As usual, there are numerous laws taking effect the first of the year.  Governor Schwarzenegger signed 729 bills into law in 2005.  The following is a sample of various laws that may affect California's drivers in 2006:

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Allows a repeat DUI offender to obtain a restricted driver license after 12 months of the revocation and 12 months of either an 18 or 30-month DUI program if an ignition interlock device (IID) is installed on the vehicle.

Authorizes a 30-day impoundment of a vehicle when a person required to have an IID installed is found driving a vehicle without such a device.

Motor Vehicle Speed Contests

Increases the jail time to a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of six months in jail when a person is found guilty of engaging in a motor vehicle speed contest and the driver causes injury to someone other than himself. If it is a second or subsequent offense and serious bodily injury occurs, the jail time is increased to a maximum of one year.

Provisional Licensing Program

Prohibits a provisional licensee from carrying passengers under the age of 20, unless accompanied by a licensed parent/guardian, licensed/certified instructor or a licensed driver 25 years of age or older, during the first 12 months (currently six months) the driver is licensed.

Prohibits a provisional licensee from driving between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. (currently 12 midnight and 5 a.m.).

Good Driver Discount—DUI and Manslaughter Convictions

Prohibits a person from receiving a Good Driver Insurance Discount if convicted of a DUI or manslaughter within 10 years of the date the application is made. Convictions prior to January 1, 1999, will not count for the purposes of this section.

Source:  California DMV Website