Policy Text
TRAINING BULLETIN
ISSUE: 25-19 DATE: April 29, 2025
California Assembly Bills 1978 and 2186
This training bulletin provides an overview for deputies on the revisions to California
Vehicle Code 23109 set forth by Assembly Bill 1978 and Assembly Bill 2186. These
revisions enhance authority related to motor vehicle speed contests, exhibitions of speed,
and related obstruction offenses.
Assembly Bill 1978:
Under previous law, a peace officer was required to take a person into custody for
violations related to obstruction or aiding in speed contests or exhibitions of speed in order
to seize and remove a vehicle under CVC 22651(h)(1). However, Assembly Bill 1978
established CVC 23109.3, which allows the officer to tow the offender’s vehicle, even if
the officer chooses to cite the offender in lieu of taking the offender into custody. In part,
Assembly Bill 1978 established CVC 23109.3, which was effective January 1, 2025, and
reads as follows:
“If a peace officer arrests a person for a viola