A method for storing a coded video bitstream. The method includes obtaining the coded video bitstream and storing the coded video bitstream in at least one storage medium. The coded video bitstream includes a first reference picture list syntax structure and a second reference picture list syntax structure. Each reference picture list syntax structure contains a number of entries. A first reference picture list of a current slice and a second reference picture list of the current slice are derived based on the first reference picture list syntax structure and the second reference picture list syntax structure. The first reference picture list and the second reference picture list are derived for bitstream conformance checking instead of for decoding a current picture or pictures following the current picture in decoding order when the current slice comprises an intra (I) slice of a non-intra random access point (IRAP) picture.