Seat belts are mandatory in California. Additionally, all
children under the ages of six years old must be in an approved child
seat/restraint. Further, older children weighing less than 60 pounds are also
required to use a car seat. Fines for lack of seatbelt use are very high. All
motorcycle riders are required to wear helmets.
While residing in
California, all drivers must have valid California vehicle insurance regardless
of which state their vehicle is registered and regardless of which state the
driver is licensed.
The state minimums are $15,000 for bodily injury or
death of each person per single accident; $30,000 for bodily injury or death of
all persons as a result of one accident; and $5,000 for damage to property of
others as a result of one accident.
While stationed at Beale, active duty
personnel may keep their home-of-record state driver's license. It is important
to check with issuing state to ensure the license remains valid past its
expiration date. Non-military family members arriving from out of state will
need to change their licenses to California if they are seeking employment. They
must surrender their current license, pay a fee, and are given three
opportunities to pass a written test.
Individuals needing California
license plates who are not California residents may obtain a military exemption
form from Pass and Registration. The exemption significantly reduces the cost of
annual vehicle registration - often times it is less than the member's home of
record. Individuals may retain out of state license plates as long as they are
legal residents of the state in which the plates were obtained.
In all
cases the Rule of Three cannot be violated. An individual cannot have a driver's
license or license plate from one state, be a legal resident of another state
and physically reside in a third state. Ex: John Smith is a legal resident of
Virginia and he is stationed in California. He cannot have a Missouri driver's
license.
All vehicles registered in California are subject to emissions
testing provided the vehicle is newer than 1974. All vehicles operated on Beale
AFB will have to have a valid emission test to receive a base registration
decal. If you have a vehicle with a modified emission system, it will not pass
the emission test. You will be required to replace all factory emissions
equipment regardless of cost. Vehicles not registered in California must have
proof of compliance for emissions test from the state of registration or
California only if the vehicle model is older than four years.