A California ticket for driving over 100 mph can put your driver’s license at risk before your traffic case is resolved. Under the Forwarded Actions for Speeding Tickets (FAST) program, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) automatically refers citations for speeds over 100 mph to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for a separate license review. Drivers may face fines, DMV points, and possible license suspension, while limited traffic school options and strict court deadlines can make the situation more challenging.
At Ticket Crushers, A Law Corporation, San Francisco traffic ticket attorney Adam Cohen represents drivers facing serious speeding citations throughout the Bay Area and California. Our team examines speed measurements, citation details, and DMV records to identify available defenses and help drivers address potential license consequences.
This guide covers how the FAST pilot works, what a 22348(b) citation costs, how the points affect a license, why traffic school is unavailable, whether the charge can be reduced or dismissed, how to contest the citation in San Francisco, and what happens after a missed deadline. Call Ticket Crushers at (628) 203-1868 or request a quote to discuss your citation.
What Is California’s FAST Program for 100 MPH Tickets?
California’s Forwarded Actions for Speeding Tickets (FAST) program is a joint pilot between the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Announced in December 2025, the program requires CHP citations for driving over 100 mph to be forwarded to the DMV’s Driver Safety Branch, regardless of the driver’s prior record. The DMV reviews each citation alongside the driver’s history to determine whether further action, including license suspension or revocation, is warranted.
Unlike the traffic court process, the FAST review does not require a conviction before the DMV takes administrative action. This means drivers can face a license review while their speeding citation is still pending in court. The program builds on California’s existing Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS) without creating a new offense or changing the penalties established under state law.
Extreme speeding remains a concern on California highways, with CHP officers issuing approximately 1,600 citations each month for speeds of 100 mph or faster. More than 18,000 citations were issued in 2024 alone, highlighting the scale of the problem FAST aims to address. The program focuses on citations issued by CHP officers rather than those issued by local law enforcement agencies.
What Charge Does a 100 MPH Citation Carry?
Driving faster than 100 mph is an infraction under California Vehicle Code section 22348(b), with penalties that increase for repeat offenses. A first conviction carries a fine of up to $500, and the court can suspend driving privileges for up to 30 days. For a second qualifying offense within three years, the fine increases to a maximum of $750, along with a six-month license suspension or qualifying employment-related restriction. A third qualifying offense within five years carries a fine of up to $1,000 and a one-year license suspension or qualifying restriction.
A conviction also adds two DMV points, while CHP-issued citations undergo a separate license review through the FAST program.
Ticket at a Glance
- Code: CVC 22348(b), driving faster than 100 mph.
- DMV points: Two points on the driving record.
- Total bail: $896 under the 2026 Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedule, including the $1 night court assessment. The amount depends on applicable court assessments.
- Record reporting: Seven years from the violation date.
- Traffic school: Not eligible to keep the conviction confidential or eliminate the points.
- FAST referral: CHP citations for speeds over 100 mph are automatically forwarded to the DMV’s Driver Safety Branch for review.
What Does a 100 MPH Ticket Cost in California?
A first-offense ticket for driving over 100 mph carries a $200 base fine under California’s 2026 Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedule. With additional penalties and assessments, the standard total bail reaches $896, including the $1 night court assessment. Court-specific assessments affect the final amount, so drivers should check their court notice for the exact payment required.
| Violation | Base Fine | Total Bail | DMV Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–15 mph over the limit | $35 | $234 | 1 |
| 16–25 mph over the limit | $70 | $363 | 1 |
| 26 mph or more over the limit | $100 | $486 | 1 |
| CVC 22348(b), over 100 mph | $200 | $896 | 2 |
Penalties increase for qualifying violations in highway construction or maintenance areas and designated safety enhancement zones. For a CVC 22348(b) violation, the 2026 schedule lists a total bail of $1,054 in a qualifying construction or maintenance area and $938 in a designated safety enhancement double-fine zone. Both carry two DMV points, with the enhanced amounts applying when the statutory requirements are met.
Unlike typical speeding tickets, all CVC § 22348(b) citations carry a mandatory court appearance. You cannot resolve the citation simply by mailing a check or paying online before your court date. You or your retained attorney must appear before the judge.
How Many DMV Points Does a 100 MPH Ticket Carry?
A conviction for driving over 100 mph under California Vehicle Code section 22348(b) adds two points to a driver’s DMV record. Under Vehicle Code section 1808(b)(2), the conviction remains reportable for seven years from the violation date. However, the DMV uses points accumulated within rolling 12-, 24-, and 36-month periods to determine whether a driver faces license suspension under the Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS).
How Does the Negligent-Operator Point System Apply?
California’s NOTS program tracks traffic violations and imposes increasingly serious consequences as drivers accumulate points. Under Vehicle Code § 12810.5, drivers reach the standard suspension threshold at four points within 12 months, six within 24 months, or eight within 36 months.
A single conviction for driving over 100 mph reaches the two-point threshold for a Level I warning letter. Three points within 12 months trigger a Level II notice of intent to suspend, while four points can lead to a Level III probation and suspension order. These thresholds operate separately from the FAST program, which refers CHP citations for speeds over 100 mph to the DMV for review regardless of the driver’s existing point total.
What Changes for Commercial Drivers?
California multiplies the points for qualifying violations committed in a commercial vehicle by 1.5. This increases a CVC 22348(b) conviction from two to three points, bringing commercial drivers closer to the applicable suspension threshold. Certain Class A and Class B drivers qualify for different NOTS thresholds, but traffic school cannot conceal a conviction involving a commercial motor vehicle or eliminate its points.
Can Traffic School Keep a 100 MPH Ticket Confidential?
No. Traffic school cannot keep a conviction under California Vehicle Code section 22348(b) confidential or remove its two DMV points. Under California Rules of Court, rule 4.104(b)(2), court clerks cannot approve traffic school for violations carrying more than one point or involving speeds more than 25 mph over the limit. A judge has discretion to order traffic school, but completing the course does not prevent the conviction from appearing on the driver’s record.
For eligible traffic violations, completing traffic school keeps the conviction confidential and prevents the associated point from affecting the driver’s public record. This benefit is available once every 18 months, subject to eligibility requirements. Since a CVC 22348(b) conviction does not qualify for confidential treatment, drivers must consider other options, including contesting the citation or seeking a reduction to an eligible offense.
Traffic Ticket Attorney in San Francisco – Ticket Crushers, A Law Corporation
Adam Cohen, Esq.
Adam Cohen is the founder and managing partner of Ticket Crushers, A Law Corporation, representing drivers facing traffic tickets, DUI charges, and other criminal matters throughout California. He earned his Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School in 2008 and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Miami. Before founding the firm, he gained courtroom experience with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office and served as a prosecutor in the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office Domestic Violence Unit.
During his internship with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, Adam achieved the rare distinction of first-chairing a felony trial. He later established Ticket Crushers in San Francisco and expanded it from a single office into a statewide firm serving clients across Northern and Southern California. Licensed to practice in California and Florida, Adam brings his prosecution and defense experience to representing drivers facing traffic violations and potential license consequences.
Can a 100 MPH Ticket Be Reduced or Dismissed?
A California Vehicle Code section 22348(b) citation can result in dismissal, a reduction to a lesser offense, or a conviction as charged. The outcome depends on the evidence supporting the speed measurement, the circumstances of the stop, and the driver’s record. Reviewing these details helps identify potential defenses and opportunities to seek a reduced charge.
What Defenses Can Challenge the Speed Reading?
Challenging a 100 mph ticket often begins with examining how the officer measured the vehicle’s speed. Radar, lidar, and pacing each require proper procedures, and errors in the measurement process can affect the reliability of the evidence. Potential defenses include:
- Radar or lidar errors: Improper calibration, equipment malfunctions, or incorrect operation can affect the accuracy of the recorded speed.
- Pacing inaccuracies: When an officer follows a vehicle to estimate its speed, an inconsistent following distance, insufficient observation time, or an improperly calibrated patrol car speedometer can raise questions about the reading.
- Officer training and procedures: Training records and the officer’s compliance with proper speed measurement procedures can help determine whether the reading is reliable.
- Citation discrepancies: Incorrect vehicle identification or conflicting location details can support a defense when they affect the evidence. Minor clerical errors alone do not automatically justify dismissal.
The strength of each defense depends on the available evidence, including calibration records, maintenance logs, and the officer’s observations.
When Can the Charge Be Reduced?
A CVC 22348(b) charge can be reduced to a standard speeding violation or another lesser offense when the evidence and circumstances support that outcome. For example, reducing the charge to a one-point speeding violation can lower the fine and associated assessments while reducing the DMV point count from two to one. The court must approve any reduction, and the available options depend on the facts of the case.
What Happens If I Miss My 100 MPH Ticket Deadline?
Because CVC § 22348(b) requires a mandatory court appearance, failing to appear or missing your scheduled deadline triggers serious statutory consequences:
- Civil Assessment: Under California Penal Code § 1214.1, the court may impose a civil assessment fee of up to $100 after mailing a warning notice giving you 20 calendar days to show good cause.
- Misdemeanor Failure to Appear: A willful failure to appear in court violates California Vehicle Code § 40508, which can be filed as a separate misdemeanor charge punishable by up to six months in county jail and additional fines.
- Bench Warrants: In mandatory appearance cases where neither the driver nor their attorney appears, judges can issue an arrest warrant.
- DMV Holds and Suspensions: Historically, courts reported failures to appear to the DMV under CVC §§ 40509 and 40509.5, triggering automatic driver’s license suspensions. While California Assembly Bill 2746 was enacted to end license suspensions solely for failure to appear, this statutory repeal carries a delayed operative date of January 1, 2027. Until that date takes full effect, unresolved failure-to-appear holds can compromise your driving privileges.
If you miss your appearance date, contact the court immediately or retain legal counsel to make an appearance, recall any warrants, and petition to vacate civil assessments.
Speak With a San Francisco Speeding Ticket Attorney
A ticket for driving over 100 mph in California carries two DMV points, $896 in standard bail, and a conviction reported for seven years from the violation date. When CHP issues the citation, the FAST program also triggers a separate DMV license review. Taking action before the court deadline gives drivers time to review their options for contesting the charge or seeking a reduction.
At Ticket Crushers, A Law Corporation, San Francisco speeding ticket attorney Adam Cohen and his team help drivers address serious speeding citations and potential license consequences. We review speed measurements, examine supporting evidence, and represent clients in traffic court proceedings, including cases before the San Francisco Superior Court. Our team works with drivers to identify available defenses and determine the next steps for their cases.
Call Ticket Crushers, A Law Corporation at (628) 203-1868 to schedule a consultation. Our office is located at 350 Rhode Island St #240, San Francisco, CA 94103, and we represent drivers throughout San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is California’s FAST Program for 100 MPH Tickets?
The Forwarded Actions for Speeding Tickets (FAST) program is a joint CHP and DMV pilot announced in December 2025. It automatically refers CHP citations for driving over 100 mph to the DMV’s Driver Safety Branch for a separate license review. The DMV can take administrative action independently of the traffic court case.
How Many DMV Points Does a 100 MPH Ticket Carry?
A conviction under California Vehicle Code section 22348(b) adds two DMV points. These points count toward the state’s Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS) thresholds for license suspension.
Can I Attend Traffic School for a 100 MPH Ticket?
Traffic school cannot keep a CVC 22348(b) conviction confidential or eliminate its two DMV points. Although a judge has discretion to order attendance, completing the course does not remove the conviction or prevent the points from being recorded.
How Much Is the Bail for Speeding Over 100 MPH?
California’s 2026 Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedule lists $896 in standard total bail, including a $200 base fine and the $1 night court assessment. Court-specific assessments affect the final amount, while qualifying construction areas and safety enhancement zones carry higher penalties.
How Long Does a 100 MPH Ticket Stay on My Driving Record?
A conviction for driving over 100 mph under CVC 22348(b) remains reportable on a California DMV driving record for seven years from the violation date. However, the DMV evaluates accumulated points within rolling 12-, 24-, and 36-month periods when determining negligent-operator consequences.
Can a 100 MPH Ticket Be Reduced to a Lower Speed?
Yes. A CVC 22348(b) charge can be reduced to a standard speeding violation when the evidence and circumstances support a lesser charge and the court approves the reduction. This can lower the fine and reduce the DMV point count from two to one, but the outcome depends on the facts of the case.
