California Vehicle Codes
Instantly search the most common traffic violations, review fines and DMV points, and jump into ClerkHero’s step-by-step guidance for winning a Trial by Written Declaration.
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General Traffic
Broad California traffic-control and roadway-behavior violations that do not fit neatly into one narrow citation cluster.
86 pages
Registration & Tags
Registration, tabs, stickers, and vehicle paperwork violations that are often fixable with DMV proof and fast follow-through.
28 pages
Vehicle Equipment
Vehicle equipment and lighting violations, including fix-it tickets for lamps, plates, and other correctable safety issues.
24 pages
Speeding
California speeding laws, maximum speed limits, and practical defenses for the most common speeding citations.
17 pages
Lane Usage
Lane-position, lane-usage, and merge-related violations where roadway layout, visibility, and officer angle often matter.
14 pages
Phone & Distraction
Cell phone and distracted-driving violations, including handheld-device rules, officer observation issues, and common proof problems.
4 pages
Red Light
Red-light and signal-related violations, including camera tickets, officer-issued citations, and intersection defense strategies.
4 pages
Stop Sign
Stop-sign violations, rolling-stop disputes, and the evidence drivers need when contesting CVC 22450 tickets.
3 pages
General Traffic
CVC 21712(a) prohibits unlawful riding on vehicles or being towed by vehicles on California highways. This includes riding on portions of a vehicle not designed for passengers or being drawn by a vehicle while on a bicycle, skateboard, sled, or similar device.
General Traffic
CVC 21750 governs when and how drivers may legally pass other vehicles on California roadways, primarily requiring passing on the left except in specific situations.
Lane Usage
CVC 21751 prohibits passing another vehicle on the left when the driver's view is obstructed or when approaching within 100 feet of certain road features. This violation carries a fine, one DMV point, and potential insurance increases.
Lane Usage
CVC 21752 prohibits passing other vehicles in locations where passing is not allowed, such as on curves, hills, or where signs or road markings indicate no passing. This violation carries a base fine of $35, but total penalties can exceed $200 with assessments.
Lane Usage
CVC 21753 requires drivers to pass only when there is sufficient clearance to safely return to the right side of the road. Violating this code means passing without adequate space to complete the maneuver safely.
Lane Usage
CVC 21754 prohibits passing another vehicle on the right when doing so requires driving off the paved or main-traveled portion of the roadway. This violation carries a base fine of $35, 1 DMV point, and potential insurance increases.
Lane Usage
CVC 21755 prohibits passing another vehicle on the right when doing so is unsafe. This violation carries a fine, adds 1 point to your DMV record, and can increase insurance rates.
General Traffic
CVC 21800(a) requires drivers to yield the right-of-way at intersections to vehicles that have already entered or are approaching closely enough to constitute an immediate hazard. Violating this code typically results in a fine, one DMV point, and potential insurance increases.
General Traffic
CVC 21801 requires drivers to yield the right of way to vehicles or pedestrians that have lawful priority at intersections, crosswalks, and when making turns.
General Traffic
CVC 21801(a) prohibits a driver from entering or crossing a highway without yielding to traffic close enough to constitute an immediate hazard. This violation typically results in one DMV point and increased insurance rates.
General Traffic
CVC 21802 requires drivers to yield the right of way to vehicles or pedestrians lawfully in an intersection or approaching closely enough to constitute an immediate hazard.
Stop Sign
CVC 21802(a) requires drivers who have stopped at a stop sign to yield the right-of-way to vehicles that have already entered or are approaching the intersection closely enough to constitute an immediate hazard.
General Traffic
CVC 21803(a) requires drivers approaching a yield sign to slow down and yield the right-of-way to any vehicles or pedestrians in the intersection or approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard. Failing to yield at a yield sign is a moving violation that carries a fine and DMV points.
General Traffic
CVC 21804(a) requires drivers entering a highway from a private road or driveway to yield the right-of-way to all approaching vehicles. Violating this code means you failed to stop or yield before merging onto the highway.
General Traffic
CVC 21950(a) requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk. Violating this code means a driver failed to stop and allow a pedestrian to safely cross.
General Traffic
CVC 22100 requires drivers to make turns from the correct lane and prohibits changing lanes during a turn. Violations carry a base fine of $35, 1 DMV point, and can increase insurance rates.
General Traffic
CVC 22100(a) requires drivers to make right turns from as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. Violating this code means you made a right turn from an improper position or lane.
General Traffic
CVC 22101(d) prohibits drivers from disobeying official traffic control devices that restrict or regulate turning movements or lane directions. This violation occurs when a driver turns or uses a lane contrary to posted signs or pavement markings.
General Traffic
CVC 22102 prohibits making an illegal U-turn in a business or residential district where such turns are not permitted by law or signage.
General Traffic
CVC 22103 prohibits making a U-turn in a residential district when another vehicle is approaching from either direction within 200 feet. This violation carries a fine, one DMV point, and potential insurance increases.
General Traffic
CVC 22106 requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to approaching traffic before starting a parked vehicle and entering the roadway. Failing to yield before pulling out from a parked position can result in a ticket with fines and DMV points.
Lane Usage
CVC 22107 is a violation for making an unsafe turn or lane change without properly signaling or ensuring it is safe to do so. This includes failing to signal at least 100 feet before the maneuver or not checking for other vehicles.
General Traffic
California Vehicle Code 22108 requires drivers to signal continuously for at least 100 feet before turning or changing lanes, ensuring other drivers have adequate notice of your intended movement.
Speeding
CVC 22348(a) prohibits engaging in a speed contest (street racing) on any California highway. This is a serious moving violation that carries significant fines, DMV points, and potential insurance consequences.
