San Francisco Speed Camera Tickets: Locations, Fines, and How to Contest

Quick answer

San Francisco is one of six California cities participating in the AB 645 speed safety camera pilot program. The city began issuing warning notices in early 2025 and has transitioned to paid civil citations. These notices are mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle, carry civil fines, and do not add DMV points or appear on your driving record. Before paying, check the notice for accuracy, review your response options, and confirm the deadline.

What this notice means

If you received a speed camera notice from San Francisco, it means a speed safety camera photographed a vehicle registered in your name exceeding the posted speed limit in a designated enforcement zone. The notice will include the date, time, location, posted speed limit, recorded speed, and photographic evidence showing the rear license plate.

Under AB 645, these are civil violations, not criminal traffic tickets. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) administers the program and handles notice processing, payment, and administrative review. The notice is sent to the registered owner because the camera captures the rear plate, not the driver's face.

San Francisco operates 33 speed safety cameras in school zones, high-injury corridors, and areas with documented speeding problems. The SFMTA states that all cameras were issuing warnings as of June 6, 2025, and the city has since moved to issuing paid citations. The SFMTA ticket lookup system now allows drivers to search for and pay speeding camera tickets online.

What to check before you pay

Do not pay automatically. Review the notice carefully for errors or issues that may support a contest:

• Vehicle and plate: Confirm the license plate, make, model, and color match your registered vehicle.
• Registered owner: Verify your name and address are correct. If you sold the vehicle or were not the owner on the violation date, you may have a defense.
• Location: Check the street name, cross street, and camera location. The notice should identify the specific enforcement zone.
• Speed and limit: Compare the posted speed limit to the recorded speed. AB 645 requires a minimum threshold over the limit before a paid citation is issued.
• Photos and video: Review all images. The rear plate must be clearly visible and match your vehicle.
• Date and time: Confirm the violation date and time. If the vehicle was reported stolen, in a shop, or not in your possession, gather supporting documents.
• Notice type: Determine whether the notice is a warning or a paid citation. Warnings do not require payment but serve as notice of future enforcement.
• Deadline: Note the response or payment deadline. Missing the deadline may result in late fees or additional penalties.

Save the envelope, all pages of the notice, and any photos or video links. These are critical if you decide to contest.

Points, insurance, and owner responsibility

AB 645 speed safety camera violations are civil penalties, not moving violations. According to the statute, they are exempt from negligent operator point assessment by the DMV. This means:

• No DMV points: The violation does not add points to your driving record.
• No driving record: The citation is not reported to the DMV as a conviction.
• Insurance impact: Because it is not a moving violation, it should not directly affect your insurance rates. However, review your policy and notice language to confirm.

The notice is sent to the registered owner, not the driver. The owner is generally responsible for the civil penalty unless they can show the vehicle was sold, stolen, or not in their control at the time of the violation. Some cities allow the owner to submit a declaration identifying the actual driver, but this process varies by city.

For more detail, see Do Speed Camera Tickets Add Points in California?, Can a Speed Camera Ticket Affect Insurance in California?, and Who Pays a Speed Camera Ticket in California: Owner or Driver?.

Can you contest it?

Yes. You have the right to contest a San Francisco speed camera notice. Common grounds for contesting include:

• Incorrect vehicle or plate information
• You were not the registered owner on the violation date
• The vehicle was sold, stolen, or not in your possession
• Unclear or missing photographic evidence
• Incorrect location, speed, or posted limit
• Notice was not properly mailed or received
• The camera was not properly calibrated or maintained
• The violation occurred during a warning-only period

The SFMTA provides an administrative review process. The notice should include instructions for requesting review, submitting evidence, and meeting deadlines. Follow the city's process exactly. If the notice does not include clear contest instructions, contact the SFMTA directly using the information on the notice or the official SFMTA Speed Safety Cameras page.

AB 645 speed camera notices are different from traditional officer-issued speeding tickets and red light camera tickets. They are processed administratively by the city, not through traffic court. For background, see AB 645 Speed Cameras in California: Cities, Fines, and Driver Rights and How to Fight a Speed Camera Ticket in California.

Evidence to gather

If you plan to contest, collect supporting evidence as soon as possible:

• Notice and envelope: Keep all pages, photos, and the mailing envelope with postmark.
• Vehicle records: DMV registration, title, bill of sale, or transfer documents if ownership changed.
• Maintenance or repair records: Invoices or receipts showing the vehicle was in a shop or not in your possession.
• Stolen vehicle report: Police report if the vehicle was stolen before the violation date.
• Photos of the location: Visit the camera location and photograph the posted speed limit signs, camera placement, and any obstructions or unclear signage.
• Calibration and maintenance records: Request records from the city showing the camera was properly calibrated and maintained. The SFMTA states cameras are calibrated annually by a third-party vendor and inspected monthly.
• Declaration or affidavit: Prepare a written statement explaining your defense, supported by documents and photos.

Organize your evidence clearly and submit it according to the city's instructions and deadlines.

How ClerkHero can help

ClerkHero is self-help document preparation software for eligible California traffic matters. If you are contesting a San Francisco speed camera notice, ClerkHero can help you:

• Organize ticket details, photos, and evidence
• Prepare written statements and supporting documents
• Understand response deadlines and city procedures
• Access step-by-step guidance for administrative review

ClerkHero does not provide legal advice or guarantee dismissal. We help eligible drivers prepare their own documents and navigate self-help processes. Eligibility depends on the ticket type, city process, and your specific situation.

Check My Ticket

Helpful ClerkHero resources

• Check My Ticket
• AB 645 Speed Cameras in California: Cities, Fines, and Driver Rights
• California Speed Camera Tickets: What Drivers Need to Know
• How to Fight a Speed Camera Ticket in California
• Speed Camera Ticket Cost in California
• Do Speed Camera Tickets Add Points in California?
• Can a Speed Camera Ticket Affect Insurance in California?
• Who Pays a Speed Camera Ticket in California: Owner or Driver?
• Red Light Camera Tickets in California: Cost, Points, and How to Fight
• Trial by Written Declaration guide
• How to fight a speeding ticket
• Speeding ticket cost calculator
• CVC 22350 Basic Speed Law
• CVC 22349(a) Driving Over 65 MPH

San Francisco speed camera program status

FAQ

Can I fight a speed camera ticket in San Francisco?

Yes. You can contest a San Francisco speed camera notice through the SFMTA's administrative review process. Common defenses include incorrect vehicle or owner information, unclear photos, improper notice, or calibration issues. Follow the instructions on the notice and submit your evidence before the deadline.

Do San Francisco speed camera tickets add DMV points?

No. AB 645 speed safety camera violations are civil penalties and are exempt from negligent operator point assessment. They do not add points to your DMV driving record and are not reported as moving violations.

Will a San Francisco speed camera ticket affect my insurance?

Generally no. Because AB 645 camera tickets are civil penalties and not moving violations, they should not directly affect your insurance rates. However, review your specific notice and insurance policy to confirm.

Who gets the ticket if someone else was driving my car?

The notice is mailed to the registered owner because the camera captures the rear license plate, not the driver's face. The owner is generally responsible for the civil penalty unless they can prove the vehicle was sold, stolen, or not in their control. Some cities allow the owner to identify the actual driver, but this process varies.

How much is a San Francisco speed camera ticket?

Fine amounts depend on how much over the posted limit the vehicle was traveling. AB 645 sets a tiered structure, and cities may adjust amounts within statutory limits. Check your notice for the specific fine. For general information, see Speed Camera Ticket Cost in California.

Where are the speed cameras located in San Francisco?

San Francisco operates 33 speed safety cameras in school zones, high-injury corridors, and areas with documented speeding problems. The SFMTA provides a map and list of camera locations on its Speed Safety Cameras page.

Can ClerkHero help me prepare a response to a San Francisco speed camera ticket?

Yes. ClerkHero can help eligible drivers organize ticket details, evidence, and self-help documents for administrative review. Eligibility depends on the ticket type and city process. ClerkHero is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.

How is a speed camera ticket different from a red light camera ticket?

Speed camera tickets under AB 645 are civil penalties for exceeding the speed limit in designated zones. Red light camera tickets are for running a red light and are processed differently, often through traffic court. AB 645 speed camera notices are handled administratively by the city. For more, see Red Light Camera Tickets in California: Cost, Points, and How to Fight.

Sources

• SFMTA Speed Safety Cameras
• AB 645 Speed Cameras in California: Cities, Fines, and Driver Rights
• California Speed Camera Tickets: What Drivers Need to Know

Self-help disclaimer

ClerkHero is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We provide self-help tools and document preparation support for eligible California traffic matters.