{"data":{"id":"us-ca/veh-521","jurisdiction":"us-ca","citation":"VEH § 521","heading":"","body":"A “retarder” is a device, other than a brake, which, when activated by the driver, applies a retarding force to the wheels of a vehicle without the use of friction. A retarder may be installed in or on the engine, exhaust system, drive train, or wheels of a motor vehicle, or an axle or wheels of a towed vehicle. A retarder may operate by altering the valve timing of the engine, by controlling the flow of a circulating fluid, by applying an electromagnetic force, by controlling the release of gases from the exhaust system, or by other means. A retarder may or may not be capable of stopping the vehicle upon which it is installed.","path":["Vehicle Code - VEH","DIVISION 1. WORDS AND PHRASES DEFINED [100. - 681.]"],"source_url":"https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zip","current_through":"2026-09-13","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T05:56:33Z","sha256":"25f491596a1dd857f8b47b62facd478fb012a8ae100532864fda0cccbbd876cf","source_id":"us-ca","stale":false,"prev":"us-ca/veh-520","next":"us-ca/veh-521.5"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}