Navigating the busy streets of the Golden State can be an exhilarating experience. Still, it comes with its fair share of challenges. From the lure of the open freeways to the maze of the metropolitan streets, even the most cautious drivers must tread carefully.
This article will dive into the various traffic violations and their corresponding fines. We’ll also look at different ways your license can be suspended and how to reinstate it. Lastly, we’ll explore the realm of traffic schools and the eligibility for attending one. Let's get into it!
To understand traffic fines, you must first know the violations that lead to them. Traffic violations in California can be categorized into three types:
Traffic courts solely handle infractions, whereas Criminal courts handle misdemeanors. However, some infractions may be treated as misdemeanors depending on the severity of the situation. That said, you might end up in a Criminal court instead of a traffic court, so always be careful while cruising through the freeways!
On the other hand, you have parking citations; which are generally processed by the city or law enforcement agency that issues them. In most cases, you will not go through the court system. All you need to do is follow the instructions on your citation, and you'll be good to go.
Traffic violations are further categorized into those requiring a mandatory appearance in court and those that can be sorted out electronically or by mail. For those requiring mandatory appearance, you may need to do the following before the appearance date:
An Infraction is a breach of certain provisions or failure to comply with the said provisions of the Vehicle Code. Most infractions are considered minor traffic offenses.
They’re typically punishable by fines. The average penalty for an infraction is around $200. Mandatory community service, such as trash pickup, may also be required in some cases.
Examples of infractions include...
Going past the posted speed limit is considered an infraction and may even be considered a misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances; which can significantly affect the fines. So, how much does a speeding ticket cost?
It’s sometimes difficult to estimate the cost of a speeding ticket because of added state or county-imposed fines. But generally speaking the overall cost can be around $490 or more. Below is a summary of the base, and estimated fines you can expect:
| The speed limit (mph) | Base fine | Estimated total fee |
| 1 - 15 | $35 | Up to $238 |
| 16 - 25 | $70 | Up to $367 |
| 26 - 99 | $100 | Up to $490 |
| 100 and above | $200 | $500 and above |
Costs Summary:
| Violation | Base Fine | Estimated total fine |
| Running a stop sign | $100 | $100-$250 |
| Running a flashing or solid red light | $100 | $200-$500 |
| Rolling Legal Turn and rolling stops | $35 | $200-$250 |
There are multiple laws that ban hand-held cell phones and wireless devices while behind the wheel. The first prohibits all drivers from using hand-held cell phones, while the second prohibits all those under 18 years old from using cell phones. The third law speficifally bans texting.
Below is a summary of the estimated fines you can expect:
| Violation | Base fine | Estimated total fine |
| 1st-time offense | $20 | At least $160 |
| 2nd-time offense | $50 | At least $250 |
However, if you receive a cell phone ticket within 36 months of a previous one or any other distracted driving violation, you will receive one point. This point will remain on your record for the next 36 months.
If you're caught driving a vehicle with missing or broken equipment needing repair, you’ve committed a mechanical violation. Some examples include a cracked windshield, burned-out headlights, brake lights, turn signals, etc.
Traffic tickets for mechanical violations are often known as fix-it tickets or correctable violations. When you receive a fix-it ticket, you’re expected to correct the specific mechanical issue before the date you appear in court.
Once you’ve done the repairs, you’ll need to show proof of the correction to an authorized personnel, such as a local law enforcement officer, who’ll then complete the Certificate of Correction. Your violation will be dismissed once you submit this certificate, plus a $25 fee, to the court.
However, you shouldn’t allow these tickets to pile up, as you risk having your license suspended.
Other correctable violations include:
Misdemeanors are more serious violations, so criminal courts in charge of handling them rather than a regular traffic court.
Here’s a list of California's most common misdemeanor offenses:
Offenses like reckless driving might lead to fines of up to $1000, license suspension for up to 6 months, mandatory traffic school, and even imprisonment for up to 90 days.
DUI offenses may get you up to five years of summary probation and fines of up to $2,000, depending on whether it’s your 1st, 2nd, or 3rd offense. For first-time offenders, mandatory completion of a 30-hour alcohol program will also be required.
Here’s a summary of DUI fines and their respective license suspension duration:
| Violation | Estimated fines | License suspension |
| 1st-time offense | $390 and $1,000 | Up to 6 months |
| 2nd-time offense | $390 to $2,000 | Up to 24 months |
| 3rd-time offense | $390 and $2,000 | Up to 36 months |
| DUI causing injury | $390-$5,000 in fines | Up to 36 months |
If you’re convicted of a misdemeanor hit and run, the penalties include up to 6 months in county jail, a fine up to $1,000, and two points on your California drivers license. Furthermore, you might be placed on probation for three years and required to complete community service if you have a criminal history.
License suspensions can occur due to excessive points on your driving record. They may also arise from receiving multiple traffic violations, committing serious offenses such as a DUI, or failing to appear in court.
You must complete the required suspension period to reinstate your license, pay any outstanding fines or fees, and potentially attend mandatory traffic school or counseling program.
To ensure a smooth transition back to driving legally. Following the specific instructions the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) provides is imperative.
After receiving a ticket, you’ll probably want to attend traffic school for most violations. This is because completing an approved course will allow you to dismiss specific traffic citations, prevent points from being added to your driving record, and avoid a surge in your auto insurance premium.
Please note that certain violations such as DUI offenses don’t usually qualify for traffic school, as they carry more severe consequences.
As an added benefit, traffic school allows you to refresh your knowledge of laws, defensive driving techniques, and safe practices on the road, thus promoting safer driving.
Not everyone can attend traffic school, as the court will look at the following:
If you’re eligible, you’ll be required to pay the court the full file, plus a traffic school fee, followed by signing up and attending the school.
In this article, we’ve provided an in-depth exploration of various traffic violations and their corresponding penalties, from infractions such as speeding that carry fines of around $490, to misdemeanors such as a DUI that can lead to higher penalties, consisting of a fine up to $5000, license suspension, mandatory traffic school, and even imprisonment.
We’ve also discussed what causes license suspensions, how to get them reinstated, and the importance of traffic school. No one likes getting a traffic ticket, but failing to address it can cause long-term problems for your license, your insurance rate, and potentially your freedom.
If you ever find yourself in a bind and are in the process of getting your license suspended, call our traffic ticket attorneys at Auto Allies and let us help you. We can dismiss your alleged traffic violations and keep the points off your record.