California Traffic Ticket Statistics: Data Every Driver Should Know
Reviewed by the TicketClear teamLast reviewed
How Many Traffic Tickets Are Issued in California Each Year?
California's superior courts recorded 2,973,585 traffic infraction filings in fiscal year 2024–25 (July 2024 to June 2025), according to the Judicial Council's 2026 Court Statistics Report. That count includes parking violations filed in court. Police stops are counted separately: the California Department of Justice's Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory Board (RIPA) reports 5,065,428 stops in 2024, and 46.96% of them ended in a citation.
- Traffic infraction filings in superior courts, fiscal year 2024–25: 2,973,585 (Judicial Council)
- Police stops in 2024: 5,065,428, of which 4,263,835 (84.18%) were for a traffic violation (RIPA Board)
- Stops in 2024 that ended in a citation, for any reason: 2,378,532 (46.96%) (RIPA Board)
- Los Angeles County had the most traffic infraction filings: 656,893, about 22% of the state total (Judicial Council)
Are Traffic Tickets Rising in California?
Yes. Filings are up 16.9% in two years. California's courts recorded 2,973,585 traffic infraction filings in fiscal year 2024–25, up from 2,544,785 in fiscal year 2022–23, as the Judicial Council first published it. That follows most of a decade of decline: filings were 4,622,803 in fiscal year 2013–14. Filings rose in 53 of the 58 counties.
| Area | FY 2022–23 | FY 2024–25 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California (statewide) | 2,544,785 | 2,973,585 | +16.9% |
| Stanislaus | 29,622 | 50,437 | +70.3% |
| San Francisco | 26,177 | 42,018 | +60.5% |
| Alameda | 130,541 | 185,528 | +42.1% |
| Los Angeles | 669,880 | 656,893 | -1.9% |
- Stanislaus had the largest rise of any county with more than 40,000 filings.
- San Francisco is still about a third of its 119,447 filings in fiscal year 2015–16.
- Los Angeles is one of five counties where filings fell.
Court trials doubled as a share of outcomes. They were 14.0% of the traffic infraction dispositions courts reported in fiscal year 2024–25, up from 7.3% in 2017–18.
| Fiscal year | Court trials | Dispositions reported | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | 213,789 | 2,909,164 | 7.3% |
| 2024–25 | 270,897 | 1,931,827 | 14.0% |
Sources for these figures (Judicial Council of California)
| Figure | Where it is printed |
|---|---|
| Filings, fiscal year 2024–25 (statewide and counties) | 2026 report, Table 9d, column (A), printed pages 140–141 |
| Filings, fiscal year 2022–23 (statewide and counties) | 2024 report, Table 7a, Traffic Infractions column, printed pages 122–123 |
| Filings, fiscal year 2013–14 (4,622,803) | 2015 report, Table 7a, printed pages 110–111 |
| San Francisco filings, fiscal year 2015–16 (119,447) | 2017 report, Table 7a, printed pages 135–136 |
| Court trials and dispositions, fiscal year 2024–25 | 2026 report, Table 9d, printed pages 140–141 |
| Court trials and dispositions, fiscal year 2017–18 | 2019 report, Table 9d, PDF pages 146–147 |
| Percent changes and shares | Calculated by TicketClear from the figures above |
What Is the Average California Traffic Fine?
The average California traffic fine is far higher than the posted base fine due to mandatory penalty assessments. Under the Judicial Council’s 2026 bail schedule, a $100 base fine becomes $486 after penalty assessments, the 20% surcharge, and court fees, and a $35 base fine becomes $234 (some counties charge more). There is no single multiplier: flat fees make small fines grow the most. Per the California State Controller's Office, these assessments fund court construction, DNA identification, emergency medical services, and other state programs.
- Base fine $35 (low-speed infraction) → total $234
- Base fine $100 → total $486
- Red light violation (VC 21453(a)): total $486
- Speeding 1–15 mph over: total $234
- Speeding 16–25 mph over: total $363
- Speeding 26 mph or more over: total $486
How Often Are Traffic Tickets Dismissed Through Trial by Written Declaration?
Dismissal rates for Trial by Written Declaration (TBWD) cases are not officially published by the Judicial Council. In a TBWD, the judge decides based on the written materials submitted under CVC 40902, which may include a declaration from the citing officer. No statistic predicts the outcome of any particular case.
- How often officers do not respond is not officially published and varies by county and agency
- If the officer does not respond, the judge still decides on the evidence the court has, which can include the citation itself (Vehicle Code 40902(c)); the case may be dismissed, but that is the judge's decision and no result is guaranteed
- TBWD is available for infraction-level violations in all 58 California counties
- If you lose TBWD, most courts let you request a Trial de Novo (new in-person trial); courts that offer online trial by declaration through MyCitations do not
- Note: exact dismissal rates are not officially published by the Judicial Council
What Are the California Camera Citation Statistics?
California's automated camera enforcement expanded significantly in 2024–2026. As of October 2026, camera citations fall under several laws: AB 645 (city speed cameras), SB 1297 (Malibu speed cameras), AB 289 (Caltrans work zone speed cameras), the traditional red light camera law (Vehicle Code 21455.5), and SB 720 (civil red light cameras).
- AB 645 speed camera cities: San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Glendale, Los Angeles, Long Beach (law effective January 1, 2024; ends January 1, 2032)
- San Francisco: citations since August 5, 2025 at 33 locations (SFMTA); Oakland: citations since March 15, 2026 at 18 locations (City of Oakland)
- SB 720 civil red light cameras: in effect since January 1, 2026; cities and counties may opt in
- AB 289 Caltrans work zone speed cameras: in effect since January 1, 2026; up to 35 systems, ticketing only when workers are present
- AB 645 fines: $50, $100, $200 or $500 by speed; no repeat-offender increase; a vehicle’s first 11 to 15 mph violation in a city is a warning
- AB 645 and SB 720 notices are contested with the city or agency (initial review, hearing, then court appeal), not by Trial by Written Declaration
- Traditional red light camera tickets (Vehicle Code 21455.5) are court citations: $486 total under the 2026 bail schedule for running a red light ($234 for a right turn on red), 1 DMV point, Trial by Written Declaration available
Can a Traffic Ticket Lead to a License Suspension in California?
The California DMV does not publish a yearly count of license suspensions caused by traffic tickets, so this page does not give one. What it can show is how the law changed. Until January 1, 2023, a court could report a failure to appear on a traffic ticket to the DMV, and the DMV could suspend the license (Vehicle Code section 13365). AB 2746 (Stats. 2022, ch. 800) repealed the reporting sections, Vehicle Code 40509 and 40509.5, as of January 1, 2023, and AB 103 (Stats. 2017, ch. 17) had already ended suspensions for failing to pay a traffic fine in 2017.
- Since January 1, 2023: a missed traffic court date is no longer reported to the DMV for a license suspension (AB 2746)
- Since 2017: failing to pay a traffic fine no longer leads to a license suspension (AB 103)
- A failure to appear can still add a civil assessment of up to $100 (Penal Code 1214.1) and a misdemeanor charge (Vehicle Code 40508)
- A failure-to-appear suspension reported before 2023 lasts until the court case is resolved; AB 2746 ends any that remain on January 1, 2027
Who Gets Stopped Most Often in California?
The RIPA Board's 2026 report describes the people police stopped in 2024, as the officers perceived them. The data covers all police stops, including pedestrian stops. It counts stops, not tickets or convictions, and it says nothing about whether anyone has grounds to contest a ticket.
- Perceived as cisgender men or boys: 70.96% of stops
- Perceived as ages 25–44: 55.32% of stops (25–34: 30.68%; 35–44: 24.64%)
- Perceived as Hispanic/Latine(x): 43.31% of stops
- Perceived as White: 31.28% of stops
- Source: California Department of Justice, RIPA Board 2026 Annual Report (2024 data)
Which California Counties Issue the Most Traffic Tickets?
The Judicial Council counts traffic infraction filings in each county's superior court. In fiscal year 2024–25, Los Angeles County had 656,893, about 22% of the statewide 2,973,585, and filings rose 8.3% statewide from 2,745,637 the year before. The table lists all 58 counties, with filings per 1,000 residents and the change from fiscal year 2023–24.
| County | Filings, FY 2024–25 | Residents (Jan. 1, 2025) | Filings per 1,000 residents | Change from FY 2023–24 | Change from FY 2022–23 (two years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda | 185,528 | 1,667,901 | 111.2 | +36.5% | +42.1% |
| Alpine | 2,267 | 1,182 | 1917.9 | +61.1% | +35.1% |
| Amador | 3,461 | 40,041 | 86.4 | +7.2% | -8.8% |
| Butte | 20,168 | 208,597 | 96.7 | +40.4% | +90.1% |
| Calaveras | 2,980 | 44,733 | 66.6 | +33.6% | +12.4% |
| Colusa | 5,636 | 22,067 | 255.4 | +13.0% | +2.8% |
| Contra Costa | 64,671 | 1,167,506 | 55.4 | +24.7% | +31.4% |
| Del Norte | 3,081 | 26,526 | 116.2 | -8.0% | -4.6% |
| El Dorado | 17,132 | 190,397 | 90.0 | +13.2% | +49.6% |
| Fresno | 87,915 | 1,041,996 | 84.4 | +22.0% | +21.2% |
| Glenn | 6,312 | 29,200 | 216.2 | +5.0% | +61.0% |
| Humboldt | 10,190 | 133,362 | 76.4 | +14.4% | +55.0% |
| Imperial | 37,914 | 186,378 | 203.4 | +20.3% | +14.6% |
| Inyo | 9,868 | 18,797 | 525.0 | +33.5% | +16.9% |
| Kern | 92,698 | 926,369 | 100.1 | +13.5% | +18.0% |
| Kings | 14,297 | 153,833 | 92.9 | +6.6% | +34.0% |
| Lake | 5,175 | 67,002 | 77.2 | +66.0% | +24.4% |
| Lassen | 3,506 | 27,848 | 125.9 | -23.8% | -27.7% |
| Los Angeles | 656,893 | 9,900,914 | 66.3 | -4.5% | -1.9% |
| Madera | 19,258 | 165,277 | 116.5 | +43.1% | +69.7% |
| Marin | 24,930 | 253,171 | 98.5 | +9.7% | +0.6% |
| Mariposa | 1,957 | 16,920 | 115.7 | +26.0% | +51.5% |
| Mendocino | 13,666 | 89,325 | 153.0 | -4.4% | +17.0% |
| Merced | 31,608 | 294,342 | 107.4 | +31.8% | +22.8% |
| Modoc | 1,799 | 8,490 | 211.9 | +40.4% | +75.2% |
| Mono | 7,220 | 12,548 | 575.4 | +26.2% | +70.6% |
| Monterey | 36,595 | 437,465 | 83.7 | +13.5% | +39.4% |
| Napa | 17,261 | 136,620 | 126.3 | +23.5% | +87.4% |
| Nevada | 9,829 | 100,445 | 97.9 | +3.7% | +48.7% |
| Orange | 246,847 | 3,175,509 | 77.7 | +7.8% | +22.1% |
| Placer | 26,783 | 428,880 | 62.4 | +11.3% | +37.2% |
| Plumas | 1,856 | 18,703 | 99.2 | -20.6% | +14.4% |
| Riverside | 180,822 | 2,497,829 | 72.4 | +7.9% | +12.6% |
| Sacramento | 112,313 | 1,619,023 | 69.4 | +11.0% | +26.8% |
| San Benito | 4,848 | 67,641 | 71.7 | -18.5% | +18.7% |
| San Bernardino | 156,730 | 2,215,490 | 70.7 | +5.0% | +30.6% |
| San Diego | 164,666 | 3,339,392 | 49.3 | +5.1% | +16.5% |
| San Francisco | 42,018 | 844,394 | 49.8 | +20.9% | +60.5% |
| San Joaquin | 47,641 | 814,956 | 58.5 | -7.5% | +5.9% |
| San Luis Obispo | 35,976 | 279,666 | 128.6 | +27.6% | +20.6% |
| San Mateo | 76,340 | 748,412 | 102.0 | +26.4% | +21.7% |
| Santa Barbara | 38,958 | 445,292 | 87.5 | +19.8% | +25.2% |
| Santa Clara | 81,699 | 1,928,029 | 42.4 | -17.4% | +1.9% |
| Santa Cruz | 21,297 | 262,693 | 81.1 | +21.7% | +12.1% |
| Shasta | 31,626 | 182,263 | 173.5 | +15.0% | +18.7% |
| Sierra | 368 | 3,167 | 116.2 | -18.8% | -11.3% |
| Siskiyou | 11,014 | 43,300 | 254.4 | +0.9% | +31.4% |
| Solano | 39,706 | 453,579 | 87.5 | +30.4% | +19.8% |
| Sonoma | 34,522 | 484,764 | 71.2 | +17.4% | +14.9% |
| Stanislaus | 50,437 | 558,243 | 90.3 | +32.1% | +70.3% |
| Sutter | 10,999 | 101,270 | 108.6 | +9.7% | +27.9% |
| Tehama | 9,640 | 64,945 | 148.4 | +32.3% | +63.3% |
| Trinity | 2,731 | 15,890 | 171.9 | +54.1% | +52.0% |
| Tulare | 43,993 | 488,798 | 90.0 | +6.9% | +12.8% |
| Tuolumne | 5,532 | 54,370 | 101.7 | +28.5% | +111.8% |
| Ventura | 76,533 | 828,983 | 92.3 | -2.2% | +2.1% |
| Yolo | 16,542 | 225,554 | 73.3 | +25.4% | +23.3% |
| Yuba | 7,333 | 86,620 | 84.7 | +30.9% | +47.3% |
| California (statewide) | 2,973,585 | 39,646,907 | 75.0 | +8.3% | +16.9% |
Read the source table (Table 9d, pages 140–141). Judicial Council 2026 Court Statistics Report ↗
Read the fiscal year 2022–23 county figures (Table 7a, pages 122–123). Judicial Council 2024 Court Statistics Report ↗
See the county population estimates. Department of Finance Report E-1 ↗
How Long Can a Ticket Affect Your Insurance?
No official source publishes how much a ticket raises insurance rates in California; it depends on your insurer's rating plan. What the law sets is how a conviction can count. Proposition 103 requires insurers to offer a Good Driver Discount at least 20 percent below the rate a driver would otherwise pay (Insurance Code 1861.02(b)), and a driver with more than one violation point in the previous three years does not qualify (Insurance Code 1861.025).
- Good Driver Discount: at least 20% below the regular rate (Insurance Code 1861.02(b))
- One violation point in the previous three years does not by itself end eligibility; more than one point does, and a single two-point conviction for reckless driving, hit-and-run, DUI or driving over 100 mph is enough (Insurance Code 1861.025)
- The DMV discloses most convictions for 3 years from the violation date, two-point convictions (such as reckless driving or 100 mph or more) for 7 years, and DUI convictions for 10 years (Vehicle Code 1808)
- A first traffic school conviction in any 18-month period is kept confidential and no point is counted, except for commercial drivers and violations worth more than one point (Vehicle Code 1808.7)
See how a ticket can affect your insurance rate. How a Traffic Ticket Affects Your Insurance Rate in California →
Sources
- Judicial Council of California, 2026 Court Statistics Report (fiscal year 2024–25), and 2025 Court Statistics Report (fiscal year 2023–24), Table 9d
- Judicial Council of California, Court Statistics Reports 2024 (fiscal year 2022–23), 2017 (2015–16) and 2015 (2013–14), Table 7a, and 2019 (fiscal year 2017–18), Table 9d
- California Department of Finance, Report E-1, county population on January 1, 2025 (released May 1, 2026)
- California Department of Justice, Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory Board (RIPA), 2026 Annual Report (2024 stop data)
- Judicial Council of California, Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules, 2026 edition
- California State Controller's Office, bythenumbers.sco.ca.gov
- AB 2746 (Stats. 2022, ch. 800) and AB 103 (Stats. 2017, ch. 17)
- California Insurance Code Sections 1861.02 and 1861.025
- California Vehicle Code Sections 1808, 1808.7, 13103, 40502, 40902, 40508, 21453
See how California traffic fines are calculated with penalty assessments. California Traffic Ticket Fines 2026 →
Learn how Trial by Written Declaration works. Guide to Contesting a Ticket in Writing →
Understand California speed camera fines under AB 645. What Is AB 645? →
Learn about red light camera citations under SB 720. What Is SB 720? →
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Check if my ticket qualifiesFrequently Asked Questions
California's superior courts recorded 2,973,585 traffic infraction filings in fiscal year 2024–25, including parking violations filed in court (Judicial Council 2026 Court Statistics Report). Separately, the California DOJ's RIPA Board reports that 46.96% of the 5,065,428 police stops in 2024 ended in a citation.
Under the Judicial Council’s 2026 bail schedule, a $100 base fine, such as a red light violation, becomes $486 after mandatory penalty assessments and fees, and a $35 base fine for a low-speed infraction becomes $234. Some counties charge more.
Dismissal rates for TBWD cases are not officially published, and they vary by county and case. The judge decides each case on the written materials submitted. No statistic predicts the outcome of any particular case.
No, not for court dates missed under current law. Since January 1, 2023, a missed traffic court date is no longer reported to the DMV for a suspension, because AB 2746 repealed Vehicle Code sections 40509 and 40509.5, and failing to pay a traffic fine has not led to a suspension since AB 103 took effect in 2017.
No official source publishes an average increase; it depends on your insurer. Under Proposition 103, a driver with more than one violation point in the previous three years loses eligibility for the Good Driver Discount (Insurance Code 1861.025), which is at least 20 percent (Insurance Code 1861.02(b)). The DMV discloses most convictions for 3 years from the violation date (Vehicle Code 1808).
Los Angeles County. Its superior court recorded 656,893 traffic infraction filings in fiscal year 2024–25, about 22% of the statewide total of 2,973,585, according to the Judicial Council's 2026 Court Statistics Report.
This article provides general educational information about California traffic law. It is not legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney. TicketClear is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation. Results vary. Every citation is unique.
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