July 1, 2011 > New DMV laws go into effect July 1 New DMV laws go into effect July 1 Submitted By Fremont Police Department Organ Donation (SB 1395/Alquist) Language on DMV's applications will offer a driver license applicant an option to register as a prospective organ donor in the organ donor program or defer that decision to a later time. The change adds check boxes in the organ donor registration field of the application: "A" - Yes, add my name to the donor registry or "B" - I do not wish to register at this time. This ensures that failure to register as an organ donor is not simply an oversight. Local Traffic Ordinances (SB 949/Oropeza) To ensure that traffic convictions are recorded by the Department of Motor Vehicles, local authorities may not enact or enforce a local ordinance on any matter covered by the California Vehicle Code. High-Occupancy Vehicle Lanes (SB 535/Yee) Prior law permitting certain fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles to display yellow stickers and operate in HOV lanes with a single occupant expires July 1, 2011; white stickers issued to fully-electric and compressed natural gas vehicles are valid until January 1, 2015; and a third sticker, for plug-in hybrid vehicles will be issued and valid from January 1, 2012 until January 1, 2015. Coming in January 2012... Driving Under the Influence (AB 1601/Hill) Effective January 1, 2012, this bill authorizes a court to order a 10-year revocation of the driver license of a person convicted of a third or subsequent DUI violation, with possible reinstatement after five years if specified conditions are met. For more DMV information, go to http://www.dmv.ca.gov