California Vehicle Code 10753 – (a) Any person who removes, alters, or obfuscates any vehicle …
(a) Any person who removes, alters, or obfuscates any vehicle identification number or other unique marking that has been added to a catalytic converter is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(b) Any person who knowingly possesses three or more catalytic converters that have the vehicle identification number or other unique marking removed, altered, or obfuscated is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Terms Used In California Vehicle Code 10753
- converter: is a person, other than a vehicle manufacturer, who, prior to the retail sale of a new vehicle, does any of the following to the vehicle:
California Vehicle Code 267
- new vehicle: is a vehicle constructed entirely from new parts that has never been the subject of a retail sale, or registered with the department, or registered with the appropriate agency or authority of any other state, District of Columbia, territory or possession of the United States, or foreign state, province, or country. See California Vehicle Code 430
- Person: includes a natural person, firm, copartnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation. See California Vehicle Code 470
- vehicle: is a device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved, or drawn upon a highway, excepting a device moved exclusively by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks. See California Vehicle Code 670
(c) This subdivision does not apply to either of the following:
(1) Any person who is removing, altering, or obfuscating a vehicle identification number or other unique marking in order to apply a new vehicle identification number or unique marking because the catalytic converter is being lawfully installed on a different vehicle.
(2) Any person that is disassembling, smelting, or otherwise permanently destroying a catalytic converter lawfully in their possession.
(Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 847, Sec. 1. (AB 1519) Effective January 1, 2024.)