Three different California camera notices
Do not treat “California camera ticket” as one object. Read the paper. The statute named on it matters. Confirm what your paper says.
US overview: What a mailed camera notice is.
1. Traditional red-light — mailed notice to appear (CVC 21455.5 and 40518)
California Vehicle Code (leginfo, retrieved 10 Sep 2026): automated traffic enforcement citations are reviewed and approved by law enforcement before delivery. CVC 40518: a written notice to appear based on certain red-light / related violations recorded under 21455.5 may be delivered by mail within 15 days of the alleged violation to the registered owner; the appearance time is at least 10 days after delivery; filing a duplicate with the magistrate is a complaint; it is not an arrest. That is the statute’s statement, not an instruction from us.
Fine amounts and DMV points are UNKNOWN from CVC 21455.5 and 40518 alone. This page does not invent either. Check the notice and the court named on it.
CVC 21455.5: a jurisdiction may use this section or CVC 21455.9. Do not assume every California red-light mailing is civil.
Sources: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=21455.5 ; https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=40518
2. Civil red-light — CVC 21455.9 (SB 720, effective 1 Jan 2026)
California Vehicle Code 21455.9 (leginfo, retrieved 10 Sep 2026): this is a traffic-control-signal (red-light) civil automated enforcement program. It is not the AB 645 speed-safety program.
CVC 21455.9: a notice of violation is issued only to registered owners based on rear license-plate images. CVC 21455.9: the civil penalty shall not result in the DMV suspending or revoking driving privilege or assessing a violation point for a violation under this section. That is the statute’s statement for this section only. Do not write “California camera tickets don’t add points.”
CVC 21455.9 civil penalties (prior assessed fines in the previous 3 years): first $100; after one prior $200; after two priors $350; after three or more priors $500. Notice in writing to the registered owner within 15 calendar days of the violation; pay or contest no later than 30 calendar days from mailing. That is the statute’s statement, not an instruction from us. We do not tell you whether to pay or contest.
Source: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=21455.9
3. Civil speed-safety — AB 645 / CVC 22425–22426
California Vehicle Code 22425–22426 (leginfo, retrieved 10 Sep 2026): a speed program, not a red-light program. Designated jurisdictions: Los Angeles, San Jose, Oakland, Glendale, Long Beach, and the City and County of San Francisco. The article is repealed as of January 1, 2032.
CVC 22426: notices of violation are issued to registered owners for vehicles traveling 11 mph or more over the posted speed limit. CVC 22426: civil penalty only; shall not result in DMV suspend/revoke or a violation point for a violation under this article. That is the statute’s statement for this article only.
CVC 22426 amounts: $50 (11 to 15 mph over); $100 (16 to 25); $200 (26 mph or more, unless 100 mph or more); $500 (100 mph or more). Written NOV within 15 calendar days; pay or contest no later than 30 calendar days from mailing. CVC 22425: first 60 calendar days of enforcement use warning notices rather than NOVs. That is the statute’s statement, not an instruction from us.
Sources: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=22425 ; https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=22426
Never write that California camera tickets never add points. Track 1 fine/points are UNKNOWN from those code sections; tracks 2 and 3 have no-point language only under those sections.
Violation.com does not collect California fines. If you upload the notice, we summarize what the notice shows. It is not legal advice.
NYC example: What an NYC camera notice is.
Not legal advice. Not a law firm. Not affiliated with a government agency. Information Only.