Thanks to a new state law, Assembly Bill 645, several California cities are rolling out speed safety camera pilot programs. But each city is on a different timeline. This guide breaks down exactly what you need to know in San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose as of late 2025.
San Francisco: Active and Enforcing Now
San Francisco is the first Bay Area city to fully launch its speed camera program.
- Status: ACTIVE. The 33 speed cameras in San Francisco began issuing official, fine-carrying tickets on August 5, 2025, after a 60-day warning period.
- How it Works: The cameras are triggered when a vehicle travels 11 mph or more over the speed limit. A ticket is then mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. These are civil penalties, meaning no points will be added to your driver’s license.
- Fines:
- 11-15 mph over limit: $50
- 16-25 mph over limit: $100
- 26+ mph over limit: $200
- (Note: Discounts are available for low-income drivers.)
- Locations: The cameras are placed on high-injury network streets—the 12% of city streets that account for over 68% of serious traffic injuries.
For a detailed map of every camera location, check out our complete guide: A Complete Map of San Francisco Speed Camera Locations.
Driving in the city has changed. To avoid costly tickets, it’s no longer enough to just “go with the flow” of traffic. You need real-time alerts. (Hint: Ticketguard can help with that.)
Oakland: Coming Soon - The Warning Period is Next
Oakland is moving forward with its own speed safety program, but it is not yet issuing fines.
- Status: PREPARING FOR LAUNCH. The Oakland City Council approved the program, and the city is working to install 35 cameras at 18 high-risk locations.
- Expected Timeline: Officials anticipate the cameras will be installed and begin a mandatory 60-day warning period before the end of 2025. This means for the first two months, speeders will receive a warning in the mail instead of a fine.
- What to Expect: Once the warning period ends (likely in early 2026), Oakland will begin issuing fines similar to San Francisco’s. The goal is to reduce speeding on the city’s most dangerous streets, which make up just 8% of roads but account for 60% of severe and fatal collisions.
While you won’t get a ticket from a speed camera in Oakland today, the infrastructure is being put in place. Now is the perfect time to get into the habit of monitoring your speed and being aware of known police patrol spots and red light cameras.
San Jose: In the Planning Stages
San Jose is also part of the AB 645 pilot program but is the furthest behind the other two cities in implementation.
- Status: PLANNING. San Jose is actively working on its program, with community outreach and vendor selection underway. They have secured federal grant money to help fund the initiative.
- Expected Timeline: The city expects its program to begin sometime in 2025, but a firm date for a warning period or active enforcement has not been set. Installation of the 33 camera systems will likely happen later in the year.
- What to Expect: San Jose is still determining the exact locations for its cameras, but they will be focused on safety corridors, school zones, and areas with a history of street racing.
You can follow the city’s official updates on their Speed Safety Cameras Pilot Program page on the San José website.
What This Means For Bay Area Drivers
- San Francisco is the only city actively issuing fines. This is where your attention needs to be most focused right now to avoid a ticket.
- Oakland is next. The warning period could start any day. Don’t get caught by surprise when the switch to real fines happens.
- Knowledge is Power. The single best way to avoid a ticket is to know where the cameras are and be reminded when you’re approaching a monitored zone.
This is exactly why we built Ticketguard. While other apps might show you some camera locations, Ticketguard offers real-time alerts for speed cameras, red light cameras, and police traps, giving you a complete picture of what’s ahead.
Don’t wait for a ticket to arrive in your mailbox. Download Ticketguard today and drive the Bay Area with confidence.
