California Speed Camera Law (AB 645): Cities and Fines

What the California speed camera law allows

AB 645 created a five-year Speed Safety System Pilot Program, not a statewide speed camera rollout. Only the six named jurisdictions can use these systems under this law, and each city must follow state rules on public notice, camera placement, privacy, warning periods, fines and reporting. The pilot can run for five years in a participating city, but the law itself is scheduled to expire on January 1, 2032.

The systems may use automated radar, laser or similar equipment to detect speeding and photograph the rear license plate. Under AB 645, the notice is sent to the registered owner, not based on a police traffic stop. The law treats these as civil penalties, not criminal speeding charges.

Cities must adopt a Speed Safety System Use Policy and a Speed Safety System Impact Report before using the program. They also must run a public information campaign before enforcement, identify streets or street segments where cameras are approved, and post signs stating “Photo Enforced” with the speed limit before the camera.

• Six-city pilot only
• Civil notices to registered owners
• Triggered at 11 mph or more over the limit
• Required warning period before citations
• State sunset date: January 1, 2032

Cities covered by AB 645

AB 645 authorizes Los Angeles, San Jose, Oakland, Glendale, Long Beach and San Francisco. No other California city or county is included in this pilot unless state law changes. That means a driver may see speed cameras in one of these cities, but ordinary officer enforcement remains the main speed enforcement method elsewhere in California.

The number of systems is capped by population. Los Angeles, as the only listed city over 3 million people in the 2020 Census, may operate up to 125 systems. San Jose and San Francisco fall under the 800,000 to 3 million tier and may operate up to 33 systems each. Oakland and Long Beach fall under the 300,000 to 800,000 tier and may operate up to 18 systems each. Glendale, under 300,000, may operate up to 9 systems.

The law also limits where cameras can go. Eligible areas include safety corridors, school zones and streets with a documented history of speed contests or exhibitions of speed. Cameras cannot be operated on California state routes, freeways, expressways, U.S. highways, interstate highways or unincorporated county roads where the California Highway Patrol has primary enforcement jurisdiction.

• Los Angeles: up to 125 systems
• San Jose: up to 33 systems
• San Francisco: up to 33 systems
• Oakland: up to 18 systems
• Long Beach: up to 18 systems
• Glendale: up to 9 systems

Fines, warnings and points

AB 645 sets the fine schedule in state law. A vehicle recorded at 11-15 mph over the posted limit is subject to a $50 civil penalty. A violation at 16-25 mph over is $100. A violation at 26 mph or more over is $200, unless the vehicle is traveling 100 mph or more, which is $500.

The law requires warnings before paid citations. During the first 60 calendar days of a program, a city must issue warning notices rather than violation notices. If additional camera locations are added later, those new locations also get a 60-day warning period. In addition, a vehicle’s first violation in a city for traveling 11-15 mph over the limit must be a warning notice.

AB 645 speed camera penalties do not add DMV violation points and do not by themselves suspend or revoke a driver’s license. This is one of the major differences from many traditional speeding citations. Drivers should still read any notice carefully, because the notice will explain deadlines, payment options and how that city handles reviews or hearings.

• 11-15 mph over: $50
• 16-25 mph over: $100
• 26 mph or more over: $200
• 100 mph or more: $500
• No DMV point under AB 645
• First 60 days at a location: warnings

Speed cameras in Los Angeles, San Jose and Oakland

Drivers searching for speed cameras in Los Angeles should know that LADOT says the first Los Angeles systems are scheduled to activate on October 26, 2026, with all systems anticipated by the end of 2026. Los Angeles plans 125 systems, with locations selected using crash, speed, school, senior center and vulnerable road user factors. Each activated camera location is subject to the required warning period before citations.

Speed cameras in San Jose are part of a broader city safety camera effort that also includes red light camera planning. The City of San Jose says AB 645 allows it to install up to 33 speed safety camera systems, and the city has described the program as being built through community outreach, vendor work, a citation program and evaluation for state reporting. Proposed San Jose locations are selected under state limits, including safety corridors, school zones and areas with qualifying speed-related concerns.

Speed cameras in Oakland are already listed by OakDOT at 18 camera locations. Oakland began issuing warnings on January 14, 2026, and began issuing speeding tickets on March 15, 2026. The city lists the same state fine amounts and notes that camera photographs capture the rear license plate, not the driver’s face or windshield.

Glendale, Long Beach and San Francisco updates

Glendale’s AB 645 project is designed for nine speed safety camera sites. The city’s project materials describe community input, an adopted use policy and impact report, and a schedule that includes a warning period before citations. Because rollout dates can change, drivers should treat posted signs and city notices as the controlling information on any specific Glendale street.

Long Beach is also part of the AB 645 pilot. The city’s Public Works program describes speed safety devices in school zones and high-injury street areas, with education and outreach in summer 2026, a warning period in fall 2026 and a citation period in winter 2026. Long Beach states that the Department of Public Works oversees the system and that citation information is not shared with police or other enforcement agencies except as allowed by the program rules.

San Francisco was the first California city to implement AB 645 speed safety cameras. SFMTA says it began using speed safety cameras to send speeding tickets in August 2025. San Francisco drivers should also remember that speed camera notices are handled differently from ordinary court traffic tickets and red light camera citations.

Privacy, reviews and practical driving takeaways

AB 645 includes privacy limits. Notices must use a clear photograph of the rear license plate and rear of the vehicle only, and the notice must exclude rear window images. The law prohibits facial recognition technology with the speed safety system. Photographs that do not result in a notice must be destroyed within five business days.

A notice of violation must be mailed to the registered owner within 15 calendar days of the violation. The owner may request an initial review within 30 calendar days after mailing. If the person is dissatisfied with that result, the law provides for an administrative hearing and then a limited court appeal process. This article is educational only, not legal advice.

The safest takeaway is simple: watch posted limits, slow before school zones and high-injury corridors, and expect posted “Photo Enforced” signs where AB 645 cameras are active. If you use the Speed Camera Radar Detector app, set up alerts before you start driving and never handle your phone behind the wheel.

• Check the posted speed limit
• Expect warnings at newly activated cameras
• Read any mailed notice promptly
• Do not assume another California city has AB 645 cameras
• Plan navigation and alerts before driving