California Vehicle Code
28070. As used in this article, "passenger vehicle" means
"passenger vehicle" as defined in Section 34710.
28071. Every passenger vehicle registered in this state shall be
equipped with a front bumper and with a rear bumper. As used in this
section, "bumper" means any device designed and intended by a
manufacturer to prevent the front or rear of the body of the vehicle
from coming into contact with any other motor vehicle. This section
shall not apply to any passenger vehicle that is required to be
equipped with an energy absorption system pursuant to either state or
federal law, or to any passenger vehicle which was not equipped with
a front or rear bumper, or both, at the time that it was first sold
and registered under the laws of this or any other state or foreign
jurisdiction.
However, 34710 gives an exception to this here:
34710. As used in this division, "passenger vehicle" means any
motor vehicle defined in Section 465, except any of the following
motor vehicles:
(a) Motorcycles.
(b) Housecars.
(c) Specially constructed vehicles.
(d) Motor vehicles equipped with four-wheel drive.
(e) Motor vehicles constructed on a truck chassis.
(f) Motor vehicles operated for hire, compensation, or profit.
(g) Makes of motor vehicles of a model year manufactured or sold
in California in quantities of less than 2,000 units for each such
model year.
(h) Motor vehicles designed and constructed by the manufacturer of
such vehicles, for off-highway use, as determined by the Department
of Motor Vehicles.
Notice it says "(d) Motor vehicles equipped with four-wheel drive." But, tons of cars, SUV's, etc. now come with four-wheel drive. So, I would be curious to know how the courts would interpret this one now. If some soccer Mom had an Expedition with no bumpers for some reason, I wonder how that would fly.
