New Year, New Laws

For California drivers, 2009 doesn't bring much in the way of new regulations. Texting is finally banned, an oversight of the previous hands free law. Yah think? It's crazy enough when people are yapping away, but reading/sending messages with your phone, it's just so ridiculous.

The only other law being enacted is the allowance of GPS units to be windshield mounted in a bottom seven-inch square in the lower right corner of the windshield or in a five-inch square in the lower left corner. Previously it was illegal to mount these devices anywhere on the windshield, although I'll admit that I had never heard of anyone getting a ticket for it. Dash mounting the devices is still permitted, just make sure it isn't blocking your view of the road or any airbags.

There are fee changes being enacted. One rule change to keep in mind is that any vehicle purchased outside of California and brought into the state will now have to pay "use tax" AKA sales tax if it was purchased within the last 12 months instead of the previous 90 day requirement. That's a pretty big increase in the swath of time that California can assess fees. If you are thinking about moving to California, you'd better buy your car well in advance or be prepared to pay the price.

source: sfgate and marketwire.com

photo source: gps obsessed