AB 1272: Department of Motor Vehicles: occupational licensees.

California · Assembly · 2025–2026 Regular Session · last verified December 7, 2025

What AB 1272 does, verified December 7, 2025

This bill aims to amend a section of the vehicle code to restrict the use of certain phrases in business names or telephone numbers. Currently, holders of an occupational license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles are not allowed to use the initials "DMV," the department's logogram, or the words "Department of Motor Vehicles." The bill would extend this restriction to internet domain names, making it unlawful for occupational license holders to use these phrases online as well. This change would impose a state-mandated local program.

Bill journey

✓IntroducedComplete

✓In CommitteeComplete

✓First Chamber FloorComplete

✓Second ChamberComplete

✓GovernorComplete

6ChapteredCurrent

Last action: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 68, Statutes of 2025. (2025-05-27)Alert me

Author and sponsors

Asm. Diane DixonAuthor · California State Assembly

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Recent actions23 total · showing 5

Jul. 28, 2025	Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 68, Statutes of 2025.
Jul. 28, 2025	Approved by the Governor.
Jul. 15, 2025	Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.
Jul. 10, 2025	Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 37. Noes 0. Page 2043.).
Jul. 10, 2025	In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.

Full action history, 18 earlier actionsConnect Plus

Latest bill textChaptered version, July 28, 2025 · 434 words

Assembly Bill No. 1272

CHAPTER 68

An act to amend Section 25 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.

[ Approved by Governor July 28, 2025. Filed with Secretary of State July 28, 2025. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 1272, Dixon. Department of Motor Vehicles: occupational licensees.

Existing law makes it unlawful for the holder of an occupational license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles to use the initials “DMV,” the Department of Motor Vehicles logogram, or the words “Department of Motor Vehicles” in any business name or telephone number.

This bill would add internet domain names to the above list of prohibited uses. By expanding the application of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

The bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 25 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:

25.

(a) It is unlawful for a person to display or cause or permit to be displayed any sign, mark, or advertisement indicating an official connection with either the Department of Motor Vehicles or the Department of the California Highway Patrol unless the person has lawful authority, permission, or right to make that display.

(b) It is unlawful for the holder of an occupational license issued pursuant to Division 5 (commencing with Section 11100) to use the initials “DMV,” the Department of Motor Vehicles logogram, or the words “Department of Motor Vehicles” in any business name, telephone number, or internet domain name, as defined in Section 17527 of the Business and Professions Code. An occupational licensee shall not use the initials, logogram, or words in any advertisement in a way that indicates, or could be construed to indicate, an official connection with the Department of Motor Vehicles other than as a licensee.

SEC. 2.

No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.

Text of AB 1272 as chaptered, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions