Red light camera ticket in the mail? Read this first.
A California red light camera ticket must come from a system that meets VC 21455.5, and the notice to appear must be delivered by mail within 15 days under VC 40518. You have the right to review the photos before deciding how to respond.
- Red light, steady red light or arrow$467.90Statewide total bail
- Red light, steady red light or arrow1 pointDMV points on conviction
Check the notice
Read the notice before anything else. Vehicle Code 40518 governs the mailed notice to appear.
Table: Check the notice
| Check | What the law says | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Date mailed | The notice is delivered by mail within 15 days of the alleged violation. | Compare the violation date with the postmark or mailing date. |
| Address | It goes to the registered owner's current address on file with the DMV, with proof of mailing. | Check that your name and address are correct. |
| Court date | The appearance is at least 10 days after the notice is delivered. | Write down the date and the court. |
| Due date | Set by the notice. | Mark it and act before it passes. |
What does the camera program have to do?
Vehicle Code 21455.5 sets requirements for an automated red light system, including:
- Signs within 200 feet of the intersection that clearly indicate the system's presence.
- Only citations reviewed and approved by law enforcement are delivered to violators.
The section has more requirements than the two listed here. If you believe the intersection or the program did not meet them, read the section and note which one before you respond.
Review the evidence
The registered owner, or the person the owner identifies as the driver, is permitted to review the photographic evidence of the alleged violation. Do this before you choose how to respond. Contact the court or agency named on the notice and ask how to see it.
Who is responsible?
Your notice goes to the registered owner. If you were not the owner, or you own the car but were not driving, the notice explains what to do. Read your notice for instructions and ask the court how to respond if you were not driving.
What does it cost?
Camera tickets are red-light violations under Vehicle Code 21453. The statewide 2026 schedule lists:
Table: What does it cost?
| Subsection | Base fine | Statewide total | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21453(a) and (c) | $100 | $467.90 | 1 point |
| 21453(b) right turn | $35 | $226.16 | 1 point |
Your notice shows your own amount. See CVC 21453 by subsection and the ticket cost estimator.
Your options
- Review the evidence and compare it with the notice.
- Decide: pay, traffic school if eligible, or contest.
- To contest without going to court, ask about a trial by written declaration.
- Act by the due date. Ignoring the notice can lead to the problems on the failure to appear page.
Frequently asked questions
How long do they have to mail a camera ticket?
Vehicle Code 40518 says the notice to appear must be delivered by mail within 15 days of the alleged violation, with proof of mailing, to the registered owner's current address on file with the DMV. It also sets the court date at least 10 days after delivery.
Can I see the video?
Vehicle Code 21455.5 gives the registered owner, or the person the owner identifies as the driver, the right to review the photographic evidence of the alleged violation. The section speaks of photographs. Ask the agency or court how to view whatever evidence exists, including any video.
What if someone else was driving my car?
The steps depend on your notice, and the court can explain them. Section 21455.5 lets the owner, or the person the owner identifies as the driver, review the photographic evidence. Read your notice for instructions and ask the court how to respond to a camera ticket before the due date passes.
Are camera tickets enforceable in California?
Whether a camera ticket holds up is a question for the court, not this page. The notice is a court citation with a due date, and ignoring it risks the consequences described on the failure to appear page. If you think the program broke the rules, review the evidence first and then pick a response.
Last reviewed · Reviewed by the californiaticketlawyerhelp editorial team