California's AB 645 Speed Camera Program: What Drivers Need to Know in 2026

California's AB 645 took effect in 2025 and created the state's first automated speed camera enforcement pilot program. Citations are typically issued under CVC 22350 (Basic Speed Law) or CVC 22348 (Speed Limit). If you've received a notice in the mail with a photo of your vehicle and a dollar amount attached, you're likely dealing with an AB 645 camera citation — and the process to respond is completely different from a traditional traffic ticket.

Check if your AB 645 camera citation qualifies for an administrative review request. Check my camera ticket → →

What Is AB 645? (CVC 22350 Speed Camera Program)

Assembly Bill 645 authorized a five-year pilot program allowing up to eight California cities to deploy automated speed cameras in school zones and street racing corridors. The program was designed as a safety measure, not primarily a revenue tool — which is why the fines are structured differently than standard moving violations.

The cities initially authorized to participate include San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Glendale, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Stockton, and Fresno. Not all cities activated their programs immediately — deployments have been rolling out in phases.

How AB 645 Fines Work (Income-Based)

One of the most significant differences between AB 645 citations and traditional speeding tickets is the fine structure. AB 645 established an income-based sliding scale for fines, meaning the amount you owe depends in part on your household income, not just how fast you were going.

• Base fine: approximately $50–$100 for the first offense
• Higher income drivers may face fines up to $500 per citation
• Low-income drivers (below 40% of Area Median Income) qualify for reduced fines
• Ability-to-pay applications are available through the issuing city

The AB 645 Contest Process

Unlike a traditional California traffic ticket, you cannot contest an AB 645 speed camera citation through Trial by Written Declaration (TR-205). Instead, the process is an administrative review — a written request submitted directly to the city's traffic bureau, not a court.

1. Receive your Notice of Violation by mail (typically 15–30 days after the alleged violation)
2. You have 30 days from the notice date to respond
3. Submit an Initial Review Request (administrative contest) to the issuing city
4. If denied, you may request a secondary review
5. If still denied, you may pay the fine or request a court hearing

AB 645 vs. Traditional Moving Violations

A key distinction for California drivers: AB 645 speed camera citations are not moving violations in the traditional sense. They do not add points to your DMV record in the same way an officer-issued speeding ticket does. The citation is issued to the registered owner of the vehicle, not necessarily the driver — which also affects how the violation is recorded.

This distinction matters if you're concerned about your insurance rates. Camera citations may still appear on your driving record depending on how the issuing city reports them, but the DMV point impact is different from a court-adjudicated moving violation.

Common Grounds for Contesting an AB 645 Citation

Administrative review requests for AB 645 citations succeed most often when there are factual problems with the citation itself. Common grounds include:

• The vehicle in the photograph is not yours (license plate error, misread plate)
• You were not the driver and can identify who was
• The camera was in a location not designated in the program
• The speed limit signage at the location was inadequate or missing
• Technical error in the camera calibration or measurement
• Medical emergency at the time of the alleged violation

TicketClear prepares your AB 645 administrative review request and mails it to the correct city bureau. Learn how TicketClear handles camera tickets → →