On Sunday, July 1, three new traffic laws are set to go into effect in California, including a law that lowers the DUI threshold for drivers of ride-sharing apps such as Uber and Lyft.

The three new traffic laws have the potential to impact ride-share services, church vans and buses in significant ways.

The first law prohibits a driver with a blood alcohol level of 0.04 percent or more from transporting a passenger for hire, including drivers for Uber or Lyft. This lowers the legal limit from 0.08 to the same standard for commercial drivers, according to state officials.

Officials from the California DMV said they want to ensure the public understands drivers for ride-sharing apps should be held to a higher standard of safety while transporting people.

The DMV will have the option of suspending a person’s driver’s license if a conviction is added to their record. Commercial driver license holders can also receive a disqualification, according to officials.

The next law involves private carriers of passengers. It transfers regulatory authority over the Private Carrier of Passengers Program from the California Public Utilities Commission to the DMV.

A private carrier is defined as offering not-for-hire transportation services, such as the driver of a church bus or an employee shuttle, according to state officials. The DMV and the California Highway Patrol are set to administer this program jointly.

The DMV is responsible for issuing certificates for intrastate authority and verifying proof of liability insurance, while the CHP will regulate compliance and the safe operation of the vehicles.

The third law involves seatbelts on buses. It requires passengers in a bus equipped with seat belts to be properly restrained. Children between the ages of 8 and 15 traveling on a bus will be required to either wear a seat belt or be in an appropriate restraint that meets federal safety standards, according to officials.

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