AB-1913 • 2026

Licensure: emergency equipment.

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Soria
Last action: 2026-04-21
Official status: From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 20). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not provide specific details on enforcement mechanisms or funding for implementation.

Emergency Equipment Licensure

This legislation updates driver's license requirements to include operating emergency equipment for certain peace officers and volunteers after completing specific training.

What This Bill Does

Includes the operation of specified emergency vehicles under a class C driver’s license if owned by law enforcement agencies.
Requires peace officers and registered volunteers with law enforcement agencies to be allowed to operate this emergency equipment after completing required training.
Specifies that the training must include classroom instruction, driving practice, and passing a written exam.
Sets certification requirements for instructors teaching the emergency vehicle operation course.

Who It Names or Affects

Peace officers
Volunteers registered with law enforcement agencies
Instructors of emergency equipment operation courses

Terms To Know

Emergency Equipment: A motor vehicle used by law enforcement for emergencies, repairs, or equipment transport.
Class C Driver’s License: A type of driver's license that includes the operation of firefighting and other specified emergency vehicles with proper endorsements.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if someone fails to complete the required training.
It is unclear how this legislation will be enforced or monitored by law enforcement agencies.
There are no details on funding for implementing these new requirements and training programs.

Bill History

2026-04-21 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 20). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-15 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.
2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on TRANS. Read second time and amended.
2026-04-13 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.
2026-04-09 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on TRANS. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 7).
2026-03-23 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2026-03-19 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended.
2026-03-19 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 1913, as amended, Soria.
Licensure: emergency equipment.
Existing law prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle upon a highway unless that person holds a valid driver’s license to operate the type of vehicle that the person is driving.
Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to require an examination for issuance of a driver’s license. The examination is required to be appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive or tow, in accordance with certain license classifications. A class C driver’s license includes the operation of, among other vehicles, firefighting equipment, provided that the equipment is operated by a person who holds a firefighter endorsement, as specified.
This bill would include the operation of specified emergency equipment under a class C driver’s license,
provided the equipment is owned by a law enforcement agency and is operated by a person who has
completed, or is currently participating in,
completed
the emergency equipment training described below.
Existing law establishes the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to set minimum standards for the recruitment and training of peace officers and to develop training courses and curriculum.
This bill would require specified peace officers and volunteers registered with specified law enforcement agencies be permitted to operate emergency equipment, as specified. The bill would require the training to include both classroom and driver training components, as specified, and a written examination. The bill would impose
certification, experience, and licensure requirements on instructors for the training program, including, among other things, a requirement that an instructor be certified as a qualified training instructor by the State of California, the federal government, or a county training officers’ association.
The bill would define “emergency equipment” as a motor vehicle operated under a class A or class B license that is used to travel to and from the scene of an emergency situation, to and from a place where the emergency equipment is repaired or positioned, or to transport equipment used in the control of an emergency situation and that is owned, leased, rented by, or under the exclusive control of specified law enforcement agencies.

Current Bill Text

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