Policy Text
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office is committed to work in partnership with our community to enhance the safety, security, and quality of life for the
residents and visitors of Kern County through professional public safety services.
California Assembly Bill 256
Effective July 1, 2024, Assembly Bill (AB) 256 prohibits law enforcement from conducting
a traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle based solely on an observed violation of California
Vehicle Code sections 4000(a) and/or Vehicle Code 5204 before the second month
after the month the vehicle’s registration expired.
In essence, if a vehicle’s registration expires in the month of March, you can NOT stop
the vehicle for only a violation of VC 4000(a) and/or VC 5204, until May 1st of that year.
Specifically, the bill authorizes enforcement actions before the second month of
expiration if a vehicle is stopped for any other violation of the Vehicle Code.
Section 4000 of the California Vehicle Code was amended