AB-1874 • 2026

Vehicles: driver’s license suspension and revocation.

Crime

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Wilson (A) , Ellis
Last action: 2026-05-14
Official status: In committee: Held under submission.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide specific details about how it will affect individuals already serving sentences when the law goes into effect.

Driver's License Suspension and Revocation Rules

This law changes the timing for reinstating driver’s licenses after certain crimes involving manslaughter or other offenses.

What This Bill Does

Requires a three-year waiting period from release date before someone convicted of manslaughter can have their driving privileges reinstated if they were sentenced to jail or prison time.
Specifies that court-ordered suspensions and revocations start on the day someone is released from custody, not just after conviction.

Who It Names or Affects

People who are convicted of certain crimes like manslaughter and sentenced to jail or prison time.
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Terms To Know

Manslaughter: A crime where someone dies because another person was careless, but it wasn't planned.
Reinstatement: Getting something back after a period of loss or suspension.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if someone is convicted of multiple crimes at once.
It's unclear how this will affect people who are already serving their sentences when the law goes into effect.

Bill History

2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
In committee: Held under submission.
2026-05-06 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (April 13). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
Coauthors revised.
2026-04-06 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.
2026-03-26 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2026-03-25 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on TRANS. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (March 24).
2026-03-17 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2026-03-02 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and TRANS.
2026-02-13 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 15.
2026-02-12 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1874, as amended, Wilson.
Vehicles: driver’s license suspension and revocation.
Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to immediately revoke the driving privilege of a person upon receipt of a duly certified abstract of the record of a court showing that the person has been convicted of, among other things, certain types of manslaughter. Existing law prohibits the department from reinstating that driving privilege until 3 years after the date of revocation.
This bill would additionally prohibit the department from reinstating the driving privilege of a person convicted of those specified crimes and sentenced to incarceration in the state prison or county jail until 3 years after the date of release.
Existing law authorizes or requires the court to suspend or revoke the driving privileges, or to order the Department of Motor Vehicles to suspend or revoke the driving privileges, of a person who is convicted of certain offenses, including, among others, driving under the influence or reckless driving.
This bill would specify that the court-ordered period of license suspension or revocation would commence when a person is released from custody, as specified.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF