000 pounds gross or less.
(E)A house car of 40 feet in length or less or a vehicle towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, including when a tow dolly is used. A person driving a vehicle may not tow another vehicle in violation of Section 21715.
(F)(i)A two-axle vehicle when towing a trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds, but not exceeding 15,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight, if all of the following conditions are met:
(I)The towing of the trailer is not for compensation or commercial purposes.
(II)The trailer is coupled to the towing vehicle by a bed-mounted gooseneck hitch or a fifth-wheel and kingpin connection.
(III)The trailer is used exclusively for recreational purposes.
(IV)The trailer is used for the transportation of property or human habitation, or both.
(V)The person has passed a specialized written examination provided by the department relating to the knowledge of this code and other safety aspects governing the towing of recreational vehicles upon the highway.
(ii)A vehicle towing a fifth-wheel travel trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds, but not exceeding 15,000 pounds, gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight, when the towing of the trailer is not for compensation, and if the person has passed a specialized written examination provided by the department relating to the knowledge of this code and other safety aspects governing the towing of recreational vehicles upon the highway.
(iii)The authority to operate combinations of vehicles under this subparagraph may be granted by endorsement on a class C license upon completion of that written examination.
(G)A vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating or a gross vehicle weight rating, as those terms are defined in subdivisions (j) and (k), respectively, of Section 15210, of 26,000 pounds or less, if all of the following conditions are met:
(i)Is operated by a farmer, an employee of a farmer, or an instructor credentialed in agriculture as part of an instructional program in agriculture at the high school, community college, or university level.
(ii)Is used exclusively in the conduct of agricultural operations.
(iii)Is not used in the capacity of a for-hire carrier or for compensation.
(H)Firefighting equipment, provided that the equipment is operated by a person who holds a firefighter endorsement pursuant to Section 12804.11.
(I)A motorized scooter.
(J)A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, except a trailer bus.
(K)Class C does not include a two-wheel motorcycle or a two-wheel motor-driven cycle.
(L)Emergency equipment, provided the equipment is operated by a person who has completed the emergency equipment training described in Section 12528. Emergency equipment has the same meaning as that term is defined by Section 12528.
(4)Class M1. A two-wheel motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle. Authority to operate a vehicle included in a class M1 license may be granted by endorsement on a class A, B, or C license upon completion of an appropriate examination.
(5)(A)Class M2 includes a motorized bicycle or moped, or a bicycle with an attached motor, except an electric bicycle as described in subdivision (a) of Section 312.5.
(B)Authority to operate vehicles included in class M2 may be granted by endorsement on a class A, B, or C license upon completion of an appropriate examination. Persons holding a class M1 license or endorsement may operate vehicles included in class M2 without further examination.
(c)A drivers license or driver certificate is not valid for operating a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, any other motor vehicle listed in paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (b), or any other vehicle requiring a driver to hold any driver certificate or any drivers license endorsement under Section 15275, unless a medical certificate approved by the department that has been issued within two years of the date of the operation of that vehicle and a copy of the medical examination report from which the certificate was issued is on file with the department. Otherwise, the license is valid only for operating class C vehicles that are not commercial vehicles, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, and for operating class M1 or M2 vehicles, if so endorsed, that are not commercial vehicles, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210.
(d)A license or driver certificate issued before the enactment of Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 15200) is valid to operate the class or type of vehicles specified under the law in existence before that enactment until the license or certificate expires or is otherwise suspended, revoked, or canceled. Upon application for renewal or replacement of a drivers license, endorsement, or certificate required to operate a commercial motor vehicle, a valid medical certificate on a form approved by the department shall be submitted to the department.
(e)The department may accept a certificate of driving skill that is issued by an employer, authorized by the department to issue a certificate under Section 15250, of the applicant, in lieu of a driving test, on class A or B applications, if the applicant has first qualified for a class C license and has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying. The certificate may be submitted as evidence of the applicants skill in the operation of the types of equipment covered by the license for which the applicant is applying.
(f)The department may accept a certificate of competence in lieu of a driving test on class M1 or M2 applications, when the certificate is issued by a law enforcement agency for its officers who operate class M1 or M2 vehicles in their duties, if the applicant has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying.
(g)The department may accept a certificate of satisfactory completion of a motorcyclist training program approved by the commissioner pursuant to Section 2932 in lieu of a driving test on class M1 or M2 applications, if the applicant has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying. The department shall review and approve the written and driving test used by a program to determine whether the program may issue a certificate of completion.
(h)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), a person holding a valid California drivers license of any class may operate a short-term rental motorized bicycle without taking any special examination for the operation of a motorized bicycle, and without having a class M2 endorsement on that license. As used in this subdivision, short-term means 48 hours or less.
(i)A person under 21 years of age shall not be issued a class M1 or M2 license or endorsement unless the person provides evidence satisfactory to the department of completion of a novice motorcycle safety training program that is operated pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 2930) of Chapter 5 of Division 2.
(j)A driver of a vanpool vehicle may operate with a class C license but shall possess evidence of a medical examination required for a class B license when operating vanpool vehicles. In order to be eligible to drive the vanpool vehicle, the driver shall keep in the vanpool vehicle a statement, signed under penalty of perjury, that the driver has not been convicted of reckless driving, drunk driving, or a hit-and-run offense in the last five years.
(k)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2029.
(a)An employee of, or a volunteer registered with, a law enforcement agency, as defined in Section 830.1 or 830.2 of the Penal Code, shall be permitted to operate emergency equipment pursuant to this section.
(b)In order to operate emergency equipment as defined in this section, an employee or volunteer described in subdivision (a) shall complete training that includes all of the following:
(1)A classroom portion of at least 16 hours taught by an instructor who meets or exceeds the standards adopted by the law enforcement agency described in subdivision (a) for the operation of emergency equipment.
(2)A driver training portion of at least 14 hours that includes directly-supervised behind-the-wheel training by an instructor approved by the law enforcement agency described in subdivision (a) and who possesses a minimum of five years of experience as an emergency vehicle operator.
(3)A written emergency equipment operation examination.
(c)Instructors for the training program shall meet both of the following requirements:
(1)Possess a valid California class A or class B license, or, alternatively, a class C license, having completed the emergency equipment operation training described in this section, and possessing at least five years of experience operating emergency equipment as defined in this section.
(2)Be certified as a qualified training instructor or training officer by the State of California, the federal government, or a county training officers association.
(d)A training program participant shall possess a valid California class C license.
(e)For purposes of this section, emergency equipment means a motor vehicle operated under a class A or class B drivers license pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 12804.9 of the Vehicle Code that is used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, to and from a place where the emergency equipment is repaired or repositioned, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by, or under the exclusive control of a law enforcement agency described in Section 830.1 or 830.2 of the Penal Code.
(e)(1)For purposes of this section, emergency equipment means a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles that meets the definition of a class A or class B vehicle described in subdivision (b) of Section 12804.9, subject to the following limitations:
(A)The motor vehicle shall not exceed 45 feet in length and the towed vehicle, if applicable, shall not exceed 30,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or gross vehicle weight rating, whichever is greater.
(B)The motor vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, to and from a place where the emergency equipment is repaired or repositioned, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by, or under the exclusive control of a law enforcement agency described in Section 830.1 or 830.2 of the Penal Code.
(2)For purposes of this section, an authorized emergency vehicle that has been issued a license by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to operate in response to emergency calls is not emergency equipment.
(3)Vehicles operated pursuant to this section are not exempt from the provisions of Division 15 (commencing with Section 35000).
SEC. 2.Section 12804.9 of the Vehicle Code, as amended by Section 3 of Chapter 16 of the Statutes of 2025, is amended to read:12804.9.(a)(1)The examination shall include all of the following:
(A)A test of the applicants knowledge and understanding of the provisions of this code governing the operation of vehicles upon the highways.
(B)A test of the applicants ability to read and understand simple English used in highway traffic and directional signs.
(C)A test of the applicants understanding of traffic signs and signals, including the bikeway signs, markers, and traffic control devices established by the Department of Transportation.
(D)An actual demonstration of the applicants ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in operating a motor vehicle by driving it under the supervision of an examining officer. The applicant shall submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive, except that the department may waive the driving test part of the examination for any applicant who submits a license issued by another state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico if the department verifies through any acknowledged national driver record data source that there are no stops, holds, or other impediments to its issuance. The examining officer may request to see evidence of financial responsibility for the vehicle before supervising the demonstration of the applicants ability to operate the vehicle. The examining officer may refuse to examine an applicant who is unable to provide proof of financial responsibility for the vehicle, unless proof of financial responsibility is not required by this code.
(E)A test of the hearing and eyesight of the applicant, and of other matters that may be necessary to determine the mental and physical fitness of the applicant to operate a motor vehicle upon the highways, and whether any grounds exist for refusal of a license under this code.
(2)(A)Before a class A or class B drivers license, or class C drivers license with a commercial endorsement, may be issued or renewed, the applicant shall have in the applicants driver record a valid report of a medical examination of the applicant given not more than two years before the date of the application by a health care professional. As used in this paragraph, health care professional means a person who is licensed, certified, or registered in accordance with applicable state laws and regulations to practice medicine and perform physical examinations in the United States. Health care professionals are doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, physician assistants, and registered advanced practice nurses, or doctors of chiropractic who are clinically competent to perform the medical examination presently required of motor carrier drivers by the United States Department of Transportation. The report shall be on a form approved by the department. In establishing the requirements, consideration may be given to the standards presently required of motor carrier drivers by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
(B)The department may accept a federal waiver of one or more physical qualification standards if the waiver is accompanied by a report of a nonqualifying medical examination for a class A or class B drivers license, or class C drivers license with a commercial endorsement, pursuant to Section 391.41(a)(3)(ii) of Subpart E of Part 391 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(3)A physical defect of the applicant that, in the opinion of the department, is compensated for to ensure safe driving ability, shall not prevent the issuance of a license to the applicant.
(b)In accordance with the following classifications, an applicant for a drivers license shall be required to submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive:
(1)Class A includes the following:
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (3), a combination of vehicles, if a vehicle being towed has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds.
(B)A vehicle towing more than one vehicle.
(C)A trailer bus.
(D)The operation of all vehicles under class B and class C.
(2)Class B includes the following:
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (3), a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds.
(B)A single vehicle with three or more axles, except any three-axle vehicle weighing less than 6,000 pounds.
(C)A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds, except a trailer bus.
(D)A farm labor vehicle.
(E)A single vehicle with three or more axles or a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
(F)A house car over 40 feet in length, excluding safety devices and safety bumpers.
(G)The operation of all vehicles covered under class C.
(3)Class C includes the following:
(A)A two-axle vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, including when the vehicle is towing a trailer or semitrailer with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
(B)Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a trailer coach not exceeding 9,000 pounds gross.
(C)A house car of 40 feet in length or less.
(D)A three-axle vehicle weighing 6,000 pounds gross or less.
(E)A house car of 40 feet in length or less or a vehicle towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, including when a tow dolly is used. A person driving a vehicle may not tow another vehicle in violation of Section 21715.
(F)(i)A two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing either a trailer coach or a fifth-wheel travel trailer not exceeding 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, when the towing of the trailer is not for compensation.
(ii)A two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a fifth-wheel travel trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds, but not exceeding 15,000 pounds, gross vehicle weight rating, when the towing of the trailer is not for compensation, and if the person has passed a specialized written examination provided by the department relating to the knowledge of this code and other safety aspects governing the towing of recreational vehicles upon the highway.
(iii)The authority to operate combinations of vehicles under this subparagraph may be granted by endorsement on a class C license upon completion of that written examination.
(G)A vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating or a gross vehicle weight rating, as those terms are defined in subdivisions (j) and (k), respectively, of Section 15210, of 26,000 pounds or less, if all of the following conditions are met:
(i)Is operated by a farmer, an employee of a farmer, or an instructor credentialed in agriculture as part of an instructional program in agriculture at the high school, community college, or university level.
(ii)Is used exclusively in the conduct of agricultural operations.
(iii)Is not used in the capacity of a for-hire carrier or for compensation.
(H)Firefighting equipment, provided that the equipment is operated by a person who holds a firefighter endorsement pursuant to Section 12804.11.
(I)A motorized scooter.
(J)A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, except a trailer bus.
(K)Class C does not include a two-wheel motorcycle or a two-wheel motor-driven cycle.
(L)Emergency equipment, provided the equipment is operated by a person who has completed the emergency equipment training described in Section 12528. Emergency equipment has the same meaning as that term is defined by Section 12528.
(4)Class M1. A two-wheel motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle. Authority to operate a vehicle included in a class M1 license may be granted by endorsement on a class A, B, or C license upon completion of an appropriate examination.
(5)(A)Class M2 includes a motorized bicycle or moped, or a bicycle with an attached motor, except an electric bicycle as described in subdivision (a) of Section 312.5.
(B)Authority to operate vehicles included in class M2 may be granted by endorsement on a class A, B, or C license upon completion of an appropriate examination. Persons holding a class M1 license or endorsement may operate vehicles included in class M2 without further examination.
(c)A drivers license or driver certificate is not valid for operating a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, any other motor vehicle listed in paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (b), or any other vehicle requiring a driver to hold any driver certificate or any drivers license endorsement under Section 15275, unless a medical certificate approved by the department that has been issued within two years of the date of the operation of that vehicle and a copy of the medical examination report from which the certificate was issued is on file with the department. Otherwise, the license is valid only for operating class C vehicles that are not commercial vehicles, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, and for operating class M1 or M2 vehicles, if so endorsed, that are not commercial vehicles, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210.
(d)A license or driver certificate issued before the enactment of Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 15200) is valid to operate the class or type of vehicles specified under the law in existence before that enactment until the license or certificate expires or is otherwise suspended, revoked, or canceled. Upon application for renewal or replacement of a drivers license, endorsement, or certificate required to operate a commercial motor vehicle, a valid medical certificate on a form approved by the department shall be submitted to the department.
(e)The department may accept a certificate of driving skill that is issued by an employer, authorized by the department to issue a certificate under Section 15250, of the applicant, in lieu of a driving test, on class A or B applications, if the applicant has first qualified for a class C license and has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying. The certificate may be submitted as evidence of the applicants skill in the operation of the types of equipment covered by the license for which the applicant is applying.
(f)The department may accept a certificate of competence in lieu of a driving test on class M1 or M2 applications, when the certificate is issued by a law enforcement agency for its officers who operate class M1 or M2 vehicles in their duties, if the applicant has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying.
(g)The department may accept a certificate of satisfactory completion of a motorcyclist training program approved by the commissioner pursuant to Section 2932 in lieu of a driving test on class M1 or M2 applications, if the applicant has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying. The department shall review and approve the written and driving test used by a program to determine whether the program may issue a certificate of completion.
(h)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), a person holding a valid California drivers license of any class may operate a short-term rental motorized bicycle without taking any special examination for the operation of a motorized bicycle, and without having a class M2 endorsement on that license. As used in this subdivision, short-term means 48 hours or less.
(i)A person under 21 years of age shall not be issued a class M1 or M2 license or endorsement unless the person provides evidence satisfactory to the department of completion of a novice motorcycle safety training program that is operated pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 2930) of Chapter 5 of Division 2.
(j)A driver of a vanpool vehicle may operate with a class C license but shall possess evidence of a medical examination required for a class B license when operating vanpool vehicles. In order to be eligible to drive the vanpool vehicle, the driver shall keep in the vanpool vehicle a statement, signed under penalty of perjury, that the driver has not been convicted of reckless driving, drunk driving, or a hit-and-run offense in the last five years.
(k)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 3.Section 12804.9 of the Vehicle Code, as amended by Section 4 of Chapter 16 of the Statutes of 2025, is amended to read:12804.9.(a)(1)The examination shall include all of the following:
(A)A test of the applicants knowledge and understanding of the provisions of this code governing the operation of vehicles upon the highways.
(B)A test of the applicants ability to read and understand simple English used in highway traffic and directional signs.
(C)A test of the applicants understanding of traffic signs and signals, including the bikeway signs, markers, and traffic control devices established by the Department of Transportation.
(D)An actual demonstration of the applicants ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in operating a motor vehicle by driving it under the supervision of an examining officer. The applicant shall submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive, except that the department may waive the driving test part of the examination for any applicant who submits a license issued by another state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico if the department verifies through any acknowledged national driver record data source that there are no stops, holds, or other impediments to its issuance. The examining officer may request to see evidence of financial responsibility for the vehicle before supervising the demonstration of the applicants ability to operate the vehicle. The examining officer may refuse to examine an applicant who is unable to provide proof of financial responsibility for the vehicle, unless proof of financial responsibility is not required by this code.
(E)A test of the hearing and eyesight of the applicant, and of other matters that may be necessary to determine the mental and physical fitness of the applicant to operate a motor vehicle upon the highways, and whether any grounds exist for refusal of a license under this code.
(2)(A)Before a class A or class B drivers license, or class C drivers license with a commercial endorsement, may be issued or renewed, the applicant shall have in the applicants driver record a valid report of a medical examination of the applicant given not more than two years before the date of the application by a health care professional. As used in this paragraph, health care professional means a person who is licensed, certified, or registered in accordance with applicable state laws and regulations to practice medicine and perform physical examinations in the United States. Health care professionals are doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, physician assistants, and registered advanced practice nurses, or doctors of chiropractic who are clinically competent to perform the medical examination presently required of motor carrier drivers by the United States Department of Transportation. The report shall be on a form approved by the department. In establishing the requirements, consideration may be given to the standards presently required of motor carrier drivers by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
(B)The department may accept a federal waiver of one or more physical qualification standards if the waiver is accompanied by a report of a nonqualifying medical examination for a class A or class B drivers license, or class C drivers license with a commercial endorsement, pursuant to Section 391.41(a)(3)(ii) of Subpart E of Part 391 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(3)A physical defect of the applicant that, in the opinion of the department, is compensated for to ensure safe driving ability, shall not prevent the issuance of a license to the applicant.
(b)In accordance with the following classifications, an applicant for a drivers license shall be required to submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive:
(1)Class A includes the following:
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (3), a combination of vehicles, if a vehicle being towed has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds.
(B)A vehicle towing more than one vehicle.
(C)A trailer bus.
(D)The operation of all vehicles under class B and class C.
(2)Class B includes the following:
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (3), a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds.
(B)A single vehicle with three or more axles, except any three-axle vehicle weighing less than 6,000 pounds.
(C)A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds, except a trailer bus.
(D)A farm labor vehicle.
(E)A single vehicle with three or more axles or a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
(F)A house car over 40 feet in length, excluding safety devices and safety bumpers.
(G)The operation of all vehicles covered under class C.
(3)Class C includes the following:
(A)A two-axle vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, including when the vehicle is towing a trailer or semitrailer with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
(B)Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a trailer coach not exceeding 9,000 pounds gross.
(C)A house car of 40 feet in length or less.
(D)A three-axle vehicle weighing 6,000 pounds gross or less.
(E)A house car of 40 feet in length or less or a vehicle towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, including when a tow dolly is used. A person driving a vehicle may not tow another vehicle in violation of Section 21715.
(F)(i)A two-axle vehicle when towing a trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds, but not exceeding 15,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight, if all of the following conditions are met:
(I)The towing of the trailer is not for compensation or commercial purposes.
(II)The trailer is coupled to the towing vehicle by a bed-mounted gooseneck hitch or a fifth-wheel and kingpin connection.
(III)The trailer is used exclusively for recreational purposes.
(IV)The trailer is used for the transportation of property or human habitation, or both.
(V)The person has passed a specialized written examination provided by the department relating to the knowledge of this code and other safety aspects governing the towing of recreational vehicles upon the highway.
(ii)A vehicle towing a fifth-wheel travel trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds, but not exceeding 15,000 pounds, gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight, when the towing of the trailer is not for compensation, and if the person has passed a specialized written examination provided by the department relating to the knowledge of this code and other safety aspects governing the towing of recreational vehicles upon the highway.
(iii)The authority to operate combinations of vehicles under this subparagraph may be granted by endorsement on a class C license upon completion of that written examination.
(G)A vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating or a gross vehicle weight rating, as those terms are defined in subdivisions (j) and (k), respectively, of Section 15210, of 26,000 pounds or less, if all of the following conditions are met:
(i)Is operated by a farmer, an employee of a farmer, or an instructor credentialed in agriculture as part of an instructional program in agriculture at the high school, community college, or university level.
(ii)Is used exclusively in the conduct of agricultural operations.
(iii)Is not used in the capacity of a for-hire carrier or for compensation.
(H)Firefighting equipment, provided that the equipment is operated by a person who holds a firefighter endorsement pursuant to Section 12804.11.
(I)A motorized scooter.
(J)A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, except a trailer bus.
(K)Class C does not include a two-wheel motorcycle or a two-wheel motor-driven cycle.
(L)Emergency equipment, provided the equipment is operated by a person who has completed the emergency equipment training described in Section 12528. Emergency equipment has the same meaning as that term is defined by Section 12528.
(4)Class M1. A two-wheel motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle. Authority to operate a vehicle included in a class M1 license may be granted by endorsement on a class A, B, or C license upon completion of an appropriate examination.
(5)(A)Class M2 includes a motorized bicycle or moped, or a bicycle with an attached motor, except an electric bicycle as described in subdivision (a) of Section 312.5.
(B)Authority to operate vehicles included in class M2 may be granted by endorsement on a class A, B, or C license upon completion of an appropriate examination. Persons holding a class M1 license or endorsement may operate vehicles included in class M2 without further examination.
(c)A drivers license or driver certificate is not valid for operating a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, any other motor vehicle listed in paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (b), or any other vehicle requiring a driver to hold any driver certificate or any drivers license endorsement under Section 15275, unless a medical certificate approved by the department that has been issued within two years of the date of the operation of that vehicle and a copy of the medical examination report from which the certificate was issued is on file with the department. Otherwise, the license is valid only for operating class C vehicles that are not commercial vehicles, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, and for operating class M1 or M2 vehicles, if so endorsed, that are not commercial vehicles, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210.
(d)A license or driver certificate issued before the enactment of Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 15200) is valid to operate the class or type of vehicles specified under the law in existence before that enactment until the license or certificate expires or is otherwise suspended, revoked, or canceled. Upon application for renewal or replacement of a drivers license, endorsement, or certificate required to operate a commercial motor vehicle, a valid medical certificate on a form approved by the department shall be submitted to the department.
(e)The department may accept a certificate of driving skill that is issued by an employer, authorized by the department to issue a certificate under Section 15250, of the applicant, in lieu of a driving test, on class A or B applications, if the applicant has first qualified for a class C license and has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying. The certificate may be submitted as evidence of the applicants skill in the operation of the types of equipment covered by the license for which the applicant is applying.
(f)The department may accept a certificate of competence in lieu of a driving test on class M1 or M2 applications, when the certificate is issued by a law enforcement agency for its officers who operate class M1 or M2 vehicles in their duties, if the applicant has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying.
(g)The department may accept a certificate of satisfactory completion of a motorcyclist training program approved by the commissioner pursuant to Section 2932 in lieu of a driving test on class M1 or M2 applications, if the applicant has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying. The department shall review and approve the written and driving test used by a program to determine whether the program may issue a certificate of completion.
(h)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), a person holding a valid California drivers license of any class may operate a short-term rental motorized bicycle without taking any special examination for the operation of a motorized bicycle, and without having a class M2 endorsement on that license. As used in this subdivision, short-term means 48 hours or less.
(i)A person under 21 years of age shall not be issued a class M1 or M2 license or endorsement unless the person provides evidence satisfactory to the department of completion of a novice motorcycle safety training program that is operated pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 2930) of Chapter 5 of Division 2.
(j)A driver of a vanpool vehicle may operate with a class C license but shall possess evidence of a medical examination required for a class B license when operating vanpool vehicles. In order to be eligible to drive the vanpool vehicle, the driver shall keep in the vanpool vehicle a statement, signed under penalty of perjury, that the driver has not been convicted of reckless driving, drunk driving, or a hit-and-run offense in the last five years.
(k)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2029.
(a)An employee of, or a volunteer registered with, a law enforcement agency, as defined in Section 830.1 or 830.2 of the Penal Code, shall be permitted to operate emergency equipment pursuant to this section.
(b)In order to operate emergency equipment as defined in this section, an employee or volunteer described in subdivision (a) shall complete training that includes all of the following:
(1)A classroom portion of at least 16 hours taught by an instructor who meets or exceeds the standards adopted by the law enforcement agency described in subdivision (a) for the operation of emergency equipment.
(2)A driver training portion of at least 14 hours that includes directly-supervised behind-the-wheel training by an instructor approved by the law enforcement agency described in subdivision (a) and who possesses a minimum of five years of experience as an emergency vehicle operator.
(3)A written emergency equipment operation examination.
(c)Instructors for the training program shall meet both of the following requirements:
(1)Possess a valid California class A or class B license, or, alternatively, a class C license, having completed the emergency equipment operation training described in this section, and possessing at least five years of experience operating emergency equipment as defined in this section.
(2)Be certified as a qualified training instructor or training officer by the State of California, the federal government, or a county training officers association.
(d)A training program participant shall possess a valid California class C license.
(e)For purposes of this section, emergency equipment means a motor vehicle operated under a class A or class B drivers license pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 12804.9 of the Vehicle Code that is used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, to and from a place where the emergency equipment is repaired or repositioned, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by, or under the exclusive control of a law enforcement agency described in Section 830.1 or 830.2 of the Penal Code.
SEC. 2.Section 12804.9 of the Vehicle Code, as amended by Section 3 of Chapter 16 of the Statutes of 2025, is amended to read:12804.9.(a)(1)The examination shall include all of the following:
(A)A test of the applicants knowledge and understanding of the provisions of this code governing the operation of vehicles upon the highways.
(B)A test of the applicants ability to read and understand simple English used in highway traffic and directional signs.
(C)A test of the applicants understanding of traffic signs and signals, including the bikeway signs, markers, and traffic control devices established by the Department of Transportation.
(D)An actual demonstration of the applicants ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in operating a motor vehicle by driving it under the supervision of an examining officer. The applicant shall submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive, except that the department may waive the driving test part of the examination for any applicant who submits a license issued by another state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico if the department verifies through any acknowledged national driver record data source that there are no stops, holds, or other impediments to its issuance. The examining officer may request to see evidence of financial responsibility for the vehicle before supervising the demonstration of the applicants ability to operate the vehicle. The examining officer may refuse to examine an applicant who is unable to provide proof of financial responsibility for the vehicle, unless proof of financial responsibility is not required by this code.
(E)A test of the hearing and eyesight of the applicant, and of other matters that may be necessary to determine the mental and physical fitness of the applicant to operate a motor vehicle upon the highways, and whether any grounds exist for refusal of a license under this code.
(2)(A)Before a class A or class B drivers license, or class C drivers license with a commercial endorsement, may be issued or renewed, the applicant shall have in the applicants driver record a valid report of a medical examination of the applicant given not more than two years before the date of the application by a health care professional. As used in this paragraph, health care professional means a person who is licensed, certified, or registered in accordance with applicable state laws and regulations to practice medicine and perform physical examinations in the United States. Health care professionals are doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, physician assistants, and registered advanced practice nurses, or doctors of chiropractic who are clinically competent to perform the medical examination presently required of motor carrier drivers by the United States Department of Transportation. The report shall be on a form approved by the department. In establishing the requirements, consideration may be given to the standards presently required of motor carrier drivers by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
(B)The department may accept a federal waiver of one or more physical qualification standards if the waiver is accompanied by a report of a nonqualifying medical examination for a class A or class B drivers license, or class C drivers license with a commercial endorsement, pursuant to Section 391.41(a)(3)(ii) of Subpart E of Part 391 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(3)A physical defect of the applicant that, in the opinion of the department, is compensated for to ensure safe driving ability, shall not prevent the issuance of a license to the applicant.
(b)In accordance with the following classifications, an applicant for a drivers license shall be required to submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive:
(1)Class A includes the following:
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (3), a combination of vehicles, if a vehicle being towed has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds.
(B)A vehicle towing more than one vehicle.
(C)A trailer bus.
(D)The operation of all vehicles under class B and class C.
(2)Class B includes the following:
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (3), a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds.
(B)A single vehicle with three or more axles, except any three-axle vehicle weighing less than 6,000 pounds.
(C)A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds, except a trailer bus.
(D)A farm labor vehicle.
(E)A single vehicle with three or more axles or a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
(F)A house car over 40 feet in length, excluding safety devices and safety bumpers.
(G)The operation of all vehicles covered under class C.
(3)Class C includes the following:
(A)A two-axle vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, including when the vehicle is towing a trailer or semitrailer with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
(B)Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a trailer coach not exceeding 9,000 pounds gross.
(C)A house car of 40 feet in length or less.
(D)A three-axle vehicle weighing 6,000 pounds gross or less.
(E)A house car of 40 feet in length or less or a vehicle towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, including when a tow dolly is used. A person driving a vehicle may not tow another vehicle in violation of Section 21715.
(F)(i)A two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing either a trailer coach or a fifth-wheel travel trailer not exceeding 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, when the towing of the trailer is not for compensation.
(ii)A two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a fifth-wheel travel trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds, but not exceeding 15,000 pounds, gross vehicle weight rating, when the towing of the trailer is not for compensation, and if the person has passed a specialized written examination provided by the department relating to the knowledge of this code and other safety aspects governing the towing of recreational vehicles upon the highway.
(iii)The authority to operate combinations of vehicles under this subparagraph may be granted by endorsement on a class C license upon completion of that written examination.
(G)A vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating or a gross vehicle weight rating, as those terms are defined in subdivisions (j) and (k), respectively, of Section 15210, of 26,000 pounds or less, if all of the following conditions are met:
(i)Is operated by a farmer, an employee of a farmer, or an instructor credentialed in agriculture as part of an instructional program in agriculture at the high school, community college, or university level.
(ii)Is used exclusively in the conduct of agricultural operations.
(iii)Is not used in the capacity of a for-hire carrier or for compensation.
(H)Firefighting equipment, provided that the equipment is operated by a person who holds a firefighter endorsement pursuant to Section 12804.11.
(I)A motorized scooter.
(J)A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, except a trailer bus.
(K)Class C does not include a two-wheel motorcycle or a two-wheel motor-driven cycle.
(L)Emergency equipment, provided the equipment is operated by a person who has completed, or is currently participating in, completed the emergency equipment training described in Section 12528. Emergency equipment has the same meaning as that term is defined by Section 12528.
(4)Class M1. A two-wheel motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle. Authority to operate a vehicle included in a class M1 license may be granted by endorsement on a class A, B, or C license upon completion of an appropriate examination.
(5)(A)Class M2 includes a motorized bicycle or moped, or a bicycle with an attached motor, except an electric bicycle as described in subdivision (a) of Section 312.5.
(B)Authority to operate vehicles included in class M2 may be granted by endorsement on a class A, B, or C license upon completion of an appropriate examination. Persons holding a class M1 license or endorsement may operate vehicles included in class M2 without further examination.
(c)A drivers license or driver certificate is not valid for operating a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, any other motor vehicle listed in paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (b), or any other vehicle requiring a driver to hold any driver certificate or any drivers license endorsement under Section 15275, unless a medical certificate approved by the department that has been issued within two years of the date of the operation of that vehicle and a copy of the medical examination report from which the certificate was issued is on file with the department. Otherwise, the license is valid only for operating class C vehicles that are not commercial vehicles, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, and for operating class M1 or M2 vehicles, if so endorsed, that are not commercial vehicles, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210.
(d)A license or driver certificate issued before the enactment of Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 15200) is valid to operate the class or type of vehicles specified under the law in existence before that enactment until the license or certificate expires or is otherwise suspended, revoked, or canceled. Upon application for renewal or replacement of a drivers license, endorsement, or certificate required to operate a commercial motor vehicle, a valid medical certificate on a form approved by the department shall be submitted to the department.
(e)The department may accept a certificate of driving skill that is issued by an employer, authorized by the department to issue a certificate under Section 15250, of the applicant, in lieu of a driving test, on class A or B applications, if the applicant has first qualified for a class C license and has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying. The certificate may be submitted as evidence of the applicants skill in the operation of the types of equipment covered by the license for which the applicant is applying.
(f)The department may accept a certificate of competence in lieu of a driving test on class M1 or M2 applications, when the certificate is issued by a law enforcement agency for its officers who operate class M1 or M2 vehicles in their duties, if the applicant has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying.
(g)The department may accept a certificate of satisfactory completion of a motorcyclist training program approved by the commissioner pursuant to Section 2932 in lieu of a driving test on class M1 or M2 applications, if the applicant has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying. The department shall review and approve the written and driving test used by a program to determine whether the program may issue a certificate of completion.
(h)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), a person holding a valid California drivers license of any class may operate a short-term rental motorized bicycle without taking any special examination for the operation of a motorized bicycle, and without having a class M2 endorsement on that license. As used in this subdivision, short-term means 48 hours or less.
(i)A person under 21 years of age shall not be issued a class M1 or M2 license or endorsement unless the person provides evidence satisfactory to the department of completion of a novice motorcycle safety training program that is operated pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 2930) of Chapter 5 of Division 2.
(j)A driver of a vanpool vehicle may operate with a class C license but shall possess evidence of a medical examination required for a class B license when operating vanpool vehicles. In order to be eligible to drive the vanpool vehicle, the driver shall keep in the vanpool vehicle a statement, signed under penalty of perjury, that the driver has not been convicted of reckless driving, drunk driving, or a hit-and-run offense in the last five years.
(k)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 3.Section 12804.9 of the Vehicle Code, as amended by Section 4 of Chapter 16 of the Statutes of 2025, is amended to read:12804.9.(a)(1)The examination shall include all of the following:
(A)A test of the applicants knowledge and understanding of the provisions of this code governing the operation of vehicles upon the highways.
(B)A test of the applicants ability to read and understand simple English used in highway traffic and directional signs.
(C)A test of the applicants understanding of traffic signs and signals, including the bikeway signs, markers, and traffic control devices established by the Department of Transportation.
(D)An actual demonstration of the applicants ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in operating a motor vehicle by driving it under the supervision of an examining officer. The applicant shall submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive, except that the department may waive the driving test part of the examination for any applicant who submits a license issued by another state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico if the department verifies through any acknowledged national driver record data source that there are no stops, holds, or other impediments to its issuance. The examining officer may request to see evidence of financial responsibility for the vehicle before supervising the demonstration of the applicants ability to operate the vehicle. The examining officer may refuse to examine an applicant who is unable to provide proof of financial responsibility for the vehicle, unless proof of financial responsibility is not required by this code.
(E)A test of the hearing and eyesight of the applicant, and of other matters that may be necessary to determine the mental and physical fitness of the applicant to operate a motor vehicle upon the highways, and whether any grounds exist for refusal of a license under this code.
(2)(A)Before a class A or class B drivers license, or class C drivers license with a commercial endorsement, may be issued or renewed, the applicant shall have in the applicants driver record a valid report of a medical examination of the applicant given not more than two years before the date of the application by a health care professional. As used in this paragraph, health care professional means a person who is licensed, certified, or registered in accordance with applicable state laws and regulations to practice medicine and perform physical examinations in the United States. Health care professionals are doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, physician assistants, and registered advanced practice nurses, or doctors of chiropractic who are clinically competent to perform the medical examination presently required of motor carrier drivers by the United States Department of Transportation. The report shall be on a form approved by the department. In establishing the requirements, consideration may be given to the standards presently required of motor carrier drivers by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
(B)The department may accept a federal waiver of one or more physical qualification standards if the waiver is accompanied by a report of a nonqualifying medical examination for a class A or class B drivers license, or class C drivers license with a commercial endorsement, pursuant to Section 391.41(a)(3)(ii) of Subpart E of Part 391 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(3)A physical defect of the applicant that, in the opinion of the department, is compensated for to ensure safe driving ability, shall not prevent the issuance of a license to the applicant.
(b)In accordance with the following classifications, an applicant for a drivers license shall be required to submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive:
(1)Class A includes the following:
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (3), a combination of vehicles, if a vehicle being towed has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds.
(B)A vehicle towing more than one vehicle.
(C)A trailer bus.
(D)The operation of all vehicles under class B and class C.
(2)Class B includes the following:
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (3), a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds.
(B)A single vehicle with three or more axles, except any three-axle vehicle weighing less than 6,000 pounds.
(C)A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds, except a trailer bus.
(D)A farm labor vehicle.
(E)A single vehicle with three or more axles or a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
(F)A house car over 40 feet in length, excluding safety devices and safety bumpers.
(G)The operation of all vehicles covered under class C.
(3)Class C includes the following:
(A)A two-axle vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, including when the vehicle is towing a trailer or semitrailer with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
(B)Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a trailer coach not exceeding 9,000 pounds gross.
(C)A house car of 40 feet in length or less.
(D)A three-axle vehicle weighing 6,000 pounds gross or less.
(E)A house car of 40 feet in length or less or a vehicle towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, including when a tow dolly is used. A person driving a vehicle may not tow another vehicle in violation of Section 21715.
(F)(i)A two-axle vehicle when towing a trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds, but not exceeding 15,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight, if all of the following conditions are met:
(I)The towing of the trailer is not for compensation or commercial purposes.
(II)The trailer is coupled to the towing vehicle by a bed-mounted gooseneck hitch or a fifth-wheel and kingpin connection.
(III)The trailer is used exclusively for recreational purposes.
(IV)The trailer is used for the transportation of property or human habitation, or both.
(V)The person has passed a specialized written examination provided by the department relating to the knowledge of this code and other safety aspects governing the towing of recreational vehicles upon the highway.
(ii)A vehicle towing a fifth-wheel travel trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds, but not exceeding 15,000 pounds, gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight, when the towing of the trailer is not for compensation, and if the person has passed a specialized written examination provided by the department relating to the knowledge of this code and other safety aspects governing the towing of recreational vehicles upon the highway.
(iii)The authority to operate combinations of vehicles under this subparagraph may be granted by endorsement on a class C license upon completion of that written examination.
(G)A vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating or a gross vehicle weight rating, as those terms are defined in subdivisions (j) and (k), respectively, of Section 15210, of 26,000 pounds or less, if all of the following conditions are met:
(i)Is operated by a farmer, an employee of a farmer, or an instructor credentialed in agriculture as part of an instructional program in agriculture at the high school, community college, or university level.
(ii)Is used exclusively in the conduct of agricultural operations.
(iii)Is not used in the capacity of a for-hire carrier or for compensation.
(H)Firefighting equipment, provided that the equipment is operated by a person who holds a firefighter endorsement pursuant to Section 12804.11.
(I)A motorized scooter.
(J)A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, except a trailer bus.
(K)Class C does not include a two-wheel motorcycle or a two-wheel motor-driven cycle.
(L)Emergency equipment, provided the equipment is operated by a person who has completed, or is currently participating in, completed the emergency equipment training described in Section 12528. Emergency equipment has the same meaning as that term is defined by Section 12528.
(4)Class M1. A two-wheel motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle. Authority to operate a vehicle included in a class M1 license may be granted by endorsement on a class A, B, or C license upon completion of an appropriate examination.
(5)(A)Class M2 includes a motorized bicycle or moped, or a bicycle with an attached motor, except an electric bicycle as described in subdivision (a) of Section 312.5.
(B)Authority to operate vehicles included in class M2 may be granted by endorsement on a class A, B, or C license upon completion of an appropriate examination. Persons holding a class M1 license or endorsement may operate vehicles included in class M2 without further examination.
(c)A drivers license or driver certificate is not valid for operating a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, any other motor vehicle listed in paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (b), or any other vehicle requiring a driver to hold any driver certificate or any drivers license endorsement under Section 15275, unless a medical certificate approved by the department that has been issued within two years of the date of the operation of that vehicle and a copy of the medical examination report from which the certificate was issued is on file with the department. Otherwise, the license is valid only for operating class C vehicles that are not commercial vehicles, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, and for operating class M1 or M2 vehicles, if so endorsed, that are not commercial vehicles, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210.
(d)A license or driver certificate issued before the enactment of Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 15200) is valid to operate the class or type of vehicles specified under the law in existence before that enactment until the license or certificate expires or is otherwise suspended, revoked, or canceled. Upon application for renewal or replacement of a drivers license, endorsement, or certificate required to operate a commercial motor vehicle, a valid medical certificate on a form approved by the department shall be submitted to the department.
(e)The department may accept a certificate of driving skill that is issued by an employer, authorized by the department to issue a certificate under Section 15250, of the applicant, in lieu of a driving test, on class A or B applications, if the applicant has first qualified for a class C license and has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying. The certificate may be submitted as evidence of the applicants skill in the operation of the types of equipment covered by the license for which the applicant is applying.
(f)The department may accept a certificate of competence in lieu of a driving test on class M1 or M2 applications, when the certificate is issued by a law enforcement agency for its officers who operate class M1 or M2 vehicles in their duties, if the applicant has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying.
(g)The department may accept a certificate of satisfactory completion of a motorcyclist training program approved by the commissioner pursuant to Section 2932 in lieu of a driving test on class M1 or M2 applications, if the applicant has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying. The department shall review and approve the written and driving test used by a program to determine whether the program may issue a certificate of completion.
(h)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), a person holding a valid California drivers license of any class may operate a short-term rental motorized bicycle without taking any special examination for the operation of a motorized bicycle, and without having a class M2 endorsement on that license. As used in this subdivision, short-term means 48 hours or less.
(i)A person under 21 years of age shall not be issued a class M1 or M2 license or endorsement unless the person provides evidence satisfactory to the department of completion of a novice motorcycle safety training program that is operated pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 2930) of Chapter 5 of Division 2.
(j)A driver of a vanpool vehicle may operate with a class C license but shall possess evidence of a medical examination required for a class B license when operating vanpool vehicles. In order to be eligible to drive the vanpool vehicle, the driver shall keep in the vanpool vehicle a statement, signed under penalty of perjury, that the driver has not been convicted of reckless driving, drunk driving, or a hit-and-run offense in the last five years.
(k)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2029.
(a)The commission shall develop an emergency equipment training and certification program for peace officers, as defined in Section 830.1 or Section 830.2, and persons registered as volunteers with law enforcement agencies described in Section 830.1 or 830.2. The purpose of this program is to provide knowledge and driver training for the safe operation of emergency equipment used by peace officers and volunteers in the course of their duties. An employee of, or a volunteer registered with, a law enforcement agency, as defined in Section 830.1 or 830.2 of the Penal Code, shall be permitted to operate emergency equipment pursuant to this section.
(b)The In order to operate emergency equipment as defined in this section, an employee or volunteer described in subdivision (a) shall complete training shall include that includes all of the following:
(1)A classroom portion of at least 16 hours taught by an instructor registered with the commission and who meets or exceeds the standards set adopted by the commission law enforcement agency described in subdivision (a) for the operation of emergency equipment.
(2)A driver training portion of at least 14 hours that includes directly-supervised behind-the-wheel training by an instructor registered with the commission approved by the law enforcement agency described in subdivision (a) and who possesses a minimum of five years of experience as an emergency vehicle operator.
(3)A written emergency equipment operation examination.
(c)Instructors for the training program shall meet both of the following requirements:
(1)Possess a valid California class A or class B license, or a class A or class B license restricted to the operation of emergency equipment. or, alternatively, a class C license, having completed the emergency equipment operation training described in this section, and possessing at least five years of experience operating emergency equipment as defined in this section.
(2)Be certified as a qualified training instructor or training officer by the State of California, the federal government, or a county training officers association.
(d)A training program participant shall possess a valid California class C license.
(e)A training program participant who completes the training components and passes the written examination described in subdivision (b) shall be issued an emergency equipment operation certification by the commission. (f)(e)For purposes of this section, emergency equipment means a motor vehicle operated under a class A or class B drivers license pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 12804.9 of the Vehicle Code that is used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation situation, to and from a place where the emergency equipment is repaired or repositioned, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by, or under the exclusive control of a law enforcement agency described in Section 830.1 or 830.2. 830.2 of the Penal Code.
SEC. 2.Section 12804.9 of the Vehicle Code, as amended by Section 3 of Chapter 16 of the Statutes of 2025, is amended to read:12804.9.(a)(1)The examination shall include all of the following:
(A)A test of the applicants knowledge and understanding of the provisions of this code governing the operation of vehicles upon the highways.
(B)A test of the applicants ability to read and understand simple English used in highway traffic and directional signs.
(C)A test of the applicants understanding of traffic signs and signals, including the bikeway signs, markers, and traffic control devices established by the Department of Transportation.
(D)An actual demonstration of the applicants ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in operating a motor vehicle by driving it under the supervision of an examining officer. The applicant shall submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive, except that the department may waive the driving test part of the examination for any applicant who submits a license issued by another state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico if the department verifies through any acknowledged national driver record data source that there are no stops, holds, or other impediments to its issuance. The examining officer may request to see evidence of financial responsibility for the vehicle before supervising the demonstration of the applicants ability to operate the vehicle. The examining officer may refuse to examine an applicant who is unable to provide proof of financial responsibility for the vehicle, unless proof of financial responsibility is not required by this code.
(E)A test of the hearing and eyesight of the applicant, and of other matters that may be necessary to determine the mental and physical fitness of the applicant to operate a motor vehicle upon the highways, and whether any grounds exist for refusal of a license under this code.
(2)(A)Before a class A or class B drivers license, or class C drivers license with a commercial endorsement, may be issued or renewed, the applicant shall have in the applicants driver record a valid report of a medical examination of the applicant given not more than two years before the date of the application by a health care professional. As used in this paragraph, health care professional means a person who is licensed, certified, or registered in accordance with applicable state laws and regulations to practice medicine and perform physical examinations in the United States. Health care professionals are doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, physician assistants, and registered advanced practice nurses, or doctors of chiropractic who are clinically competent to perform the medical examination presently required of motor carrier drivers by the United States Department of Transportation. The report shall be on a form approved by the department. In establishing the requirements, consideration may be given to the standards presently required of motor carrier drivers by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
(B)The department may accept a federal waiver of one or more physical qualification standards if the waiver is accompanied by a report of a nonqualifying medical examination for a class A or class B drivers license, or class C drivers license with a commercial endorsement, pursuant to Section 391.41(a)(3)(ii) of Subpart E of Part 391 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(3)A physical defect of the applicant that, in the opinion of the department, is compensated for to ensure safe driving ability, shall not prevent the issuance of a license to the applicant.
(b)In accordance with the following classifications, an applicant for a drivers license shall be required to submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive:
(1)Class A includes the following:
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (3), a combination of vehicles, if a vehicle being towed has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds.
(B)A vehicle towing more than one vehicle.
(C)A trailer bus.
(D)The operation of all vehicles under class B and class C.
(2)Class B includes the following:
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (3), a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds.
(B)A single vehicle with three or more axles, except any three-axle vehicle weighing less than 6,000 pounds.
(C)A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds, except a trailer bus.
(D)A farm labor vehicle.
(E)A single vehicle with three or more axles or a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
(F)A house car over 40 feet in length, excluding safety devices and safety bumpers.
(G)The operation of all vehicles covered under class C.
(3)Class C includes the following:
(A)A two-axle vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, including when the vehicle is towing a trailer or semitrailer with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
(B)Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a trailer coach not exceeding 9,000 pounds gross.
(C)A house car of 40 feet in length or less.
(D)A three-axle vehicle weighing 6,000 pounds gross or less.
(E)A house car of 40 feet in length or less or a vehicle towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, including when a tow dolly is used. A person driving a vehicle may not tow another vehicle in violation of Section 21715.
(F)(i)A two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing either a trailer coach or a fifth-wheel travel trailer not exceeding 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, when the towing of the trailer is not for compensation.
(ii)A two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a fifth-wheel travel trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds, but not exceeding 15,000 pounds, gross vehicle weight rating, when the towing of the trailer is not for compensation, and if the person has passed a specialized written examination provided by the department relating to the knowledge of this code and other safety aspects governing the towing of recreational vehicles upon the highway.
(iii)The authority to operate combinations of vehicles under this subparagraph may be granted by endorsement on a class C license upon completion of that written examination.
(G)A vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating or a gross vehicle weight rating, as those terms are defined in subdivisions (j) and (k), respectively, of Section 15210, of 26,000 pounds or less, if all of the following conditions are met:
(i)Is operated by a farmer, an employee of a farmer, or an instructor credentialed in agriculture as part of an instructional program in agriculture at the high school, community college, or university level.
(ii)Is used exclusively in the conduct of agricultural operations.
(iii)Is not used in the capacity of a for-hire carrier or for compensation.
(H)Firefighting equipment, provided that the equipment is operated by a person who holds a firefighter endorsement pursuant to Section 12804.11.
(I)A motorized scooter.
(J)A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, except a trailer bus.
(K)Class C does not include a two-wheel motorcycle or a two-wheel motor-driven cycle.
(L)Emergency equipment, provided the equipment is operated by a person who has completed, or is currently participating in, the emergency equipment training and certification program described in Section 13510.15 of the Penal Code. 12528. Emergency equipment has the same meaning as that term is defined by Section 13510.15 of the Penal Code. 12528.
(4)Class M1. A two-wheel motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle. Authority to operate a vehicle included in a class M1 license may be granted by endorsement on a class A, B, or C license upon completion of an appropriate examination.
(5)(A)Class M2 includes a motorized bicycle or moped, or a bicycle with an attached motor, except an electric bicycle as described in subdivision (a) of Section 312.5.
(B)Authority to operate vehicles included in class M2 may be granted by endorsement on a class A, B, or C license upon completion of an appropriate examination. Persons holding a class M1 license or endorsement may operate vehicles included in class M2 without further examination.
(c)A drivers license or driver certificate is not valid for operating a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, any other motor vehicle listed in paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (b), or any other vehicle requiring a driver to hold any driver certificate or any drivers license endorsement under Section 15275, unless a medical certificate approved by the department that has been issued within two years of the date of the operation of that vehicle and a copy of the medical examination report from which the certificate was issued is on file with the department. Otherwise, the license is valid only for operating class C vehicles that are not commercial vehicles, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, and for operating class M1 or M2 vehicles, if so endorsed, that are not commercial vehicles, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210.
(d)A license or driver certificate issued before the enactment of Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 15200) is valid to operate the class or type of vehicles specified under the law in existence before that enactment until the license or certificate expires or is otherwise suspended, revoked, or canceled. Upon application for renewal or replacement of a drivers license, endorsement, or certificate required to operate a commercial motor vehicle, a valid medical certificate on a form approved by the department shall be submitted to the department.
(e)The department may accept a certificate of driving skill that is issued by an employer, authorized by the department to issue a certificate under Section 15250, of the applicant, in lieu of a driving test, on class A or B applications, if the applicant has first qualified for a class C license and has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying. The certificate may be submitted as evidence of the applicants skill in the operation of the types of equipment covered by the license for which the applicant is applying.
(f)The department may accept a certificate of competence in lieu of a driving test on class M1 or M2 applications, when the certificate is issued by a law enforcement agency for its officers who operate class M1 or M2 vehicles in their duties, if the applicant has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying.
(g)The department may accept a certificate of satisfactory completion of a motorcyclist training program approved by the commissioner pursuant to Section 2932 in lieu of a driving test on class M1 or M2 applications, if the applicant has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying. The department shall review and approve the written and driving test used by a program to determine whether the program may issue a certificate of completion.
(h)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), a person holding a valid California drivers license of any class may operate a short-term rental motorized bicycle without taking any special examination for the operation of a motorized bicycle, and without having a class M2 endorsement on that license. As used in this subdivision, short-term means 48 hours or less.
(i)A person under 21 years of age shall not be issued a class M1 or M2 license or endorsement unless the person provides evidence satisfactory to the department of completion of a novice motorcycle safety training program that is operated pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 2930) of Chapter 5 of Division 2.
(j)A driver of a vanpool vehicle may operate with a class C license but shall possess evidence of a medical examination required for a class B license when operating vanpool vehicles. In order to be eligible to drive the vanpool vehicle, the driver shall keep in the vanpool vehicle a statement, signed under penalty of perjury, that the driver has not been convicted of reckless driving, drunk driving, or a hit-and-run offense in the last five years.
(k)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 3.Section 12804.9 of the Vehicle Code, as amended by Section 4 of Chapter 16 of the Statutes of 2025, is amended to read:12804.9.(a)(1)The examination shall include all of the following:
(A)A test of the applicants knowledge and understanding of the provisions of this code governing the operation of vehicles upon the highways.
(B)A test of the applicants ability to read and understand simple English used in highway traffic and directional signs.
(C)A test of the applicants understanding of traffic signs and signals, including the bikeway signs, markers, and traffic control devices established by the Department of Transportation.
(D)An actual demonstration of the applicants ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in operating a motor vehicle by driving it under the supervision of an examining officer. The applicant shall submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive, except that the department may waive the driving test part of the examination for any applicant who submits a license issued by another state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico if the department verifies through any acknowledged national driver record data source that there are no stops, holds, or other impediments to its issuance. The examining officer may request to see evidence of financial responsibility for the vehicle before supervising the demonstration of the applicants ability to operate the vehicle. The examining officer may refuse to examine an applicant who is unable to provide proof of financial responsibility for the vehicle, unless proof of financial responsibility is not required by this code.
(E)A test of the hearing and eyesight of the applicant, and of other matters that may be necessary to determine the mental and physical fitness of the applicant to operate a motor vehicle upon the highways, and whether any grounds exist for refusal of a license under this code.
(2)(A)Before a class A or class B drivers license, or class C drivers license with a commercial endorsement, may be issued or renewed, the applicant shall have in the applicants driver record a valid report of a medical examination of the applicant given not more than two years before the date of the application by a health care professional. As used in this paragraph, health care professional means a person who is licensed, certified, or registered in accordance with applicable state laws and regulations to practice medicine and perform physical examinations in the United States. Health care professionals are doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, physician assistants, and registered advanced practice nurses, or doctors of chiropractic who are clinically competent to perform the medical examination presently required of motor carrier drivers by the United States Department of Transportation. The report shall be on a form approved by the department. In establishing the requirements, consideration may be given to the standards presently required of motor carrier drivers by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
(B)The department may accept a federal waiver of one or more physical qualification standards if the waiver is accompanied by a report of a nonqualifying medical examination for a class A or class B drivers license, or class C drivers license with a commercial endorsement, pursuant to Section 391.41(a)(3)(ii) of Subpart E of Part 391 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(3)A physical defect of the applicant that, in the opinion of the department, is compensated for to ensure safe driving ability, shall not prevent the issuance of a license to the applicant.
(b)In accordance with the following classifications, an applicant for a drivers license shall be required to submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive:
(1)Class A includes the following:
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (3), a combination of vehicles, if a vehicle being towed has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds.
(B)A vehicle towing more than one vehicle.
(C)A trailer bus.
(D)The operation of all vehicles under class B and class C.
(2)Class B includes the following:
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (3), a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds.
(B)A single vehicle with three or more axles, except any three-axle vehicle weighing less than 6,000 pounds.
(C)A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds, except a trailer bus.
(D)A farm labor vehicle.
(E)A single vehicle with three or more axles or a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
(F)A house car over 40 feet in length, excluding safety devices and safety bumpers.
(G)The operation of all vehicles covered under class C.
(3)Class C includes the following:
(A)A two-axle vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, including when the vehicle is towing a trailer or semitrailer with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
(B)Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a trailer coach not exceeding 9,000 pounds gross.
(C)A house car of 40 feet in length or less.
(D)A three-axle vehicle weighing 6,000 pounds gross or less.
(E)A house car of 40 feet in length or less or a vehicle towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, including when a tow dolly is used. A person driving a vehicle may not tow another vehicle in violation of Section 21715.
(F)(i)A two-axle vehicle when towing a trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds, but not exceeding 15,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight, if all of the following conditions are met:
(I)The towing of the trailer is not for compensation or commercial purposes.
(II)The trailer is coupled to the towing vehicle by a bed-mounted gooseneck hitch or a fifth-wheel and kingpin connection.
(III)The trailer is used exclusively for recreational purposes.
(IV)The trailer is used for the transportation of property or human habitation, or both.
(V)The person has passed a specialized written examination provided by the department relating to the knowledge of this code and other safety aspects governing the towing of recreational vehicles upon the highway.
(ii)A vehicle towing a fifth-wheel travel trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds, but not exceeding 15,000 pounds, gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight, when the towing of the trailer is not for compensation, and if the person has passed a specialized written examination provided by the department relating to the knowledge of this code and other safety aspects governing the towing of recreational vehicles upon the highway.
(iii)The authority to operate combinations of vehicles under this subparagraph may be granted by endorsement on a class C license upon completion of that written examination.
(G)A vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating or a gross vehicle weight rating, as those terms are defined in subdivisions (j) and (k), respectively, of Section 15210, of 26,000 pounds or less, if all of the following conditions are met:
(i)Is operated by a farmer, an employee of a farmer, or an instructor credentialed in agriculture as part of an instructional program in agriculture at the high school, community college, or university level.
(ii)Is used exclusively in the conduct of agricultural operations.
(iii)Is not used in the capacity of a for-hire carrier or for compensation.
(H)Firefighting equipment, provided that the equipment is operated by a person who holds a firefighter endorsement pursuant to Section 12804.11.
(I)A motorized scooter.
(J)A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, except a trailer bus.
(K)Class C does not include a two-wheel motorcycle or a two-wheel motor-driven cycle.
(L)Emergency equipment, provided the equipment is operated by a person who has completed, or is currently participating in, the emergency equipment training and certification program described in Section 13510.15 of the Penal Code. 12528. Emergency equipment has the same meaning as that term is defined by Section 13510.15 of the Penal Code. 12528.
(4)Class M1. A two-wheel motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle. Authority to operate a vehicle included in a class M1 license may be granted by endorsement on a class A, B, or C license upon completion of an appropriate examination.
(5)(A)Class M2 includes a motorized bicycle or moped, or a bicycle with an attached motor, except an electric bicycle as described in subdivision (a) of Section 312.5.
(B)Authority to operate vehicles included in class M2 may be granted by endorsement on a class A, B, or C license upon completion of an appropriate examination. Persons holding a class M1 license or endorsement may operate vehicles included in class M2 without further examination.
(c)A drivers license or driver certificate is not valid for operating a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, any other motor vehicle listed in paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (b), or any other vehicle requiring a driver to hold any driver certificate or any drivers license endorsement under Section 15275, unless a medical certificate approved by the department that has been issued within two years of the date of the operation of that vehicle and a copy of the medical examination report from which the certificate was issued is on file with the department. Otherwise, the license is valid only for operating class C vehicles that are not commercial vehicles, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, and for operating class M1 or M2 vehicles, if so endorsed, that are not commercial vehicles, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210.
(d)A license or driver certificate issued before the enactment of Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 15200) is valid to operate the class or type of vehicles specified under the law in existence before that enactment until the license or certificate expires or is otherwise suspended, revoked, or canceled. Upon application for renewal or replacement of a drivers license, endorsement, or certificate required to operate a commercial motor vehicle, a valid medical certificate on a form approved by the department shall be submitted to the department.
(e)The department may accept a certificate of driving skill that is issued by an employer, authorized by the department to issue a certificate under Section 15250, of the applicant, in lieu of a driving test, on class A or B applications, if the applicant has first qualified for a class C license and has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying. The certificate may be submitted as evidence of the applicants skill in the operation of the types of equipment covered by the license for which the applicant is applying.
(f)The department may accept a certificate of competence in lieu of a driving test on class M1 or M2 applications, when the certificate is issued by a law enforcement agency for its officers who operate class M1 or M2 vehicles in their duties, if the applicant has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying.
(g)The department may accept a certificate of satisfactory completion of a motorcyclist training program approved by the commissioner pursuant to Section 2932 in lieu of a driving test on class M1 or M2 applications, if the applicant has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying. The department shall review and approve the written and driving test used by a program to determine whether the program may issue a certificate of completion.
(h)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), a person holding a valid California drivers license of any class may operate a short-term rental motorized bicycle without taking any special examination for the operation of a motorized bicycle, and without having a class M2 endorsement on that license. As used in this subdivision, short-term means 48 hours or less.
(i)A person under 21 years of age shall not be issued a class M1 or M2 license or endorsement unless the person provides evidence satisfactory to the department of completion of a novice motorcycle safety training program that is operated pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 2930) of Chapter 5 of Division 2.
(j)A driver of a vanpool vehicle may operate with a class C license but shall possess evidence of a medical examination required for a class B license when operating vanpool vehicles. In order to be eligible to drive the vanpool vehicle, the driver shall keep in the vanpool vehicle a statement, signed under penalty of perjury, that the driver has not been convicted of reckless driving, drunk driving, or a hit-and-run offense in the last five years.
(k)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2029.
(a)The commission shall develop an emergency equipment training and certification program for peace officers, as defined in Section 830.1 or Section 830.2, and persons registered as volunteers with law enforcement agencies described in Section 830.1 or 830.2. The purpose of this program is to provide knowledge and driver training for the safe operation of emergency equipment used by peace officers and volunteers in the course of their duties.
(b)The training shall include all of the following:
(1)A classroom portion of at least 16 hours taught by an instructor registered with the commission and who meets or exceeds the standards set by the commission for the operation of emergency equipment.
(2)A driver training portion of at least 14 hours that includes directly-supervised behind-the-wheel training by an instructor registered with the commission and who possesses a minimum of five years of experience as an emergency vehicle operator.
(3)A written emergency equipment operation examination.
(c)Instructors for the training program shall meet both of the following requirements:
(1)Possess a valid California class A or class B license, or a class A or class B license restricted to the operation of emergency equipment.
(2)Be certified as a qualified training instructor or training officer by the State of California, the federal government, or a county training officers association.
(d)A training program participant shall possess a valid California class C license.
(e)A training program participant who completes the training components and passes the written examination described in subdivision (b) shall be issued an emergency equipment operation certification by the commission.
(f)For purposes of this section, emergency equipment means a motor vehicle operated under a class A or class B drivers license pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 12804.9 of the Vehicle Code that is used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by, or under the exclusive control of a law enforcement agency described in Section 830.1 or 830.2.
SEC. 2.Section 12804.9 of the Vehicle Code, as amended by Section 3 of Chapter 16 of the Statutes of 2025, is amended to read:12804.9.(a)(1)The examination shall include all of the following:
(A)A test of the applicants knowledge and understanding of the provisions of this code governing the operation of vehicles upon the highways.
(B)A test of the applicants ability to read and understand simple English used in highway traffic and directional signs.
(C)A test of the applicants understanding of traffic signs and signals, including the bikeway signs, markers, and traffic control devices established by the Department of Transportation.
(D)An actual demonstration of the applicants ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in operating a motor vehicle by driving it under the supervision of an examining officer. The applicant shall submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive, except that the department may waive the driving test part of the examination for any applicant who submits a license issued by another state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico if the department verifies through any acknowledged national driver record data source that there are no stops, holds, or other impediments to its issuance. The examining officer may request to see evidence of financial responsibility for the vehicle before supervising the demonstration of the applicants ability to operate the vehicle. The examining officer may refuse to examine an applicant who is unable to provide proof of financial responsibility for the vehicle, unless proof of financial responsibility is not required by this code.
(E)A test of the hearing and eyesight of the applicant, and of other matters that may be necessary to determine the mental and physical fitness of the applicant to operate a motor vehicle upon the highways, and whether any grounds exist for refusal of a license under this code.
(2)(A)Before a class A or class B drivers license, or class C drivers license with a commercial endorsement, may be issued or renewed, the applicant shall have in the applicants driver record a valid report of a medical examination of the applicant given not more than two years before the date of the application by a health care professional. As used in this paragraph, health care professional means a person who is licensed, certified, or registered in accordance with applicable state laws and regulations to practice medicine and perform physical examinations in the United States. Health care professionals are doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, physician assistants, and registered advanced practice nurses, or doctors of chiropractic who are clinically competent to perform the medical examination presently required of motor carrier drivers by the United States Department of Transportation. The report shall be on a form approved by the department. In establishing the requirements, consideration may be given to the standards presently required of motor carrier drivers by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
(B)The department may accept a federal waiver of one or more physical qualification standards if the waiver is accompanied by a report of a nonqualifying medical examination for a class A or class B drivers license, or class C drivers license with a commercial endorsement, pursuant to Section 391.41(a)(3)(ii) of Subpart E of Part 391 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(3)A physical defect of the applicant that, in the opinion of the department, is compensated for to ensure safe driving ability, shall not prevent the issuance of a license to the applicant.
(b)In accordance with the following classifications, an applicant for a drivers license shall be required to submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive:
(1)Class A includes the following:
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (3), a combination of vehicles, if a vehicle being towed has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds.
(B)A vehicle towing more than one vehicle.
(C)A trailer bus.
(D)The operation of all vehicles under class B and class C.
(2)Class B includes the following:
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (3), a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds.
(B)A single vehicle with three or more axles, except any three-axle vehicle weighing less than 6,000 pounds.
(C)A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds, except a trailer bus.
(D)A farm labor vehicle.
(E)A single vehicle with three or more axles or a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
(F)A house car over 40 feet in length, excluding safety devices and safety bumpers.
(G)The operation of all vehicles covered under class C.
(3)Class C includes the following:
(A)A two-axle vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, including when the vehicle is towing a trailer or semitrailer with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
(B)Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a trailer coach not exceeding 9,000 pounds gross.
(C)A house car of 40 feet in length or less.
(D)A three-axle vehicle weighing 6,000 pounds gross or less.
(E)A house car of 40 feet in length or less or a vehicle towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, including when a tow dolly is used. A person driving a vehicle may not tow another vehicle in violation of Section 21715.
(F)(i)A two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing either a trailer coach or a fifth-wheel travel trailer not exceeding 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, when the towing of the trailer is not for compensation.
(ii)A two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a fifth-wheel travel trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds, but not exceeding 15,000 pounds, gross vehicle weight rating, when the towing of the trailer is not for compensation, and if the person has passed a specialized written examination provided by the department relating to the knowledge of this code and other safety aspects governing the towing of recreational vehicles upon the highway.
(iii)The authority to operate combinations of vehicles under this subparagraph may be granted by endorsement on a class C license upon completion of that written examination.
(G)A vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating or a gross vehicle weight rating, as those terms are defined in subdivisions (j) and (k), respectively, of Section 15210, of 26,000 pounds or less, if all of the following conditions are met:
(i)Is operated by a farmer, an employee of a farmer, or an instructor credentialed in agriculture as part of an instructional program in agriculture at the high school, community college, or university level.
(ii)Is used exclusively in the conduct of agricultural operations.
(iii)Is not used in the capacity of a for-hire carrier or for compensation.
(H)Firefighting equipment, provided that the equipment is operated by a person who holds a firefighter endorsement pursuant to Section 12804.11.
(I)A motorized scooter.
(J)A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, except a trailer bus.
(K)Class C does not include a two-wheel motorcycle or a two-wheel motor-driven cycle.
(L)Emergency equipment, provided the equipment is operated by a person who has completed, or is currently participating in, the emergency equipment training and certification program described in Section 13510.15 of the Penal Code. Emergency equipment has the same meaning as that term is defined by Section 13510.15 of the Penal Code.
(4)Class M1. A two-wheel motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle. Authority to operate a vehicle included in a class M1 license may be granted by endorsement on a class A, B, or C license upon completion of an appropriate examination.
(5)(A)Class M2 includes a motorized bicycle or moped, or a bicycle with an attached motor, except an electric bicycle as described in subdivision (a) of Section 312.5.
(B)Authority to operate vehicles included in class M2 may be granted by endorsement on a class A, B, or C license upon completion of an appropriate examination. Persons holding a class M1 license or endorsement may operate vehicles included in class M2 without further examination.
(c)A drivers license or driver certificate is not valid for operating a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, any other motor vehicle listed in paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (b), or any other vehicle requiring a driver to hold any driver certificate or any drivers license endorsement under Section 15275, unless a medical certificate approved by the department that has been issued within two years of the date of the operation of that vehicle and a copy of the medical examination report from which the certificate was issued is on file with the department. Otherwise, the license is valid only for operating class C vehicles that are not commercial vehicles, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, and for operating class M1 or M2 vehicles, if so endorsed, that are not commercial vehicles, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210.
(d)A license or driver certificate issued before the enactment of Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 15200) is valid to operate the class or type of vehicles specified under the law in existence before that enactment until the license or certificate expires or is otherwise suspended, revoked, or canceled. Upon application for renewal or replacement of a drivers license, endorsement, or certificate required to operate a commercial motor vehicle, a valid medical certificate on a form approved by the department shall be submitted to the department.
(e)The department may accept a certificate of driving skill that is issued by an employer, authorized by the department to issue a certificate under Section 15250, of the applicant, in lieu of a driving test, on class A or B applications, if the applicant has first qualified for a class C license and has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying. The certificate may be submitted as evidence of the applicants skill in the operation of the types of equipment covered by the license for which the applicant is applying.
(f)The department may accept a certificate of competence in lieu of a driving test on class M1 or M2 applications, when the certificate is issued by a law enforcement agency for its officers who operate class M1 or M2 vehicles in their duties, if the applicant has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying.
(g)The department may accept a certificate of satisfactory completion of a motorcyclist training program approved by the commissioner pursuant to Section 2932 in lieu of a driving test on class M1 or M2 applications, if the applicant has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying. The department shall review and approve the written and driving test used by a program to determine whether the program may issue a certificate of completion.
(h)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), a person holding a valid California drivers license of any class may operate a short-term rental motorized bicycle without taking any special examination for the operation of a motorized bicycle, and without having a class M2 endorsement on that license. As used in this subdivision, short-term means 48 hours or less.
(i)A person under 21 years of age shall not be issued a class M1 or M2 license or endorsement unless the person provides evidence satisfactory to the department of completion of a novice motorcycle safety training program that is operated pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 2930) of Chapter 5 of Division 2.
(j)A driver of a vanpool vehicle may operate with a class C license but shall possess evidence of a medical examination required for a class B license when operating vanpool vehicles. In order to be eligible to drive the vanpool vehicle, the driver shall keep in the vanpool vehicle a statement, signed under penalty of perjury, that the driver has not been convicted of reckless driving, drunk driving, or a hit-and-run offense in the last five years.
(k)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 3.Section 12804.9 of the Vehicle Code, as amended by Section 4 of Chapter 16 of the Statutes of 2025, is amended to read:12804.9.(a)(1)The examination shall include all of the following:
(A)A test of the applicants knowledge and understanding of the provisions of this code governing the operation of vehicles upon the highways.
(B)A test of the applicants ability to read and understand simple English used in highway traffic and directional signs.
(C)A test of the applicants understanding of traffic signs and signals, including the bikeway signs, markers, and traffic control devices established by the Department of Transportation.
(D)An actual demonstration of the applicants ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in operating a motor vehicle by driving it under the supervision of an examining officer. The applicant shall submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive, except that the department may waive the driving test part of the examination for any applicant who submits a license issued by another state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico if the department verifies through any acknowledged national driver record data source that there are no stops, holds, or other impediments to its issuance. The examining officer may request to see evidence of financial responsibility for the vehicle before supervising the demonstration of the applicants ability to operate the vehicle. The examining officer may refuse to examine an applicant who is unable to provide proof of financial responsibility for the vehicle, unless proof of financial responsibility is not required by this code.
(E)A test of the hearing and eyesight of the applicant, and of other matters that may be necessary to determine the mental and physical fitness of the applicant to operate a motor vehicle upon the highways, and whether any grounds exist for refusal of a license under this code.
(2)(A)Before a class A or class B drivers license, or class C drivers license with a commercial endorsement, may be issued or renewed, the applicant shall have in the applicants driver record a valid report of a medical examination of the applicant given not more than two years before the date of the application by a health care professional. As used in this paragraph, health care professional means a person who is licensed, certified, or registered in accordance with applicable state laws and regulations to practice medicine and perform physical examinations in the United States. Health care professionals are doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, physician assistants, and registered advanced practice nurses, or doctors of chiropractic who are clinically competent to perform the medical examination presently required of motor carrier drivers by the United States Department of Transportation. The report shall be on a form approved by the department. In establishing the requirements, consideration may be given to the standards presently required of motor carrier drivers by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
(B)The department may accept a federal waiver of one or more physical qualification standards if the waiver is accompanied by a report of a nonqualifying medical examination for a class A or class B drivers license, or class C drivers license with a commercial endorsement, pursuant to Section 391.41(a)(3)(ii) of Subpart E of Part 391 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(3)A physical defect of the applicant that, in the opinion of the department, is compensated for to ensure safe driving ability, shall not prevent the issuance of a license to the applicant.
(b)In accordance with the following classifications, an applicant for a drivers license shall be required to submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive:
(1)Class A includes the following:
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (3), a combination of vehicles, if a vehicle being towed has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds.
(B)A vehicle towing more than one vehicle.
(C)A trailer bus.
(D)The operation of all vehicles under class B and class C.
(2)Class B includes the following:
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (3), a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds.
(B)A single vehicle with three or more axles, except any three-axle vehicle weighing less than 6,000 pounds.
(C)A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds, except a trailer bus.
(D)A farm labor vehicle.
(E)A single vehicle with three or more axles or a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
(F)A house car over 40 feet in length, excluding safety devices and safety bumpers.
(G)The operation of all vehicles covered under class C.
(3)Class C includes the following:
(A)A two-axle vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, including when the vehicle is towing a trailer or semitrailer with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
(B)Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a trailer coach not exceeding 9,000 pounds gross.
(C)A house car of 40 feet in length or less.
(D)A three-axle vehicle weighing 6,000 pounds gross or less.
(E)A house car of 40 feet in length or less or a vehicle towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, including when a tow dolly is used. A person driving a vehicle may not tow another vehicle in violation of Section 21715.
(F)(i)A two-axle vehicle when towing a trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds, but not exceeding 15,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight, if all of the following conditions are met:
(I)The towing of the trailer is not for compensation or commercial purposes.
(II)The trailer is coupled to the towing vehicle by a bed-mounted gooseneck hitch or a fifth-wheel and kingpin connection.
(III)The trailer is used exclusively for recreational purposes.
(IV)The trailer is used for the transportation of property or human habitation, or both.
(V)The person has passed a specialized written examination provided by the department relating to the knowledge of this code and other safety aspects governing the towing of recreational vehicles upon the highway.
(ii)A vehicle towing a fifth-wheel travel trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds, but not exceeding 15,000 pounds, gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight, when the towing of the trailer is not for compensation, and if the person has passed a specialized written examination provided by the department relating to the knowledge of this code and other safety aspects governing the towing of recreational vehicles upon the highway.
(iii)The authority to operate combinations of vehicles under this subparagraph may be granted by endorsement on a class C license upon completion of that written examination.
(G)A vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating or a gross vehicle weight rating, as those terms are defined in subdivisions (j) and (k), respectively, of Section 15210, of 26,000 pounds or less, if all of the following conditions are met:
(i)Is operated by a farmer, an employee of a farmer, or an instructor credentialed in agriculture as part of an instructional program in agriculture at the high school, community college, or university level.
(ii)Is used exclusively in the conduct of agricultural operations.
(iii)Is not used in the capacity of a for-hire carrier or for compensation.
(H)Firefighting equipment, provided that the equipment is operated by a person who holds a firefighter endorsement pursuant to Section 12804.11.
(I)A motorized scooter.
(J)A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, except a trailer bus.
(K)Class C does not include a two-wheel motorcycle or a two-wheel motor-driven cycle.
(L)Emergency equipment, provided the equipment is operated by a person who has completed, or is currently participating in, the emergency equipment training and certification program described in Section 13510.15 of the Penal Code. Emergency equipment has the same meaning as that term is defined by Section 13510.15 of the Penal Code.
(4)Class M1. A two-wheel motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle. Authority to operate a vehicle included in a class M1 license may be granted by endorsement on a class A, B, or C license upon completion of an appropriate examination.
(5)(A)Class M2 includes a motorized bicycle or moped, or a bicycle with an attached motor, except an electric bicycle as described in subdivision (a) of Section 312.5.
(B)Authority to operate vehicles included in class M2 may be granted by endorsement on a class A, B, or C license upon completion of an appropriate examination. Persons holding a class M1 license or endorsement may operate vehicles included in class M2 without further examination.
(c)A drivers license or driver certificate is not valid for operating a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, any other motor vehicle listed in paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (b), or any other vehicle requiring a driver to hold any driver certificate or any drivers license endorsement under Section 15275, unless a medical certificate approved by the department that has been issued within two years of the date of the operation of that vehicle and a copy of the medical examination report from which the certificate was issued is on file with the department. Otherwise, the license is valid only for operating class C vehicles that are not commercial vehicles, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, and for operating class M1 or M2 vehicles, if so endorsed, that are not commercial vehicles, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210.
(d)A license or driver certificate issued before the enactment of Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 15200) is valid to operate the class or type of vehicles specified under the law in existence before that enactment until the license or certificate expires or is otherwise suspended, revoked, or canceled. Upon application for renewal or replacement of a drivers license, endorsement, or certificate required to operate a commercial motor vehicle, a valid medical certificate on a form approved by the department shall be submitted to the department.
(e)The department may accept a certificate of driving skill that is issued by an employer, authorized by the department to issue a certificate under Section 15250, of the applicant, in lieu of a driving test, on class A or B applications, if the applicant has first qualified for a class C license and has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying. The certificate may be submitted as evidence of the applicants skill in the operation of the types of equipment covered by the license for which the applicant is applying.
(f)The department may accept a certificate of competence in lieu of a driving test on class M1 or M2 applications, when the certificate is issued by a law enforcement agency for its officers who operate class M1 or M2 vehicles in their duties, if the applicant has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying.
(g)The department may accept a certificate of satisfactory completion of a motorcyclist training program approved by the commissioner pursuant to Section 2932 in lieu of a driving test on class M1 or M2 applications, if the applicant has met the other examination requirements for the license for which the applicant is applying. The department shall review and approve the written and driving test used by a program to determine whether the program may issue a certificate of completion.
(h)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), a person holding a valid California drivers license of any class may operate a short-term rental motorized bicycle without taking any special examination for the operation of a motorized bicycle, and without having a class M2 endorsement on that license. As used in this subdivision, short-term means 48 hours or less.
(i)A person under 21 years of age shall not be issued a class M1 or M2 license or endorsement unless the person provides evidence satisfactory to the department of completion of a novice motorcycle safety training program that is operated pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 2930) of Chapter 5 of Division 2.
(j)A driver of a vanpool vehicle may operate with a class C license but shall possess evidence of a medical examination required for a class B license when operating vanpool vehicles. In order to be eligible to drive the vanpool vehicle, the driver shall keep in the vanpool vehicle a statement, signed under penalty of perjury, that the driver has not been convicted of reckless driving, drunk driving, or a hit-and-run offense in the last five years.
(k)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2029.
SECTION 1.Section 12804.11 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:12804.11.(a)To operate firefighting equipment, a driver, including a tiller operator, is required to do either of the following:(1)Obtain and maintain a firefighter endorsement issued by the department and obtain and maintain a class C license as described in Section 12804.9, a restricted class A license as described in Section 12804.12, or a noncommercial class B license as described in Section 12804.10.(2)Obtain and maintain a class A or B license as described in Section 12804.9 and, as appropriate, for the size and configuration of the firefighting equipment operated.(b)To qualify for a firefighter endorsement the driver shall do all of the following:(1)(A)Provide to the department proof of current employment as a firefighter or registration as a volunteer firefighter with a fire department and evidence of fire equipment operation training by providing a letter or other indication from the chief of the fire department or their designee.(B)For purposes of this section, evidence of fire equipment operation training means the applicant has successfully completed Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator 1A taught by an instructor registered with the Office of the State Fire Marshal or fire department driver training that meets all of the following requirements:(i)Meets or exceeds the standards outlined in NFPA 1002, Chapter 4 (2008 version) or the Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator 1A course adopted by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.(ii)Prepares the applicant to safely operate the departments fire equipment that the applicant will be authorized to operate.(iii)Includes a classroom (cognitive) portion of at least 16 hours.(iv)Includes a manipulative portion of at least 14 hours, that includes directly supervised behind-the-wheel driver training.(C)Driver training shall be conducted by a person who is registered with the Office of the State Fire Marshal to instruct a Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator 1A course or a person who meets all of the following criteria:(i)Possesses a minimum of five years of fire service experience as an emergency vehicle operator, three of which shall be at the rank of engineer or higher.(ii)Possesses a valid California class A or B license or a class A or B license restricted to the operation of firefighting equipment or a class C license with a firefighter endorsement.(iii)Is certified as a qualified training instructor or training officer by the State of California, the federal government, or a county training officers association.(2)Pass the written firefighter examination developed by the department with the cooperation of the Office of the State Fire Marshal.(3)Upon application and every two years thereafter, submit medical information on a form approved by the department.(c)There shall be no additional charge for adding a firefighter endorsement to an original license or when renewing a license. To add a firefighter endorsement to an existing license when not renewing the license, the applicant shall pay the fee for a duplicate license pursuant to Section 14901.(d)(1)A driver of firefighting equipment is subject to the requirements of subdivision (a) if both of the following conditions exist:(A)The equipment is operated by a person employed as a firefighter by a federal or state agency, by a regularly organized fire department of a city, county, city and county, or district, or by a tribal fire department or registered as a volunteer member of a regularly organized fire department having official recognition of the city, county, city and county, or district in which the department is located, or of a tribal fire department.(B)The motor vehicle is used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation, and which is owned, leased, or rented by, or under the exclusive control of, a federal or state agency, a regularly organized fire department of a city, county, city and county, or district, a volunteer fire department having official recognition of the city, county, city and county, or district in which the department is located, or a tribal fire department.(2)A driver of firefighting equipment is not required to obtain and maintain a firefighter endorsement pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) if the driver is operating the firefighting equipment for training purposes, during a nonemergency, while under the direct supervision of a fire department employee who is properly licensed to operate the equipment and is authorized by the fire department to provide training.(e)For purposes of this section, a tiller operator is the driver of the rear free-axle portion of a ladder truck.(f)For purposes of this section, firefighting equipment means a motor vehicle, that meets the definition of a class A or class B vehicle described in subdivision (b) of Section 12804.9, that is used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation, and that is owned, leased, or rented by, or under the exclusive control of, a federal or state agency, a regularly organized fire department of a city, county, city and county, or district, or a volunteer fire department having official recognition of the city, county, city and county, or district in which the department is located.(g)Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), a regularly organized fire department, having official recognition of the city, county, city and county, or district in which the department is located, may require an employee or a volunteer of the fire department who is a driver or operator of firefighting equipment to hold a class A or B license.(h)This section applies to a person hired by a fire department, or to a person renewing a drivers license, on or after January 1, 2011.(a)To operate firefighting equipment, a driver, including a tiller operator, is required to do either of the following:
(1)Obtain and maintain a firefighter endorsement issued by the department and obtain and maintain a class C license as described in Section 12804.9, a restricted class A license as described in Section 12804.12, or a noncommercial class B license as described in Section 12804.10.
(2)Obtain and maintain a class A or B license as described in Section 12804.9 and, as appropriate, for the size and configuration of the firefighting equipment operated.
(b)To qualify for a firefighter endorsement the driver shall do all of the following:
(1)(A)Provide to the department proof of current employment as a firefighter or registration as a volunteer firefighter with a fire department and evidence of fire equipment operation training by providing a letter or other indication from the chief of the fire department or his or her their designee.
(B)For purposes of this section, evidence of fire equipment operation training means the applicant has successfully completed Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator 1A taught by an instructor registered with the Office of the State Fire Marshal or fire department driver training that meets all of the following requirements:
(i)Meets or exceeds the standards outlined in NFPA 1002, Chapter 4 (2008 version) or the Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator 1A course adopted by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
(ii)Prepares the applicant to safely operate the departments fire equipment that the applicant will be authorized to operate.
(iii)Includes a classroom (cognitive) portion of at least 16 hours.
(iv)Includes a manipulative portion of at least 14 hours, which that includes directly supervised behind-the-wheel driver training.
(C)Driver training shall be conducted by a person who is registered with the Office of the State Fire Marshal to instruct a Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator 1A course or a person who meets all of the following criteria:
(i)Possesses a minimum of five years of fire service experience as an emergency vehicle operator, three of which must shall be at the rank of engineer or higher.
(ii)Possesses a valid California class A or B license or a class A or B license restricted to the operation of firefighting equipment or a class C license with a firefighter endorsement.
(iii)Is certified as a qualified training instructor or training officer by the State of California, the federal government, or a county training officers association.
(2)Pass the written firefighter examination developed by the department with the cooperation of the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
(3)Upon application and every two years thereafter, submit medical information on a form approved by the department.
(c)There shall be no additional charge for adding a firefighter endorsement to an original license or when renewing a license. To add a firefighter endorsement to an existing license when not renewing the license, the applicant shall pay the fee for a duplicate license pursuant to Section 14901.
(d)(1)A driver of firefighting equipment is subject to the requirements of subdivision (a) if both of the following conditions exist:
(A)The equipment is operated by a person employed as a firefighter by a federal or state agency, by a regularly organized fire department of a city, county, city and county, or district, or by a tribal fire department or registered as a volunteer member of a regularly organized fire department having official recognition of the city, county, city and county, or district in which the department is located, or of a tribal fire department.
(B)The motor vehicle is used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation, and which is owned, leased, or rented by, or under the exclusive control of, a federal or state agency, a regularly organized fire department of a city, county, city and county, or district, a volunteer fire department having official recognition of the city, county, city and county, or district in which the department is located, or a tribal fire department.
(2)A driver of firefighting equipment is not required to obtain and maintain a firefighter endorsement pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) if the driver is operating the firefighting equipment for training purposes, during a nonemergency, while under the direct supervision of a fire department employee who is properly licensed to operate the equipment and is authorized by the fire department to provide training.
(e)For purposes of this section, a tiller operator is the driver of the rear free-axle portion of a ladder truck.
(f)For purposes of this section, firefighting equipment means a motor vehicle, that meets the definition of a class A or class B vehicle described in subdivision (b) of Section 12804.9, that is used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation, and that is owned, leased, or rented by, or under the exclusive control of, a federal or state agency, a regularly organized fire department of a city, county, city and county, or district, or a volunteer fire department having official recognition of the city, county, city and county, or district in which the department is located.
(g)Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), a regularly organized fire department, having official recognition of the city, county, city and county, or district in which the department is located, may require an employee or a volunteer of the fire department who is a driver or operator of firefighting equipment to hold a class A or B license.
(h)This section applies to a person hired by a fire department, or to a person renewing a drivers license, on or after January 1, 2011.
|
Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Aug 27, 2026 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 133, Statutes of 2026. |
| Aug 27, 2026 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Aug 18, 2026 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m. |
| Aug 11, 2026 | In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling. |
| Aug 10, 2026 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.). |
| Aug 10, 2026 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 5322.). |
| Aug 4, 2026 | Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar. |
| Aug 3, 2026 | From committee: Be ordered to second reading file pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to Consent Calendar. |
| Jul 1, 2026 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (June 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Jun 24, 2026 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 23). Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S. |
| Jun 3, 2026 | Referred to Coms. on TRANS. and PUB. S. |
| May 14, 2026 | In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. |
| May 14, 2026 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 5052.) |
| May 11, 2026 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| May 14, 2026 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 77. Noes 0.) |
| May 7, 2026 | Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading. |
| May 6, 2026 | From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 6). |
| Apr 21, 2026 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 20). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Apr 15, 2026 | Re-referred to Com. on TRANS. |
| Apr 14, 2026 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on TRANS. Read second time and amended. |
| Apr 13, 2026 | Re-referred to Com. on TRANS. |
| Apr 9, 2026 | Read second time and amended. |
| Apr 8, 2026 | From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on TRANS. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 7). |
| Mar 23, 2026 | Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S. |
| Mar 19, 2026 | Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and TRANS. |
| Mar 19, 2026 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended. |
| Feb 13, 2026 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 15. |
| Feb 12, 2026 | Read first time. To print. |
|
Date
|
Description
|
Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 10, 2026 | Consent Calendar 2nd AB1913 Soria | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Jun 30, 2026 | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar | Senate Standing Committee on Public Safety |
Passed |
|
| Jun 23, 2026 | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Public Safety] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar | Senate Standing Committee on Transportation |
Passed |
|
| May 14, 2026 | AB 1913 Soria Assembly Third Reading | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| May 6, 2026 | Do pass as amended. | Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Apr 20, 2026 | Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar | Assembly Standing Committee on Transportation |
Passed |
|
| Apr 7, 2026 | Do pass as amended, and be re-referred to the Committee on [Transportation] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar | Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
|
Organization
|
Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| California Police Chiefs Association | ** Support | |
| California State Sheriffs' Association | ** Support | |
| California State Sheriffs’ Association | ** Support |
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-4171 | AB 1913 |
CONSENT
Bill No: AB 1913
Author: Soria (D)
Amended: 5/7/26 in Assembly
Vote: 21
SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: 13-0, 6/23/26
AYES: Cortese, Strickland, Archuleta, Arreguín, Blakespear, Dahle, Gonzalez, Grayson, Menjivar, Richardson, Seyarto, Valladares, Wiener
SENATE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: 6-0, 6/30/26
AYES: Arreguín, Seyarto, Caballero, Cortese, Pérez, Wiener
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 5/14/26 - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Licensure: emergency equipment
SOURCE: California State Sheriffs’ Association
DIGEST:
This bill authorizes an employee or volunteer registered with a specified law enforcement agency to operate emergency equipment if they complete an emergency equipment training.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Requires an applicant for a driver’s license to submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive. (Vehicle Code (VEH) §12804.9)
- Provides that a class A vehicle includes the following: a combination of vehicles if a vehicle being towed has a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds, a vehicle towing more than one vehicle, a trailer bus, and the operation of all vehicles under class B and class C. (VEH § 12804.9)
- Provides that a class B vehicle includes the following: a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds, single vehicle with three or more axles, as specified, a bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds, except a trailer bus, a farm labor vehicle, a single vehicle with three or more axles or a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, a house car over 40 feet in length, and the operation of all vehicles covered under class C. (VEH §12804.9)
- Provides that a class C vehicle includes the following: a two-axle vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less, as specified, a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a trailer coach not exceeding 9,000 pounds, a house car of 40 feet in length or less, a three-axle vehicle weighing 6,000 pounds gross or less, a house car of 40 feet in length or less or a vehicle towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing either a trailer coach or a fifth-wheel travel trailer not exceeding 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, as specified, a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a fifth-wheel travel trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds, but not exceeding 15,000 pounds, as specified, a vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less, as specified, firefighting equipment, provided that the equipment is operated by a person who holds a firefighter endorsement, as specified; a motorized scooter, a bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less, except a trailer bus. (VEH § 12804.9)
This bill:
- Authorizes an employee of, or a volunteer registered with, a specified law enforcement agency, to operate emergency equipment pursuant to this bill.
- Requires an employee or volunteer described above, in order to operate emergency equipment, to complete training that includes all of the following:
- A classroom portion of at least 16 hours taught by an instructor who meets or exceeds the standards adopted by the specified law enforcement agency for the operation of emergency equipment.
- A driver training portion of at least 14 hours that includes directly-supervised behind-the-wheel training by an instructor approved by the specified law enforcement agency, and who possesses a minimum of five years of experience as an emergency vehicle operator.
- A written emergency equipment operation examination.
- Requires instructors for the training program to meet both of the following requirements:
- Possess a valid California class A or class B license, or alternatively, possess a class C license having completed the emergency equipment operation training under this bill and possessing at least five years of experience operating emergency equipment.
- Be certified as a qualified training instructor or training officer by the State of California, the federal government, or a county training officers’ association.
- Requires a training program participant to possess a valid California class C license.
- Defines "emergency equipment," for purposes of this bill, to mean a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles that meets the definition of a class A or class B vehicle, as specified, subject to the following limitations:
- The motor vehicle shall not exceed 45 feet in length, and the towed vehicle, if applicable, shall not exceed 30,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or gross vehicle weight rating, whichever is greater.
- The motor vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, to and from a place where emergency equipment is repaired or repositioned, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by, or under the exclusive control of a specified law enforcement agency.
- Specifies that an authorized emergency vehicle that has been issued a license by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to operate in response to emergency calls is not "emergency equipment."
- Specifies that vehicles operated pursuant to this bill are not exempt from the provisions of Division 15 of the Vehicle Code, which, among other things, establishes requirements related to the size, weight, and load of vehicles.
- Expands the definition of a class C motor vehicle to include emergency equipment, as defined above, provided the equipment is operated by a person who has completed the emergency equipment training established by this bill.
Comments
Purpose of the bill. According to the author, “While effective law enforcement and public safety protection often requires the use of specialized vehicles, many law enforcement staff and volunteers do not possess a class A or B driver license that would normally be required to operate this equipment. AB 1913 will allow law enforcement staff and volunteers to operate specified emergency equipment with a class C driver license having completed a rigorous course of training. This bill will protect public safety by allowing more qualified individuals to operate certain equipment without a specific type of commercial driver license without sacrificing training and education on the part of the operators.”
Commercial driver’s licenses. In California a basic driver’s license is known as a class C driver’s license. With it a driver can operate a standard vehicle or truck for personal use on California roadways. It also allows for towing smaller, lighter weight trailers not for compensation. In order to operate or tow larger vehicles and trailers, a driver needs a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Federal law requires each state to have minimum standards for licensing of commercial drivers. California has developed licensing and testing requirements for drivers of commercial vehicles that equal or exceed federal standards. There are three classes of CDLs:
- Commercial A: Any legal combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Commercial B: Any single vehicle with a GVWR of more than 26,000 pounds, any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR, or a 3-axle vehicle weighing over 6,000 pounds.
- Commercial C: Used for the operation of buses with a GVWR of 26,000 pounds or less, to transport hazardous materials, and used to transport large tanks carrying liquids or gaseous materials.
Getting a CDL can be an arduous process that involves a knowledge test, medical examination, driver’s history check, identity verification, permit process, skills test (including a road test), minimum hours of behind-the-wheel training, payment of various fees, and the successful completion of Entry Level Driver Training conducted by a registered training provider.[1] The California State Sheriffs’ Association, the sponsors of this bill, contend that some law enforcement agencies struggle to find employees and volunteers with CDLs to operate or tow emergency equipment which falls into the CDL category.
This bill is modeled after the firefighter endorsement. In order to avoid the arduous CDL process for the operation of firefighting equipment, the Legislature passed AB 1648 (Jeffries, Chapter 360, Statutes of 2010) in 2010. That bill created California’s firefighter endorsement, which is a special certification added to a driver’s license that authorizes employees or volunteers of fire departments to drive firefighting equipment that would typically require a class A or B CDL. To qualify for a firefighter endorsement, an applicant must meet specific training, testing, and employment requirements.
Operating emergency equipment for a law enforcement agency. Similar to fire departments, some law enforcement agencies rely on employees and volunteers to operate the departments’ large emergency equipment, but struggle to find employees and volunteers with CDLs. According to the California State Sheriffs’ Association, “[t]hese employees and volunteers may be asked to operate specialty equipment including mobile command posts and vehicles that transport other equipment on heavy trailers. Much of this equipment ordinarily requires an operator to possess a class A or B driver license, which reduces the pool of people available to operate this equipment and subsequently respond. Sheriffs’ offices struggle with recruiting sworn and non-sworn personnel (volunteers), especially those with class A or B driver licenses.” Supporters of this bill also emphasize that smaller, resource-constrained law enforcement agencies in particular struggle to recruit individuals with CDLs.
Under this bill, law enforcement agency employees and volunteers would be able to complete a classroom and behind-the-wheel training program, and subsequent examination, to allow them to operate the agency’s emergency equipment. Emergency equipment is defined as vehicles that meet the definition of a class A or class B vehicle (see CDL classification above), with the following limitations:
a) The motor vehicle may not exceed 45 feet in length and the towed vehicle, if applicable, may not exceed 30,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or gross vehicle weight rating, whichever is greater; and,
- The motor vehicle must be used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, to travel to and from a place where the emergency equipment is repaired or repositioned, or to transport equipment that is used in an emergency situation and that is owned or leased by a law enforcement agency.
Training requirements. This bill lays out specific training requirements an applicant must meet to qualify to operate the emergency equipment. The training must include:
- A classroom portion of at least 16 hours taught by an instructor who meets or exceeds the standards adopted by the law enforcement agency for the operation of emergency equipment.
- A driver training portion of at least 14 hours that includes directly-supervised behind-the-wheel training by an instructor approved by the law enforcement agency who possesses a minimum of five years of experience as an emergency vehicle operator.
- A written emergency equipment operation examination.
The instructors for the training program must possess a valid California class A or class B commercial driver’s license, or, alternatively, they can have a class C license with the certification authorized under this bill if they possess at least five years of experience operating emergency equipment. Additionally, instructors must be certified as a qualified training instructor or officer by the state, federal government, or a county training officers’ association.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No
SUPPORT: (Verified 8/3/26)
California State Sheriffs’ Association (source)
California Police Chiefs Association
OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/3/26)
None received.
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 5/14/26
AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Johnson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas
NO VOTE RECORDED: Arambula, Flora, Celeste Rodriguez
Prepared by: Isabelle LaSalle / TRANS. / (916) 651-4121
8/5/26 15:04:16
**** END ****
SENATE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
Senator Jesse Arreguín, Chair
2025 - 2026 Regular
Bill No: AB 1913 Hearing Date: June 30, 2026
Author: | Soria | ||
Version: | May 7, 2026 | ||
Urgency: | No | Fiscal: | Yes |
Consultant: | AB | ||
Subject: Licensure: emergency equipment
HISTORY
Source: California State Sheriffs Association
Prior Legislation: SB 128 (Committee on Budget), Ch. 16, Stats. of 2025
SB 349 (Archuleta), held in Senate Appropriations, 2025
SB 1021 (Archuleta), held in Senate Appropriations, 2023
SB 287 (Grove), Ch. 610, Stats. of 2021
SB 587 (Atkins), Ch. 286, Stats. of 2017
AB 2438 (Lowenthal), Ch. 97, Stats. of 2014
AB 82 (Jeffries), Ch. 92, Stats. of 2011
AB 1648 (Jeffries), Ch. 360, Stats. of 2010
Support: California Police Chiefs Association
Opposition: None known
Assembly Floor Vote: 77 - 0
PURPOSE
The purpose of this bill is to authorize an employee of or volunteer with a law enforcement agency to operate emergency equipment provided they have completed a required training.
Existing law defines an authorized emergency vehicle to mean any publicly owned vehicle operated by any federal, state, or local agency, department, or district employing peace officers as defined, for use by those officers in the performance of their duties (Veh. Code, § 165, subd. (b)(1).)
Existing law provides that a public employee is not liable for civil damages on account of personal injury to or death of any person or damage to property resulting from the operation, in the line of duty, of an authorized emergency vehicle while responding to an emergency call or when in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm or other emergency call. (Veh. Code, § 17004.)
Existing law provides that States that the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle is exempt from various Vehicle Code requirements under the following conditions:
- If the vehicle is being driven in response to an emergency call or while engaged in rescue operations or is being used in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law or is responding to, but not returning from, a fire alarm, except that fire department vehicles are exempt whether directly responding to an emergency call or operated from one place to another as rendered desirable or necessary by reason of an emergency call and operated to the scene of the emergency or operated from one fire station to another or to some other location by reason of the emergency call.
- If the driver of the vehicle sounds a siren as may be reasonably necessary and the vehicle displays a lighted red lamp visible from the front as a warning to other drivers and pedestrians. (Veh. Code, § 21055.)
Existing law requires that every authorized emergency vehicle to be equipped with at least one steady burning red warning lamp visible from at least 1,000 feet to the front of the vehicle, as specified, and provides that emergency vehicles may display revolving, flashing, or steady red warning lights to the front, sides or rear of the vehicles. (Veh. Code, § 25252.)
Existing law authorizes an authorized emergency vehicle, where the vehicle is being driven in response to an emergency call, as specified, and the driver sounds a siren and displays a lighted red lamp, to display a flashing white light from a gaseous discharge lamp designed and used for the purpose of controlling official traffic control signals. (Veh. Code, § 25258, subd. (a).)
Existing law authorizes an authorized emergency vehicle used by a specified peace officer or probation officer, in the performance of the peace officer’s duties, to additionally display a steady or flashing blue warning light visible from the front, sides, or rear of the vehicle. (Veh. Code, § 25258, subd. (b)(1).)
Existing law requires a probation officer, before they operate an emergency vehicle with a blue warning light, to complete a four-hour classroom training course regarding the operation of emergency vehicles that is certified by the Standards and Training for Corrections Division of the Board of State and Community Corrections, however, this does not expand any existing authority of a probation officer to conduct a high-speed vehicle pursuit or change any existing training requirements for high-speed vehicle pursuits.. (Veh. Code, § 25258, subd. (b)(2)-(3).)
Existing law provides that to operate firefighting equipment, a driver, including a till operator, must either obtain and maintain a class A or B license, as specified, or obtain and maintain a firefighter endorsement issued by the DMV and obtain and maintain a class C license, a restricted class A license, as specified, or a noncommercial class B license, as specified. (Veh. Code, § 12804.11, subd. (a).)
Existing law provides that to qualify for a firefighter endorsement, the driver shall do all of the following:
- Provide to the department proof of current employment as a firefighter or registration as a volunteer firefighter with a fire department and evidence of fire equipment operation training by providing a letter or other indication from the chief of the fire department or his or her designee.
- Pass the written firefighter examination developed by the department with the cooperation of the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
- Upon application and every two years thereafter, submit medical information on a form approved by the department. (Veh. Code, § 12804.11, subd. (b).)
Existing law requires an applicant for a driver’s license to submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the application desires a license to drive. (Veh. Code, § 12804.9, subd. (b).)
Existing law provides that a class A vehicle includes the following: a combination of vehicles if a vehicle being towed has a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds, a vehicle towing more than one vehicle, a trailer bus, and the operation of all vehicles under class B and class C. (Veh. Code, § 12804.9, subd. (b)(1).)
Existing law provides that a class B vehicle includes the following: a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds, single vehicle with three or more axles, as specified, a bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds, except a trailer bus, a farm labor vehicle, a single vehicle with three or more axles or a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, a house car over 40 feet in length, and the operation of all vehicles covered under class C. (Veh. Code, § 12804.9, subd. (b)(2).)
Existing law provides that a class C vehicle includes the following: a two-axle vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less, as specified, a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a trailer coach not exceeding 9,000 pounds, a house car of 40 feet in length or less, a three-axle vehicle weighing 6,000 pounds gross or less, a house car of 40 feet in length or less or a vehicle towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing either a trailer coach or a fifth-wheel travel trailer not exceeding 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, as specified, a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a fifth-wheel travel trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds, but not exceeding 15,000 pounds, as specified, a vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less, as specified, firefighting equipment, provided that the equipment is operated by a person who holds a firefighter endorsement, as specified; a motorized scooter, a bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less, except a trailer bus. (Veh. Code, § 12804.9, subd. (b)(3).)
This bill provides that an employee of, or a volunteer registered with, a law enforcement agency, as defined, shall be permitted to operate emergency equipment pursuant to the provisions below.
This bill provides that in order to operate emergency equipment, an employee or volunteer must complete a training that includes all of the following:
- A classroom portion of at least 16 hours taught by an instructor who meets or exceeds the standards adopted by the law enforcement agency described in subdivision (a) for the operation of emergency equipment.
- A driver training portion of at least 14 hours that includes directly-supervised behind-the-wheel training by an instructor approved by the law enforcement agency employer and who possesses a minimum of five years of experience as an emergency vehicle operator.
- A written emergency equipment operation examination.
This bill requires instructors for the training program to meet both of the following requirements:
- Possess a valid California class A or class B license, or, alternatively, a class C license, having completed the emergency equipment operation training and possessing at least five years of experience operating emergency equipment.
- Be certified as a qualified training instructor or training officer by the State of California, the federal government, or a county training officers’ association.
This bill requires a training program participant to possess a valid California class C license.
This bill defines “emergency equipment” as a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles that meets the definition of a class A or class B vehicle, as specified, subject to the following limitations:
- The motor vehicle shall not exceed 45 feet in length and the towed vehicle, if applicable, shall not exceed 30,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or gross vehicle weight rating, whichever is greater.
- The motor vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, to and from a place where the emergency equipment is repaired or repositioned, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by, or under the exclusive control of a law enforcement agency.
This bill provides that an authorized emergency vehicle that has been issued a license by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to operate in response to emergency calls is not “emergency equipment.”
This bill provides that vehicles operated pursuant to the above provisions are not exempt from specified size, weight and load requirements.
This bill expands the definition of a class C motor vehicle to include emergency equipment, provided the equipment is operated by a person who has completed the emergency equipment training specified above.
COMMENTS
- Need for This Bill
According to the author:
While effective law enforcement and public safety protection often requires the use of specialized vehicles, many law enforcement staff and volunteers do not possess a class A or B driver license that would normally be required to operate this equipment. AB 1913 will allow law enforcement staff and volunteers to operate specified emergency equipment with a class C driver license having completed a rigorous course of training. This bill will protect public safety by allowing more qualified individuals to operate certain equipment without a specific type of commercial driver license without sacrificing training and education on the part of the operators.
- Authorization to Drive Emergency Vehicles and Effect of This Bill
California law enforcement agencies often rely on oversized, specialty emergency equipment – including mobile command centers, incident response trailers, and tactical rescue vehicles - to coordinate disaster relief, manage active threat situations, and establish field communications. Although the vast majority of Californians possess a class C (standard) driver’s license, most of this specialty emergency equipment meets certain size and tonnage specifications that allow them only to be driven by individuals with class A and B commercial licenses.[1] According to the author, these strict licensing requirements reduce the pool of individuals capable of operating emergency equipment, which is exacerbated by the difficulty law enforcement agencies face in recruiting sworn and non-sworn personnel (including volunteers) that have the appropriate commercial license.
This bill is largely modeled after existing law allowing firefighters and volunteer firefighters to operate large firefighting equipment that would normally require a class A or B license with only a class C license by obtaining a “firefighter endorsement.” Generally, “firefighting equipment” is defined as a motor vehicle that meets the definition of a class A or class B vehicle that is used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation, and that is owned, leased, or rented by, or under the exclusive control of a federal, state or local fire department.[2] To operate such vehicles, firefighters with a class C license (who do not have a class A or B license) must obtain a firefighter endorsement from the DMV, the requirements for which include proof of employment as a firefighter, evidence of completing fire equipment operation training, as specified, and pass the written firefighter examination developed by the DMV in coordination with the State Fire Marshal.[3] The mandated training must include at least 16 hours of classroom instruction and at least 14 hours of directly supervised behind-the-wheel driver training.[4]
This bill authorizes an employee of or volunteer registered with a law enforcement agency who has a class C license to operate emergency equipment upon completion of a training similar to that prescribed for the firefighter endorsement. Specifically, the training under this bill requires at least 16 hours of classroom instruction by an instructor that meets specific requirements and a driver training portion of at least 14 hours of behind-the-wheel training, as well as passage of a written exam. For the purposes of the bill, “emergency equipment” is defined as a motor vehicle that 1) does not exceed 45 feet in length, and any towed vehicle, if applicable, does not exceed 30,000 pounds gross weight, and 2) must be used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, to and from a place where the emergency equipment is repaired or repositioned, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by, or under the exclusive control of a law enforcement agency. Finally, this bill also expands the definition of a class C motor vehicle to include emergency equipment, as defined above, provided the equipment is operated by a person who has completed the requisite training.
- Double Referral
This bill was heard in the Senate Transportation Committee on June 23rd, after this analysis was finalized. For a discussion of other issues not covered in this analysis, see the analysis prepared by that committee.
- Argument in Support
According to the bill’s sponsor, the California State Sheriffs Association:
We are pleased to sponsor Assembly Bill 1913, which would allow law enforcement employees and volunteers to operate specified emergency equipment with a class C driver license after having completed additional and specified classroom and behind-the-wheel training.
In many counties, deputy sheriffs and sheriff’s office volunteers are often among the first to be called to emergency scenes, including wildfires, search and rescues, vehicle accidents, and natural disasters. Special equipment is normally needed to mitigate the effects of these emergency incidents and save lives. These employees and volunteers may be asked to operate specialty equipment including mobile command posts and vehicles that transport other equipment on heavy trailers. Much of this equipment ordinarily requires an operator to possess a class A or B driver license, which reduces the pool of people available to operate this equipment and subsequently respond. Sheriffs’ offices struggle with recruiting sworn and non-sworn personnel (volunteers), especially those with class A or B driver licenses.
AB 1913 creates a common-sense solution to this problem. The bill allows employees or volunteers who have a class C license and complete classroom education and behind-the-wheel training provided by trained instructors to operate certain types of equipment in specified situations without having to obtain a class A or B license. This approach also carries the benefit of ensuring operators are trained and experienced without creating expensive new licensing or certification burdens on state agencies.
-- END --
A commercial driver’s license (CDL) is required for operating heavy vehicles (over 26,000 lbs.), passenger buses, or vehicles transporting hazardous materials. A class A CDL is required for combinations of vehicles (e.g., tractor-trailers) with a GVWR over 26,000 lbs., where the towed vehicle is over 10,000 lbs. A class B CDL is required for a single vehicle with a GVWR over 26,000 lbs. (e.g., box trucks, city buses, dump trucks). (Veh. Code, § 12804.9, subd. (b).) ↑
Veh. Code, § 12804.11, subd. (f). ↑
Veh. Code, § 12804.11, subd. (b). ↑
Veh. Code, § 12804.11, subd. (b)(1)(B). ↑
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Senator Dave Cortese, Chair
2025 - 2026 Regular
Bill No: Hearing Date: 06/23/2026
Author: | Soria | ||
Version: | 5/7/2026 Amended | ||
Urgency: | No | Fiscal: | Yes |
Consultant: | Isabelle LaSalle | ||
SUBJECT:
DIGEST: This bill authorizes an employee or volunteer registered with a specified law enforcement agency to operate emergency equipment if they complete an emergency equipment training.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Requires an applicant for a driver’s license to submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive. (VEH 12804.9)
- Provides that a class A vehicle includes the following: a combination of vehicles if a vehicle being towed has a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds, a vehicle towing more than one vehicle, a trailer bus, and the operation of all vehicles under class B and class C. (VEH 12804.9)
- Provides that a class B vehicle includes the following: a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds, single vehicle with three or more axles, as specified, a bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds, except a trailer bus, a farm labor vehicle, a single vehicle with three or more axles or a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, a house car over 40 feet in length, and the operation of all vehicles covered under class C. (VEH 12804.9)
- Provides that a class C vehicle includes the following: a two-axle vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less, as specified, a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a trailer coach not exceeding 9,000 pounds, a house car of 40 feet in length or less, a three-axle vehicle weighing 6,000 pounds gross or less, a house car of 40 feet in length or less or a vehicle towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing either a trailer coach or a fifth-wheel travel trailer not exceeding 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, as specified, a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a fifth-wheel travel trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds, but not exceeding 15,000 pounds, as specified, a vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less, as specified, firefighting equipment, provided that the equipment is operated by a person who holds a firefighter endorsement, as specified; a motorized scooter, a bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less, except a trailer bus. (VEH 12804.9)
This bill:
- Authorizes an employee of, or a volunteer registered with, a specified law enforcement agency, to operate emergency equipment pursuant to this bill.
- Requires an employee or volunteer described above, in order to operate emergency equipment, to complete training that includes all of the following:
- A classroom portion of at least 16 hours taught by an instructor who meets or exceeds the standards adopted by the specified law enforcement agency for the operation of emergency equipment.
- A driver training portion of at least 14 hours that includes directly-supervised behind-the-wheel training by an instructor approved by the specified law enforcement agency, and who possesses a minimum of five years of experience as an emergency vehicle operator.
- A written emergency equipment operation examination.
- Requires instructors for the training program to meet both of the following requirements:
- Possess a valid California class A or class B license, or alternatively, possess a class C license having completed the emergency equipment operation training under this bill and possessing at least five years of experience operating emergency equipment.
- Be certified as a qualified training instructor or training officer by the State of California, the federal government, or a county training officers’ association.
- Requires a training program participant to possess a valid California class C license.
- Defines "emergency equipment," for purposes of this bill, to mean a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles that meets the definition of a class A or class B vehicle, as specified, subject to the following limitations:
- The motor vehicle shall not exceed 45 feet in length, and the towed vehicle, if applicable, shall not exceed 30,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or gross vehicle weight rating, whichever is greater.
- The motor vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, to and from a place where emergency equipment is repaired or repositioned, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by, or under the exclusive control of a specified law enforcement agency.
- Specifies that an authorized emergency vehicle that has been issued a license by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to operate in response to emergency calls is not "emergency equipment."
- Specifies that vehicles operated pursuant to this bill are not exempt from the provisions of Division 15 of the Vehicle Code, which, among other things, establishes requirements related to the size, weight, and load of vehicles.
- Expands the definition of a class C motor vehicle to include emergency equipment, as defined above, provided the equipment is operated by a person who has completed the emergency equipment training established by this bill.
COMMENTS:
- Purpose of the bill. According to the author, “While effective law enforcement and public safety protection often requires the use of specialized vehicles, many law enforcement staff and volunteers do not possess a class A or B driver license that would normally be required to operate this equipment. AB 1913 will allow law enforcement staff and volunteers to operate specified emergency equipment with a class C driver license having completed a rigorous course of training. This bill will protect public safety by allowing more qualified individuals to operate certain equipment without a specific type of commercial driver license without sacrificing training and education on the part of the operators.”
- Commercial driver’s licenses. In California a basic driver’s license is known as a class C driver’s license. With it a driver can operate a standard vehicle or truck for personal use on California roadways. It also allows for towing smaller, lighter weight trailers not for compensation. In order to operate or tow larger vehicles and trailers, a driver needs a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Federal law requires each state to have minimum standards for licensing of commercial drivers. California has developed licensing and testing requirements for drivers of commercial vehicles that equal or exceed federal standards. There are three classes of CDLs:
- Commercial A: Any legal combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Commercial B: Any single vehicle with a GVWR of more than 26,000 pounds, any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR, or a 3-axle vehicle weighing over 6,000 pounds.
- Commercial C: Used for the operation of buses with a GVWR of 26,000 pounds or less, to transport hazardous materials, and used to transport large tanks carrying liquids or gaseous materials.
Getting a CDL can be an arduous process that involves a knowledge test, medical examination, driver’s history check, identity verification, permit process, skills test (including a road test), minimum hours of behind-the-wheel training, payment of various fees, and the successful completion of Entry Level Driver Training conducted by a registered training provider.[1] The California State Sheriffs’ Association, the sponsors of this bill, contend that some law enforcement agencies struggle to find employees and volunteers with CDLs to operate or tow emergency equipment which falls into the CDL category.
- This bill is modeled after the firefighter endorsement. In order to avoid the arduous CDL process for the operation of firefighting equipment, the Legislature passed AB 1648 (Jeffries, Chapter 360) in 2010. That bill created California’s firefighter endorsement, which is a special certification added to a driver’s license that authorizes employees or volunteers of fire departments to drive firefighting equipment that would typically require a class A or B CDL. To qualify for a firefighter endorsement, an applicant must meet specific training, testing, and employment requirements.
- Operating emergency equipment for a law enforcement agency. Similar to fire departments, some law enforcement agencies rely on employees and volunteers to operate the departments’ large emergency equipment, but struggle to find employees and volunteers with CDLs. According to the California State Sheriffs’ Association, “[t]hese employees and volunteers may be asked to operate specialty equipment including mobile command posts and vehicles that transport other equipment on heavy trailers. Much of this equipment ordinarily requires an operator to possess a class A or B driver license, which reduces the pool of people available to operate this equipment and subsequently respond. Sheriffs’ offices struggle with recruiting sworn and non-sworn personnel (volunteers), especially those with class A or B driver licenses.” Supporters of the bill also emphasize that smaller, resource-constrained law enforcement agencies in particular struggle to recruit individuals with CDLs.
Under this bill, law enforcement agency employees and volunteers would be able to complete a classroom and behind-the-wheel training program, and subsequent examination, to allow them to operate the agency’s emergency equipment. Emergency equipment is defined as vehicles that meet the definition of a class A or class B vehicle (see CDL classification above), with the following limitations:
- The motor vehicle may not exceed 45 feet in length and the towed vehicle, if applicable, may not exceed 30,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or gross vehicle weight rating, whichever is greater; and,
- The motor vehicle must be used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, to travel to and from a place where the emergency equipment is repaired or repositioned, or to transport equipment that is used in an emergency situation and that is owned or leased by a law enforcement agency.
- Training requirements. This bill lays out specific training requirements an applicant must meet to qualify to operate the emergency equipment. The training must include:
- A classroom portion of at least 16 hours taught by an instructor who meets or exceeds the standards adopted by the law enforcement agency for the operation of emergency equipment.
- A driver training portion of at least 14 hours that includes directly-supervised behind-the-wheel training by an instructor approved by the law enforcement agency who possesses a minimum of five years of experience as an emergency vehicle operator.
- A written emergency equipment operation examination.
The instructors for the training program must possess a valid California class A or class B commercial driver’s license, or, alternatively, they can have a class C license with the certification authorized under this bill if they possess at least five years of experience operating emergency equipment. Additionally, instructors must be certified as a qualified training instructor or officer by the state, federal government, or a county training officers’ association.
- Double referral. This bill has been double referred to the Senate Public Safety Committee.
Related/previous Legislation:
SB 287 (Grove, Chapter 610, Statutes of 2021) – Authorized drivers with a class C driver's license with a trailer endorsement to tow a trailer between 10,000 and 15,000 pounds gross vehicle weight using a gooseneck trailer hitch if the towing is not for compensation or commercial purposes and the vehicle used to tow the vehicle is a two axle-vehicle with a combined gross vehicle weight rating of less than 26,000 pounds.
AB 2438 (Lowenthal, Chapter 97, Statutes of 2014) – Allowed an individual who is training a firefighter how to use firefighting equipment (e.g., to drive a fire engine) to possess a class C license with a firefighter endorsement, provided they meet all other statutory requirements
AB 82 (Jeffries, Chapter 92, Statutes of 2011) – Required a person who operates firefighting equipment to obtain either a class A or B license as appropriate for the size and configuration of the firefighting equipment or a class C license, a restricted class A license, or a noncommercial class B license with a firefighter endorsement.
AB 1648 (Jeffries, Chapter 360, Statutes of 2010) – Changed the type of driver’s license required to operate firefighting equipment from a class A or B commercial driver’s license or a restricted firefighting license to a class C license with a firefighter endorsement and allows a person without such an endorsement to operate firefighting equipment for training purposes during non-emergencies provided the driver is accompanied by a properly licensed driver.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:
POSITIONS: (Communicated to the committee before noon on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.)
SUPPORT:
California State Sheriffs' Association (source)
California Police Chiefs Association
OPPOSITION:
None received.
-- END --
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
ATR Bill Id:AB 1913
Author:(Soria)
As Amended Ver:May 7, 2026
Majority vote
SUMMARY
Authorizes an employee or volunteer registered with a specified law enforcement agency to operate emergency equipment if they complete an emergency equipment training.
Major Provisions
- Authorizes an employee of, or a volunteer registered with, a specified law enforcement agency, to operate emergency equipment pursuant to this bill.
- Requires an employee or volunteer described above, in order to operate emergency equipment, to complete training that includes all of the following:
- A classroom portion of at least 16 hours taught by an instructor who meets or exceeds the standards adopted by the specified law enforcement agency for the operation of emergency equipment.
- A driver training portion of at least 14 hours that includes directly-supervised behind-the-wheel training by an instructor approved by the specified law enforcement agency, and who possesses a minimum of five years of experience as an emergency vehicle operator.
- A written emergency equipment operation examination.
- Requires instructors for the training program to meet both of the following requirements:
- Possess a valid California class A or class B license, or alternatively, possess a class C license having completed the emergency equipment operation training under this bill and possessing at least five years of experience operating emergency equipment.
- Be certified as a qualified training instructor or training officer by the State of California, the federal government, or a county training officers’ association.
- Requires a training program participant to possess a valid California class C license.
- Defines "emergency equipment," for purposes of this bill, to mean a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles that meets the definition of a class A or class B vehicle, as specified, subject to the following limitations:
- The motor vehicle shall not exceed 45 feet in length, and the towed vehicle, if applicable, shall not exceed 30,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or gross vehicle weight rating, whichever is greater.
- The motor vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, to and from a place where emergency equipment is repaired or repositioned, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by, or under the exclusive control of a specified law enforcement agency.
- Specifies that an authorized emergency vehicle that has been issued a license by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to operate in response to emergency calls is not "emergency equipment."
- Specifies that vehicles operated pursuant to this bill are not exempt from the provisions of Division 15 of the Vehicle Code, which, among other things, establishes requirements related to the size, weight, and load of vehicles.
- Expands the definition of a class C motor vehicle to include emergency equipment, as defined above, provided the equipment is operated by a person who has completed the emergency equipment training established by this bill.
COMMENTS
According to the Author
"While effective law enforcement and public safety protection often requires the use of specialized vehicles, many law enforcement staff and volunteers do not possess a class A or B driver license that would normally be required to operate this equipment. AB 1913 will allow law enforcement staff and volunteers to operate specified emergency equipment with a class C driver license having completed a rigorous course of training. This bill will protect public safety by allowing more qualified individuals to operate certain equipment without a specific type of commercial driver license without sacrificing training and education on the part of the operators."
Arguments in Support
According to the California State Sheriffs' Association, the sponsor of this bill, AB 1913, "would allow law enforcement employees and volunteers to operate specified emergency equipment with a class C driver license after having completed classroom and behind-the-wheel training.
"In many counties, deputy sheriffs and sheriff's office volunteers are often among the first to be called to emergency scenes, including wildfires, search and rescues, vehicle accidents, and natural disasters. Special equipment is normally needed to mitigate the effects of these emergency incidents and save lives. These employees and volunteers may be asked to operate specialty equipment including mobile command posts and vehicles that transport other equipment on heavy trailers. Much of this equipment ordinarily requires an operator to possess a class A or B driver license, which reduces the pool of people available to operate this equipment and subsequently respond. Sheriffs' offices struggle with recruiting sworn and non-sworn personnel (volunteers), especially those with class A or B driver licenses.
"AB 1913 creates a common-sense solution to this problem. The bill allows employees or volunteers who have a class C license and complete classroom education and behind-the-wheel training provided by trained instructors to operate certain types of equipment in specified situations without having to obtain a class A or B license. This approach also carries the benefit of ensuring operators are trained and experienced without creating expensive new licensing or certification burdens on state agencies."
Arguments in Opposition
None submitted.
FISCAL COMMENTS
According to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations, "Negligible state costs."
VOTES
ASM PUBLIC SAFETY: 9-0-0
YES: Schultz, Alanis, Mark González, Haney, Harabedian, Lackey, Nguyen, Ramos, Sharp-Collins
ASM TRANSPORTATION: 15-0-1
YES: Wilson, Davies, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Carrillo, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Jackson, Lackey, Macedo, Papan, Ransom, Rogers, Sharp-Collins
ABS, ABST OR NV: Ávila Farías
ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 14-0-1
YES: Wicks, Hoover, Aguiar-Curry, Caloza, Dixon, Fong, Mark González, Krell, Pacheco, Pellerin, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Ta, Tangipa
ABS, ABST OR NV: Arambula
UPDATED
VERSION: May 7, 2026
CONSULTANT: Ilan Zur / PUB. S. / (916) 319-3744 FN: 0002553
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
ATR Bill Id:AB 1913
Author:(Soria)
As Amended Ver:May 7, 2026
Majority vote
SUMMARY
Authorizes an employee or volunteer registered with a specified law enforcement agency to operate emergency equipment if they complete an emergency equipment training.
Major Provisions
- Authorizes an employee of, or a volunteer registered with, a specified law enforcement agency, to operate emergency equipment pursuant to this bill.
- Requires an employee or volunteer described above, in order to operate emergency equipment, to complete training that includes all of the following:
- A classroom portion of at least 16 hours taught by an instructor who meets or exceeds the standards adopted by the specified law enforcement agency for the operation of emergency equipment.
- A driver training portion of at least 14 hours that includes directly-supervised behind-the-wheel training by an instructor approved by the specified law enforcement agency, and who possesses a minimum of five years of experience as an emergency vehicle operator.
- A written emergency equipment operation examination.
- Requires instructors for the training program to meet both of the following requirements:
- Possess a valid California class A or class B license, or alternatively, possess a class C license having completed the emergency equipment operation training under this bill and possessing at least five years of experience operating emergency equipment.
- Be certified as a qualified training instructor or training officer by the State of California, the federal government, or a county training officers' association.
- Requires a training program participant to possess a valid California class C license.
- Defines "emergency equipment," for purposes of the above, to mean a motor vehicle operated under a class A or class B driver's license (which includes a combination of vehicles if a towed vehicle has a gross weight exceeding 10,000 pounds, a vehicle towing more than one vehicle, a trailer bus, all class B and C vehicles, a vehicle with a gross weight exceeding 26,000 pounds, a single vehicle with three or more axles, as specified, a bus with a gross weight exceeding 26,000 pounds, except a trailer bus, a farm labor vehicle, a single vehicle with three or more axles or with a gross weight exceeding 26,000 pounds towing another vehicle with a gross weight of 10,000 or less, a house car over 40 feet, as specified, and all class C vehicles) that is used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, to and from a place where emergency equipment is repaired or repositioned or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by, or under the exclusive control of a specified law enforcement agency.
- Expands the definition of a class C motor vehicle to include emergency equipment, as defined above, provided the equipment is operated by a person who has completed the emergency equipment training established by this bill.
COMMENTS
According to the Author
"While effective law enforcement and public safety protection often requires the use of specialized vehicles, many law enforcement staff and volunteers do not possess a class A or B driver license that would normally be required to operate this equipment. AB 1913 will allow law enforcement staff and volunteers to operate specified emergency equipment with a class C driver license having completed a rigorous course of training. This bill will protect public safety by allowing more qualified individuals to operate certain equipment without a specific type of commercial driver license without sacrificing training and education on the part of the operators."
Arguments in Support
According to the California State Sheriffs' Association, the sponsor of this bill, AB 1913, "would allow law enforcement employees and volunteers to operate specified emergency equipment with a class C driver license after having completed classroom and behind-the-wheel training.
"In many counties, deputy sheriffs and sheriff's office volunteers are often among the first to be called to emergency scenes, including wildfires, search and rescues, vehicle accidents, and natural disasters. Special equipment is normally needed to mitigate the effects of these emergency incidents and save lives. These employees and volunteers may be asked to operate specialty equipment including mobile command posts and vehicles that transport other equipment on heavy trailers. Much of this equipment ordinarily requires an operator to possess a class A or B driver license, which reduces the pool of people available to operate this equipment and subsequently respond. Sheriffs' offices struggle with recruiting sworn and non-sworn personnel (volunteers), especially those with class A or B driver licenses.
"AB 1913 creates a common-sense solution to this problem. The bill allows employees or volunteers who have a class C license and complete classroom education and behind-the-wheel training provided by trained instructors to operate certain types of equipment in specified situations without having to obtain a class A or B license. This approach also carries the benefit of ensuring operators are trained and experienced without creating expensive new licensing or certification burdens on state agencies."
Arguments in Opposition
None submitted.
FISCAL COMMENTS
According to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations, "Negligible state costs."
VOTES
ASM PUBLIC SAFETY: 9-0-0
YES: Schultz, Alanis, Mark González, Haney, Harabedian, Lackey, Nguyen, Ramos, Sharp-Collins
UPDATED
VERSION: May 7, 2026
CONSULTANT: Ilan Zur / PUB. S. / (916) 319-3744 FN: 0002506
Date of Hearing: May 6, 2026
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Buffy Wicks, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1913
Author:(Soria) – As Amended Ver:April 14, 2026
Policy Committee: | Public Safety | Vote: | 9 - 0 |
Transportation | 15 - 0 | ||
|
|
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill authorizes an employee of, or volunteer registered with, a law enforcement agency to operate emergency equipment if the employee or volunteer has a valid class C driver license and has completed training on the operation of such vehicles, as specified by this bill.
Specifically, this bill establishes required components of such a training course—(1) a classroom portion of at least 16 hours taught by an instructor who meets or exceeds the standards adopted by the law enforcement agency for the operation of emergency equipment; (2) a driver training portion of at least 14 hours that includes directly supervised behind-the-wheel training by an instructor approved by law enforcement and who possesses a minimum of five years of experience as an emergency vehicle operator; and (3) a written emergency equipment operation examination. In addition, the bill requires an instructor of such a training course (1) possess (a) both a valid California class A or class B license, or, alternatively, a class C license, having completed the emergency equipment operation training described in this bill, and (b) at least five years of experience operating emergency equipment, and (2) be certified as a qualified training instructor or training officer by the State of California, the federal government or a county training officers’ association. A training program participant must possess a valid California class C license.
The bill defines emergency equipment as a motor vehicle operated under a class A, B or C driver’s license that is used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, to and from a place where emergency equipment is repaired or repositioned or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by or under the exclusive control of a law enforcement agency, and adds to the list of vehicles under a class C license emergency equipment, provided the equipment is operated by a person who has completed the emergency equipment training described in this bill.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Negligible state costs.
COMMENTS:
Existing law provides for various classes of driver licenses, issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Possession of a class A or a class B driver license generally qualifies a driver to operate larger commercial vehicles, whereas possession of a class C driver license generally qualifies a driver to operate smaller vehicles oftentimes referred to as passenger vehicles.
Law enforcement agencies report that those working in law enforcement operate emergency equipment that is relatively large and, in most circumstances, requires the driver to possess a class A or B license to legally operate the vehicle. However, law enforcement agencies note difficulty finding personnel that are trained and experienced to operate such large equipment. This is especially true of law enforcement agencies that oftentimes rely on non-sworn volunteers to respond to emergencies. Or, as described by the bill’s sponsor, the California State Sheriffs’ Association:
In many counties, deputy sheriffs and sheriff’s office volunteers are often among the first to be called to emergency scenes, including wildfires, search and rescues, vehicle accidents, and natural disasters. Special equipment is normally needed to mitigate the effects of these emergency incidents and save lives. These employees and volunteers may be asked to operate specialty equipment including mobile command posts and vehicles that transport other equipment on heavy trailers. Much of this equipment ordinarily requires an operator to possess a class A or B driver license, which reduces the pool of people available to operate this equipment and subsequently respond. Sheriffs’ offices struggle with recruiting sworn and non-sworn personnel (volunteers), especially those with class A or B driver licenses.
This bill provides a compromise solution between the needs of law enforcement and existing law, in that it allows a person working in law enforcement and in possession of a class C license to operate emergency equipment, but only if that person has completed specified training on operation of that equipment.
There is no opposition registered to this bill.
The author has proposed amendments to this bill that modify the bill’s definition of “emergency equipment,” so that the term, as defined by section 1 of the bill, will read:
(e)(1)For purposes of this section, “emergency equipment” means a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles that meets the definition of a class A or class B vehicle described in subdivision (b) of Section 12804.9, subject to the following limitations:
(A) The motor vehicle shall not exceed 45 feet in length and the towed vehicle, if applicable, shall not exceed 30,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or gross vehicle weight rating, whichever is greater.
(B) The motor vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, to and from a place where the emergency equipment is repaired or repositioned, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by, or under the exclusive control of a law enforcement agency described in Section 830.1 or 830.2 of the Penal Code.
(2) For purposes of this section, an authorized emergency vehicle that has been issued a license by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to operate in response to emergency calls is not “emergency equipment.”
(3) Vehicles operated pursuant to this section are not exempt from the provisions of Division 15 (commencing with Section 35000).
Analysis Prepared by: Jay Dickenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081
Date of Hearing: April 20, 2026
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Lori D. Wilson, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1913 (
Author:Soria) – As Amended Ver:March 19, 2026
SUBJECT: Licensure: emergency equipment
SUMMARY: Authorizes an employee or volunteer registered with a specified law enforcement agency to operate emergency equipment under a class C driver’s license if they have completed emergency equipment training. Specifically, this bill:
- Authorizes an employee of, or a volunteer registered with, a specified law enforcement agency, to operate emergency equipment pursuant to this bill.
- Requires an employee or volunteer described above, in order to operate emergency equipment, to complete training that includes all of the following:
- A classroom portion of at least 16 hours taught by an instructor who meets or exceeds the standards adopted by the specified law enforcement agency for the operation of emergency equipment.
- A driver training portion of at least 14 hours that includes directly-supervised behind-the-wheel training by an instructor approved by the specified law enforcement agency, and who possesses a minimum of five years of experience as an emergency vehicle operator.
- A written emergency equipment operation examination.
- Requires instructors for the training program to meet both of the following requirements:
- Possess a valid California class A or class B license, or alternatively, possess a class C license having completed the emergency equipment operation training under this bill and possessing at least five years of experience operating emergency equipment.
- Be certified as a qualified training instructor or training officer by the State of California, the federal government, or a county training officers’ association.
- Requires a training program participant to possess a valid California class C license.
- Defines “emergency equipment,” for purposes of the above, to mean a motor vehicle operated under a class A or class B driver’s license (which includes a combination of vehicles if a towed vehicle has a gross weight exceeding 10,000 pounds, a vehicle towing more than one vehicle, a trailer bus, all class B and C vehicles, a vehicle with a gross weight exceeding 26,000 pounds, a single vehicle with three or more axles, as specified, a bus with a gross weight exceeding 26,000 pounds, except a trailer bus, a farm labor vehicle, a single vehicle with three or more axles or with a gross weight exceeding 26,000 pounds towing another vehicle with a gross weight of 10,000 or less, a house car over 40 feet, as specified, and all class C vehicles) that is used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, to and from a place where emergency equipment is repaired or repositioned or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by, or under the exclusive control of a specified law enforcement agency.
- Expands the definition of a class C motor vehicle to include emergency equipment, as defined above, provided the equipment is operated by a person who has completed the emergency equipment training established by this bill.
EXISTING LAW:
- Requires an applicant for a driver’s license to submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the application desires a license to drive. (Vehicle Code (VEH) 12804.9(b))
- Provides that a class A vehicle includes the following: a combination of vehicles if a vehicle being towed has a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds, a vehicle towing more than one vehicle, a trailer bus, and the operation of all vehicles under class B and class C. (VEH 12804.9 (b)(1))
- Provides that a class B vehicle includes the following: a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds, single vehicle with three or more axles, as specified, a bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds, except a trailer bus, a farm labor vehicle, a single vehicle with three or more axles or a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, a house car over 40 feet in length, and the operation of all vehicles covered under class C. (VEH 12804.9 (b)(2).)
- Provides that a class C vehicle includes the following: a two-axle vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less, as specified, a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a trailer coach not exceeding 9,000 pounds, a house car of 40 feet in length or less, a three-axle vehicle weighing 6,000 pounds gross or less, a house car of 40 feet in length or less or a vehicle towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing either a trailer coach or a fifth-wheel travel trailer not exceeding 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, as specified, a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a fifth-wheel travel trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds, but not exceeding 15,000 pounds, as specified, a vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less, as specified, firefighting equipment, provided that the equipment is operated by a person who holds a firefighter endorsement, as specified; a motorized scooter, a bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less, except a trailer bus. (VEH 12804.9 (b)(3))
- Authorizes certain volunteer firefighters to operate firefighting equipment, as follows:
- Specifies that to operate firefighting equipment, a driver, including a till operator, must do either of the following:
- Obtain and maintain a class A or B license, as specified, and, as appropriate, for the size and configuration of the firefighting equipment operated. (VEH 12804.11 (a)(2))
- Obtain and maintain a firefighter endorsement issued by the DMV and obtain and maintain a class C license, a restricted class A license, as specified, or a noncommercial class B license, as specified. (VEH 12804.11 (a)(1))
- Provides that to qualify for a firefighter endorsement, the driver shall:
- Provide the DMV with proof of current employment as a firefighter or registration as a volunteer firefighter and evidence of fire equipment operation training, as specified, subject to the following:
- Evidence of fire equipment operation training means the applicant successfully completed Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator 1A taught by an instructor registered with the Office of the State Fire Marshal or fire department driver training that meets certain requirements, including at least 16 hours of classroom instruction and at least 14 hours of directly supervised behind-the-wheel driver training.
- Requires driver training to be conducted by a person who is registered with the Office of the State Fire Marshal to instruct a Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator 1A course, or by another person who possesses a minimum of five years of fire service experience, possesses a valid California class A or B license or a class A or B license restricted to the operation of firefighting equipment or a class C license with a firefighter endorsement, and is certified as a qualified training instructor or training officer, as specified.
- Pass the written firefighter examination developed by the DMV with the cooperation of the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
- Upon application and every two years thereafter, submit medical information on a form approved by the DMV. (VEH 12804.11(a) & (b))
- Provide the DMV with proof of current employment as a firefighter or registration as a volunteer firefighter and evidence of fire equipment operation training, as specified, subject to the following:
- Subjects a driver of firefighting equipment to the requirement to obtain a firefighter endorsement or a class A or B license, as specified, if both the following conditions exist:
- The equipment is operated by a person employed as a firefighter by a federal or state agency, by a regularly organized fire department of a city, county, city and county, or district, or by a tribal fire department or registered as a volunteer member of a regularly organized fire department having official recognition of the city, county, city and county, or district in which the department is located, or of a tribal fire department.
- The motor vehicle is used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation, and which is owned, leased, or rented by, or under the exclusive control of, a federal or state agency, a regularly organized fire department of a city, county, city and county, or district, a volunteer fire department having official recognition of the city, county, city and county, or district in which the department is located, or a tribal fire department. (VEH 12804.11(d))
- Defines “firefighting equipment” to mean a motor vehicle, that meets the definition of a class A or class B vehicle, that is used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation, and that is owned, leased, or rented by, or under the exclusive control of, a federal or state agency, a regularly organized fire department of a city, county, city and county, or district, or a volunteer fire department having official recognition of the city, county, city and county, or district in which the department is located. (VEH 12804.11(f))
- Specifies that to operate firefighting equipment, a driver, including a till operator, must do either of the following:
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown
COMMENTS: The California DMV issues various types of driver’s licenses based on vehicle type and purpose, mainly class C (standard), Commercial (class A, B, C), and Motorcycle (Class M1/M2). A class C is the standard driver’s license, and it is the most common license for driving cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, and some minivans. It allows driving 2-axle vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,000 lbs. or less.
A commercial driver’s license (CDL) is required for operating heavy vehicles (over 26,000 lbs.), passenger buses, or vehicles transporting hazardous materials. A class A CDL is required for combinations of vehicles (e.g., tractor-trailers) with a GVWR over 26,000 lbs., where the towed vehicle is over 10,000 lbs. A class B CDL is required for a single vehicle with a GVWR over 26,000 lbs. (e.g., box trucks, city buses, dump trucks). Finally, a class C CDL is used for vehicles transporting hazardous materials or designated passenger vehicles.
Most Californian’s have a class C driver’s license. However, much of the equipment needed when responding to an emergency situation requires a class A or B driver’s license. This type of equipment may include heavy trailers or specialty equipment such as snowcats/ bearcat which ordinarily require an operator to possess a class A or B driver license. This requirement can reduce the pool of people available to operate this equipment and subsequently respond. Sheriffs’ offices struggle with recruiting sworn and non-sworn (volunteers) personnel, especially those with class A or B driver licenses.
Current law permits volunteer firefighters to operate certain firefighting equipment with a class C license that would ordinarily require a class A and B driver’s license if they complete specified training. This training allows these volunteers to receive a firefighter endorsement, which accompanies a class C driver license, in lieu of a class A or B driver license.
Similar to the firefighter endorsement framework, the training in this bill must include 16 hours of classroom instruction taught by an instructor who meets the standards adopted by the law enforcement agency, 14 hours of directly supervised behind-the-wheel training by an approved instructor with at least five years of experience as an emergency vehicle operator, and a written emergency equipment operation examination. Training instructors must possess a valid class A or B license, or a class C license if they have completed the emergency equipment operation training established by this bill and possess at least five years of experience operating emergency equipment. Additionally, instructors must be certified as a qualified training instructor or officer by the state, federal government, or a county training officers’ association.
Committee comments. Emergency situations arise without notice. Law enforcement agencies may not always have a staff person who possesses a class A or B license present at the time of an emergency. In addition, it can be challenging for law enforcement agencies to recruit sworn personnel and volunteers with class A and B driver’s licenses.
This bill creates an alternative avenue for employees or volunteers with law enforcement agencies to become qualified to operate emergency equipment through training rather than obtaining a class A or B license. This would expand the pool of eligible drivers within a law enforcement agency to transport certain heavy-duty vehicles to and from the scene of an emergency.
According to the author. “While effective law enforcement and public safety protection often requires the use of specialized vehicles, many law enforcement staff and volunteers do not possess a class A or B driver license that would normally be required to operate this equipment. AB 1913 will allow law enforcement staff and volunteers to operate specified emergency equipment with a class C driver license having completed a rigorous course of training. This bill will protect public safety by allowing more qualified individuals to operate certain equipment without a specific type of commercial driver license without sacrificing training and education on the part of the operators.”
Arguments in support. According to the sponsor’s of this bill, the California State Sheriffs’ Association states, “In many counties, deputy sheriffs and sheriff’s office volunteers are often among the first to be called to
emergency scenes, including wildfires, search and rescues, vehicle accidents, and natural disasters. Special equipment is normally needed to mitigate the effects of these emergency incidents and save lives. These employees and volunteers may be asked to operate specialty equipment including mobile command posts and vehicles that transport other equipment on heavy trailers. Much of this equipment ordinarily requires an operator to possess a class A or B driver license, which reduces the pool of people available to operate this equipment and subsequently respond. Sheriffs’ offices struggle with recruiting sworn and non-sworn personnel (volunteers), especially those with class A or B driver licenses.”
“AB 1913 creates a common-sense solution to this problem. The bill allows employees or volunteers who have a class C license and complete classroom education and behind-the-wheel training provided by trained instructors to operate certain types of equipment in specified situations without having to obtain a class A or B license. This approach also carries the benefit of ensuring operators are trained and experienced without creating expensive new licensing or certification burdens on state agencies.”
Previous and related legislation. SB 287 (Grove), Chapter 610, Statutes of 2021, authorized drivers with a class C driver's license with a trailer endorsement to tow a trailer between 10,000 and 15,000 pounds gross vehicle weight using a gooseneck trailer hitch if the towing is not for compensation or commercial purposes and the vehicle used to tow the vehicle is a two axle-vehicle with a combined gross vehicle weight rating of less than 26,000 pounds.
AB 2438 (Lowenthal), Chapter 97, Statutes of 2014, allowed an individual who is training a firefighter how to use firefighting equipment (e.g., to drive a fire engine) to possess a class C license with a firefighter endorsement, provided they meet all other statutory requirements
AB 82 (Jeffries), Chapter 92, Statutes of 2011, required a person who operates firefighting equipment to obtain either a class A or B license as appropriate for the size and configuration of the firefighting equipment or a class C license, a restricted class A license, or a noncommercial class B license with a firefighter endorsement.
AB 1648 (Jeffries), Chapter 360, Statutes of 2010, changed the type of driver’s license required to operate firefighting equipment from a class A or B commercial driver’s license or a restricted firefighting license to a class C license with a firefighter endorsement and allows a person without such an endorsement to operate firefighting equipment for training purposes during non-emergencies provided the driver is accompanied by a properly licensed driver.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
California State Sheriffs' Association (sponsor)
California Police Chiefs Association
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by: Aaron Kurz / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093
Date of Hearing:
Counsel: Ilan Zur
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON
Nick Schultz, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:
Author:() – As Ver:
As Proposed to be Amended in Committee
SUMMARY:
Authorizes an employee or volunteer registered with a specified law enforcement agency to operate emergency equipment if they complete an emergency equipment training. Specifically, this bill:
- Authorizes an employee of, or a volunteer registered with, a specified law enforcement agency, to operate emergency equipment pursuant to this bill.
- Requires an employee or volunteer described above, in order to operate emergency equipment, to complete training that includes all of the following:
- A classroom portion of at least 16 hours taught by an instructor who meets or exceeds the standards adopted by the specified law enforcement agency for the operation of emergency equipment.
- A driver training portion of at least 14 hours that includes directly-supervised behind-the-wheel training by an instructor approved by the specified law enforcement agency, and who possesses a minimum of five years of experience as an emergency vehicle operator.
- A written emergency equipment operation examination.
- Requires instructors for the training program to meet both of the following requirements:
- Possess a valid California class A or class B license, or alternatively, possess a class C license having completed the emergency equipment operation training under this bill and possessing at least five years of experience operating emergency equipment.
- Be certified as a qualified training instructor or training officer by the State of California, the federal government, or a county training officers’ association.
- Requires a training program participant to possess a valid California class C license.
- Defines “emergency equipment,” for purposes of the above, to mean a motor vehicle operated under a class A or class B driver’s license (which includes a combination of vehicles if a towed vehicle has a gross weight exceeding 10,000 pounds, a vehicle towing more than one vehicle, a trailer bus, all class B and C vehicles, a vehicle with a gross weight exceeding 26,000 pounds, a single vehicle with three or more axles, as specified, a bus with a gross weight exceeding 26,000 pounds, except a trailer bus, a farm labor vehicle, a single vehicle with three or more axles or with a gross weight exceeding 26,000 pounds towing another vehicle with a gross weight of 10,000 or less, a house car over 40 feet, as specified, and all class C vehicles) that is used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, to and from a place where emergency equipment is repaired or repositioned or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by, or under the exclusive control of a specified law enforcement agency.
- Expands the definition of a class C motor vehicle to include emergency equipment, as defined above, provided the equipment is operated by a person who has completed, or is currently participating in, the emergency equipment training established by this bill.
EXISTING LAW:
- Requires an applicant for a driver’s license to submit to an examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the application desires a license to drive. (Veh. Code, § 12804.9, subd. (b).)
- Provides that a class A vehicle includes the following: a combination of vehicles if a vehicle being towed has a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds, a vehicle towing more than one vehicle, a trailer bus, and the operation of all vehicles under class B and class C. (Veh. Code, § 12804.9, subd. (b)(1).)
- Provides that a class B vehicle includes the following: a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds, single vehicle with three or more axles, as specified, a bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds, except a trailer bus, a farm labor vehicle, a single vehicle with three or more axles or a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, a house car over 40 feet in length, and the operation of all vehicles covered under class C. (Veh. Code, § 12804.9, subd. (b)(2).)
- Provides that a class C vehicle includes the following: a two-axle vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less, as specified, a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a trailer coach not exceeding 9,000 pounds, a house car of 40 feet in length or less, a three-axle vehicle weighing 6,000 pounds gross or less, a house car of 40 feet in length or less or a vehicle towing another vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing either a trailer coach or a fifth-wheel travel trailer not exceeding 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, as specified, a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a fifth-wheel travel trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds, but not exceeding 15,000 pounds, as specified, a vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less, as specified, firefighting equipment, provided that the equipment is operated by a person who holds a firefighter endorsement, as specified; a motorized scooter, a bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less, except a trailer bus. (Veh. Code, § 12804.9, subd. (b)(3).)
- Authorizes certain volunteer firefighters to operate firefighting equipment, as follows:
- Specifies that to operate firefighting equipment, a driver, including a till operator, must do either of the following:
- Obtain and maintain a class A or B license, as specified, and, as appropriate, for the size and configuration of the firefighting equipment operated. (Veh. Code, § 12804.11, subd. (a)(2).)
- Obtain and maintain a firefighter endorsement issued by the DMV and obtain and maintain a class C license, a restricted class A license, as specified, or a noncommercial class B license, as specified. (Veh. Code, § 12804.11, subd. (a)(1).)
- Provides that to qualify for a firefighter endorsement, the driver shall:
- Provide the DMV with proof of current employment as a firefighter or registration as a volunteer firefighter and evidence of fire equipment operation training, as specified, subject to the following:
- Evidence of fire equipment operation training means the applicant successfully completed Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator 1A taught by an instructor registered with the Office of the State Fire Marshal or fire department driver training that meets certain requirements, including at least 16 hours of classroom instruction and at least 14 hours of directly supervised behind-the-wheel driver training.
- Requires driver training to be conducted by a person who is registered with the Office of the State Fire Marshal to instruct a Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator 1A course, or by another person who possesses a minimum of five years of fire service experience, possesses a valid California class A or B license or a class A or B license restricted to the operation of firefighting equipment or a class C license with a firefighter endorsement, and is certified as a qualified training instructor or training officer, as specified.
- Pass the written firefighter examination developed by the DMV with the cooperation of the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
- Upon application and every two years thereafter, submit medical information on a form approved by the DMV. (Veh. Code, § 12804.11, subds. (a) & (b).)
- Provide the DMV with proof of current employment as a firefighter or registration as a volunteer firefighter and evidence of fire equipment operation training, as specified, subject to the following:
- Subjects a driver of firefighting equipment to the requirement to obtain a firefighter endorsement or a class A or B license, as specified, if both the following conditions exist:
- The equipment is operated by a person employed as a firefighter by a federal or state agency, by a regularly organized fire department of a city, county, city and county, or district, or by a tribal fire department or registered as a volunteer member of a regularly organized fire department having official recognition of the city, county, city and county, or district in which the department is located, or of a tribal fire department.
- The motor vehicle is used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation, and which is owned, leased, or rented by, or under the exclusive control of, a federal or state agency, a regularly organized fire department of a city, county, city and county, or district, a volunteer fire department having official recognition of the city, county, city and county, or district in which the department is located, or a tribal fire department. (Veh. Code, § 12804.11, subd. (d).)
- Defines “firefighting equipment” to mean a motor vehicle, that meets the definition of a class A or class B vehicle, that is used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation, and that is owned, leased, or rented by, or under the exclusive control of, a federal or state agency, a regularly organized fire department of a city, county, city and county, or district, or a volunteer fire department having official recognition of the city, county, city and county, or district in which the department is located. (Veh. Code, § 12804.11, subd. (f).)
- Specifies that to operate firefighting equipment, a driver, including a till operator, must do either of the following:
- Defines an authorized emergency vehicle to mean any publicly owned vehicle operated by any federal, state, or local agency, department, or district employing peace officers as defined, for use by those officers in the performance of their duties (Veh. Code, § 165, subd. (b)(1).)
- Provides that a public employee is not liable for civil damages on account of personal injury to or death of any person or damage to property resulting from the operation, in the line of duty, of an authorized emergency vehicle while responding to an emergency call or when in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm or other emergency call. (Veh. Code, § 17004.)
- States that the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle is exempt from a variety of specified Vehicle Code requirements, under all of the following conditions:
- If the vehicle is being driven in response to an emergency call or while engaged in rescue operations or is being used in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law or is responding to, but not returning from, a fire alarm, except that fire department vehicles are exempt whether directly responding to an emergency call or operated from one place to another as rendered desirable or necessary by reason of an emergency call and operated to the scene of the emergency or operated from one fire station to another or to some other location by reason of the emergency call.
- If the driver of the vehicle sounds a siren as may be reasonably necessary and the vehicle displays a lighted red lamp visible from the front as a warning to other drivers and pedestrians. (Veh. Code, § 21055.)
- Requires that every authorized emergency vehicle to be equipped with at least one steady burning red warning lamp visible from at least 1,000 feet to the front of the vehicle, as specified, and provides that emergency vehicles may display revolving, flashing, or steady red warning lights to the front, sides or rear of the vehicles. (Veh. Code, § 25252.)
- Authorizes an authorized emergency vehicle, where the vehicle is being driven in response to an emergency call, as specified, and the driver sounds a siren and displays a lighted red lamp, to display a flashing white light from a gaseous discharge lamp designed and used for the purpose of controlling official traffic control signals. (Veh. Code, § 25258, subd. (a).)
- Authorizes an authorized emergency vehicle used by a specified peace officer or probation officer, in the performance of the peace officer’s duties, to additionally display a steady or flashing blue warning light visible from the front, sides, or rear of the vehicle. (Veh. Code, § 25258, subd. (b)(1).)
- Requires a probation officer, before they operate an emergency vehicle with a blue warning light, to complete a four-hour classroom training course regarding the operation of emergency vehicles that is certified by the Standards and Training for Corrections Division of the Board of State and Community Corrections, however, this does not expand any existing authority of a probation officer to conduct a high-speed vehicle pursuit or change any existing training requirements for high-speed vehicle pursuits.. (Veh. Code, § 25258, subd. (b)(2)-(3).)
FISCAL EFFECT:
Unknown
COMMENTS:
- Author's Statement: According to the author, "While effective law enforcement and public safety protection often requires the use of specialized vehicles, many law enforcement staff and volunteers do not possess a class A or B driver license that would normally be required to operate this equipment. AB 1913 will allow law enforcement staff and volunteers to operate specified emergency equipment with a class C driver license having completed a rigorous course of training. This bill will protect public safety by allowing more qualified individuals to operate certain equipment without a specific type of commercial driver license without sacrificing training and education on the part of the operators.”
- Effect of this Bill: This bill is largely modelled after the framework that permits volunteer firefighters to operate class A and B equipment. Currently, certain volunteer firefighters are permitted to operate firefighting equipment if they complete certain training. Firefighting equipment means class A or B vehicles that are used to travel to and from an emergency situation, as specified, that is owned, leased, or under the exclusive control of a federal, state, or local agency, a fire department, or an officially recognized volunteer fire department. (Veh. Code, § 12804.11, subd. (f).) In order to operate such equipment, a driver must either obtain and maintain a class A or B license, or obtain and maintain a firefighter endorsement issued by the DMV, and obtain and maintain a class C license, among other license options. (Veh. Code, § 12804.11, subd. (a)(1).) To qualify for a firefighter endorsement, the driver must provide the DMV with: 1) proof of employment as a firefighter or volunteer firefighter and evidence of fire equipment operation training (which includes, among other things, at least 16 hours of classroom instruction and at least 14 hours of directly supervised behind-the-wheel driver training); 2) pass the written firefighter examination; and 3) submit medical information on a form approved by the DMV. (Veh. Code, § 12804.11, subds. (a) & (b).)
This bill authorizes an employee or volunteer registered with certain law enforcement agencies to operate emergency equipment if they complete an emergency equipment training. Similar to the firefighter endorsement framework, the training must include 16 hours of classroom instruction taught by an instructor who meets the standards adopted by the law enforcement agency, 14 hours of directly supervised behind-the-wheel training by an approved instructor with at least five years of experience as an emergency vehicle operator, and a written emergency equipment operation examination. Training instructors must possess a valid class A or B license, or a class C license if they have completed the emergency equipment operation training established by this bill and possess at least five years of experience operating emergency equipment. Additionally, instructors must be certified as a qualified training instructor or officer by the State, federal government, or a county training officers’ association.
This creates an avenue for employees or volunteers with law enforcement agencies to transport certain heavy-duty vehicles to and from the scene of an emergency. Specifically, it would authorize such persons to operate emergency vehicles to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, to and from a place where emergency equipment is repaired or repositioned, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by, or under the exclusive control of a specified law enforcement agency. In terms of the type of vehicles this would apply to, it would encompass a combination of vehicles if a towed vehicle has a gross weight exceeding 10,000 pounds, a vehicle towing more than one vehicle, a trailer bus, all class B and C vehicles, a vehicle with a gross weight exceeding 26,000 pounds, a single vehicle with three or more axles, as specified, a bus with a gross weight exceeding 26,000 pounds, except a trailer bus, a farm labor vehicle, a single vehicle with three or more axles or with a gross weight exceeding 26,000 pounds towing another vehicle with a gross weight of 10,000 or less, a house car over 40 feet, as specified, and all class C vehicles.
Lastly, this bill expands the definition of a class C motor vehicle to include emergency equipment, as defined above, provided the equipment is operated by a person who has completed, or is currently participating in, the emergency equipment training established by this bill. The author may wish to clarify, consistent with the firefighter endorsement framework, that this only applies to equipment operated by persons who have actually completed the training. Persons currently participating in the training may not have been sufficiently trained to use such equipment.
Additionally, the author may wish to clarify this bill’s application to “an employee of, or a volunteer registered with, a law enforcement agency, as defined in Section 830.1 or 830.2.” Penal Code sections 830.1 and 830.2 describe which category of persons are considered peace officers under California law. While there are references to the agencies that employ such persons, those sections are largely focused on particular persons who are peace officers, and do not clearly define “law enforcement agency.”
- Argument in Support: According to the California State Sheriffs’ Association, AB 1913, “would allow law enforcement employees and volunteers to operate specified emergency equipment with a class C driver license after having completed classroom and behind-the-wheel training.
“In many counties, deputy sheriffs and sheriff’s office volunteers are often among the first to be called to emergency scenes, including wildfires, search and rescues, vehicle accidents, and natural disasters. Special equipment is normally needed to mitigate the effects of these emergency incidents and save lives. These employees and volunteers may be asked to operate specialty equipment including mobile command posts and vehicles that transport other equipment on heavy trailers. Much of this equipment ordinarily requires an operator to possess a class A or B driver license, which reduces the pool of people available to operate this equipment and subsequently respond. Sheriffs’ offices struggle with recruiting sworn and non-sworn personnel (volunteers), especially those with class A or B driver licenses.
“AB 1913 creates a common-sense solution to this problem. The bill allows employees or volunteers who have a class C license and complete classroom education and behind-the-wheel training provided by trained instructors to operate certain types of equipment in specified situations without having to obtain a class A or B license. This approach also carries the benefit of ensuring operators are trained and experienced without creating expensive new licensing or certification burdens on state agencies.”
- Argument in Opposition: None received.
- Prior Legislation:
- SB 349 (Archuleta), of the 2025-2026 Legislative Session, would have authorized parole officers to display blue warning lights from their emergency vehicles in the performance of their official duties if an officer completes a specified four-hour classroom training course certified by the Commission on Correctional Peace Officers Standards and Training. AB 349 was held in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
- SB 1021 (Archuleta), of the 2023-2024 Legislative Session, was substantially similar to SB 349. SB 1021 was held in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
- SB 287 (Grove), Chapter 610, Statutes of 2021, authorized drivers with a class C driver's license with a trailer endorsement to tow a trailer between 10,000 and 15,000 pounds gross vehicle weight using a gooseneck trailer hitch if the towing is not for compensation or commercial purposes and the vehicle used to tow the vehicle is a two axle-vehicle with a combined gross vehicle weight rating of less than 26,000 pounds.
- SB 587 (Atkins), Chapter 286, Statutes of 2017, authorized probation officers to display a blue warning light on their authorized emergency vehicles if the officer completes a four-hour training course regarding the operation of emergency vehicles certified by the Standards and Training for Corrections division of the Board of State and Community Corrections.
- AB 2438 (Lowenthal), Chapter 97, Statutes of 2014, allowed an individual who is training a firefighter how to use firefighting equipment (e.g., to drive a fire engine) to possess a class C license with a firefighter endorsement, provided they meet all other statutory requirements
- AB 82 (Jeffries), Chapter 92, Statutes of 2011, required a person who operates firefighting equipment to obtain either a class A or B license as appropriate for the size and configuration of the firefighting equipment or a class C license, a restricted class A license, or a noncommercial class B license with a firefighter endorsement.
- AB 1648 (Jeffries), Chapter 360, Statutes of 2010, changed the type of driver’s license required to operate firefighting equipment from a class A or B commercial driver’s license or a restricted firefighting license to a class C license with a firefighter endorsement and allows a person without such an endorsement to operate firefighting equipment for training purposes during non-emergencies provided the driver is accompanied by a properly licensed driver.
- SB 349 (Archuleta), of the 2025-2026 Legislative Session, would have authorized parole officers to display blue warning lights from their emergency vehicles in the performance of their official duties if an officer completes a specified four-hour classroom training course certified by the Commission on Correctional Peace Officers Standards and Training. AB 349 was held in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
California State Sheriffs' Association (Sponsor)
California Police Chiefs Association
Opposition
None submitted
Analysis Prepared by:
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):