The pioneering privacy law in California lets owners of vehicles be able to disable remote access that can be exploited by manufacturers to track and monitor vehicles they are connected to. It is a radical consumer protection action that addresses a mounting worry about vehicle surveillance and offers legal protection to victims of domestic violence and individuals who care about privacy as they drive all over the Golden State.
What is California SB 1394 on vehicle tracking and remote access?
California Senate Bill 1394 is a historical bill that has a paradigm-shifting impact on the functionality of the connected technologies that vehicle arsenals and manufacturers have to comply with, and the concept of remote monitoring. This broad legislation also mandates automotive manufacturers to offer easy-to-use tools for drivers to disable vehicle tracking and terminate vehicle remote access functions, enabling locational information gathering, driving habits surveillance, and allowing anyone to control the vehicle via the external computer.
The law is particularly considering the misuse of connected vehicle technologies in domestic violence cases when abusers use remote access capabilities to track, monitor, and control victims via the vehicles. California DMV new laws 2025 contain the leading clauses that cause swift reaction to termination requests, so that endangered individuals can swiftly un-data unfavorable digital links to their automobiles.
Starting July 1, 2025, every vehicle-manufacturing company in California will be required to implement detailed manufacturer website request mechanisms under which drivers can send requests to terminate simply by secure online links with access. Such systems will need to handle requests at a prescribed time and have detailed successions of all the termination endeavors to comply with regulations.
Documentation needed to request termination of remote access
Vehicle registration and VIN
Existing California vehicle registration forms are the main evidence of possession when submitting a termination request and have legitimate legal oversight to adjust related vehicle service administration settings. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) are already unique identifiers that connect the termination requests to certain vehicles, but avoid unauthorized access to other accounts or to other owners’ services.
Government-issued ID matching the registration
Any legitimate government identification must be valid, and the name shown on vehicle registration certificates must correspond to the valid government identification, forming a chain of legitimate ownership that validates the possibility of the termination request. Acceptable identification constitutes the California driver’s license, state identification card, passport, or other state-issued papers that determine the identification and status of residence.
Manufacturer account details (email/phone tied to the car app)
Connected vehicle service accounts are usually tied to certain e-mail addresses or phone numbers, which are the main methods of contacting the accounts and receiving service messages. Requests to disable remote access should be verified against such account information so that termination requests are made by the legitimate account holders and not by others who are unauthorized to access the account.
Any supporting documentation relevant to safety/privacy concerns
Additional records on safety or privacy needs might hasten the procedure of termination, especially in cases of domestic violence survivors or victims of stalking or harassment cases. The California DMV new laws 2025 acknowledge that emergency cases can demand immediate operation that goes beyond the normal processing functions.
Qualifying criteria for terminating remote access
Vehicle has remote access features enabled
To request a termination, vehicles should have access to vehicles connected vehicle services (or remote access). Disable vehicle tracking procedures only apply to vehicles equipped with cellular modems, GPS tracking systems, or other technologies that enable external monitoring and control capabilities.
| Vehicle Feature | Termination Eligible | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| GPS Tracking | Yes | 1-2 business days |
| Remote Start | Yes | 1-2 business days |
| Mobile App Control | Yes | 1-2 business days |
| Emergency Services | Partial | Varies by manufacturer |
Request made through the manufacturer’s website (available July 1, 2025)
The manufacturer website request will become mandatory, starting July 1, 2025, and offer standardized termination procedures to all vehicle manufacturers that sell connected cars in California. Such systems should provide easy-to-use user interfaces that can suit all technical levels of skill and uphold security measures, including barring unauthorized access.
You are the driver/authorized user on the account
There are many account authorisation checks, which necessitate that account leaders ordering termination have valid authority to alter connected vehicle service settings. California DMV new laws 2025 set certain criteria to be satisfied before deciding on the assigned users, such as recorded owners, lessees, and other persons with the documented right to access vehicles.
Vehicle capable of software updates (for in-vehicle disablement timelines)
Servered vehicles can have in-vehicle disablement controls, which can allow local control of remote access settings. Methods to disable remote access (via vehicle interfaces) provide more layers of privacy protection that do not rely on either systems deployed by manufacturers or internet connectivity.
How to request to disable remote access
The closure procedure is organized with protocols that are used to guarantee the security and provide clear routes to the valid. The procedures to disable vehicle tracking vary slightly between manufacturers but follow standardized frameworks established by California legislation.
Go to your automaker’s “terminate remote access” page (as required by law)
Manufacturers should have plain termination pages, which should be available on their main websites to avoid any confusion in regards to where consumer requests should be made. The request portals available on the manufacturer’s websites should contain detailed instructions, a documentation list, and necessary information on the timeframes in which requests would be processed, which would assist people in completing their requests effectively.
Verify identity and ownership; submit VIN and account info
Identity checks ensure that the termination calls are made by the authorized agent, besides that of a malevolent penant to interrupt the car of other owners. California DMV new laws 2025 involve the use of multi-step verification, posing factors of security requirements and accessibility requirements.
Request termination and confirmation notice from the manufacturer
Formal termination requests initiate manufacturer response policies which encompass confirmation emails, termination processing schedules, and updated termination status, all along the way, termination is being undertaken. Disable remote access confirmations is a documentation that establishes the termination completion due to legal or safety reasons.
Check the vehicle/app to confirm and disable remote access
After-termination verification, you have confirmed that all systems produced by manufacturers and linked services have been properly disabled and no longer allow remote access. Disabling vehicle tracking confirmation may require checking multiple interfaces, including mobile applications, web portals, and in-vehicle displays.
Note future in-vehicle disable/indicator requirements (2026–2028)
Further stages of legislation add several terms to in-vehicle termination controls and active monitoring indicators that are improved mechanisms by which a user is alerted about and gains control over transportation features.
When to expect remote access to be terminated
Manufacturer website request processing typically completes within one to two business days following successful verification and documentation submission. California DMV’s new laws 2025 have defined upper boundaries of processing time to guarantee quick service of emergencies involving safety and reasonable timelines to address standard requests.
The states are moving as California signed the pioneering bill that allows vehicle owners to regain their autonomy to automotive privacy using the practices to disable remote access, which prevents undesirable surveillance and tracking. The difference is that the successful process of navigation through such essential privacy guarantees is through the understanding of documentation requirements, the qualification standards, and the processes of termination. To see full legislative specifications and mandates, read California Senate Bill 1394.
Disclaimer: The content of this guide is not intended to replace professional advice or official sources. It is for informational purposes only and should not be used to make economic or non-economic decisions.