Exceeding Speed Limit in School Zone
Exceeding the 25 mph speed limit when passing a school building or school grounds while children are present and in recess or going to or leaving school.
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 Exceeding Speed Limit in School Zone ticket?
This ticket means you were caught driving faster than 25 mph in a designated school zone while children were present. School zones have lower speed limits to protect kids who may be crossing streets or walking near roadways during arrival and dismissal times.
Fines typically range from $238 to $490 depending on how fast you were going. You'll receive 1 point on your DMV record, which can increase your insurance rates by 15-25% for three years or more.
One point on your record typically increases insurance premiums by 15-25% for three to five years. A school zone violation may be viewed more seriously by some insurers, potentially resulting in higher increases than a standard speeding ticket.
What the Law Says
The prima facie speed limit is 25 mph when passing a school building or school grounds contiguous to a highway when children are going to or leaving the school.
What the Officer Must Prove
- 1The location was a properly marked school zone
- 2Children were going to or from school at the time
- 3Your speed exceeded 25 mph
How Drivers Get This Ticket
Driver travels 32 mph through a school zone at 3:15 PM while students are walking to their parents' cars
Ticket valid — children were present during dismissal time and driver exceeded 25 mph limit
Driver travels 30 mph through a school zone on a Saturday morning when no school activities are occurring
Defense possible — the 25 mph limit only applies when children are going to or leaving school
Driver cited at 28 mph passing a school at 7:00 AM, but school doesn't start until 8:30 AM and no children are visible
Defense possible — no children were present arriving at school at the time of citation
Driver travels 35 mph past a school at 2:45 PM during dismissal, but school zone signs were obscured by overgrown trees
Defense possible — inadequate signage may negate the violation if driver had no reasonable notice
Common Defenses for Exceeding Speed Limit in School Zone
These are the defense arguments that appear most often in successful Trial by Written Declarations for this violation.
School was not in session
CVC 22352(b) sets a 25 mph speed limit in school zones while children are present going to or from school. If school was on break, outside school arrival/dismissal hours, or a weekend, the 25 mph limit may not apply. Document the school schedule.
School zone not properly posted
The 25 mph school zone must be marked with official signs meeting MUTCD standards. If signage was missing, damaged, or non-compliant, challenge the validity of the zone.
No children were present
CVC 22352(b) requires children to be going to or coming from school. If no children were present or the timing was outside school arrival/dismissal periods, the limit may not apply.
How to Address This in Your Declaration
- ✓Photos showing the school zone signage (or lack thereof) at the location
- ✓Documentation of school hours and calendar showing school wasn't in session
- ✓Photos or video showing no children were present at the time
- ✓Weather or visibility conditions that affected sign visibility
- ✓Google Street View images showing sign placement or obstructions
- ✓Official school schedule or closure notices for the date in question
⚠️ What NOT to Do
- ✗Assuming all hours near a school require 25 mph — the limit only applies when children are present
- ✗Ignoring the ticket because you think the fine is unfair
- ✗Admitting you were speeding but offering excuses like being late for work
- ✗Failing to request the officer's calibration records and training certification
- ✗Not documenting the scene promptly — signs and conditions can change
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Frequently Asked Questions About Exceeding Speed Limit in School Zone
Does the 25 mph school zone limit apply all day?▼
No. The 25 mph limit only applies when children are going to or leaving school. Outside those times, the regular posted speed limit applies unless signs indicate specific hours.
What if school was closed for a holiday when I got my ticket?▼
This could be a strong defense. If school wasn't in session and no children were present, the reduced speed limit may not have been legally in effect.
Can I fight this ticket if I was only going a few mph over 25?▼
Yes. The officer must still prove all elements of the violation regardless of how small the speed difference. You can also challenge the accuracy of the speed measurement.
What counts as 'children present' for this violation?▼
California law specifies children 'going to or leaving school.' This typically means arrival and dismissal times, not simply any time a child happens to be near a school.
Will this ticket affect my commercial driver's license?▼
Yes, CDL holders face stricter consequences. One point violations in school zones can affect your CDL status and employment, making it especially important to contest if you have valid defenses.
Traffic School Option
Most drivers are eligible for traffic school to mask this point from their record if they haven't attended in the past 18 months. This keeps the point off your insurance but you still pay the fine plus traffic school fees.
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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.