California's AB 645 Speed Cameras in Los Angeles: How the Program Works and What to Do If You Get a Citation
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California's AB 645 Speed Cameras in Los Angeles: How the Program Works and What to Do If You Get a Citation
Los Angeles is changing how speeding is enforced.
Under California Assembly Bill 645 (AB 645), the city is launching a five-year automated speed enforcement pilot that will install speed safety systems at 125 locations across Los Angeles.
The rollout has drawn significant local attention. The Los Angeles Times reported in March that the City Council had approved 125 camera locations across Los Angeles, with penalties ranging from $50 to $500 depending on the recorded speed.
The timeline, however, has shifted. In late July, CBS News Los Angeles reported that none of the planned 125 cameras had yet been installed, despite an earlier timeline calling for the equipment to be ready for testing by July. Drivers should check LADOT's current program page for the latest activation dates.
Unlike a traditional speeding ticket, there may be no police officer and no traffic stop. Instead, a camera can detect a vehicle traveling above the enforcement threshold, capture the rear license plate, and send a civil notice to the registered owner.
For drivers, that raises some important questions:
- How do the cameras work?
- How fast do you have to be going before a citation can be issued?
- How much are the fines?
- Do these tickets add DMV points?
- Can you contest one?
- What evidence can you review?
This guide breaks down what Los Angeles drivers should know.
The short answer: Los Angeles is launching 125 speed safety systems under California's AB 645 pilot program. The systems can issue civil violations when a vehicle is recorded traveling at least 11 mph over the posted speed limit. Each newly activated location begins with a 60-day warning period before monetary citations are issued. Fines start at $50. These citations are civil, non-moving violations and do not add points to your driver's license. If you receive one, review the evidence, check the deadlines, and understand the available review and hearing process before deciding how to respond.
Last updated: August 2026 · California (Los Angeles focus) · Legal information only — not legal advice
Why Los Angeles Is Introducing Speed Cameras
Los Angeles says the program is aimed at reducing dangerous speeding and severe crashes.
According to the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), approximately one in five fatal crashes in Los Angeles in 2024 was directly attributed to speeding.
AB 645 gives Los Angeles and several other California jurisdictions authority to test automated speed enforcement as part of a limited pilot program.
Rather than placing cameras everywhere, Los Angeles selected locations using crash, speed, and safety data. LADOT says priority was given to areas with significant speeding problems and locations where vulnerable road users are more likely to be present, including areas near schools and senior centers.
Local coverage has also focused on where the cameras are being placed and how those decisions may affect different neighborhoods. LAist reported that more than 20 of the approved locations are in South Los Angeles, including corridors selected because of histories of severe crashes and speeding.
The goal of the pilot is to determine whether automated enforcement can reduce excessive speeding while also addressing concerns about privacy, equity, accuracy, and due process.
How Los Angeles Speed Cameras Work
Los Angeles's Speed Safety System uses automated technology to detect vehicles traveling above the posted speed limit.
When a vehicle is detected traveling at least 11 mph over the limit, the system can capture:
- The rear license plate
- The rear of the vehicle
- The vehicle's recorded speed
- The date and time
- The location of the alleged violation
The license plate information can then be used to identify the registered owner of the vehicle through DMV records.
The notice is mailed to the registered vehicle owner, rather than being handed directly to the driver during a traffic stop.
Importantly, the program is designed to capture the rear of the vehicle rather than the driver's face.
LADOT's policy states that facial recognition technology is prohibited.
When Can a Speed Camera Issue a Citation?
The automated enforcement threshold begins at:
11 mph over the posted speed limit
A vehicle traveling 5 or 8 mph above the limit, for example, would not qualify for an AB 645 civil penalty under this program.
The fine increases depending on how far above the speed limit the vehicle is recorded traveling.
| Recorded Speed | Civil Penalty |
|---|---|
| 11–15 mph over | $50 |
| 16–25 mph over | $100 |
| 26+ mph over | $200 |
| 100 mph or more | $500 |
There is also an additional protection for lower-level first violations.
For a first violation involving 11–15 mph over the limit, the program's use policy requires a warning rather than a monetary penalty.
What Is the 60-Day Warning Period?
Every new speed safety system location begins with a 60-day warning period.
During those first 60 days, motorists who trigger the system receive warning notices instead of monetary citations.
This is separate from the rule providing a warning for a first 11–15 mph-over violation.
The warning period is designed to give drivers notice that automated enforcement is active at that location before fines begin.
LADOT also requires signage notifying drivers that a roadway is photo enforced.
Before entering an enforcement area, drivers should see a "Photo Enforced" sign along with the posted speed limit.
Where Will the 125 Los Angeles Cameras Be Located?
Los Angeles plans to install speed safety systems at 125 locations across the city.
LADOT says locations were selected using factors including:
- Speeding data
- Speed-related crash history
- Serious and fatal crashes
- Proximity to schools
- Proximity to senior centers
- Concentrations of vulnerable road users
- Community and stakeholder input
The locations are spread throughout Los Angeles rather than being concentrated in only one part of the city.
Drivers can view the city's current camera-location information through LADOT:
LADOT Speed Safety System Program →
Because the program is still being rolled out, drivers should check LADOT's current map for activation dates and enforcement status.
Do AB 645 Speed Camera Tickets Add Points to Your License?
No.
AB 645 speed camera violations are classified as civil, non-moving violations.
According to LADOT's use policy, they:
- Do not add points to your driver's license
- Are not criminal violations
- Are handled through an administrative civil process rather than a criminal traffic prosecution
This is an important difference between an automated speed-camera notice and some traditional speeding citations issued directly by police officers.
LADOT's policy also states that these civil violations do not affect insurance.
That means drivers should not treat an AB 645 notice as if it were automatically equivalent to a traditional moving violation.
Who Gets the Citation if Someone Else Was Driving?
The system uses the vehicle's rear license plate to identify the registered owner.
That means the notice is initially mailed to the registered vehicle owner even though the camera may not identify the person who was physically driving.
This is one of the biggest differences between automated enforcement and a traditional traffic stop.
During a traffic stop, an officer usually knows who is driving the vehicle.
A camera knows the vehicle and its plate.
If you receive a citation involving a vehicle you own but believe the notice is incorrect, read the notice carefully and review the available administrative challenge process before responding.
The rules governing registered-owner responsibility and available defenses can be specific, so do not assume that simply saying "I wasn't driving" automatically resolves the citation.
What Privacy Protections Apply to the Cameras?
Privacy has been one of the major concerns surrounding automated traffic enforcement.
Los Angeles's AB 645 program includes restrictions on what the systems are supposed to collect and how the information can be used.
Under LADOT's program rules:
- Cameras capture the rear license plate and rear of the vehicle
- The system is not intended to capture people's faces
- Facial recognition technology is prohibited
- Data use is limited to purposes authorized under AB 645
- Access to program information is restricted
- The equipment and program are subject to auditing and oversight
LADOT also says program data generally must be deleted after required retention periods rather than being stored indefinitely.
These safeguards matter because automated traffic enforcement involves collecting information about vehicles in public spaces at scale.
How Accurate Are the Cameras?
Automated enforcement systems still require maintenance and calibration.
LADOT's use policy requires speed safety systems to be calibrated:
- At least once every 60 days according to manufacturer instructions
- At least once every year by an independent calibration laboratory
The systems are also supposed to receive regular maintenance and inspection.
This is important because a camera's speed reading becomes part of the evidence supporting the citation.
If you receive a citation and believe the speed measurement is inaccurate, understanding the system's calibration and maintenance requirements may be relevant when reviewing your options.
What Happens After a Camera Records a Possible Violation?
A camera detection does not simply become an unexplained bill.
The program is designed to create a record of the alleged violation.
A notice mailed to the registered owner must include information such as:
- The recorded speed
- The location of the alleged violation
- Information about the vehicle
- Instructions for reviewing or contesting the notice
The program's policies also contemplate both automated processing and manual review of information.
LADOT tracks situations in which a potential violation does not become a citation, including cases where a vehicle was not actually speeding or a plate could not be reliably identified.
That is an important distinction:
A camera detection and a final citation are not necessarily the same thing.
What to Do If You Receive an AB 645 Citation
If a speed-camera notice arrives in the mail, do not look only at the amount due.
Take a few minutes to review the entire notice.
Step 1: Check the basic information
Confirm:
- License plate
- Vehicle
- Date
- Time
- Location
- Posted speed limit
- Recorded speed
If any of those details appear incorrect, make a note of the discrepancy.
Step 2: Review the evidence
Vehicle owners are allowed to access the photographic and event evidence associated with the alleged violation.
Look at what the system actually captured.
Ask:
- Is the license plate clearly readable?
- Does the vehicle match yours?
- Is the speed clearly documented?
- Does the location match the notice?
- Does the evidence support the violation listed?
Step 3: Check whether the location was still in its warning period
Each newly activated location has a 60-day warning period.
If the alleged violation occurred during that window, the system should issue a warning rather than a monetary citation.
Step 4: Read the deadline
Do not ignore a citation simply because you believe it is wrong.
Under LADOT's policy, vehicle owners generally have 30 calendar days from the mailing of the notice to request an initial review.
Follow the deadline printed on your specific notice.
Step 5: Decide whether to pay or request review
If you believe the citation is accurate, payment may resolve the matter.
If something appears incorrect, you can use the administrative review process.
Can You Contest an AB 645 Citation?
Yes.
AB 645 includes an administrative process for challenging a citation.
Initial Review
A vehicle owner may request an initial review within 30 calendar days of the notice being mailed.
LADOT's policy says requests can be made through available methods such as phone, mail, electronic submission, or in person.
During this stage, the agency reviews the citation and supporting evidence.
Administrative Hearing
If you disagree with the outcome of the initial review, you may request an administrative hearing.
Under the current program policy, that request generally must be made within 21 calendar days of the initial-review decision.
A neutral decision-maker then reviews the case.
Always follow the exact instructions and deadlines listed on your citation because procedures may change as the new program is implemented.
What Should You Look for Before Contesting?
A disagreement with the citation by itself may not be enough.
Instead, focus on whether the evidence and procedures actually support the alleged violation.
Questions worth asking include:
- Does the plate in the image match my vehicle?
- Does the vehicle itself match?
- Was the recorded speed at least 11 mph above the limit?
- Was the camera location already past its warning period?
- Was the correct fine assessed for the recorded speed?
- Is the date and time correct?
- Is the evidence readable?
- Does the notice explain the violation and review process?
- Was the system being maintained and calibrated as required?
The purpose of reviewing the evidence is not to assume the camera is wrong.
It is to understand what evidence supports the citation before deciding how to respond.
What If You Cannot Afford the Fine?
AB 645 includes protections intended to reduce the financial burden on lower-income drivers.
Under Los Angeles's current program policy, eligible individuals may qualify for reduced penalties.
The policy provides for reductions that can include:
- Up to an 80% reduction for qualifying individuals below the federal poverty level
- Up to a 50% reduction for qualifying individuals with incomes up to 250% of the federal poverty level
- Payment plans
- Community service in place of some monetary penalties for eligible participants
Eligibility requires documentation.
If paying the citation would create financial hardship, read the notice carefully before assuming that paying the full amount immediately is your only option.
What San Francisco's Program Can Tell Los Angeles
Los Angeles is not the first California city to implement AB 645.
San Francisco launched its speed safety camera program in 2025.
Early results have shown substantial reductions in excessive speeding at camera locations.
That matters because the primary goal of automated enforcement is not simply to issue more citations.
The policy goal is to change driver behavior.
If motorists know that excessive speeding is likely to be detected consistently, they may be more likely to slow down even when a police officer is not present.
However, Los Angeles is its own pilot.
Its results—including safety outcomes, citation patterns, equity effects, appeal outcomes, and financial impact—will need to be evaluated using Los Angeles data.
How Will Los Angeles Know Whether the Program Is Working?
AB 645 requires the pilot program to be evaluated.
LADOT plans to track information including:
- Changes in vehicle speeds
- Number of violations detected
- Number of citations issued
- Crash trends
- Geographic distribution of citations
- Administrative challenges and dismissals
- Program costs and revenue
- Economic and racial-equity impacts
- Equipment malfunctions
- Reasons detected violations were not ultimately cited
This is important because the success of automated enforcement should not be measured only by the number of tickets issued.
The bigger questions are:
Are drivers actually slowing down?
Are serious crashes declining?
Are citations being issued accurately?
Can drivers realistically challenge mistakes?
Is the program creating disproportionate burdens for certain communities?
Those are the questions the pilot is ultimately supposed to help answer.
How Auro Can Help You Understand a Speed Camera Citation
Receiving an automated citation can be confusing because the process looks different from a traditional traffic stop.
Auro can help you understand:
- What violation is listed
- What the citation says happened
- The recorded speed and alleged offense
- Important deadlines
- The evidence included with the notice
- What review or hearing options may be available
- Questions you may want to investigate before deciding what to do next
Upload Your Traffic Citation and Understand What It Says →
Auro provides legal information to help make traffic citations easier to understand. It does not replace advice from a licensed attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are Los Angeles speed cameras going live?
LADOT scheduled the program to begin rolling out in late summer and fall 2026. The first systems were planned for activation around the start of the school year.
Each new location begins with a 60-day warning period before monetary enforcement starts.
Because rollout dates can change, check LADOT's current Speed Safety System page for the latest activation information.
How fast do I have to be going to receive an AB 645 violation?
Automated enforcement begins when a vehicle is recorded traveling at least 11 mph over the posted speed limit.
How much are Los Angeles speed-camera fines?
The current civil penalty schedule is:
- 11–15 mph over: $50
- 16–25 mph over: $100
- 26+ mph over: $200
- 100 mph or more: $500
A first violation for 11–15 mph over is subject to a warning under the program's current rules.
Do speed-camera citations add points to my license?
No.
AB 645 citations are civil, non-moving violations and do not add DMV points to your driver's license.
Will an AB 645 citation affect my insurance?
LADOT's current use policy states that these civil, non-moving violations do not affect insurance.
Can I contest a speed-camera citation?
Yes.
You may request an initial administrative review and, if necessary, an administrative hearing.
Pay close attention to the deadlines listed on your notice.
Can I see the camera evidence?
Yes.
The program provides vehicle owners access to photographic and event evidence associated with the alleged violation.
Are the cameras required to be calibrated?
Yes.
Los Angeles's program requires routine calibration and maintenance, including calibration at least every 60 days under manufacturer requirements and annual independent calibration.
What if I cannot afford the fine?
Income-qualified drivers may be eligible for reduced fines, payment plans, or community-service alternatives.
Read the notice or contact the program administrator to determine what documentation is required.
Where can I see the camera locations?
LADOT publishes information about the program and camera locations on its Speed Safety System website:
View the LADOT Speed Safety System Program →
Key Takeaways
Los Angeles is launching 125 automated speed safety systems under AB 645.
The program targets vehicles traveling at least 11 mph above the posted speed limit.
Every newly activated camera location begins with a 60-day warning period.
After monetary enforcement begins, penalties range from $50 to $500 depending on the recorded speed.
These citations are civil, non-moving violations.
They do not add points to a driver's license, and LADOT's current policy states that they do not affect insurance.
The notice goes to the registered vehicle owner.
Because the system identifies a vehicle by its rear plate, automated enforcement works differently from a traditional traffic stop.
You can review the evidence and challenge a citation.
Vehicle owners have access to an initial administrative review and, if necessary, an administrative hearing.
Deadlines matter.
Do not ignore a citation simply because you believe something is wrong. Follow the instructions for formally requesting review.
Lower-income drivers may qualify for reduced penalties or alternative payment options.
The program includes income-based reductions, payment plans, and possible community-service alternatives for eligible individuals.
Most importantly:
A camera citation is evidence generated by an automated system. You still have the right to understand what the evidence shows and how the process works before deciding what to do next.
Learn More
Los Angeles Department of Transportation — Speed Safety System Program
https://ladot.lacity.gov/speed-safety-system
This is the city's primary source for current camera locations, program rules, activation information, fines, privacy policies, and updates.
Related Auro Resources
- The Automation of Traffic Enforcement: How Cameras Are Replacing Officers—and What It Means for You
- Speed Traps and Radar: How Police Measure Speed (And What Can Go Wrong)
- California's No Hands Law: What It Is and What the Ticket Could Mean
Important: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. Auro Legal AI is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This information does not create an attorney-client relationship. AB 645 is a new pilot program, and procedures may change as Los Angeles implements it. Always review the instructions on your citation and verify current information with LADOT. For advice about a specific legal matter, consult a licensed California attorney.