How much is a speed camera ticket in California?

Under AB 645 (Vehicle Code 22426(c)), it is $50 for 11 to 15 mph over, $100 for 16 to 25 mph over, $200 for 26 mph or more over, and $500 for 100 mph or more. A vehicle’s first 11 to 15 mph violation in a city is a warning.

Do speed camera fines include surcharges?

AB 645 penalties are civil penalties set by statute, not court fines, so they are not built from a base fine plus court penalty assessments. The amount owed is printed on your notice.

Will a speed camera ticket raise my insurance?

AB 645 violations do not add DMV points (Vehicle Code 22426(a)), so they do not add a point to your driving record the way a speeding conviction does. The law does not address insurance directly, so check with your insurer if you are unsure.

Do fines increase for repeat speed camera violations?

No. AB 645 sets fines by speed only and has no repeat-offender increase. Each violation is fined at the same schedule, and a vehicle’s first 11 to 15 mph violation in a city is a warning.

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Speed Camera Fines in California: How Much Will You Pay?

Q: What if I cannot afford to pay a speed camera fine?

Vehicle Code 22429 requires 80% reductions for indigent people and 50% reductions for people up to 250% of the federal poverty level. For people who qualify as indigent, cities must also offer community service instead of payment, and payment plans of no more than $25 a month (Vehicle Code 22429(a)-(b)). Follow the instructions on your notice and ask before the deadline.

Reviewed by the TicketClear teamLast reviewed October 17, 2026

3 min readSpeed Cameras

How Are California Speed Camera Fines Structured?

AB 645 (Vehicle Code 22425-22431) sets the fines for speed camera violations in the six pilot cities: Los Angeles, San Jose, Oakland, Glendale, Long Beach and San Francisco. The amount depends only on how far over the posted speed limit the vehicle was going (Vehicle Code 22426(c)).

These are civil penalties set by statute, not court fines, so they are not built from a base fine plus the court penalty assessments that raise a traditional ticket’s total. The amount owed is printed on your notice.

How Much Are Speed Camera Fines in California?

11 to 15 mph over the limit: $50. A vehicle’s first violation at this speed in a city gets a warning notice instead.
16 to 25 mph over the limit: $100.
26 mph or more over the limit: $200.
100 mph or more: $500.

Warnings Come First

Each city must run a 30-day public information campaign and then send only warning notices for the first 60 days of enforcement, and again for 60 days on any new street where cameras are added (Vehicle Code 22425(f)). Cameras only issue notices for speeds 11 mph or more over the limit.

How Do Speed Camera Fines Differ from Traditional Ticket Fines?

A traditional speeding ticket is a court infraction. Under the Judicial Council’s 2026 bail schedule, a $35 base fine for 1 to 15 mph over becomes $234 after penalty assessments, $70 for 16 to 25 mph over becomes $363, and $100 for 26 mph or more over becomes $486. Some counties add more.

No DMV points and no license suspension for AB 645 violations (Vehicle Code 22426(a)).
A flat civil penalty set by speed, instead of a base fine plus court assessments.
Contested with the city first (initial review, then a hearing), with a final appeal to superior court.

What Happens If You Get Multiple Speed Camera Tickets?

Each violation is fined on its own at the same schedule. AB 645 has no repeat-offender increase: the amount depends only on speed. The only history-based rule helps drivers: a vehicle’s first 11 to 15 mph violation in a city is a warning instead of a $50 fine.

Multiple Notices Still Add Up

Even without a repeat-offender increase, several notices can add up quickly if you regularly drive through camera locations. Each notice has its own 30-day window to request an initial review.

What Financial Assistance Is Available for Speed Camera Fines?

Vehicle Code 22429 requires each city to cut the fine by 80% for indigent people and by 50% for people with incomes up to 250% of the federal poverty level. For people who qualify as indigent, cities must also offer community service instead of payment, and payment plans of no more than $25 a month with a processing fee of $5 or less (Vehicle Code 22429(a)-(b)).

If you believe you qualify, follow the instructions on your notice and make your request before the deadline. Asking for a reduction is separate from contesting the violation.

Sources: Vehicle Code 22425-22431 (AB 645) on leginfo.legislature.ca.gov; Judicial Council of California, Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules, 2026 edition. Checked October 17, 2026.

Want to learn how to contest a speed camera ticket? How to Contest a Speed Camera Ticket in California →

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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.