ARTICLE 1. Traffic Signs, Signals, and Markings [38280. - 38302.]

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH 1.

in effect

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 38280. Section 38280.

Federal, state, or local authorities having jurisdiction over public lands may place or cause to be placed and maintained, such appropriate signs, signals and other traffic control devices as may be necessary to properly indicate and carry out any provision of law or any duly adopted regulation of such governmental authority or to warn or guide traffic.

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 38285. Section 38285.

Only those signs, signals, markings, or devices that conform to the uniform standards and specifications adopted by the Department of Parks and Recreation, with the approval of the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission, shall be placed as provided in Section 38280. Special signs, signals, markings, or devices may be used on a temporary basis for purposes of directing traffic on and at sanctioned events conducted on public lands with permission of the agency having administrative jurisdiction over such lands.

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 38286. Section 38286.

The provisions of Article 3 (commencing with Section 38305), Article 4 (commencing with Section 38312), Article 5 (commencing with Section 38316), Section 38319 of this chapter, and subdivision (h) of Section 38370 shall not apply to a motor vehicle being operated in an organized racing event that is conducted under the auspices of a recognized sanctioning body or by permit issued by the governmental authority having jurisdiction.

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 38300. Section 38300.

It is unlawful for the driver of any vehicle to disobey any sign, signal, or traffic control device placed or maintained pursuant to Section 38280.

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 38301. Section 38301.

(a) It is unlawful to operate a vehicle in violation of special regulations which have been promulgated by the governmental agency having jurisdiction over public lands, including, but not limited to, regulations governing access, routes of travel, plants, wildlife, wildlife habitat, water resources, and historical sites. (b) A person who operates a motor vehicle in an area closed to that vehicle is guilty of a public offense and shall be punished as follows: (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the offense is an infraction punishable by a fine not exceeding fifty dollars ($50). (2) For a second offense committed within seven years after a prior violation for which there was a conviction punishable under paragraph (1), the offense is an infraction punishable by a fine not exceeding seventy-five dollars ($75). (3) For a third or subsequent offense committed within seven years after two or more prior violations for which there were convictions punishable under this section, the offense is punishable by a fine not exceeding one hundred fifty dollars ($150). In addition to the fine, the court may assess costs sufficient to repair property damage resulting from the violation.

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 38301.3. Section 38301.3.

Notwithstanding subdivision (d) of Section 5008 of the Public Resources Code, or any other provision of state law, and to the extent authorized under federal law, a person who violates a state or federal regulation that prohibits entry of a motor vehicle into all or portions of an area designated as a federal or state wilderness area is guilty of a public offense and shall be punished as follows: (a) Except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), the offense is an infraction punishable by a fine not exceeding one hundred fifty dollars ($150). (b) For a second offense committed within seven years after a prior violation for which there was a conviction punishable under subdivision (a), the offense is an infraction punishable by a fine not exceeding two hundred twenty-five dollars ($225). (c) (1) For a third or subsequent offense committed within seven years after two or more prior violations for which there were convictions punishable under this section, the offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding three hundred dollars ($300) or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding 90 days, or by both that fine and imprisonment. (2) In addition to the fine imposed under paragraph (1), the court may order impoundment of the vehicle used in the offense under the following conditions: (A) The person convicted under this subdivision is the owner of the vehicle. (B) The vehicle is subject to Section 4000 or 38010. (3) The period of impoundment imposed pursuant to this subdivision shall be not less than one day nor more than 30 days. The impoundment shall be at the owner’s expense.

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 38301.5. Section 38301.5.

Every person convicted of violating a local ordinance which is adopted by a city with a population over 2,000,000 persons pursuant to Section 38301 and which prohibits entry into all or portions of an area designated by ordinance as a mountain fire district shall be punished as follows: (a) Except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), the offense is an infraction punishable by a fine not exceeding one hundred fifty dollars ($150). (b) For a second offense committed within one year of a prior violation for which there was a conviction punishable under subdivision (a), the offense is punishable as an infraction by a fine not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250). (c) (1) For a third or subsequent offense committed within one year of two or more prior violations for which there were convictions punishable under this section, the offense is punishable as a misdemeanor by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding 90 days, or by both that fine and imprisonment. Additionally, the court may order impoundment of the vehicle used in the offense under the following conditions: (A) The person convicted under this subdivision is the owner of the vehicle. (B) The vehicle is subject to Section 38010. (2) The period of impoundment imposed pursuant to this subdivision shall be not less than one day nor more than 30 days. The impoundment shall be at the owner’s expense.

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 38302. Section 38302.

It is unlawful for any person to place or erect any sign, signal, or traffic control device for off-highway traffic upon public lands unless authorized by law.

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