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New California Traffic Laws in 2026: What Drivers Need to Know - Ticket Crushers · BSPE Legal Marketing Podcast

• 0:00
  Narrator: New California Traffic Laws in 2026: What Drivers Need to Know California rewrote the rules of the road on January 1, 2026, and every driver in the state needs to understand exactly what changed before getting behind the wheel.
• 0:14
  Narrator: The biggest shifts affect not just how much you might pay in fines, but how citations are issued, who enforces them, and which equipment on your vehicle or e-bike is now required by law.
• 0:25
  Narrator: Under AB 645, California expanded its speed safety camera pilot program to six cities, including San Jose, authorizing automated cameras in school zones, high-injury streets, and areas known for street racing.
• 0:39
  Narrator: A speed camera citation under this program is mailed as a civil penalty to the registered owner, which means no points are added to your driving record and the violation is not reported to the DMV.
• 0:51
  Narrator: The fines are set by statute, ranging from $50 for driving 11 to 15 mph over the limit all the way up to $500 for speeds reaching 100 mph or more.
• 1:03
  Narrator: Under SB 720, red-light camera violations recorded by an automated system now carry only civil penalties, a significant shift from the traditional red-light ticket that often meant a $500 court fine plus a point on your record.
• 1:19
  Narrator: Even though camera citations skip the points system, ignoring a notice can lead to escalating penalties or a hold placed on your vehicle registration, so a response is always necessary.
• 1:30
  Narrator: If the photo does not clearly show the driver, or the vehicle was sold, rented, or stolen at the time of the violation, California law gives you the right to dispute the notice or identify the actual driver.
• 1:42
  Narrator: AB 1085 created a serious financial consequence for license plate covers, making it an infraction carrying a $1,000 fine per item to manufacture, sell, or install any device designed to obscure plates from electronic readers.
• 1:57
  Narrator: AB 382 now allows cities like San Jose to lower school zone speed limits from 25 mph down to 20 mph through a local ordinance, with that 20 mph limit becoming mandatory statewide on January 1, 2031.
• 2:14
  Narrator: Drivers near schools need to watch carefully for updated signage, because a posted 20 mph sign controls enforcement the moment a city installs it, regardless of what the previous limit was.
• 2:26
  Narrator: AB 390 expanded the slow-down, move-over duty to apply to any stopped vehicle displaying hazard lights, not just emergency vehicles, meaning all drivers must now change lanes or reduce speed when approaching a hazard-lit car on the roadway.
• 2:42
  Narrator: E-bike riders face new equipment requirements under AB 544, which mandates a rear red reflector or light be present at all hours, and under SB 1271, which requires safety testing labels on both e-bikes and their batteries.
• 2:57
  Narrator: Riders under 18 must wear a properly fitted helmet on any bicycle, e-bike, or motorized scooter, while Class 3 e-bike riders must be at least 16 years old and every rider must wear a helmet regardless of age.
• 3:11
  Narrator: AB 1299 gives local agencies the authority to reduce parking fines or create payment plans for drivers who can demonstrate financial hardship, offering some relief from penalties that may otherwise spiral out of control.
• 3:25
  Narrator: If you have received a citation under any of these new laws, working with an attorney who understands California's updated statutes can make a critical difference in the outcome of your case.
• 3:36
  Narrator: The traffic lawyer you choose should understand how automated enforcement systems work, how civil camera penalties differ from moving violations, and how to protect your driving record from unnecessary damage.
• 3:48
  Narrator: Call Ticket Crushers, A Law Corporation, at 628, 210, 3807, located at 2033 Gateway Pl Ste 500, San Jose, CA 95110, United States, to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation before paying any fine or accepting a point on your record.