{"code":"VEH","codeName":"Vehicle Code","section":"12501","citation":"Veh. Code, § 12501","status":"in-force","lawOn":"2026-09-28","headings":[{"name":"DIVISION 6. DRIVERS' LICENSES [12500. - 15326.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/vehicle-code/division-6"},{"name":"CHAPTER 1. Issuance of Licenses, Expiration, and Renewal [12500. - 13020.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/vehicle-code/division-6/chapter-1"},{"name":"ARTICLE 1. Persons Required to Be Licensed, Exemptions, and Age Limits [12500. - 12527.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/vehicle-code/division-6/chapter-1/article-1"}],"history":"Amended by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1360, Sec. 10.","effective":null,"html":"<p>The following persons are not required to obtain a driver’s license:</p><p>(a) An officer or employee of the United States, while operating a motor vehicle owned or controlled by the United States on the business of the United States, except when the motor vehicle being operated is a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in Section <a href=\"/veh/15210\">15210</a>.</p><p>(b) Any person while driving or operating implements of husbandry incidentally operated or moved over a highway, except as provided in Section <a href=\"/veh/36300\">36300</a> or <a href=\"/veh/36305\">36305</a>.</p><p>(c) Any person driving or operating an off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification, as defined in Section <a href=\"/veh/38012\">38012</a>, while driving or operating such motor vehicle as provided in Section <a href=\"/veh/38025\">38025</a>. Nothing in this subdivision authorizes operation of a motor vehicle by a person without a valid driver’s license upon any offstreet parking facility, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section <a href=\"/veh/12500\">12500</a>.</p>","text":"The following persons are not required to obtain a driver’s license: (a) An officer or employee of the United States, while operating a motor vehicle owned or controlled by the United States on the business of the United States, except when the motor vehicle being operated is a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in Section 15210. (b) Any person while driving or operating implements of husbandry incidentally operated or moved over a highway, except as provided in Section 36300 or 36305. (c) Any person driving or operating an off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification, as defined in Section 38012, while driving or operating such motor vehicle as provided in Section 38025. Nothing in this subdivision authorizes operation of a motor vehicle by a person without a valid driver’s license upon any offstreet parking facility, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 12500.","otherVersions":[],"url":"https://blackletter.si/vehicle-code/persons-required-to-be-licensed-exemptions-and-age-limits-12501","source":"California Legislative Information bulk export (pubinfo)"}