Red light cameras are legal under California Vehicle Code 21455.5. That means running a red light can cost you between $100 and $500 in fines and will add one point to your license—at least for now.
But a new senate bill that passed in 2025 will change the consequences for California red light camera tickets in 2026. Read on to learn more about red light camera tickets in California—and what you should do if you get one.
Getting Caught: How to Know If You Got a Red Light Ticket
Some red-light cameras flash when they’re activated. If you cross through an intersection while the light is red and see a flash behind or to the side of your vehicle, you’ve probably been caught on camera.
If you think you got a red light camera ticket, you can:
- Wait for a Notice: If someone triggers a red light camera, the court will mail a Notice of Traffic Violation to their address within a few weeks.
- Check Online: In some California counties, you can check online for recent traffic tickets. Visit the county court’s website and search for your ticket using your driver’s license number or vehicle plate number.
- Contact the Court: If you haven’t received a notice in the mail and can’t find information online, call the traffic court in the county where the incident occurred. Provide your license number and ask if there are any pending cases or notices against it.
The notice you’ll get from the court should contain the date, time, and location of the violation, the court’s contact details, and the driver’s information. It also includes photographic evidence and instructions on what to do next, including the date to appear in court.
How Much Is a Red Light Camera Ticket in California?
The total cost of a red light camera ticket is $100 to $500 after surcharges and fees are added. In some cases, drivers can end up paying even more because of new or updated surcharges and fees that are imposed by local authorities.
| Infraction | Base Fine | Surcharges & Fees | DMV Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Making an illegal right turn at a red light | $35 | $100–$250 | 1 Point |
| Going through a solid or flashing red light | $100 | $200–$500 | 1 Point |
Under the California DMV point system, a red light ticket will also add one point to your driving record. The point will stay on your record for three years. During that time, you’ll pay higher auto insurance premiums. In the case of reckless driving, running a red light could result in two points and even higher fines.
Potential New Red Light Camera Ticket Rules Taking Effect in 2025/2026
In October 2025, Senate Bill 720 was passed by the California Senate, rolling out a new type of red light camera enforcement system. Not every city is using it yet, but here’s what you need to know:
✅ The new system treats red-light camera tickets as a civil penalty. That means:
- No DMV points (in most cases)
- Less impact on your insurance
- No criminal charges
✅ Fines start lower — but they go up if you keep getting caught.
A first offense costs less than traditional red-light tickets, but repeat violations get more expensive.
✅ You still get a chance to fight the ticket through a clear process:
- Notice of violation mailed to you
- Optional initial review
- Administrative hearing
- Formal appeal if needed
✅ Cities have a choice.
Each city or county can decide whether to keep using the old red-light program, with higher fines and points, OR adopt the new civil penalty system.
Until your city officially adopts the new system, most red-light camera tickets still follow the old rules. Check your ticket carefully. If it’s issued as a civil violation with lower fines, the new system may already be in effect where you live.
Traffic school can help you keep a clean driving record, prevent insurance increases, and more!
How to Beat a Red Light Camera Ticket in California
Did you get a red light ticket in California? Don’t worry—you have a few different options for dealing with it. Note that if your city has adopted SB 720 and turned red light camera tickets into civil penalties, these won’t apply to you.
Pay It
The easiest way to deal with any ticket is just to pay the fine and move on. The downside is that you’ll get a point on your license, which will raise your insurance rate. A one-point ticket can raise your insurance rate by more than 40%.
Fight It
You can fight a red-light camera ticket in California—either in court or by trial by written declaration. If you have a solid defense, this can lead to dismissal. First, review the notice and photos/video carefully, then consider whether any of these defenses apply:
- Driver not identifiable: The images are blurry or don’t show the driver’s face, so the court can’t prove you committed the violation.
- You weren’t driving: The photo clearly shows someone else. Some counties include a form asking you to name the driver, but you are not required to do so.
- Entered on yellow: Your vehicle crossed the limit line before the signal turned red.
- Improper or missing signage: Required “Photo Enforced” signs weren’t present or visible on your approach.
- Yellow light too short: Under the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD), the yellow interval must be long enough for perception, reaction, and safe braking; minimums vary by speed.
- Emergency necessity: You proceeded to avoid a hazard or to yield to an emergency vehicle.
- Right-turn misfire: The system triggered on a slow, safe right-on-red where markings/limit line visibility was poor.
How to Get a Red Light Camera Ticket Dismissed
A red light camera ticket can sometimes be easier to fight than other kinds of traffic tickets for two reasons:
- It isn’t your word against an officer’s.
- You can access all the evidence used to issue the ticket.
Generally, you can take the following steps to have your ticket dismissed:
- Review the citation. Check the date, time, and location of the alleged violation. Look at your calendar to confirm whether you were driving at that time. If you weren’t the driver, you may not be responsible for the ticket—but you’ll need to take action.
- View the photo and video evidence. California law requires authorities to give you access to the camera footage. Most tickets include a photo of the driver and vehicle, plus a link to view video online. If the photo clearly shows someone else driving, or if the image is too blurry to identify anyone, the citation may be dismissed or reassigned.
- Check the legality of the red light setup. Visit the intersection and inspect for required signage. California law mandates a warning sign within 200 feet of every approach to a red light camera. Also, time the yellow light duration and ensure it’s at least 3 seconds—or longer with faster speed limits according to the CA MUTCD.
- Plead “not guilty.” You can contest the ticket by entering a not guilty plea—either online, by mail, or in person at your arraignment (depending on your county).
- Prepare your case. Gather all supporting evidence. You’ll use this to explain why the citation is invalid, unlawful, or unfair. This may include:
- Your observations of the intersection.
- Photos and video from the citation.
- Legal references (e.g., sign or light timing violations.
- A copy of your ID (if disputing driver identity).
If you’re found guilty, consider appealing. If the court upholds the citation, you may be able to file an appeal—especially if there’s a strong basis, such as an unclear driver photo or improper signage.
Fighting your ticket can be time-consuming—and costly, if you decide to hire a traffic lawyer. If you’re successful, you may get your ticket dismissed. If you’re not, you can still go to traffic school to reduce the impact of your ticket.
Go to Traffic School
Sometimes, the easiest option for dealing with a red light camera ticket is to go to traffic school. Traffic school is inexpensive, takes only a few hours to complete online, and will remove the point from your public license, so your insurance rates won’t go up. If you choose this option, all you have to do is:
- Request traffic school from the court before the due date on your ticket.
- Pay the traffic school administrative fee to the court.
- Sign up for traffic school, complete the course, and pass the final exam.
- Submit your certificate of completion to the court and DMV.
FAQs About California Red Light Tickets
Want to know more about red light cameras and the penalties for running a red light in California? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.
Has the red light camera program been discontinued in California?
No, it hasn’t. Sacramento and a few other counties have discontinued red light cameras, but these are exceptions. For instance, the City of Fremont uses this system in over 12 intersections.
Plus, while red light cameras are unpopular, research shows they work. A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that they reduced fatal crash rates caused by running a red light by 21%.
How do red light cameras work?
Red light cameras are in sync with the traffic lights at intersections and use sensors to detect movement after the light has turned red.
The sensors are in the road itself, so the picture is taken as the car drives over them. This helps ensure that the red light camera gets a good shot of the car and its license plate.
Police officers review the photos taken by red light cameras and then issue traffic tickets based on the registered address of the car. The tickets are mailed to the car owner’s home.
In California, the driver is responsible for the ticket, so a red light camera ticket is only valid if it captures a clear photo of the driver’s face, either through the windshield or a side window.
Does a red light camera ticket affect insurance premiums in California?
A red light camera ticket will increase your monthly insurance premiums by an average of $43. The exact amount depends on your insurance carrier, whether it’s a first-time or repeat offense, where the violation occurred, and other factors.
Do you have to pay red light camera tickets?
The short answer: Yes. If you receive a legitimate red light camera ticket in the mail, you should pay it.
But there is one kind of ticket that you don’t have to pay. This is called a “snitch ticket.” You may receive one if a red light camera picks up your car or license plate, but isn’t able to get a clear photo of the driver. In this case, the court might send a fake ticket. It will be headed with the statement “Courtesy Notice: This Is Not A Ticket.” The court is hoping that you’ll just pay it. Because this isn’t a real ticket, you don’t have to.
If you receive a red light camera ticket in the mail, inspect it carefully. If it includes the courtesy notice, you don’t have to pay. If you receive a formal citation with a court date and instructions to appear, pay it promptly to avoid potential legal consequences.
What happens if I don’t pay a red light camera ticket?
There’s some debate about this. Some people say that even though you are legally responsible for the cost of the ticket, not paying it won’t come with any consequences since the ticket was mailed to you and the court has no proof that you received it.
But ignoring any type of traffic ticket is extremely risky. The state could change its policies, or still submit information to the DMV. This could result in a suspended license or make you unable to renew your license until you pay the ticket.
