(a) Subject to Section 114765 of the Health and Safety Code, a vehicle transporting an explosive, blasting agent, flammable liquid, flammable solid, oxidizing material, corrosive, compressed gas, poison, radioactive material, or other hazardous materials, of the type and in quantities that require the display of placards or markings on the vehicle exterior by the United States Department of Transportation pursuant to Parts 172, 173, and 177 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations shall display those placards and markings in the manner and under conditions prescribed by those regulations.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a vehicle shall not display hazardous materials placards or markings unless permitted or required by Subparts D and F of Part 172 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(c) This section does not apply to any of the following:

(1) A vehicle transporting not more than 20 pounds of smokeless powder or not more than five pounds of black sporting powder or any combination thereof.

(2) An authorized emergency vehicle as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 165, operated by a peace officer as defined in Sections 830.1 and 830.2 of the Penal Code, when transportation is required within the scope and course of law enforcement explosives detection or removal duties, if either of the following conditions applies:

(A) The law enforcement agency operating the vehicle complies with regulations adopted by the California Highway Patrol pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 34501, notwithstanding Section 34500 and subdivision (a) of Section 34501.

(B) The peace officer possesses an exemption issued by the commissioner, who may require additional transportation restrictions as deemed appropriate.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 208, Sec. 23. (AB 2906) Effective January 1, 2017.)