Following Emergency Vehicle Too Closely
Following an authorized emergency vehicle that is responding to an emergency call at a distance of less than 300 feet when the vehicle is sounding a siren or displaying lights.
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 Following Emergency Vehicle Too Closely ticket?
This ticket means you allegedly drove within 300 feet of a fire truck, ambulance, or police car that was responding to an emergency with lights or sirens on. California law requires all other drivers to maintain at least 300 feet of distance behind these emergency vehicles to keep responders safe and allow them to operate effectively.
This violation carries a fine of approximately $238 to $350 after court fees are added, plus 1 point on your DMV record. That point stays on your record for 3 years and can significantly increase your auto insurance premiums, often by 15-25% or more.
A CVC 21706(a) conviction adds 1 point to your record, which insurance companies typically view as a moving violation. Expect premium increases of 15-25% for 3 years, potentially costing $500-$1,500 or more depending on your current rates.
What the Law Says
No driver of a vehicle, other than an authorized emergency vehicle or a police vehicle, shall follow within 300 feet of any authorized emergency vehicle responding to an emergency call.
What the Officer Must Prove
- 1The vehicle ahead was an authorized emergency vehicle (fire, ambulance, police, etc.)
- 2The emergency vehicle was actively responding to an emergency call
- 3The emergency vehicle had lights and/or siren activated
- 4Your vehicle was following within 300 feet of the emergency vehicle
- 5The officer had a reliable method for determining the distance
How Drivers Get This Ticket
A driver follows closely behind an ambulance with lights and sirens to get through heavy traffic faster
Clear violation — using an emergency vehicle to bypass traffic is exactly what this law prohibits
A driver is on a narrow road with no side streets when a fire truck comes up behind with sirens, and the driver continues forward looking for a safe place to pull over
Potentially defensible — the driver was attempting to comply with the law by finding a safe location to yield
A driver is traveling the same direction as a police car that has lights on but no siren, parked on the shoulder at a traffic stop
Likely not a violation — the emergency vehicle was not actively responding to an emergency call
Common Defenses for Following Emergency Vehicle Too Closely
These are the defense arguments that appear most often in successful Trial by Written Declarations for this violation.
Distance estimation was inaccurate
Officers often estimate the 300-foot distance visually without any measuring device. You can challenge how the officer determined the distance and whether their estimate was reliable.
Emergency vehicle was not actively responding
The law only applies when the emergency vehicle is responding to an emergency call with lights or sirens. If the vehicle was returning from a call or not in active response mode, this defense may apply.
Traffic conditions prevented safe compliance
If sudden traffic congestion, road construction, or other conditions temporarily reduced your distance without any intent to follow closely, this context may support your defense.
You were actively seeking a safe place to yield
California law requires drivers to pull to the right and stop for emergency vehicles. If you were in the process of finding a safe location to do so, you weren't intentionally following.
How to Address This in Your Declaration
- ✓Dashcam footage showing your actual distance from the emergency vehicle
- ✓Evidence that the emergency vehicle's lights or siren were not activated
- ✓Photos or documentation of road conditions that limited your ability to increase distance
- ✓GPS data or dashcam showing you were actively pulling over when cited
- ✓Witness statements confirming the circumstances
⚠️ What NOT to Do
- ✗Admitting you were following the emergency vehicle to get through traffic faster
- ✗Claiming you didn't see the emergency vehicle when it had lights and sirens activated
- ✗Arguing that 300 feet is an unreasonable distance without addressing the specific facts of your case
- ✗Missing your court deadline — this can result in additional penalties and a failure to appear charge
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Frequently Asked Questions About Following Emergency Vehicle Too Closely
How does an officer know I was within 300 feet?▼
Officers typically estimate distance visually, sometimes using roadway markers or landmarks as reference points. This estimation method can be challenged in your defense since 300 feet is difficult to judge accurately by eye alone.
What if I was trying to pull over but couldn't find a safe spot?▼
This is a valid defense. California law requires you to pull over safely for emergency vehicles. If you were actively looking for a safe location to yield, you can explain this in your Trial by Written Declaration.
Does this apply if the emergency vehicle didn't have its siren on?▼
The law requires the emergency vehicle to be responding to an emergency. If only lights were on without a siren, you may argue the vehicle wasn't in active emergency response, though lights alone can still indicate response mode.
Can I still get this ticket if I wasn't trying to follow the emergency vehicle?▼
Yes, the violation is based on distance, not intent. However, explaining circumstances that unintentionally put you within 300 feet — like merging traffic or sudden stops — can help your defense.
Traffic School Option
Most drivers cited for CVC 21706(a) are eligible for traffic school if they haven't attended in the past 18 months. Completing traffic school keeps the point off your public driving record and prevents insurance increases.
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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.