Vehicle Code section 14604

(a)

No owner of a motor vehicle may knowingly allow another person to drive the vehicle upon a highway unless the owner determines that the person possesses a valid driver’s license that authorizes the person to operate the vehicle. For the purposes of this section, an owner is required only to make a reasonable effort or inquiry to determine whether the prospective driver possesses a valid driver’s license before allowing him or her to operate the owner’s vehicle. An owner is not required to inquire of the department whether the prospective driver possesses a valid driver’s license.

(b)

A rental company is deemed to be in compliance with subdivision (a) if the company rents the vehicle in accordance with Section 14608 and 14609.

Source: Section 14604, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=14604.­ (updated Jan. 1, 1996; accessed Jun. 25, 2025).

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Jun. 25, 2025

§ 14604's source at ca​.gov