{"code":"VEH","codeName":"Vehicle Code","section":"27400","citation":"Veh. Code, § 27400","status":"in-force","lawOn":"2026-09-28","headings":[{"name":"DIVISION 12. EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES [24000. - 28246.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/vehicle-code/division-12"},{"name":"CHAPTER 5. Other Equipment [27000. - 28160.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/vehicle-code/division-12/chapter-5"},{"name":"ARTICLE 3.5. Headsets and Earplugs [27400. - 27400.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/vehicle-code/division-12/chapter-5/article-3.5"}],"history":"Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 451, Sec. 55.   (SB 491)   Effective January 1, 2016.","effective":"2016-01-01","html":"<p>A person operating a motor vehicle or bicycle may not wear a headset covering, earplugs in, or earphones covering, resting on, or inserted in, both ears. This prohibition does not apply to any of the following:</p><p>(a) A person operating authorized emergency vehicles, as defined in Section <a href=\"/veh/165\">165</a>.</p><p>(b) A person engaged in the operation of either special construction equipment or equipment for use in the maintenance of any highway.</p><p>(c) A person engaged in the operation of refuse collection equipment who is wearing a safety headset or safety earplugs.</p><p>(d) A person wearing personal hearing protectors in the form of earplugs or molds that are specifically designed to attenuate injurious noise levels. The plugs or molds shall be designed in a manner so as to not inhibit the wearer’s ability to hear a siren or horn from an emergency vehicle or a horn from another motor vehicle.</p><p>(e) A person using a prosthetic device that aids the hard of hearing.</p>","text":"A person operating a motor vehicle or bicycle may not wear a headset covering, earplugs in, or earphones covering, resting on, or inserted in, both ears. This prohibition does not apply to any of the following: (a) A person operating authorized emergency vehicles, as defined in Section 165. (b) A person engaged in the operation of either special construction equipment or equipment for use in the maintenance of any highway. (c) A person engaged in the operation of refuse collection equipment who is wearing a safety headset or safety earplugs. (d) A person wearing personal hearing protectors in the form of earplugs or molds that are specifically designed to attenuate injurious noise levels. The plugs or molds shall be designed in a manner so as to not inhibit the wearer’s ability to hear a siren or horn from an emergency vehicle or a horn from another motor vehicle. (e) A person using a prosthetic device that aids the hard of hearing.","otherVersions":[],"url":"https://blackletter.si/vehicle-code/headsets-and-earplugs-27400","source":"California Legislative Information bulk export (pubinfo)"}