Welcome to your daily briefing on automotive developments in California. Today we're covering 11 key stories including updates on california automotive headlines, california automotive updates, background & context. Let's dive in.
5 stories
New 2026 California DMV regulations introduce updated DUI penalties, ignition interlock mandates, and license suspension protocols.
Automotive professionals in CA must stay current with these regulatory shifts to advise clients accurately on compliance and vehicle operation restrictions.
The Autonomous Vehicles branch of the California DMV has established regulations governing the testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles on state roads to promote innovation and road safety.
Automotive professionals in CA can access the official regulatory framework required for compliance when developing or deploying autonomous vehicle technologies within the state.
Dealer 101 provides a checklist for California dealer licensing, including the mandatory DMV-approved Pre-Licensing Class and certificate of completion.
Automotive professionals in CA must complete this specific training requirement to obtain any type of dealer license in the state.
Quickly and easily find recalls for your vehicles in 3 simple steps.
Relevant to automotive professionals operating in CA.
This guide outlines the DMV requirements, application steps, and surety bond information needed to become a licensed wholesale auto dealer in California.
Automotive professionals in CA can use this resource to navigate the specific regulatory and financial prerequisites for operating a wholesale dealership in the state.
Reach professionals in this market
3 stories
A business or person submitting a comment to a proposed regulation or proposed amendment, or repeal of a regulation has the right to request a copy of the final statement of reasons.
Relevant to automotive professionals operating in CA.
You need a vehicle dealer license to sell new or used vehicles.
Relevant to automotive professionals operating in CA.
Contact: Office of Public Affairs2415 First AvenueSacramento, CA 95818(916) 657–6437 | dmvpublicaffairs@dmv.ca.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 26, 2025 Sacramento – The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today announced….
Relevant to automotive professionals operating in CA.
3 stories
Federal law prohibits the sale of new vehicles under an open recall; the rules vary for used vehicles by state. Several states now require dealers to disclose open recalls to used-car buyers and to repair recalled vehicles before sale. Compliance varies widely across regions.
Selling a vehicle with an undisclosed open recall produces consumer-protection exposure and, in some states, automatic rescission rights for the buyer. The cost is far higher than the recall repair would have been.
Floor-plan lenders perform unannounced inventory audits to verify that every financed vehicle is on the lot, in the condition reported, and not sold-out-of-trust. The audit cycle is typically monthly. Discrepancies — a vehicle not present without proof of sale and payoff — trigger acceleration of the entire credit line in many agreements.
Sold-out-of-trust findings can convert a manageable cash-flow gap into immediate demand for the entire floor-plan balance. Recovery from a single bad audit can take years.
A warranty is included in the purchase and obligates the seller; a service contract is sold separately and obligates a third-party administrator. The two are regulated differently — warranties under Magnuson-Moss federal law, service contracts under state insurance or specialty regulation. Misadvertising one as the other is a common consumer-protection issue.
Misrepresented coverage produces immediate refund liability for the contract price plus potential consumer-protection damages. Sales-floor scripts are the most common source.
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