What SB 720 Changed
For years, a red light camera ticket in California was treated like any other moving infraction: a base fine that ballooned past $400 once penalty assessments piled on, plus a DMV point. SB 720 rewrote that framework. Red light camera violations are now civil offenses — closer to a parking ticket than to a speeding ticket handed to you on the shoulder of the 405.
The practical headline: first-time violations are capped at $100 — a fraction of what the old infraction tickets cost once assessments were added. Repeat violations can cost more, but the days of a $500 photo ticket for a first offense are over.
The Ticket Follows the Vehicle, Not the Driver
Under the new framework, the citation is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle — the camera captures the plate, and the notice follows the registration.
That matters in two directions. If you were not the one driving, the owner’s liability is rebuttable: contest by showing who was actually driving, or that the car was out of your hands entirely. But you cannot ignore a notice just because “it wasn’t me” without saying so through the proper challenge process. Silence reads as acceptance.
No Points, Different Stakes
Because these are now civil offenses rather than moving-violation infractions, they do not add DMV points to your driving record the way the old tickets did. They do not feed the negligent-operator system, and they should not trigger the insurance surcharges that follow point-bearing convictions.
That does not make them harmless. Unpaid civil citations can still be sent to collections, grow with late penalties, and lead to holds when you try to renew your vehicle registration. The stakes shifted from your driving record to your wallet and your registration. Cheaper to pay, still unwise to ignore.
How the Challenge Process Works Now
1. Study the photo evidence
The notice should include the photos or video stills: your plate, the vehicle, and the signal state. Look for the basics first — wrong plate, a different vehicle, an unreadable image, or a timestamp that does not make sense. Camera evidence is only as good as the camera.
2. Check the yellow-light timing
The classic red-light-camera defense survives the new law. Signals must meet minimum yellow-light durations under state standards — a short yellow manufactures violations. Timing records for the specific signal can be requested and compared.
3. Verify the intersection and signage
Camera-enforced intersections must be properly signed. Missing or non-compliant photo-enforcement warnings undermine the citation. Confirm the location on the notice matches where the photos were taken.
4. If you were not driving, document it
Owner liability is rebuttable, but “wasn’t me” needs backing: who had the car, a sworn statement, sale paperwork, or a police report if stolen. Build the paper trail before you file.
5. File within the deadline
Civil citation programs run on short contest windows — miss it and the citation becomes final. If you want a second set of eyes, a free ticket scan takes about a minute.
One related note: California’s other camera program — the AB 645 speed camera pilot now enforcing in Los Angeles — runs on the same civil-penalty logic: fines instead of points, owner liability, administrative contests. If both kinds of cameras are watching your commute, the playbook is the same.
Mistakes That Cost Drivers Under the New Rules
United Traffic Tickets is not a law firm — we provide document preparation and case tracking with attorney review before filing — but every citation, camera or otherwise, deserves the same treatment: evidence first, deadlines always, decisions second.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are red light camera tickets still infractions in California?
No. SB 720 reclassified them as civil offenses. That changed the fine structure, removed the DMV-point consequence, and moved challenges into an administrative process rather than traffic court.
How much is a first-time red light camera ticket in California now?
First-time violations are capped at $100 — dramatically less than the old infraction tickets, which routinely approached $500 after penalty assessments.
Who gets the red light camera ticket — the driver or the owner?
The registered owner. The camera reads the plate and the notice follows the registration. But owner liability is rebuttable — if you were not driving, contest with evidence of who was, or that the vehicle was sold or stolen.
Do red light camera tickets add points to my license now?
No. As civil offenses, they do not add DMV points the way the old infraction tickets did. Unpaid citations can still go to collections and affect registration renewal, so they should not be ignored.
Should I pay a red light camera ticket or challenge it?
Get a free review first. Text a photo of the citation to (833) 293-1095 — we will check the photos, the yellow-light timing issues, and your deadline before you decide. Our trial by written declaration guide covers how California’s fight-by-mail process works for traditional tickets too.
Camera ticket in the mailbox? Get a free review first.
Text a photo of your citation to (833) 293-1095 for a free review — we’ll check the photo evidence, the intersection, and your contest deadline before you pay a dollar. You can also scan your ticket free online in about a minute.