5 Grounds to Raise When Contesting a California Speed Camera Ticket

Speed camera tickets are new in California, and it can seem that if a camera caught you, the case is open and shut. But AB 645 notices can be contested with the issuing city: an initial review requested within 30 calendar days of the mailing date, then an administrative hearing, then an appeal to superior court. The automated nature of these systems raises questions that do not come up with officer-issued citations.

1. The Vehicle Was Stolen or Rented

Under AB 645, the camera captures the rear license plate, and notices are issued only to the vehicle's registered owner (Vehicle Code 22426(b)). The law does not provide a way to transfer the notice to someone else just because another person was driving.

Each notice must include an affidavit of nonliability (Vehicle Code 22426(e)(6)). If the vehicle had been stolen, return the affidavit within 30 calendar days of the notice's mailing with a copy of the police report, and the registered owner is not subject to the penalty. If the vehicle was rented or leased from a bona fide rental company or a personal vehicle sharing program, return it within 30 calendar days with the rental or lease agreement, and the notice is sent to the renter or lessee instead.

2. Signage Problems

AB 645 cities must run a public information campaign for at least 30 calendar days before the program starts, and each camera must be marked by "Photo Enforced" signs, with the posted speed limit, no more than 500 feet before the camera (Vehicle Code 22425(d)(1), (f)(1)). If signs were missing, obscured, damaged, or not visible at the time of your notice, you can raise that, with photographs of the location if you have them.

3. Camera Calibration and Accuracy

AB 645 requires each camera to be inspected at least once every 60 days and calibrated at least once a year by an independent calibration laboratory (Vehicle Code 22425(d)(3)). Your notice must include verification of the system's most recent calibration (Vehicle Code 22426(e)(1)). In your review request, you can also ask the issuing agency for its inspection and calibration documentation. If the verification is missing, or the records are incomplete or raise questions about accuracy, say so.

4. Warning Period Violations

AB 645 requires only warning notices for the first 60 days after a city starts enforcement, and again for 60 days on any new street where cameras are added. A vehicle's first violation of 11 to 15 mph over the limit in the city must also be a warning (Vehicle Code 22425(f)).

If you received a fine that should have been a warning, include the date and location of your notice and compare it with the city's published start dates and your own notice history.

5. Vehicle Identification Issues

The enforcement model depends on accurately reading the license plate from the rear camera image. Glare, rain, dirt, poor lighting, or camera angle can affect image quality. If the plate image is unclear, partially obscured, or could belong to a different vehicle, that raises a real question about whether the correct vehicle was identified.

Review the photographs included with or linked from your notice. If the image quality is poor, describe that in your review request.

Putting It All Together

Ask whether the vehicle was stolen or rented, whether the notice requirements were followed, whether the equipment was accurate, whether the right vehicle was identified, and whether a warning was required. If the initial review is denied, you can request an administrative hearing before an independent examiner no later than 21 calendar days after the review results are mailed. You must pay the civil penalty to request the hearing unless you qualify under the city's inability-to-pay procedure; if the notice is dismissed after the hearing, a paid penalty is refunded within 30 days (Vehicle Code 22427(b), (c)(8)).

TicketClear prepares an initial review request from the details and grounds you select. You decide what your request says. TicketClear is not a law firm and cannot predict outcomes.

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