California Traffic Fines
& Penalty Ranges
8 common California violations with typical fine ranges, plus how the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) handles points.
🔎California Traffic Fines at a Glance
- Typical fines
- $160–$900
- Point system
- Yes
- Traffic school
- Available
- Records kept by
- California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Of the 8 California violations below, the lowest typical fine is for seat belt violation (driver) ($160–$165) and the highest is for driving without insurance (1st offense) ($400–$900).
Speeding fines climb across 3 tiers, from $230–$240 (speeding 1–15 mph over) to $480–$500 (speeding 26+ mph over).
Ranges only, not legal advice. Your actual California fine depends on the county, the court, and your record, and court costs are added on top. For a criminal charge such as DUI or reckless driving, consult a licensed California attorney.
📋Common California Violations & Typical Fines
Base-fine ranges; California court costs are extra.
| Violation | Typical Fine |
|---|---|
Speeding 1–15 MPH over Total includes base fine plus state and county assessments. 1 point | $230–$240 |
Speeding 16–25 MPH over 1 point | $360–$370 |
Speeding 26+ MPH over May be charged as reckless driving above 100 MPH (CVC §22348). 1 point | $480–$500 |
Running a red light Camera-issued red-light tickets are typically $480–$500 in many CA counties. 1 point | $480–$500 |
Running a stop sign 1 point | $230–$240 |
Seat belt violation (driver) $465+ if a child under 16 is unrestrained. | $160–$165 |
Hand-held cell phone (1st offense) $285+ for second and subsequent offenses; adds 1 point if within 36 months of a prior. | $160–$165 |
Driving without insurance (1st offense) $700–$1,800 for subsequent offenses; possible vehicle impoundment. | $400–$900 |
Estimate what your California ticket will really cost
The fine on the ticket is rarely the total. Pick the violation to add court costs, points, suspension risk and the likely insurance impact in California.
Total includes base fine plus state and county assessments.
Pick the speeding tier that matches how fast you were going over the limit. California typically breaks speeding into different tiers — choose the right one above for the most accurate estimate.
Based on the fine ranges listed on this page. Open the full estimator to compare other states.
🎯How California's Point System Works
The California DMV assesses Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS) points for moving violations — typically 1 point for most infractions and 2 points for serious offenses (DUI, hit-and-run, reckless driving). Points generally stay on your record for 36 months.
4 points in 12 months, 6 points in 24 months, or 8 points in 36 months may trigger a "negligent operator" designation and license suspension review.
🎓Traffic School & Defensive Driving
California traffic school is available once every 18 months for eligible 1-point offenses. Court fee is typically $52 plus the traffic school course fee ($20–$60). Successful completion masks the violation from your public driving record (insurance still sees it differently in some cases).
📝Got a California Ticket?
- Before paying a moving violation, check whether you qualify for California's traffic-school option (see above) — it can keep the conviction off your record.
- Each conviction counts toward California's suspension threshold, so a cheap ticket can still matter.
🔗Official California Sources
For exact, current penalties, check the official California sources:
Sourced from public California statutes and California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) publications; may not reflect the latest amendments. usdriverguide.com is not affiliated with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), any California court, or any law enforcement agency. Full disclaimer.