In California, a moving violation typically results in a fine and points being assessed against your driving record. Eligible drivers, however, can at least avoid the points by completing traffic school. You’re eligible for traffic school once every 18 months. And, of course, if you opt to contest a ticket and win, you won’t have to pay a fine or worry about points going on your record.
The fine amounts (called “base fines”) for traffic violations in California are sort of misleading: The amount you actually pay once various fees and assessments are added in is significantly more than the base fine amount. The base fines are generally the same everywhere in the state. But the fees and assessments vary somewhat by county. However, the total amount you can expect to pay for a traffic violation is generally about four to eight times the amount of the base fine.
Below are the base fines and other penalties for some more common traffic violations. However, judges have the power to deviate from these fine amounts and base fines are often increased if the offender has recent prior convictions. Violations in construction zones also carry enhanced fines.
California has three types of speed limits: absolute, presumed, and basic. However, the penalties for speeding citations—regardless of the type of speed limit the driver violated—correspond to the driver’s speed.
|
Speed |
Base Fine |
License Suspension |
Points |
|
1 to 15 miles per hour over the limit |
$35 |
None
|
1 |
|
16 to 25 miles per hour over the limit |
$70
|
None |
1 |
|
At least 16 miles per hour over the limit |
$100
|
None |
1 |
|
Over 100 miles per hour (first offense) |
$200 |
Up to 30 days |
2 |
|
Over 100 miles per hour (second offense within 3 years) |
$200 |
6 months |
2 |
|
Over 100 miles per hour (third offense within 5 years) |
$200 |
1 year |
2 |
At a stop sign or stop light, motorists must come to a complete stop prior to the closest of a limit line, entering a crosswalk, or entering the actual intersection. Right turns on red are allowed so long as the driver makes a complete stop first. The penalties depend on the type of violation.
|
Type of Violation |
Base Fine |
Points |
|
Running straight through a solid or flashing red light |
$100
|
1 |
|
Making an illegal right turn at a red light |
$35 |
1 |
|
Running a stop sign |
$35 |
1 |
California’s distracted driving laws restrict cellphone and electronic device use and text messaging while driving. The penalties for a distracted driving ticket are the same regardless of the type of violation.
|
Violation |
Base Fine |
Points |
|
First |
$20 |
0 |
|
Second or subsequent |
$50 |
0 |
Generally, all California drivers must have a valid license. However, there is a range of penalties depending on the circumstances of the violation.
|
Violation |
Base Fine |
Points |
Jail |
|
Driving without a valid license (as an infraction) |
$75 |
0 |
None |
|
Driving without a valid license (as a misdemeanor) |
$100 |
0 |
Up to 6 months |
|
Driving on suspended or revoked not related to driving ability (as an infraction) |
$150 |
2 |
None |
|
Driving on suspended or revoked not related to driving ability (as a misdemeanor) |
$300 |
2 |
Up to 6 months |
|
Driving on suspended or revoked related to reckless driving (misdemeanor) |
$300 |
2 |
5 days to 6 months |
|
Driving on suspended or revoked related to DUI (misdemeanor) |
$500 |
2 |
10 days to 6 months |
