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
Speeding
CVC 23109(c) prohibits exhibition of speed, which means accelerating or driving at high speed to show off or draw attention. This is a more serious violation than standard speeding and carries 2 DMV points.
Phone & Distraction
CVC 23123 prohibits driving while holding and operating a wireless telephone. This is California's handheld cell phone law.
Phone & Distraction
CVC 23123(a) prohibits driving while holding and operating a wireless telephone. You must use hands-free technology to talk on the phone while driving.
Phone & Distraction
CVC 23123.5(a) prohibits drivers from using a handheld wireless device to write, send, or read text-based communications while driving. This includes texting, emailing, and using messaging apps.
Phone & Distraction
CVC 23124(a) prohibits drivers under 18 from using any wireless telephone or electronic communication device while driving, even with hands-free technology.
General Traffic
CVC 23140 is California's zero tolerance law that prohibits drivers under 21 from operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.01% or higher.
General Traffic
California Vehicle Code 23140(a) prohibits drivers under 21 from operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.01% or higher. This is California's zero-tolerance law for underage drinking and driving.
General Traffic
CVC 23152 is California's driving under the influence (DUI) law. It prohibits operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
General Traffic
CVC 23152(a) makes it illegal to drive a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or any drug. You can be charged even if your blood alcohol content is below 0.08% if the officer believes your ability to drive safely was impaired.
General Traffic
California Vehicle Code 23152(b) makes it illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. This is a criminal DUI offense with serious consequences including fines, license suspension, jail time, and mandatory DUI programs.
General Traffic
California Vehicle Code 23153 makes it illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs and cause bodily injury to another person. This is a serious criminal offense that can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony.
General Traffic
CVC 23223(a) prohibits a driver from possessing an open container of alcohol while driving or when the vehicle is on a highway. This is an infraction with no DMV points but can still result in fines and insurance consequences.
Registration & Tags
CVC 24000 requires all vehicles to be equipped with required safety equipment in good working condition. This is a correctable violation if you fix the problem and provide proof.
Vehicle Equipment
CVC 24002 prohibits operating a vehicle with defective or unsafe equipment. This includes broken lights, worn tires, cracked windshields, faulty brakes, missing mirrors, or any component that compromises vehicle safety.
Vehicle Equipment
CVC 24250 requires vehicles to have working headlights during darkness and low visibility. Driving without proper headlights can result in a citation.
Vehicle Equipment
CVC 24252 prohibits operating a vehicle with defective or improperly maintained headlamps or other required lighting equipment. Most citations are correctable fix-it tickets when a bulb is out, a lens is cracked, or light output is obstructed.
Vehicle Equipment
CVC 24252(a) is cited when a vehicle is operated with headlamps that are defective (broken, dim, or not working) or improperly aimed (pointing too high, too low, or to the side).
Vehicle Equipment
CVC 24400 requires vehicles to have functioning red tail lamps visible from at least 500 feet to the rear. This is typically a correctable equipment violation with no DMV points.
Vehicle Equipment
CVC 24400(a) requires vehicles to have at least two headlamps that meet specific standards. This is a correctable equipment violation with no DMV points.
Vehicle Equipment
CVC 24600 requires vehicles to have working tail lamps (rear lights) that are visible from at least 500 feet away. This is a correctable equipment violation.
Vehicle Equipment
California Vehicle Code 25100 requires drivers to use turn signals when turning or changing lanes. Failing to signal properly can result in a traffic citation with fines and potential DMV points.
Vehicle Equipment
California Vehicle Code 25103 requires drivers to use turn signals properly when turning or changing lanes, signaling at least 100 feet before the maneuver.
Vehicle Equipment
CVC 26300 requires every motor vehicle to be equipped with a working horn or warning device capable of being heard from at least 200 feet away. Driving without a functional horn can result in a fix-it ticket with a base fine of $35, though total costs can reach $197 to $229 or more after fees.
Vehicle Equipment
CVC 26451 requires California vehicles to have mirrors that allow the driver to see at least 200 feet behind the vehicle. A violation occurs when required mirrors are missing, broken, or improperly positioned.
