CVC 24409Eligible for written declarationCorrectable · Fix under CVC 40522

Improper High Beam Use in Traffic

Driving in darkness without using a beam aimed to keep glaring rays out of an oncoming driver's eyes within 500 feet, or without using the lowermost beam when following a vehicle within 300 feet.

Reviewed by the TicketClear teamLast reviewed October 10, 2026

Fine: $234, or $25 if correctedDMV Points: 1✓ Correctable🏫 Traffic school may be available

1 DMV point on a conviction. If your citation is marked correctable and you file proof of correction, the court clerk collects a $25 fee (Vehicle Code 40611), and a violation dismissed on proof of correction adds no point.

Insurance: insurers must weigh your driving safety record first (Insurance Code 1861.02(a)), and more than one violation point counted under Vehicle Code 12810(a) to (d), (f), (i)(1) or (j) in the previous three years ends Good Driver Discount eligibility (Insurance Code 1861.025(b)(1)).

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 Improper High Beam Use in Traffic ticket?

CVC 24409 says that whenever a motor vehicle is operated during darkness, the driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, directed high enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a safe distance ahead, subject to these limits: (a) when approaching an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet, the driver shall use a distribution of light or composite beam aimed so that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver, and the lowermost distribution of light is deemed to avoid glare at all times regardless of road contour; and (b) when following another vehicle within 300 feet to the rear, the driver shall use the lowermost distribution of light.

Ask your insurer how a conviction affects your policy.

What the Law Says

Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated during darkness, the driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, directed high enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject to the following requirements and limitations: (a) Whenever the driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet, he shall use a distribution of light or composite beam so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver. The lowermost distribution of light specified in this article shall be deemed to avoid glare at all times regardless of road contour. (b) Whenever the driver of a vehicle follows another vehicle within 300 feet to the rear, he shall use the lowermost distribution of light specified in this article.

What the Officer Must Prove

1You were operating a motor vehicle during darkness
2You were approaching an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet without a beam aimed so its glaring rays were not projected into that driver's eyes, or following another vehicle within 300 feet without using the lowermost distribution of light

Arguments Commonly Raised for Improper High Beam Use in Traffic

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

Distance to the other vehicle

CVC 24409(a) applies within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle, and (b) within 300 feet when following another vehicle. Describe how far the other vehicle was.

Low beam in use

The lowermost distribution of light is deemed to avoid glare at all times regardless of road contour. If your low beams were on, say so.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

✗Leaving out how far the other vehicle was
✗Not describing which beam was on

What this code section covers (general information)

CVC 24409 — Improper High Beam Use in Traffic. Driving in darkness without using a beam aimed to keep glaring rays out of an oncoming driver's eyes within 500 feet, or without using the lowermost beam when following a vehicle within 300 feet.

This section is a correctable (fix-it) violation: if the officer marks your notice correctable, the court shall dismiss the charge when you present proof of correction on or before the date on your notice (Vehicle Code 40522). The officer does not mark it correctable on finding fraud or persistent neglect, an immediate safety hazard, or that you do not agree to, or cannot, promptly correct it (Vehicle Code 40610(b)).

Eligible for Trial by Written Declaration: generally yes.

This is general information about CVC 24409. 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 Improper High Beam Use in Traffic

When must I dim my high beams?▼

CVC 24409 says when approaching an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet, use a beam aimed so that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver, and when following another vehicle within 300 feet, use the lowermost distribution of light.

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Traffic School Option

If you are convicted instead of correcting the violation, it carries 1 DMV point. The court may let you complete traffic school. If it is the only ticket you have done traffic school for in 18 months, the record is kept confidential and no point is counted (Vehicle Code 1808.7(a)). Traffic school is not available for a violation in a commercial motor vehicle (Vehicle Code 42005(c)(1)). If you hold a commercial driver license, the record is not kept confidential (Vehicle Code 1808.7(b)). Check your notice or your court's website for your options.

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