California’s Vehicle Code sets the rules and penalties for driving in the state, covering speed, phone use, DUI, seatbelts, registration, insurance, equipment, and how a license can be suspended. Fines start small and climb fast once court assessments are added, and some violations trigger automatic license consequences through the DMV independent of any criminal case. One recent change matters for almost every driver: the minimum liability insurance limits jumped for policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, so drivers who haven’t looked at their policy lately may already be underinsured.
Speed Limits and the Basic Speed Law
Under Vehicle Code 22350, you can never drive faster than what’s reasonable for current weather, visibility, and traffic, regardless of the posted number.1California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 22350 – Basic Speed Law Driving the posted limit in heavy fog or on a rain-slicked road can still be cited if conditions made that speed unsafe.
Most freeways are capped at 65 mph, with some rural stretches posted at 70 mph. Two-lane undivided highways carry a 55 mph limit unless otherwise posted. Residential and business districts default to 25 mph. Driving over 100 mph on any highway is treated especially seriously: a first offense carries a fine of up to $500 and the court can suspend your license for up to 30 days.2California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 22348 – Speed Laws A second conviction within three years bumps the fine to $750 and triggers a mandatory suspension.
Stop Signs, Red Lights, and Right-of-Way
California requires a complete stop at every stop sign: at the marked limit line if there is one, or before entering the crosswalk if there isn’t.3California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 22450 – Stop Requirements Despite the nickname, the “California rolling stop” is illegal here. At red lights, you must stop before the limit line or crosswalk and stay stopped until the light turns green. You can turn right on red after a complete stop unless a sign prohibits it.4California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 21453 – Circular Red or Red Arrow Signal Left turns on red are allowed only from a one-way street onto another one-way street.
Drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing within any marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, and the statute also requires you to slow down or take whatever action is necessary to protect a pedestrian who is already in the crosswalk.5California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 21950 – Right-of-Way at Crosswalks Fines for pedestrian right-of-way violations are steep once court fees and assessments are added.
Move Over Law
When you approach a stopped emergency vehicle, tow truck, or Caltrans vehicle displaying flashing lights, you must either change lanes away from it or slow to a safe speed if changing lanes isn’t practical.6California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 21809 – Approach of Emergency Vehicles The base fine is up to $50, though it grows once penalty assessments are added.
Distracted Driving
You cannot hold a phone while driving in California. Under Vehicle Code 23123, a wireless phone can only be used if it’s set up for hands-free operation.7California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 23123 – Driving With Wireless Telephone Drivers under 18 face a stricter rule: no wireless phone or electronic communication device at all, even hands-free.8California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 23124 – Minors Wireless Telephone Use
Vehicle Code 23123.5 covers broader device interaction. A single tap or swipe is allowed, but only when the phone is mounted on the dashboard, center console, or windshield. Anything beyond that with the phone in your hand is a violation.9California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 23123.5 – Driving Offenses A first cell phone violation carries a minimum fine of $162 after mandatory assessments, and officers can pull you over solely for a distracted driving violation.10California Highway Patrol. Distracted Driving – It’s Not Worth It A brief stop at a red light still counts as driving for purposes of the phone rule.
Seatbelt and Child Restraint Rules
Every driver and passenger aged 16 or older must wear a seatbelt whenever the vehicle is on a highway, and law enforcement can stop you solely for a seatbelt violation.11California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 27315 – Motor Vehicle Safety Act
Children under eight must ride in a rear seat secured in a child restraint system that meets federal safety standards.12California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 27360 – Child Safety Belt and Passenger Restraint Requirements Children under two must be in a rear-facing car seat unless they weigh 40 pounds or more or are at least 40 inches tall.
DUI and Reckless Driving
Driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher is illegal for most drivers under Vehicle Code 23152.13California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 23152 – Driving Under the Influence Commercial drivers face a lower 0.04 percent threshold. Drivers under 21 are held to a near-zero standard: a BAC of just 0.01 percent is a violation under Vehicle Code 23136.14California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 23136 – Persons Under 21 With BAC of 0.01 or Greater
A first DUI conviction for an adult over 21 with no injuries brings a six- or ten-month license suspension from the DMV. If your BAC exceeded 0.20 percent, the court can impose a ten-month suspension along with a nine-month DUI program.15California Department of Motor Vehicles. DUI First Offenders – Alcohol Involved, Non-Injury First-time offenders also face potential jail time, fines, and mandatory alcohol education. Repeat offenders face longer suspensions and mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device.
Implied Consent
Driving on California roads means you’ve consented to a breath or blood test if lawfully arrested for DUI. Vehicle Code 23612 lets you choose between blood and breath, but refusing both adds penalties on top of the DUI itself.16California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 23612 – Implied Consent If drugs are suspected instead of alcohol, the test is a blood draw.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving under Vehicle Code 23103 means operating a vehicle with willful disregard for the safety of people or property. A conviction carries five to 90 days in county jail, a fine between $145 and $1,000, or both.17California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 23103 – Reckless Driving Reckless driving that causes bodily injury triggers enhanced penalties.
Carpool Lane Rules
HOV lanes are restricted to vehicles meeting the posted minimum occupancy during designated hours. The threshold is typically two people, though some corridors require three.18California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 21655.5 – Exclusive or Preferential Use of Highway Lanes Solo drivers caught in carpool lanes face fines of up to $490 with assessments.
Electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and certain other clean-fuel vehicles can use HOV lanes with a single occupant if they display a valid Clean Air Vehicle decal issued by the DMV.19California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 5205.5 – Display of Decals for Clean Air Vehicles Decals are color-coded by model year and periodically expire. Forging or counterfeiting one is punishable under Vehicle Code 4463, with fines starting at $100 for a first offense and climbing to $1,000 for a third.20California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 4463 – False Evidences of Registration
Registration and Insurance
Every vehicle driven on California roads must be registered with the DMV.21California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 4000 – Registration Required Vehicles must display license plates on both the front and rear unless only one plate was issued, in which case it goes on the back.22California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 5200 – Display of Plates, Tabs, and Stickers Enforcement for expired registration doesn’t kick in until the second month after expiration, but late fees accumulate, and an unregistered vehicle can be impounded during a traffic stop for another violation.
Minimum Insurance Limits
California requires liability insurance, and the minimum limits went up substantially for any policy issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025. The current minimums are $30,000 for injury or death of one person, $60,000 for injury or death of two or more people, and $15,000 for property damage.23California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 16056 – Evidence of Financial Responsibility If you haven’t renewed since before January 2025, check whether your coverage meets those thresholds. The old $15,000/$30,000/$5,000 limits technically still apply to policies that haven’t been renewed or issued since the change, but by 2026 most drivers should be on the new limits.
Driving without insurance and getting into an accident triggers a license suspension of at least one year under Vehicle Code 16070, and you must file proof of insurance to get your license back at the end of that period.24California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 16070 – Suspensions After reinstatement, you’re required to keep proof of financial responsibility on file with the DMV for three years.25California Department of Motor Vehicles. Financial Responsibility (Insurance)
Vehicle Equipment Standards
Every non-motorcycle vehicle needs at least two headlamps, one on each side of the front. Headlamps must be on during darkness and during inclement weather, defined as conditions where you can’t see another vehicle from 1,000 feet or where your wipers need to run continuously.26California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 24400 – Headlamps
If cargo blocks your rear window, your vehicle must have mirrors on both sides that show at least 200 feet behind you.27California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 26709 – Mirrors Passengers blocking the rear view don’t trigger this requirement.
Aftermarket exhaust modifications are a common source of citations. For vehicles with a manufacturer’s gross weight rating under 6,000 pounds (excluding motorcycles), the exhaust system cannot exceed 95 decibels.28California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 27151 – Exhaust Systems Since January 2019, exhaust noise tickets are no longer “fix-it” citations with a 30-day cure period; they’re immediate fines. Vehicles must also pass periodic smog inspections to keep their registration current, and failing to comply can result in a registration hold that prevents renewal.
License Points and Suspension
California tracks moving violations through a point system. The DMV assigns one point for most traffic convictions and two points for more serious offenses like DUI, reckless driving, and hit-and-run. Hitting four points in 12 months, six points in 24 months, or eight points in 36 months makes you a presumed negligent operator and exposes you to suspension.29California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 12810.5 – Negligent Operator Before suspending, the DMV lets you request a hearing, and drivers with a Class A or B license may be allowed a higher point count under certain conditions.30California Department of Motor Vehicles. Driver Negligence
DUI convictions carry their own suspension track. Under Vehicle Code 13352, the DMV must suspend or revoke the license of anyone convicted of DUI or alcohol-related reckless driving, with the length depending on prior convictions.31California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 13352 – Suspension and Revocation by Department Failing to appear in court on a traffic citation or failing to pay a court-ordered fine can trigger a separate suspension or hold.
Child Support and Medical Suspensions
Falling behind on child support can cost you your license. Under Family Code 17520, the local child support agency maintains a list of parents more than 30 days in arrears, and the DMV suspends driving privileges for anyone on that list until they come into compliance.32California Legislative Information. California Family Code 17520 – Child Support Enforcement
Medical conditions can also lead to suspension. Under Vehicle Codes 12806 and 12809, the DMV can refuse to issue or renew a license for someone who can’t safely operate a vehicle due to a physical or mental condition.33California Department of Motor Vehicles. Evaluating Driver Impairment Physicians must report patients diagnosed with disorders involving lapses of consciousness, and those reports prompt the DMV to re-evaluate fitness to drive. The DMV may then require a medical exam, a behind-the-wheel test, or a hearing before deciding whether to allow continued driving.