The whole California file

CALIFORNIA FIELD FILE

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About this guide — education built from the California codes as the Legislative Counsel publishes them, not a law degree in a webpage. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed California attorney or a legal aid office. Current as of September 2026.

In California, a licensed driver keeps the valid license in immediate possession while driving on a highway and presents it for examination when a peace officer enforcing the Vehicle Code demands it. A charge of not having it is dismissed when the driver produces in court a license that was valid at the time, though on a third or later charge the court may choose not to.

Veh. Code 12951

A driver also provides evidence of financial responsibility for the vehicle on an officer's demand, when a notice to appear is issued for most Vehicle Code violations or after an accident, and may show it on a phone. An officer may not stop a vehicle only to check for insurance, and an officer shown a phone views only the proof and nothing else on the device.

Veh. Code 16028

Signing the notice to appear is a promise, not an admission, and it is what gets a driver released. For a Vehicle Code violation that is not a felony, the officer writes a notice to appear, and to be released the driver gives a written promise to appear by signing it. A driver without satisfactory identification may be asked to place a thumbprint on it. Once the driver signs, the officer releases the driver.

A driver who does not present a license or other satisfactory evidence of identity, together with an unobstructed view of the full face, is taken before a magistrate.
So is a driver who refuses to give a written promise to appear.
So is a driver who demands an immediate appearance before a magistrate.
So is a driver charged with driving under the influence.

Veh. Code 40302

Signing a promise to appear with a false or fictitious name is a misdemeanor, whatever happens to the original charge. A person who claims under penalty of perjury not to be the person cited may submit a thumbprint to the court for comparison with the one on the notice.

Veh. Code 40504

Sources for this section (5)

Veh. Code 12951 — Possession and display of a driver's license
Veh. Code 16028 — Evidence of financial responsibility on demand
Veh. Code 40500 — The written notice to appear and the promise to appear
Veh. Code 40504 — False signature or false information on a notice to appear
Veh. Code 40302 — When a person arrested for a Vehicle Code violation is taken before a magistrate

Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed California attorney.

CALIFORNIA FIELD FILE

Traffic stops

Being stopped

Marijuana and drugs

Impaired driving

Court and money

Your home

Recording

Carrying a firearm

Charges and penalties

How you carry yourself

Walk it through

CALIFORNIA FIELD FILE

Traffic stops

Traffic StopsVeh. Code 12951 — the license, proof of insurance, and the promise to appear▾

After A CrashVeh. Code 20001 — stop, give your information, help, and report▾

Open ContainerVeh. Code 23223 — driver and passenger, the trunk, and cannabis▾

Your Phone Behind The WheelVeh. Code 23123.5 — hands free, a mount, and one swipe or tap▾

Speed LimitsVeh. Code 22350 — the basic speed law, 65, 55 and 70▾

Car SeatsVeh. Code 27360 — under eight in the back seat, under two facing the rear▾

Driving While SuspendedVeh. Code 14601.1 — knowledge, a mailed notice, and five years▾

Being stopped

When You Must IdentifyPenal Code 148.9 — no general duty to name yourself, and no false name▾

Resisting And EvadingPenal Code 148 — resisting, delaying or obstructing, and fleeing in a car▾

Marijuana and drugs

Marijuana And DrugsHealth & Saf. Code 11362.1 — 28.5 grams at 21, and where it stops▾

Impaired driving

The DUI StopVeh. Code 23152 — 0.08, implied consent, and a choice of blood or breath▾

Public IntoxicationPenal Code 647(f) — unable to care for your own safety, and release without charges▾

Court and money

Getting The Deposit BackCiv. Code 1950.5 — 21 days, an itemized statement, and bad faith▾

Being EvictedCode Civ. Proc. 1161 — a written notice, a court case, and a sheriff's writ▾

When The Landlord Will Not Fix ItCiv. Code 1942 — notice, 30 days, and one month's rent▾

Getting PaidLab. Code 201 — the last check, 72 hours, and 30 days of waiting time pay▾

Getting Public RecordsGov. Code 7922.535 — a determination in 10 days, and 14 more in unusual circumstances▾

Small Claims CourtCode Civ. Proc. 116.221 — $12,500 for a person, no lawyers, and 30 days to appeal▾

Debt CollectorsCiv. Code 1788.11 — no threats, no obscenity, no calls meant to harass▾

What A Creditor Cannot TakeCode Civ. Proc. 706.050 — 20 percent of wages at most, and a protected bank balance▾

Unemployment BenefitsUnemp. Ins. Code 1256 — good cause, misconduct, and 30 days to appeal▾

Getting DivorcedFam. Code 2310 — irreconcilable differences, six months, and an equal division▾

Custody And Parenting TimeFam. Code 3011 — best interest, frequent contact, and a child of 14▾

Protective OrdersFam. Code 6345 — up to five years, renewable, and a misdemeanor to violate▾

Deceptive Business PracticesCiv. Code 1770 — the listed practices, 30 days' notice, and attorney's fees▾

Door To Door SalesCiv. Code 1689.6 — three business days to cancel, five for a senior▾

Old Debts And Time LimitsCode Civ. Proc. 337 — four years on a written contract, two on an oral one▾

Hurt At WorkLab. Code 5400 — notice in 30 days, a claim form in one working day▾

Discrimination At WorkGov. Code 12940 — five employees, three years to file, one year to sue▾

Your home

Reading A Search WarrantPenal Code 1525 — probable cause, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and 10 days▾

Recording

RecordingPenal Code 632 — all party consent for a confidential conversation, and police in public▾

Carrying a firearm

CarryingPenal Code 25400 — concealed, loaded, open, and the license▾

Charges and penalties

The Theft LadderPenal Code 487 — $950 is the line between petty and grand theft▾

Bail After An ArrestPenal Code 825 — a judge within 48 hours, and own recognizance on a misdemeanor▾

Minors And AlcoholBus. & Prof. Code 25662 — under 21, in public, $250 or community service▾

Assault And BatteryPenal Code 240 — the attempt, the touching, and a deadly weapon▾

Clearing A RecordPenal Code 1203.4 — dismissal after probation, and sealing an arrest▾

How you carry yourself

Disorderly ConductPenal Code 415 — fighting, loud noise, and offensive words▾

TrespassPenal Code 602 — told to leave, occupying without consent, and a home▾

Harassment And StalkingPenal Code 646.9 — a credible threat, and a restraining order for up to five years▾

Walk it through