California Code of Regulations
Title 13 - Motor Vehicles
Division 2 - Department of the California Highway Patrol
Chapter 6.5 - Motor Carrier Safety
Article 8 - General Equipment Requirements
Section 1256 - Identification

Universal Citation: 13 CA Code of Regs 1256

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) Vehicles and Combinations. Every motor vehicle other than a school bus, or at least one vehicle in every combination of vehicles exceeding a total length of 40 feet, shall display on both sides the name or trademark of the motor carrier under whose authority the vehicle or combination of vehicles is being operated or the name of the lessor or lessee thereof. Required markings shall contrast sharply with the background and shall be readily legible during daylight from a distance of 50 feet.

(1) If the name of any person other than the operating motor carrier appears on the vehicle, the name of the operating motor carrier must be preceded by the words "operated by."

(b) Carrier Identification (CA) Number. The carrier identification number assigned to the motor carrier pursuant to Section 1235.3 and under whose operating authority or motor carrier permit the vehicle or combination of vehicles is being operated shall be displayed on both sides of each vehicle, or on both sides of at least one motor vehicle in each combination of vehicles, preceded by the term "CA."

(1) Subdivision (b) does not apply to the following:
(A) A vehicle that displays a valid identification number assigned by the United States Secretary of the Department of Transportation.

(B) A vehicle that is regulated by, and that displays a valid operating authority number issued by, the Public Utilities Commission, including a household goods carrier as defined in Section 5109 of the Public Utilities Code.

(c) Hazardous Waste Transporters. Each vehicle in a combination of vehicles registered with the Department of Toxic Substances Control for the transportation of hazardous waste shall display on both sides the name or trademark of the hazardous waste transporter, as required by Section of Title 2266263.23(e) of Title 22 of this code.

(d) Passenger Stage Service. Buses and other vehicles operated in passenger stage service by a passenger stage corporation, and such vehicles operated by an entity receiving financial transit assistance from the state, shall display in the interior of such vehicles in clear view of passengers a notice prohibiting smoking in the vehicle. The notice shall be displayed as a symbol and in English, as required by Section 25949.2 of the Health and Safety Code.

(e) Farm Labor Vehicles. Every farm labor vehicle shall be identified as follows:

(1) Markings.
(A) The words "FARM LABOR VEHICLE" shall be displayed on each side of each farm labor vehicle in uppercase lettering on a sharply contrasting background. Letters shall be a minimum of 1.5 inches in height and clearly legible from a distance of 50 feet during daylight hours.

(B) The words "TO REPORT VIOLATIONS" in uppercase characters and the toll-free telephone number "1-800-TELL CHP" shall be displayed on the exterior on each side of each farm labor vehicle on a sharply contrasting background. Characters shall be a minimum of 1 inch in height and may be displayed on one or two lines.

(2) Interior Notice. A farm labor vehicle notice in English and Spanish, furnished by the department, shall be displayed in the interior of each farm labor vehicle in a location visible to the passengers. The required notice, Farm Labor Vehicle Notice, CHP 408C (New 12-99), shall be completed by an authorized employee of the department to indicate the maximum number of passengers the vehicle is permitted to transport and the vehicle license number. The notice shall also advise the reader of the toll-free departmental telephone number where violations relating to the operation of farm labor vehicles may be reported.

(f) Additional Identifying Information. Other identifying information may be displayed on the vehicle if it is not inconsistent with the information required by this section.

(g) Size, shape, location, and color of marking. The markings required by this section must:

(1) Appear on both sides of the motor vehicle;

(2) Be in letters that contrast sharply in color with the background on which the letters are placed;

(3) Be readily legible, during daylight hours, from a distance of 50 feet (15.24 meters) while the vehicle is stationary; and

(4) Be kept and maintained in a manner that retains the legibility required by subparagraph (3) of this paragraph.

(h) Construction and durability. The markings may be printed on the vehicle or may consist of a removable device, if that device meets the identification and legibility requirements of paragraph (g) of this section, and such marking must be maintained as required by paragraph (g)(4) of this section.

1. New subsection (b)(3)(D) filed 8-24-79; designated effective 10-1-79 (Register 79, No. 34).
2. Amendment of subsection (b)(1) filed 4-2-81; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 81, No. 14).
3. Amendment of subsection (b)(2) filed 5-15-81; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 81, No. 20).
4. Amendment of subsection (b)(3)(B) filed 4-27-83; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 83, No. 18).
5. Amendment of subsection (a) and repealer of subsection (c) filed 7-12-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 28).
6. New subsection (b)(3)(E) filed 10-31-86; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 86, No. 44).
7. Amendment filed 7-17-89; operative 8-16-89 (Register 89, No. 29).
8. Editorial correction adding text inadvertently omitted from printing (Register 91, No. 18).
9. Editorial correction of subsection (b)(3)(E)3. and restoring missing HISTORY 7. and renumbering former HISTORY 7. to current HISTORY 8. (Register 91, No. 31).
10. Repealer and new section filed 11-27-91; operative 12-27-91 (Register 92, No. 9).
11. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (a) filed 5-13-92 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 92, No. 20).
12. Amendment of subsections (b) and (c) and new subsections (d)-(d)(2) filed 7-3-2001; operative 8-2-2001 (Register 2001, No. 27).
13. Amendment filed 10-12-2010; operative 11-11-2010 (Register 2010, No. 42).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 31401 and 34501, Vehicle Code. Reference: Sections 31401, 34501 and 34507.5, Vehicle Code.

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