Driving in California has changed in 2025. The much-discussed AB 645 speed camera law is not just a pilot program anymore; it’s an expanding reality for drivers. With new cities being added and the program extending to more areas, it is crucial to understand how this will affect you. This guide has the most up-to-date information on which cities are impacted, how much fines cost, and how you can stay protected.

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What is AB 645 in Simple Terms?

AB 645 is a five-year pilot program that authorizes specific California cities to use automated camera systems to enforce speed limits. These cameras are placed in designated areas—primarily school zones, high-injury networks (streets with a history of severe crashes), and areas known for street racing—to automatically ticket vehicles exceeding the speed limit by 11 mph or more. The program is managed by each city’s transportation department, not the police.

Which Cities Are Part of the AB 645 Pilot Program?

The initial rollout included six major California cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Long Beach, and Glendale. However, the program has already expanded. Here’s the latest status of the speed camera programs in each city as of September 2025:

  • San Francisco: San Francisco was the first city to roll out its 33 speed cameras and has been operating them for the past six months. The city has already caught hundreds of thousands of drivers, and the cameras have been effective at reducing speeding. If you’ve received a citation, it’s important to understand your options. Our guide explains exactly what to do after getting a speeding ticket in San Francisco.
  • Malibu: Malibu has been added to the list of cities with speed cameras and has already started installing them along the Pacific Coast Highway.
  • San Jose: San Jose has identified 28 proposed locations for its speed cameras and is expected to launch the program in 2025.
  • Glendale: Glendale has a map of 16 potential camera sites and is expected to have its cameras fully operational by the end of the year.
  • Oakland: Oakland has identified 18 proposed camera sites, with the cameras expected to be installed in the fall or winter of 2025. For a closer look at the proposed locations and what the program entails, read our complete driver’s guide to Oakland’s speed camera program.
  • Los Angeles and Long Beach: These cities are also part of the program, with an expected start date in 2025.

Additionally, the California State Senate has passed a bill to expand the use of speed cameras to include “speed safety systems” in and around state highway construction and maintenance zones.

How Much Are the Fines? A Look at the Tiered Structure

Unlike traditional speeding tickets, which can come with hefty fees and court costs, the fines under AB 645 are structured as civil penalties. The cost is based on how fast you were going over the speed limit:

  • 11-15 mph over the limit: $50
  • 16-25 mph over the limit: $100
  • 26-99 mph over the limit: $200
  • 100 mph or more over the limit: $500

The law also includes provisions for low-income individuals, who may be eligible for an 80% fine reduction or can opt for community service.

Key Questions Answered: License Points and Public Records

This is where the new law differs significantly from a traditional traffic stop.

  • Do AB 645 tickets add points to your license? No. A violation from a speed safety camera is treated like a parking ticket. It is a civil penalty issued to the registered owner of the vehicle and does not add any violation points to your driving record.
  • Are these tickets public record? The photographic records and data collected are confidential and can only be used for administering the program. They are not available to the general public or other government agencies for unrelated purposes, such as immigration enforcement.

Dig Deeper into California’s Speed Camera Laws

Want to learn more about the specific rules in your city? Check out our other detailed guides:

The Smartest Defense is Prevention

With the speed camera program expanding, memorizing camera locations is not a practical solution. The most effective way to avoid these new fines is to be aware of your speed in real-time.

Our app, TicketGuard, is designed for this exact challenge. It provides hands-free voice and visual alerts when you approach a known speed camera, red-light camera, or police trap. It’s mapless, requires no mobile data, and works alongside your favorite navigation app like Google Maps or Waze.

As California’s automated enforcement network grows, drive with confidence and the peace of mind that you have a reliable co-pilot looking out for you.

Download TicketGuard for free today:

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