CVC 21100.3Eligible for written declaration

Disobeying a Local Traffic Director

Disobeying the traffic directions of a person a local authority appointed or authorized to regulate traffic under Vehicle Code 21100(e), while that person wears the official insignia and is acting in the course of the appointed duties.

Reviewed by the TicketClear teamLast reviewed October 10, 2026

Fine: check your notice or your court's bail scheduleDMV Points: Check with the DMV

DMV points: we have not confirmed whether a conviction adds a point. Check with the DMV.

This guide is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. TicketClear is a self-help document preparation service — we are not attorneys and do not represent clients. Review all prepared documents carefully before submitting. Fine amounts are estimates and vary by county and surcharge schedule.

What is a Disobeying a Local Traffic Director ticket?

CVC 21100.3 says it is unlawful for any person to disobey the traffic directions of a person appointed or authorized by a local authority to regulate traffic pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 21100, when that person is wearing an official insignia issued by the local authority and is acting in the course of the appointed duties. Section 21100(e) covers a person a local authority appoints to regulate traffic when official traffic control devices are disabled or otherwise inoperable, at the scene of an accident or disaster, or at a location that may require traffic direction for orderly traffic flow.

Ask your insurer how a conviction affects your policy. For DMV points, check with the DMV.

What the Law Says

It is unlawful for any person to disobey the traffic directions of a person appointed or authorized by a local authority to regulate traffic pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 21100 when such appointee is wearing an official insignia issued by the local authority and is acting in the course of his appointed duties.

What the Officer Must Prove

1A person appointed or authorized by a local authority to regulate traffic under CVC 21100(e) gave traffic directions
2That person was wearing an official insignia issued by the local authority and was acting in the course of the appointed duties
3You disobeyed those traffic directions

Arguments Commonly Raised for Disobeying a Local Traffic Director

General information: arguments drivers commonly raise for this code section. Whether any applies depends on your own facts.

Who gave the directions

CVC 21100.3 applies to the traffic directions of a person appointed or authorized by a local authority under CVC 21100(e). Describe who was directing traffic.

Official insignia and duties

CVC 21100.3 applies when that person is wearing an official insignia issued by the local authority and is acting in the course of the appointed duties. Describe what the person was wearing and doing.

What you were directed to do

Describe the directions you were given and what you did.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

✗Missing the response date on your notice
✗Not writing down who was directing traffic and where

What this code section covers (general information)

CVC 21100.3 — Disobeying a Local Traffic Director. Disobeying the traffic directions of a person a local authority appointed or authorized to regulate traffic under Vehicle Code 21100(e), while that person wears the official insignia and is acting in the course of the appointed duties.

This is a fixed-rule section: it describes a specific act or limit. Disputes under sections like this usually turn on the facts — what happened, where, and how it was observed or measured.

Eligible for Trial by Written Declaration: generally yes.

This is general information about CVC 21100.3. It is not advice about your citation, and TicketClear does not evaluate anyone's facts. Whether any of it applies depends on your own facts. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed California attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions About Disobeying a Local Traffic Director

Whose directions does CVC 21100.3 cover?▼

A person appointed or authorized by a local authority to regulate traffic under CVC 21100(e), while wearing an official insignia issued by the local authority and acting in the course of the appointed duties.

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