§ 2985.8. — (Repealed (in Sec. 4) and added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 354, Sec. 5.)

California § 2985.8.

• Jurisdiction: California
• Code CIV: Civil Code - CIV
• Div. 3.: DIVISION 3. OBLIGATIONS
• Title: 14.
• Part 4.: TITLE 14. LIEN
• Ch. 2d.: CHAPTER 2d. Vehicle Leasing Act

Text

(a)
A lease contract shall be in writing, and the print portion of the contract shall be printed in at least 8-point type and shall contain in a single document all of the agreements of the lessor and lessee with respect to the obligations of each party.
(b)
At the top of the lease contract, a title that contains the words “LEASE CONTRACT” or “LEASE AGREEMENT” shall appear in at least 12-point boldface type.
(c)
A lease contract shall disclose all of the following:
(1)
All of the information prescribed by Regulation M set forth in the manner required or permitted by
Regulation M, whether or not Regulation M applies to the transaction.
(2)
A separate statement labeled “Itemization of Gross Capitalized Cost” that shall appear immediately following or directly adjacent to the disclosures required to be segregated by Regulation M. The Itemization of Gross Capitalized Cost shall include all of the following and shall be circumscribed by a line:
(A)
The agreed-upon value of the vehicle as equipped at the time of signing the lease.
(B)
The agreed-upon value and a description of each accessory and item of optional equipment the lessor agrees to add to the vehicle after signing the lease.
(C)
The premium for each policy of
insurance.
(D)
The amount charged for each service contract.
(E)
Any charge for an optional debt cancellation agreement.
(F)
Any outstanding prior credit or lease balance.
(G)
An itemization by type and agreed-upon value of each good or service included in the gross capitalized cost other than those items included in the disclosures required in subparagraphs (A) to (F), inclusive.
(3)
The vehicle identification number of the leased vehicle.
(4)
A brief description of each vehicle or other property being traded in and the agreed-upon value of the
vehicle or property if the amount due at the time of signing the lease or upon delivery is paid in whole or in part with a net trade-in allowance or the “Itemization of Gross Capitalized Cost” includes any portion of the outstanding prior credit or lease balance from the trade-in property.
(5)
The charge, if any, to be retained by the lessor for document processing authorized pursuant to Section 4456.5 of the Vehicle Code, which may not be represented as a governmental fee.
(6)
The charge, if any, to electronically register or transfer the vehicle authorized pursuant to Section 4456.5 of the Vehicle Code, which shall not be represented as a governmental fee.
(d)
A lease contract shall contain, in at least 8-point boldface type,
above the space provided for the lessee’s signature and circumscribed by a line, the following notice: “(1) Do not sign this lease before you read it or if it contains any blank spaces to be filled in; (2) You are entitled to a completely filled in copy of this lease; (3) Warning—Unless a charge is included in this lease for public liability or property damage insurance, payment for that coverage is not provided by this lease.”
(e)
A lease contract shall contain, in at least 8-point boldface type, on the first page of the contract and circumscribed by a line, the following notice:
“THERE IS NO COOLING OFF PERIOD
California law does not provide for a “cooling off” or other cancellation period for vehicle leases. Therefore, you cannot later cancel
this lease simply because you change your mind, decided the vehicle costs too much, or wish you had acquired a different vehicle. You may cancel this lease only with the agreement of the lessor or for legal cause, such as fraud.”
(f)
A lease contract shall contain, in at least 8-point boldface
type, the following notice: “You have the right to return the vehicle, and receive a refund of any payments made if the credit application is not approved, unless nonapproval results from an incomplete application or from incorrect information provided by you.”
(g)
The lease contract shall be signed by the lessor and lessee, or their authorized representatives, and an exact copy of the fully executed lease contract shall be provided to the lessee at the time of signing.
(h)
A motor vehicle shall not be delivered under a lease contract subject to this chapter until the lessor provides to the lessee a fully executed copy of the lease contract.
(i)
The lessor shall not obtain the signature of the lessee to a contract
when it contains blank spaces to be filled in after it has been signed.
(j)
If the lease contract contains a provision that holds the lessee liable for the difference between (1) the adjusted capitalized cost disclosed in the lease contract reduced by the amounts described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of Section 2987 and (2) the settlement proceeds of the lessee’s required insurance and deductible in the event of theft or damage to the vehicle that results in a total loss, the lease contract shall contain the following notice in at least 8-point boldface type on the first page of the contract:
“GAP LIABILITY NOTICE
In the event of theft or damage to the vehicle that results in a total loss, there may be a GAP
between the amount due upon early termination and the proceeds of your insurance settlement and deductible. THIS LEASE PROVIDES THAT YOU ARE LIABLE FOR THE GAP AMOUNT. Optional coverage for the GAP amount may be offered for an additional price.”
(k)
This section shall remain in effect only until October 1, 2026, and as of that date is repealed.

Legislative History

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 354, Sec. 4. (SB 766) Effective January 1, 2026. Repealed as of October 1, 2026, by its own provisions. See later operative version added by Sec. 5 of Stats. 2025, Ch.354.