SACRAMENTO – The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) reminds Californians about three laws designed to improve traffic safety that take effect July 1.

Private Carriers of Passengers (SB 19, Hill): This law transfers regulatory authority over the Private Carrier of Passengers Program from the California Public Utilities Commission to the DMV. A private carrier offers not-for-hire transportation services. Examples include a church bus and an employee shuttle. The DMV and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will administer this program jointly. The DMV is responsible for issuing certificates for intrastate authority and verifying proof of liability insurance, while CHP regulates compliance and the safe operation of the vehicles. The purpose of the Private Carrier of Passengers program is to ensure that private carriers transporting passengers in California are operating in a safe manner and maintain adequate insurance coverage.

Buses and Seatbelts (SB 20, Hill): This law requires passengers in a bus equipped with seat belts to be properly restrained. Children between the ages of 8 and 15 traveling on a bus must wear a seat belt or be in an appropriate restraint that meets federal safety standards. A violation is punishable by a fine. Traveling by bus is overall a safe mode of transportation. The DMV is supportive of efforts to increase traffic safety, and this law contributes to reducing highway deaths and injuries as a result of large bus crashes by requiring the use of seatbelts on motor coaches and large buses, and requiring bus operators to inform passengers of the seatbelt requirement.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Passenger for Hire (AB 2687, Achadjian): This law prohibits a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04 percent or more from transporting a passenger for hire. This lowers the legal limit from 0.08 to the same BAC standard for commercial drivers. The DMV wants to ensure the public understands drivers of passengers for hire will be held to a higher standard of safety while transporting people. The DMV will suspend a person’s driver license if a conviction is added to their record. Commercial driver license holders will receive a disqualification.

For more information about DMV’s online services, scheduling an appointment, applying for a federal compliant REAL ID driver license or identification card, visit www.dmv.ca.gov.