California § 13353.1 - If a person refuses an officer
Full text of California Public Contract Code - PCC § 13353.1 — If a person refuses an officer, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 13353.1. If a person refuses an officer
(a) If a person refuses an officerâs request to submit to, or fails to complete, a preliminary alcohol screening test pursuant to Section 13388 or 13389, upon the receipt of the officerâs sworn statement, submitted pursuant to Section 13380, that the officer had reasonable cause to believe the person had been driving a motor vehicle in violation of Section 23136 or 23154, and that the person had refused to submit to, or did not complete, the test after being requested by the officer, the department shall do one of the following: (1) Suspend the personâs privilege to operate a motor vehicle for a period of one year. (2) Revoke the personâs privilege to operate a motor vehicle for a period of two years if the refusal occurred within 10 years of either of the following: (A) A separate violation of subdivision (a) of Section 23136, that resulted in a finding of a violation, or a separate violation, that resulted in a conviction, of Section 23103, as specified in Section 23103.5, of Section 23140, 23152, or 23153, or of Section 191.5 or subdivision (a) of Section 192.5 of the Penal Code. (B) A suspension or revocation of the personâs privilege to operate a motor vehicle if that action was taken pursuant to this section or Section 13353 or 13353.2 for an offense that occurred on a separate occasion. (3) Revoke the personâs privilege to operate a motor vehicle for a period of three years if the refusal occurred within 10 years of any of the following: (A) Two or more separate violations of subdivision (a) of Section 23136, that resulted in findings of violations, or two or more separate violations, that resulted in convictions, of Section 23103, as specified in Section 23103.5, of Section 23140, 23152, or 23153, or of Section 191.5 or subdivision (a) of Section 192.5 of the Penal Code, or any combination thereof. (B) Two or more suspensions or revocations of the personâs privilege to operate a motor vehicle if those actions were taken pursuant to this section, or Section 13353 or 13353.2, for offenses that occurred on separate occasions. (C) Any combination of two or more of the convictions or administrative suspensions or revocations described in subparagraph (A) or (B). (b) For the purposes of this section, a conviction of an offense in any state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or Canada that, if committed in this state, would be a violation of Section 23103, as specified in Section 23103.5, or Section 23140, 23152, or 23153, or Section 191.5 or subdivision (a) of Section 192.5 of the Penal Code, is a conviction of that particular section of the Vehicle or Penal Code. (c) The notice of the order of suspension or revocation under this section shall be served on the person by the peace officer pursuant to Section 13388 and shall not become effective until 30 days after the person is served with that notice. The notice of the order of suspension or revocation shall be on a form provided by the department. If the notice of the order of suspension or revocation has not been served by the peace officer pursuant to Section 13388, the department immediately shall notify the person in writing of the action taken. The peace officer who serves the notice, or the department, if applicable, also shall provide, if the officer or department, as the case may be, determines that it is necessary to do so, the person with the appropriate non-English notice developed pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 14100. (d) Upon the receipt of the officerâs sworn statement, the department shall review the record. For the purposes of this section, the scope of the administrative review shall cover all of the following issues: (1) Whether the peace officer had reasonable cause to believe the person had been driving a motor vehicle in violation of Section 23136. (2) Whether the person was lawfully detained. (3) Whether the person refused to submit to, or did not complete, the test after being requested to do so by a peace officer. (e) The person may request an administrative hearing pursuant to Section 13558. Except as provided in subdivision (e) of Section 13558, the request for an administrative hearing does not stay the order of suspension or revocation.
Source: official California text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About California § 13353.1
What does Public Contract Code - PCC § 13353.1 cover?
Section 13353.1 ("If a person refuses an officer") is part of the Public Contract Code - PCC, the codified statutory law of California. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite California § 13353.1?
A common citation format is "Public Contract Code - PCC § 13353.1" (California). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of California law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the California official source linked on this page or consult a licensed California attorney.
How does California § 13353.1 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in California can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in California.