California · Vehicle Code

VEH §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 Dep

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

It is unlawful to display signs or marks suggesting official connection with the DMV or California Highway Patrol without authority, or for licensed occupational holders to use DMV initials/logos in business names or advertisements in ways suggesting official affiliation.

Read the full statutory text

(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.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.