Speeding Tickets in San Francisco, CA
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A speeding ticket in San Francisco can result in substantial fines, DMV points, higher insurance premiums, and possible license consequences for drivers who accumulate multiple violations. The available options depend on the Vehicle Code section listed on the citation, the alleged speed, the road conditions, and whether the driver qualifies for traffic school.
Ticket Crushers, A Law Corporation represents drivers facing speeding citations in San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area. With prices starting at $149 and roughly 60% of citations dismissed, founder and managing partner Adam Cohen and our team of San Francisco speeding ticket attorneys provide experienced representation for drivers accused of speeding and other California traffic violations. We review the citation, examine the prosecution’s evidence, identify available defenses, and pursue dismissals, reductions, or other outcomes that can minimize the impact on a driver’s record.
Ticket at a Glance. Most California speeding citations under CVC 22349, 22350, or 22356(b) are one-point infractions with base fines from $35 to $100 and total bail from $238 to $490. CVC 22348(b) (over 100 mph) is a two-point violation with a $200 base fine, $896 total bail, and possible license suspension. Points remain reported by DMV for three years (one-point violations) or 10 years (most two-point violations). Traffic school is available for eligible drivers on one-point violations only.
This page explains how California sets speed limits, what your ticket will cost in fines and DMV points, how speed trap law can be used as a defense, and what happens in San Francisco Superior Court. Call Ticket Crushers, A Law Corporation at (628) 203-1868 to schedule a consultation.
After a DUI arrest, you only have ten (10) days to request a DMV hearing to contest the administrative suspension of your driver’s license. If you fail to act, then the administrative suspension of your driver’s license will start 30 days after your arrest. Call us to find out more about hiring an attorney who can immediately demand your DMV hearing.
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Understanding Your San Francisco Speeding Ticket Charge
California’s speed laws are set out in the California Vehicle Code, and the section listed on a citation determines what the prosecution must prove and which defenses apply. Most speeding citations in San Francisco are issued under Vehicle Code sections 22349 or 22350, although other provisions, including section 22348(b) for speeds exceeding 100 mph, also apply in certain cases.
Vehicle Code section 22349(a) prohibits driving over 65 mph on a highway unless a higher maximum speed is authorized under section 22356. Section 22349(b) sets a 55 mph maximum on two-lane undivided highways unless a higher limit is posted based on an engineering and traffic survey. A two-lane undivided highway has no more than one through lane in each direction, excluding passing lanes.
Vehicle Code section 22350, known as the basic speed law, prohibits driving faster than is reasonable or prudent for the conditions or at a speed that endangers people or property. Unlike section 22349, which is based on a fixed maximum speed, section 22350 requires the court to consider factors such as weather, visibility, traffic, and the condition and width of the roadway.
Vehicle Code section 22348(b) applies when a driver exceeds 100 mph. In addition to higher fines and two DMV points, the court has discretion to impose a license suspension, particularly for repeat violations.
If you received a speeding ticket in San Francisco, speaking with an attorney before paying the citation can help you evaluate your legal options and the potential effect on your driving record. Call Ticket Crushers, A Law Corporation at (628) 203-1868 to schedule a consultation.
San Francisco Speeding Ticket Fines and Penalty Schedule
California’s Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules provide standard first-offense amounts for traffic infractions. The amount due varies based on the charged section, local adjustments, prior offenses, and court orders.
CVC Section | Alleged Violation | Base Fine | Statutory Penalty Assessments & Fees | Standard Total Bail | DMV Points |
22349(a), 22349(b), 22350, 22356(b) | 1 to 15 mph over limit | $35 | $203 | $238 | 1 |
22349(a), 22349(b), 22350, 22356(b) | 16 to 25 mph over limit | $70 | $297 | $367 | 1 |
22349(a), 22349(b), 22350, 22356(b) | 26+ mph over limit | $100 | $390 | $490 | 1 |
22348(b) | Driving over 100 mph | $200 | $696 | $896 | 2 |
22405(a) | 1 to 15 mph over bridge/tunnel | $35 | $199 | $234 | 1 |
22405(a) | 16 to 25 mph over bridge/tunnel | $70 | $293 | $363 | 1 |
22405(a) | 26+ mph over bridge/tunnel | $100 | $386 | $486 | 1 |
22406(a) | Truck/Tractor 1 to 9 mph over 55 mph | $50 | $231 | $281 | 1* |
22406(a) | Truck/Tractor 10+ mph over 55 mph | $100 | $386 | $486 | 1* |
22406.5 | Tank vehicle at excessive speed | $500 | $1,626 | $2,126 | 1* |
*Commercial Driver Point Calculation: While these offenses are classified as 1-point violations, any moving violation committed while operating a commercial motor vehicle is multiplied by 1.5 toward a driver’s DMV negligent-operator point count. Additionally, standard point-masking through traffic school is not available for violations committed in a commercial motor vehicle or for specialized offenses under CVC 22406.5.
The amount listed on a speeding ticket is only one part of the cost, especially when DMV points and insurance increases are considered. Call Ticket Crushers, A Law Corporation at (628) 203-1868 to discuss your citation and whether there are options for reducing or contesting the charge.
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Personally, I had a good experience. They solved my case pretty quick. I know the holidays got in the way my case was from last year around November from correct but they were able to get it done and no points. No tickets. Nothing owed. Thank you guys
Hector Rosales
Wow! These folks are impressive. They invisibly took care of my Traffic Ticket. A very pleasant experience dealing with them. There was a change of date for court appearance and I didn’t have to bother them. When the ticket was settled, they informed me and all was taken care of! Happy ending for me.
Parag Kulkarni
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Points on Your License and Insurance Impact in California
For many drivers, the long-term cost of a speeding ticket comes from the DMV point rather than the fine itself. A point remains on your driving record for years and can lead to higher insurance premiums, making the overall financial impact far greater than the amount paid to the court.
Most speeding convictions add one DMV point, while a conviction for driving over 100 mph under Vehicle Code section 22348(b) adds two points. California’s negligent-operator system places drivers at Level III when they accumulate four points in 12 months, six points in 24 months, or eight points in 36 months. Reaching one of these thresholds can result in a one-year probation period that includes a six-month license suspension.
Keeping a point off your driving record can reduce the long-term consequences of a speeding citation. A dismissal or an authorized reduction to a nonmoving violation avoids a DMV point, and eligible noncommercial drivers who complete traffic school can keep the conviction confidential and prevent the assessment of a violation point. Different rules apply to commercial-license holders.
If you are concerned about the effect a speeding ticket could have on your driving record or insurance rates, call Ticket Crushers, A Law Corporation at (628) 203-1868 to discuss your options before resolving the citation.
Speed Traps and Radar Enforcement in San Francisco, CA
California law limits how law enforcement officers can measure vehicle speed, and evidence obtained through an unlawful speed trap cannot be used to prosecute a speeding violation. Vehicle Code section 40801 prohibits the use of speed traps, while section 40803 bars the admission of speed evidence obtained through a prohibited speed trap.
When radar or lidar is used, the defense review may include whether the prosecution can rely on the speed evidence under California’s speed-trap statutes. Our CVC 40801 defense guide explains the evidentiary consequence of an unlawful speed trap.
Under Vehicle Code section 40802, a speed trap is defined as either a section of highway marked so an officer can calculate speed by measuring the time it takes a vehicle to travel a known distance or the use of radar, lidar, or another electronic speed-measuring device on certain roadways without a valid Engineering and Traffic Survey (E&TS) when one is required.
The need for an Engineering and Traffic Survey depends on the roadway, the applicable speed limit, and the method used to measure speed. For certain prima facie speed limits enforced with radar, lidar, or other electronic devices, the prosecution must establish a qualifying survey together with the officer’s required training and the proper calibration and operation of the speed-measuring equipment.
Depending on the circumstances, an Engineering and Traffic Survey remains valid for five years, seven years, or up to 14 years, while specified exceptions apply to local streets, school zones, senior zones, and business activity districts. When these statutory requirements are not satisfied, the court can exclude speed evidence obtained through a prohibited speed trap.
A driver’s everyday description of a speed trap is not always the same as California’s statutory definition. Our California speed-trap defense guide explains when an engineering and traffic survey and electronic speed measurement may become important.
Speed-trap laws and Engineering and Traffic Survey requirements can affect whether radar or lidar evidence is admissible in court. Call Ticket Crushers, A Law Corporation at (628) 203-1868 to review your citation and discuss the defenses available in your case.
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Ticket Crusher is extremely helpful and made the entire process easy and stress-free. They handled everything professionally and successfully got my ticket dismissed without any hassle on my end. I highly recommend using Ticket Crusher to anyone dealing…
Raynard Davis
Ticket Crushers Law Firm exceeded every expectation I had and then some! From the very first interaction, their communication was flawless. They were proactive, responsive, and incredibly clear about every step of the process. I always felt informed, confident, and completely taken care of…
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Speeding Ticket Defense in San Francisco, CA, Ticket Crushers, A Law Corporation
Adam Cohen, Esq.
Adam Cohen is the Founder and Managing Partner of Ticket Crushers, A Law Corporation. He represents drivers charged with speeding tickets and other California traffic violations, helping clients challenge citations, protect their driving records, and minimize the consequences of traffic convictions. Under his leadership, Ticket Crushers has grown into one of California’s largest firms dedicated to DUI and traffic ticket defense.
Before founding Ticket Crushers, Adam interned with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office felony unit, where he first-chaired a felony trial before Judge Lance Ito. He later served as a prosecutor in the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office before transitioning to criminal and traffic defense. Adam earned his J.D. from Loyola Law School, Loyola Marymount University, and is licensed to practice law in California and Florida.
CDL Drivers and Commercial Speeding Tickets
A speeding conviction can have more serious consequences for commercial drivers than for noncommercial motorists. A one-point moving violation committed while operating a commercial motor vehicle counts as 1.5 points toward the DMV negligent-operator system, and a conviction can also affect employment opportunities and commercial driving privileges.
Traffic school is not available for violations committed in a commercial motor vehicle. Drivers who hold a Class A, Class B, or commercial Class C license remain eligible for traffic school only when the violation occurs in a vehicle requiring a noncommercial Class C or Class M license. Even then, the conviction is not kept confidential, although it is excluded from the negligent-operator point count. Violations of Vehicle Code section 22406.5 are not eligible for traffic school under any circumstances.
Commercial drivers and CDL holders should evaluate a speeding citation separately because licensing, employer, and traffic-school consequences may differ from those for noncommercial drivers. The firm’s commercial-driver traffic ticket guide summarizes the added issues.
Because commercial drivers often face consequences beyond fines and DMV points, responding to a speeding citation requires careful consideration of both licensing and employment issues. Call Ticket Crushers, A Law Corporation at (628) 203-1868 to discuss your citation and the options available in your case.
School Zone and Location-Based Speeding Violations
California imposes lower speed limits in certain locations where roadway conditions or pedestrian activity require drivers to exercise greater caution. Vehicle Code section 22352 establishes 15 mph prima facie speed limits at railway crossings, obstructed intersections, and alleys, and 25 mph prima facie speed limits in business and residence districts, school zones, and senior centers. Vehicle Code section 22405 also requires drivers to comply with posted maximum speeds on bridges, elevated structures, tubes, and tunnels.
School-zone citations require attention to the location, posted signs, time of day, children’s presence, and the statute identified on the citation. The firm’s California school-zone speeding guide separates those questions from ordinary maximum-speed cases.
The applicable speed limit and the circumstances surrounding the citation often determine which Vehicle Code section applies and what evidence is relevant to the case. Call Ticket Crushers, A Law Corporation at (628) 203-1868 to discuss a location-based speeding citation and the defenses that could apply.
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What Happens If You Ignore a Speeding Ticket in San Francisco, CA
Ignoring a speeding ticket can lead to additional financial and legal consequences beyond the original citation. After a citation is issued, the San Francisco Superior Court mails a Reminder Notice to the address listed on the ticket, typically within 21 days, identifying the bail amount, payment deadline, and available traffic school options.
Failure to receive a Reminder Notice does not excuse the deadline stated on the citation. If you fail to appear or pay after receiving notice and without good cause, the court can impose a civil assessment of up to $100 and refer the unpaid balance for collection. Promptly addressing a missed deadline is important because the court can vacate the civil assessment upon a sufficient showing of good cause.
Missing a court deadline can make resolving a speeding ticket more complicated and more expensive than addressing the citation on time. Call Ticket Crushers, A Law Corporation at (628) 203-1868 to discuss your options before additional penalties are imposed.
Your Options: Pay, Fight, or Attend Traffic School
After receiving a speeding ticket, you have several options, and each one carries different legal and practical consequences. The best choice depends on the facts of your case, the alleged violation, your driving record, and your eligibility for traffic school.
Paying the ticket or forfeiting bail results in a conviction. A guilty plea and a no-contest plea produce the same traffic conviction, although they can have different effects in a related civil case. Drivers who cannot afford the amount owed can ask the court about a fine reduction, a payment plan, additional time to pay, or community service.
Drivers who choose to contest the citation can request a court trial or, when available, a trial by written declaration before the applicable deadline. The prosecution must prove every element of the charged violation, and the court ultimately determines whether the evidence supports a conviction, dismissal, acquittal, or another authorized disposition.
Traffic school prevents a violation point from being assessed against the driving record, but eligibility is limited. Under Vehicle Code section 42005 and California Rules of Court, rule 4.104, you must:
- hold a valid California driver’s license
- the violation must carry no more than one DMV point
- the current violation must not have occurred within 18 months of a previous violation for which you attended or elected traffic school
- the citation must not involve alcohol or drugs
- the alleged speed must not exceed 25 mph over the limit
- the violation must not be charged under Vehicle Code section 22406.5
Traffic school is a record-management option, not a dismissal, and eligibility depends on the driver, vehicle, violation, and timing. The firm’s traffic violator school guide helps drivers compare that option with contesting or resolving the citation another way.
San Francisco also requires payment of a $52 nonrefundable administrative fee in addition to the bail amount, and drivers who appear before a judge and are denied traffic school cannot enroll afterward.
Choosing how to respond to a speeding ticket can affect your driving record, insurance rates, and the overall outcome of your case. Call Ticket Crushers, A Law Corporation at (628) 203-1868 to discuss your citation before deciding how to resolve it.
San Francisco Traffic Court Locations and Payment Options
Speeding infractions issued in San Francisco are handled by the Traffic Division of the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. Traffic infractions carry monetary penalties but no jail or prison sentence. Parking citations are handled separately by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.
Traffic courtroom sessions are held in Department 218 on the second floor of the Civic Center Courthouse, located at 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. Clerk window services are available in Room 103 on the first floor Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except between noon and 1:00 p.m. and on court holidays.
Drivers can pay a citation online, by mail, in person, or by phone at (415) 551-8550. Electronic payments are subject to a convenience fee.
Importantly, the court does not send traffic-ticket text messages. Any unsolicited text, link, or QR code requesting payment should be treated as fraudulent.
Speeding Ticket Defense Throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area
Ticket Crushers represents drivers cited for speeding throughout San Francisco and neighboring communities across the Bay Area. Our team regularly defends speeding cases arising on major roadways such as U.S. Highway 101, Interstate 80, Interstate 280, State Route 1, State Route 35 (Skyline Boulevard), Junipero Serra Boulevard, Geary Boulevard, Van Ness Avenue, and Lombard Street.
Our attorneys assist drivers cited in San Francisco neighborhoods including the Financial District, SoMa, the Mission District, the Sunset District, the Richmond District, Pacific Heights, the Marina District, and Nob Hill, as well as nearby communities such as Daly City, South San Francisco, Brisbane, Colma, San Bruno, Millbrae, Burlingame, San Mateo, Oakland, Berkeley, and Alameda.
Ticket Crushers, A Law Corporation also represents drivers in traffic courts throughout California, including San Jose, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and many other jurisdictions.
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Get Help from a San Francisco Speeding Ticket Attorney
Before paying a speeding ticket, consider how the citation could affect your driving record, insurance rates, and future driving privileges. Evaluating your options before the court deadline allows you to determine the best way to resolve the case.
Ticket Crushers, A Law Corporation handles cases in the Traffic Division of San Francisco Superior Court, including Department 218 at the Civic Center Courthouse. Our team defends drivers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area against speeding tickets and other moving violations.
Call (628) 203-1868 today to discuss your case. Our office is located at 350 Rhode Island St #240, San Francisco, CA 94103, and we serve drivers across San Francisco, the greater Bay Area, and Santa Clara County.
Additional Resources
General Information after a DUI Arrest in California
Visit the website of the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to find out general information about a DUI arrest and prosecution in the State of California. Find out more about the automatic administrative suspension or revocation of your driver’s license triggered by a DUI arrest even before your first court date. Learn more about the order of suspension, temporary license, and ten (10) days to request an administrative hearing. Learn why the DMV suspension or revocation for the DUI arrest is different from the suspension or revocation following a conviction in criminal court for DUI. You can also find information on DUI statistics in California.
DMV Office
Visit the website of the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to find the address for the local California DMV Office. You can call the office at (800) 777-0133. The normal office hours are from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does a speeding ticket in San Francisco go on my driving record?
Yes. A speeding conviction is generally reported to the DMV and can add a point to the driving record. A speeding conviction typically remains on the driving record for at least three years, although certain violations remain longer. Eligible traffic-school completion can keep the conviction confidential for a noncommercial driver.
How many points is a California speeding ticket worth?
Most speeding violations carry one DMV point. Driving over 100 mph under CVC 22348(b) carries two points. Commercial drivers receive 1.5 points for every one-point violation committed in a commercial vehicle.
What happens if I do not pay or respond to my speeding ticket?
The court may impose a $100 Civil Assessment on top of the fine, notify the DMV under Vehicle Code Section 40903(a) with a possible point count, and refer the balance to a collection agency. Not receiving the Reminder Notice does not excuse a missed due date.
Will a San Francisco speeding ticket raise my insurance rates?
In most cases, yes. A point on your record can increase what you pay at renewal, often exceeding the fine itself over three years. Avoiding the conviction, or masking the point through traffic school when you qualify, is usually the better outcome.
How much does it cost to hire a speeding ticket attorney in San Francisco?
Ticket Crushers quotes a flat rate before the case begins, so you know the cost up front with no hourly billing and no upsells. Call (628) 203-1868 for a free consultation and a quote on your citation.
Can a speeding ticket be dismissed in San Francisco Superior Court?
Yes, dismissals happen, though outcomes depend on the facts. Common paths include a missing or expired engineering and traffic survey where radar was used, calibration or foundation problems with the speed measurement, and the officer’s failure to appear or prove an element of the charged code section.
