California Traffic Fines
& Penalty Ranges
Typical fine ranges for the most common California traffic violations — speeding, red light, cell phone, and more. Plus how the point system works and what to do if you got a ticket.
Read This First — Ranges Only, Not Exact Amounts
The fines below are typical ranges only. Your actual fine depends on the county, the specific court, your driving history, the officer's discretion, and any local surcharges. Court costs and state assessments are added on top of the base fine and can substantially increase the total.
This page is not legal advice. If you've received a citation — especially for reckless driving, DUI, hit-and-run, or any criminal traffic charge — consult a licensed California attorney before doing anything else.
📋Common California Violations & Typical Fines
Most-searched violations in California. All amounts include the typical base fine; court costs and state surcharges are added on top and vary by county.
| 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 |
🎯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).
🛡️The Hidden Cost: Auto Insurance
The fine on the ticket is often the smaller half of what a moving violation costs you. In most cases, a single ticket can raise your auto-insurance premium by 20%–40% for the next 3 years — frequently adding $300–$1,500+ in extra premiums, depending on your insurer, your prior record, and your state's rating rules.
Talk to your insurance agent before deciding whether to pay or contest a ticket — they can usually tell you the actual rate impact, which often makes traffic school (where eligible) the obvious choice even if the fine itself is small.
📝If You Got a California Ticket — Three Steps
- 1
Read the citation carefully — don't miss the deadline
Every California citation has a court date or response deadline (often 20–30 days). Missing it usually means an automatic guilty finding, additional fees, and a possible bench warrant. Note the court name, the violation code, and the deadline — they're all printed on the ticket.
- 2
Decide: pay, contest, or take traffic school
For minor non-moving violations (parking, expired tags), paying is often the cheapest path. For moving violations that add points or insurance impact, traffic school (where eligible) is often the better total-cost choice. Contesting makes sense when you have evidence the citation is wrong, when the consequences are severe, or when an attorney advises it.
- 3
For serious charges, talk to a California attorney
Reckless driving, DUI, hit-and-run, driving on a suspended license, leaving the scene — these are criminal charges in California, not traffic infractions. They carry possible jail time, license revocation, and long-term consequences. Many traffic-defense attorneys offer free initial consultations; the cost of representation is almost always less than the cost of mishandling a serious charge alone.
🔗Official California Sources
For exact, current penalties for your specific situation, check the official sources below — these are the same sources California courts and law enforcement use:
💰Also Worth Knowing: California License Cost
See the complete cost breakdown for getting a California driver's license — permit fees, license fees, REAL ID, driver education, and the hidden costs no one tells you about.
View California License Cost BreakdownNeed Your California Driver's License?
Get the complete step-by-step California driver's license guide — requirements, documents, road test tips, fees, and FAQs.
Full California Driver's License GuideThis page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Traffic-fine amounts vary by county, court, prior record, and the specific circumstances of each case. Court costs, state surcharges, and assessments are routinely added on top of the base fines listed here and can substantially increase the total amount owed.
Information is sourced from publicly available California statutes and DMV publications and may not reflect the most recent amendments. Always verify current penalties at the official California source before relying on any number on this page. For any criminal traffic charge — including DUI, reckless driving, hit-and-run, or driving on a suspended license — consult a licensed California attorney.
DriveGuideUSA.com is not affiliated with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), any California court, or any law enforcement agency.