Vehicle Code section 27400

A person operating a motor vehicle or bicycle may not wear a headset covering, earplugs in, or earphones covering, resting on, or inserted in, both ears. This prohibition does not apply to any of the following:

(a)

A person operating authorized emergency vehicles, as defined in Section 165.

(b)

A person engaged in the operation of either special construction equipment or equipment for use in the maintenance of any highway.

(c)

A person engaged in the operation of refuse collection equipment who is wearing a safety headset or safety earplugs.

(d)

A person wearing personal hearing protectors in the form of earplugs or molds that are specifically designed to attenuate injurious noise levels. The plugs or molds shall be designed in a manner so as to not inhibit the wearer’s ability to hear a siren or horn from an emergency vehicle or a horn from another motor vehicle.

(e)

A person using a prosthetic device that aids the hard of hearing.

Source: Section 27400, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=27400.­ (updated Jan. 1, 2016; accessed Jun. 16, 2025).

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Verified:
Jun. 16, 2025

§ 27400's source at ca​.gov