California AB 645 guide
California Speed Camera Tickets: AB 645 Guide
This is not a normal speeding ticket. AB 645 speed camera notices are civil penalties with no DMV points and usually no insurance impact. Ignore it and you risk fees, collections, or losing your chance to contest.
Quick answer
Speed camera ticket basics
- Cost: $50-$500
- Points: None
- Insurance: Usually none
- Ticket type: Civil penalty
- Action: Review or contest before deadline
State law
What is AB 645?
AB 645 created a limited California speed safety camera pilot for Los Angeles, San Jose, Oakland, Glendale, Long Beach, and San Francisco. The pilot is authorized until January 1, 2032 unless state law changes.
These notices are civil penalties mailed to the registered owner after the system captures the rear license plate. The speed camera ticket cost tiers begin when the alleged speed is at least 11 mph over the posted limit.
City rollout timing, warning periods, locations, payment reductions, and administrative review steps can vary. Use the city notice and official city source before deciding whether to pay or contest.
Do not ignore this notice
- Deadlines are strict. Use the date on the notice.
- Late fees can apply. Missing the window can add cost.
- Collections risk is possible. Do not assume it disappears.
- Review options can close. Waiting can limit your choices.
Fine tiers
California speed camera ticket fine amounts
| Alleged speed | Civil penalty |
|---|---|
| 11 to 15 mph over | $50 |
| 16 to 25 mph over | $100 |
| 26 to 99 mph over | $200 |
| 100+ mph over | $500 |
Low-income payment reductions or diversion options may apply depending on the city process and AB 645 rules.
How much is a speed camera ticket in California?
AB 645 fine tiers generally run from $50 to $500 based on how far over the posted speed the notice claims the vehicle was traveling. For the full tier-by-tier explanation, read the California speed camera ticket cost guide.
Do speed camera tickets add points in California?
AB 645 speed camera notices are civil penalties and are generally described as no-point violations. For more detail, see the guide on whether speed camera tickets add points in California.
Are speed camera tickets enforceable in California?
Yes, AB 645 authorizes a limited pilot in specific California cities. Enforcement details still depend on the city, warning period, location, notice content, and administrative review process.
Who pays a speed camera ticket?
AB 645 notices are generally mailed to the registered owner, not handed to the driver. Read more about who pays a California speed camera ticket.
High-intent question
Can you ignore a speed camera ticket in California?
No. Even if the notice is civil and no-point, ignoring it can create avoidable problems. The city can set response deadlines, add late fees, limit review options, or send unpaid penalties to collections.
- Do not ignore it if the deadline is close.
- Do not pay blindly if the plate, owner, photo, or location looks wrong.
Pilot cities
California cities in the AB 645 speed camera pilot
| City | Status | Planned / active cameras | Warning period | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Approved / rollout in progress | 125 planned | AB 645 requires warning notices for the first 60 calendar days after program start. | Los Angeles speed camera ticket guide |
| San Francisco | Active | 33 cameras reported by SFMTA materials and city coverage | SFMTA states all cameras were issuing warnings as of June 6, 2025. | San Francisco speed camera ticket guide |
| Oakland | Active / citation phase scheduled | 18 locations | 60-day warning period. | Oakland speed camera ticket guide |
| San Jose | Program buildout / planning | Up to 33 systems | AB 645 requires warning notices before paid violations. | San Jose speed camera ticket guide |
| Long Beach | Program information published | Locations shown on city pilot map | Long Beach says a 30-day public information campaign comes before activation, then 60 days of warnings after a device is installed and operating. | Long Beach speed camera ticket guide |
| Glendale | Implementation planning | Nine finalized sites from 16 potential locations | AB 645 requires warning notices before paid violations. | Glendale speed camera ticket guide |
Contest process
How to contest a California speed camera ticket
- 1Read the notice and response deadline.
- 2Verify the plate, date, location, posted speed, alleged speed, and registered owner information.
- 3Review the photos, city source, calibration language, and signage details.
- 4Request initial administrative review if the notice allows it.
- 5Prepare evidence and escalate or appeal through the process shown on the notice.
Ready to contest the notice?
Start with the deadline, photos, plate, owner information, location, and city instructions. Then decide whether a contest packet makes sense.
Ticket type comparison
Why speed camera tickets are different from normal tickets
The biggest difference is the process. A speed camera notice is usually a city civil penalty mailed to the owner. A normal speeding ticket is usually a court citation issued to the driver.
Speed camera ticket
- Civil penalty
- No DMV points
- Usually no insurance impact
- Mailed to registered owner
- Administrative review process
Officer-issued speeding ticket
- Moving violation
- DMV points possible
- Insurance impact possible
- Issued to driver
- Traffic court / TBWD may apply
Decision point
Should you pay or contest a speed camera ticket?
Pay if
everything looks correct, you are inside the payment window, and you want to close it fast.
Contest if
the plate, vehicle, photos, owner details, speed, location, or deadline instructions look wrong.
Article library
Explore speed camera guides
Start Here
How to Fight a Speed Camera Ticket in California
Learn how to review and contest a California speed camera ticket, including evidence, owner issues, city process, and ClerkHero self-help support.
Speed Camera Ticket Cost in California
California speed camera ticket fines start at $50 for 11-15 mph over and go up to $500 for 100+ mph. Learn AB 645 fine tiers, discounts, and how to contest.
Trial by Written Declaration for Camera Tickets in California
Learn when Trial by Written Declaration applies to California camera tickets and when AB 645 speed camera civil notices use a different response process.
City Guides
Los Angeles Speed Camera Tickets: Locations, Fines, and How to Contest
Los Angeles is rolling out 125 AB 645 speed cameras. Learn about warning periods, civil penalties, points, insurance impact, and how to contest your notice.
San Francisco Speed Camera Tickets: Locations, Fines, and How to Contest
San Francisco speed cameras are active. Learn how AB 645 camera tickets work, whether they add points, and what to review before paying or contesting.
Oakland Speed Camera Tickets: Locations, Fines, and How to Contest
Oakland's AB 645 speed camera pilot issues $50-$500 fines at 18 locations. Learn how these civil penalties work, whether you can contest, and your options.
San Jose Speed Camera Tickets: Locations, Fines, and How to Contest
San Jose is building an AB 645 speed camera pilot. Learn what drivers should watch for, how warnings work, and how to respond to a notice in 2026.
Long Beach Speed Camera Tickets: Locations, Fines, and How to Contest
Long Beach speed camera tickets under AB 645: tiered fines, 60-day warnings, no DMV points. Learn what to check, how to contest, and when ClerkHero can help.
Glendale Speed Camera Tickets: Locations, Fines, and How to Contest
Glendale is implementing AB 645 speed cameras at nine locations. Learn the program status, what to check on your notice, and how to contest a ticket.
Key Questions
AB 645 Speed Cameras in California: Cities, Fines, and Driver Rights
Learn how AB 645 speed cameras work in California's six pilot cities, what civil penalties apply, and how to contest a notice before paying.
California Speed Camera Tickets: What Drivers Need to Know
California speed camera tickets are civil notices under AB 645. Learn city status, fine tiers, DMV points, insurance impact, and how to contest your notice.
Do Speed Camera Tickets Add Points in California?
AB 645 speed camera tickets are civil penalties that do not add DMV points. Learn how they differ from officer-issued speeding tickets and your contest options.
Can a Speed Camera Ticket Affect Insurance in California?
Learn whether California AB 645 speed camera tickets add points or affect insurance, and how they differ from traditional speeding tickets.
Who Pays a Speed Camera Ticket in California: Owner or Driver?
AB 645 speed cameras mail notices to the registered owner, not the driver. Learn what to check, how to respond, and whether you can contest the ticket.
Red Light Camera Tickets in California: Cost, Points, and How to Fight
Learn how California red light camera tickets work, what evidence to review, possible DMV points, insurance impact, and how to check your options before paying.
FAQ
California speed camera ticket questions
Can I fight a speed camera ticket in California?
You may be able to contest a camera ticket depending on the notice, city process, evidence, and deadlines. Start by reviewing the photos, location, speed, owner information, and instructions on the notice.
Do speed camera tickets add DMV points?
AB 645 speed safety system violations are civil penalties and are described as exempt from negligent operator point assessment. Traditional officer-issued speeding tickets are different.
Will a speed camera ticket affect my insurance?
AB 645 speed safety camera citations are generally described as non-moving civil penalties, but drivers should review the specific notice and city rules before assuming there is no insurance impact.
Who gets the ticket, the driver or the registered owner?
AB 645 camera notices are generally mailed to the registered owner because the system captures the rear license plate, not the driver face.
Can ClerkHero help me prepare a response?
ClerkHero can help eligible California drivers organize ticket details, evidence, and self-help documents for review. Eligibility depends on the ticket and court or city process.
Can I ignore a speed camera ticket in California?
Do not ignore the notice. AB 645 notices are civil penalties, but the city notice can still include strict response deadlines, late fees, collections language, or administrative consequences if you do nothing.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
The result depends on the city process, but missing the deadline can limit review options and may lead to added fees or collection steps. Use the deadline on the notice, not a generic court deadline.
Is this the same as a normal speeding ticket?
No. AB 645 speed camera notices are civil penalties mailed to the registered owner. A normal officer-issued speeding ticket is usually a moving violation handled through traffic court and can involve DMV points.
Handle your notice before the deadline.
If the notice is wrong, unclear, or close to the deadline, review your options before paying or ignoring it.