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Cal. Vehicle Code § 415 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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(a)A “motor vehicle” is a vehicle that is self-propelled.

(b)“Motor vehicle” does not include a self-propelled wheelchair, motorized tricycle, or motorized quadricycle, if operated by a person who, by reason of physical disability, is otherwise unable to move about as a pedestrian.

(c)For purposes of Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 3000) of Division 2, “motor vehicle” includes a recreational vehicle as that term is defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code, but does not include a truck camper.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 27 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1952–2026 · leading case: People v. Philpot, 2004 Cal. Daily Op. Serv. 8819 (Cal. Ct. App. 2004).
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People v. Philpot, 2004 Cal. Daily Op. Serv. 8819 (Cal. Ct. App. 2004). · cites it 2× “Vehicle Code section 415 defines a “motor vehicle” as “a vehicle that is self-propelled.”
Atl. Nat'l Ins. v. Armstrong, 416 P.2d 801 (Cal. 1966). · cites it 3× “of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for bodily injury to or death of each person as a result of any one accident and, .”
People v. Jordan, 75 Cal. App. Supp. 3d 1 (Cal. App. Dep’t Super. Ct. 1977). · cites it 2× “” (Veh. Code, § 415.) In California, the terms “motorcycle,” “motor driven cycle,” and “motorized bicycle” are defined by statute.”
People v. Moreland, 81 Cal. App. 3d 11 (Cal. Ct. App. 1978). · cites it 2× “) If the language "inhabited dwelling house or occupied building" is not construed to include habitable mobile vehicles which are not self-propelled and thus are not "motor vehicles" (Veh.”
Johnson v. Holmes Tuttle Lincoln-Mercury, Inc., 325 P.2d 193 (Cal. Ct. App. 1958). · cites it 2× “(Veh. Code, § 415.) Defendant contends plaintiffs were not third party beneficiaries.”
Halajian v. D & B Towing, 209 Cal. App. 4th 1 (Cal. Ct. App. 2012). “(Veh. Code, § 415, subds. (a) & (b).) This provision sets forth the things an owner must do to obtain the release of a vehicle.”
Norris v. Pac. Indem. Co., 247 P.2d 1 (Cal. 1952). · cites it 2× “The policy issued by Pacific insured, as required by law (Veh. Code, § 415(a) (2)) in addition to Parkford “any other person using or responsible for the use of [the car] .”
Ohio Farmers Ins. v. Quin, 198 Cal. App. 3d 1338 (Cal. Ct. App. 1988). · cites it 2× “The Supreme Court agreed and held (1) the construction proposed by the insurer would violate Vehicle Code section 415 and (2) Vehicle Code section 415 was intended by the Legislature to be, and is, a part of every motor vehicle liability policy issued by an insurer authorized to…”
Osborne v. Sec. Ins., 318 P.2d 94 (Cal. Ct. App. 1957). “” *211 (Veh. Code, § 415(a) (2).) Clearly, Charles Osborne was using this Chevrolet and was doing so with the express permission of the assured.”
Metz v. Universal Underwriters Ins., 513 P.2d 922 (Cal. 1973). “) Vehicle Code section 415, the statute at issue in Wildman , was reenacted as sections 16450 and 16451 in the 1959 revision of the Vehicle Code.”
Travelers Indem. Co. v. Colonial Ins., 242 Cal. App. 2d 227 (Cal. Ct. App. 1966). “(Veh. Code, § 415.) While it was being used as a crane at the time of the accident, it was in fact being propelled by-means of its motor over a limited portion of the premises in the course of such use.”
Globe Indem. Co. v. Universal Underwriters Ins., 201 Cal. App. 2d 9 (Cal. Ct. App. 1962). “1 Vehicle Code section 415: 1 ‘ Requisites of Motor Vehicle Liability Policy, (a) A ‘motor vehicle liability policy,’ as used in this code means a policy of liability insurance issued by an insurance carrier .”
Show all 27 citing cases →
— Cal. Vehicle Code § 415(a) — 2 cases
Norris v. Pac. Indem. Co., 247 P.2d 1 (Cal. 1952). “The policy issued by Pacific insured, as required by law (Veh. Code, § 415(a) (2)) in addition to Parkford “any other person using or responsible for the use of [the car] .”
Osborne v. Sec. Ins., 318 P.2d 94 (Cal. Ct. App. 1957). “” *211 (Veh. Code, § 415(a) (2).) Clearly, Charles Osborne was using this Chevrolet and was doing so with the express permission of the assured.”
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