A provision in SB1167 imposes new labeling and disclosure duties on businesses that sell or distribute mopeds and motor-driven cycles in California.
Most California auto service owners haven't heard of a quiet but significant requirement buried in SB1167 (Vehicles: electric bicycles). If your business manufactures, imports, distributes, or sells mopeds or motor-driven cycles, this provision directly affects how you must prepare units for sale—and the consequences for non-compliance are serious.
Under Section 50 of SB1167 (codified as Article 19.5, Section 28190(b)), any seller of mopeds or motor-driven cycles must now affix a federally compliant certification label to each unit before it reaches a customer. The label must meet the standards in 49 CFR Part 567, the federal motor vehicle certification regulation.
That's not all. Section 50.5 (Article 19.5, Section 28190(a)) requires sellers to provide a separate written disclosure—and make it available online—to every potential buyer. The disclosure must be given before the sale is completed.
Failure to comply is classified as unlawful under Section 28192 and carries criminal liability, making this more than a paperwork inconvenience.
The rule applies to any business in the supply chain: manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers. If you sell mopeds or motor-driven cycles in California—whether as your primary business or as a sideline—you are responsible for ensuring compliance before the sale occurs.
The term "motor-driven cycle" has a specific legal meaning under California vehicle code and includes certain small-displacement motorcycles and similar vehicles. "Moped" refers to motorized bicycles meeting federal definitions. If you're unsure whether your inventory falls under these categories, it's worth clarifying now.
This is where timing matters. Section 50 becomes operative contingent on the enactment of AB 2346 on or before January 1, 2027. Section 50.5 has a similar contingency tied to AB 2. In practical terms, you should monitor whether AB 2346 passes and becomes law by that deadline. If it does, the labeling and disclosure requirements will take effect as written in SB1167.
Even if the operative date hasn't arrived, now is the time to prepare. Confirm your understanding of which products you sell fall under these definitions, review the federal certification label standard (49 CFR Part 567), and develop a system for affixing labels and providing written and online disclosures before any sale.
Start by auditing your current sales process. Do you sell mopeds or motor-driven cycles? If yes, begin documenting how you'll meet the labeling requirement and what your disclosure will say. Consult the federal regulation to ensure your label format is compliant. Consider whether your online sales platform can accommodate the disclosure requirement.
The criminal liability language in Section 28192 signals that California takes this seriously. Treating it as a compliance priority now—rather than scrambling after the operative date—protects your business and your customers.
This summary reflects SB1167 as enacted. For a detailed, business-specific compliance checklist tailored to your operation, consult your legal or industry advisor.