CHAPTER 1. Licensing [32000. - 32004.]

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH 1.

in effect

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 32000. Section 32000.

It is the intent of the Legislature, by enacting this division, that the public be provided additional protection through the licensing of motor carriers transporting hazardous material. The Department of the California Highway Patrol shall be authorized to inspect and license the motor carriers with special attention directed to the negligent operators or repeat violators.

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 32000.5. Section 32000.5.

(a) A motor carrier who directs the transportation of an explosive and a motor carrier who directs the transportation of a hazardous material, who is required to display placards pursuant to Section 27903, and a motor carrier who transports for a fee in excess of 500 pounds of hazardous materials of the type requiring placards pursuant to Section 27903, shall be licensed in accordance with this code, unless specifically exempted by this code or regulations adopted pursuant to this code. This license shall be available for examination and shall be displayed in accordance with the regulations adopted by the commissioner. (b) (1) Except as provided in Section 32001, this division shall not apply to a person hauling only hazardous waste, as defined in Section 25115 or 25117 of the Health and Safety Code, and who is registered pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 25163 of the Health and Safety Code or who is exempt from that registration pursuant to subdivision (b) of that section. (2) A motor carrier that is transporting a hazardous waste and is required to display placards pursuant to Section 27903 shall comply with all provisions of Section 32001 except paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of that section. (c) This division does not apply to implements of husbandry, as defined in Section 36000. (d) This division does not apply to the hauling of division 1.3 explosives classified as special fireworks or to division 1.4 explosives classified as common fireworks by the United States Department of Transportation if those fireworks are transported by a motor carrier under the authority of, and in conformance with, a license issued to the motor carrier by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Part 2 (commencing with Section 12500) of Division 11 of the Health and Safety Code. In that case, a copy of the license shall be carried in the vehicle and presented to a peace officer upon request. (e) (1) The department shall not issue a license to transport hazardous materials to a motor carrier unless each terminal from which hazardous materials carrying vehicles are operated is in compliance with Section 34501.12 and is currently rated satisfactory. (2) The department shall adopt rules and regulations that provide for a temporary license to transport hazardous materials for a carrier who, within the previous three years, has not been issued an unsatisfactory rating as a result of an inspection conducted pursuant to Section 34501, 34501.12, or 34520. (3) It is the intent of the Legislature that a carrier’s license to transport hazardous materials should not be unreasonably hindered as a result of the department’s verification and issuance process. (f) This section does not prevent the department from issuing a new or initial license to transport hazardous materials to a motor carrier that applies for a license to transport hazardous materials and that, within the previous three years, has been issued an unsatisfactory rating as a result of an inspection conducted pursuant to Section 34501, 34501.12, or 34520, if the motor carrier has corrected the unsatisfactory rating before applying for the license to transport hazardous materials.

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 32001. Section 32001.

(a) (1) Any authorized employee of the department may inspect any sealed or unsealed vehicle, container, or shipment subject to this division in maintenance facilities, terminals, or other public or private property to ascertain the quantity and kind of hazardous material and to ensure compliance with the provisions of this code and regulations adopted pursuant to this code. (2) If a seal is opened for inspection, the department shall reseal any vehicle, container, or shipment prior to further transportation. (b) Unless specifically stated, nothing contained in this division shall be deemed to exempt any vehicle transporting a hazardous material subject to this division or the operator or any other person from other provisions of this code. (c) No motor carrier shall direct the transportation of any shipment of a hazardous material in any vehicle unless all of the following are complied with: (1) The vehicle is equipped as required by this code and applicable regulations adopted pursuant to law. (2) The shipment complies with laws and regulations pertaining to the shipment or transportation of hazardous material. (3) The motor carrier holds a valid license for the transportation of hazardous materials. (4) (A) A vehicle or combination of vehicles required to display placards pursuant to Section 27903 is equipped with a two-way communication device, maintained in good working order, that enables the driver to contact the personnel responsible for the safety operations of the motor carrier in the event of an emergency. (B) For the purposes of this section, “two-way communication device” means a radio, cellular telephone, or other similar device that permits communication between the driver and personnel responsible for the safety operations of the motor carrier. (5) (A) The enclosed cargo body, when the display of placards is required pursuant to Section 27903, shall be locked and remain locked during transit of the hazardous materials so as to prevent any unauthorized entry and shall be opened only during loading, unloading, or at the direction of a peace officer, an authorized employee of the department, or a person authorized pursuant to Section 25185 of the Health and Safety Code. (B) A driver transporting hazardous material in a locked cargo body shall verify that all locks are in place if the vehicle has been left unattended for any length of time. Each driver shall make a notation in his or her log book of the time and date that the verification occurred. (C) For the purposes of this section, “cargo body” means a fully enclosed area that is an integral part of the vehicle and designed to encapsulate the entire load, such as a van body or an intermodal freight container, and does not mean a tank or flatbed type of vehicle. (d) The commissioner may issue exemptions from the provisions of this section. (e) Nothing in this section shall limit the ability of other state or local agencies to carry out their regulatory, enforcement, or emergency response duties under other provisions of law.

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 32002. Section 32002.

(a) The commissioner may adopt any regulations that are necessary to administer this division. It is a misdemeanor for any motor carrier to violate this division or regulations adopted pursuant to this division. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), it is unlawful for the motor carrier or the person who directs the driver to operate a vehicle transporting hazardous material, when that transportation requires a license pursuant to this division, to cause the operation of the vehicle unless the motor carrier holds a valid license for the transportation of hazardous materials. A violation of this subdivision shall be punished as follows: (1) For a first violation, by a fine of not less than two thousand dollars ($2,000). (2) For a second or subsequent violation, by a fine of not less than four thousand dollars ($4,000).

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 32002.5. Section 32002.5.

(a) The commissioner may temporarily suspend a license to haul hazardous material prior to any hearing, when, in the commissioner’s opinion, the action is necessary to prevent an imminent and substantial danger to the public health. The commissioner shall notify the holder of the license of the temporary suspension and the effective date thereof and, at the same time, shall serve the person with an accusation. Upon receipt of a notice of defense to the accusation, the commissioner shall set the matter for a hearing which shall be held as soon as possible, but not later than 10 days after receipt of the notice of defense. The temporary suspension shall remain in effect until the hearing is completed and the commissioner has made a final determination on the merits, which, in any event, shall be made within 10 days after the completion of the hearing. If the determination is not transmitted within 10 days after the hearing is completed, the temporary suspension is of no further effect. (b) The commissioner shall suspend a license to transport hazardous material of a person or motorcarrier, for a period of at least 90 days but not more than 180 days, if the holder of the license permits the transportation of fissile class III shipments or highway route controlled quantity radioactive materials, as defined in Subpart I (commencing with Section 173.401) of Part 173 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, by a person who does not possess a license of the appropriate class and an attached radioactive materials driver’s certificate or an endorsement issued under Article 6 (commencing with Section 15275) of Chapter 7 of Division 6.

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 32003. Section 32003.

(a) All fees collected by the department pursuant to the issuance or renewal of a license for the transportation of hazardous material shall be deposited in the Motor Vehicle Account of the State Transportation Fund. (b) All moneys collected from these fees shall be used for the support of the hazardous materials inspection and licensing program of the department upon appropriation therefor by the Legislature.

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 32004. Section 32004.

Any violation of any provision of this division may be enjoined in a civil action brought by the Attorney General in the name of the people of the State of California, upon request of the department, except that it shall not be necessary to show lack of adequate remedy at law or to show irreparable damage or loss.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026