How Much Are Fines for Texting and Driving in California?

We all know that texting while driving is dangerous and illegal, but we’ve also probably sent a text message from behind the wheel at times. In California, laws for texting and driving differ based on whether you’re under or over the age of 18. We’ll go over the laws for California drivers, the fines for a traffic ticket, and what you can do to avoid them in Los Angeles County and beyond.

How Much Are Fines for Texting and Driving in California?

First, let’s go over California’s Vehicle Code (VC), which covers the laws on texting and driving.

California Laws Prohibiting Texting and Driving

Three sections outline the laws against texting and driving.

• 23123(a) VC: This law prohibits talking on the phone on a device that’s not hands-free for those over the age of 18.
• 23123.5(a) VC: You also can’t text and drive.
• 23124(b) VC: If you’re under the age of 18, you can’t even talk on a hands-free device.

Exceptions

Note that there are a few exceptions to 23123(a):

• You can make an emergency call to the fire department, law enforcement, a medical provider, or other emergency services professionals, even if you’re under 18.
• You can make a call if you’re emergency personnel operating an authorized emergency vehicle and over 18.
• You can talk on the phone while driving a motor vehicle on private property if you’re over 18.
• You can make calls on devices that are specifically designed for hands-free talking and listening if you’re over 18.
• While bus drivers over 18 can use hands-free, manufacturer-installed systems in the vehicle while driving, they can also use handheld devices that require their hands if both of the following conditions are met:
• The device is mounted on the windshield in the same way a GPS device is mounted, not obscuring the view of the road.
• The driver is able to activate or deactivate a feature with a single swipe or tap.

Fines

The base fine for violating the above laws is $20 for the first offense, although you’ll pay around $136 after additional fees and assessments. For a second violation within three years, drivers pay a base fine of $50, or $272 after fees and assessments.³ California’s fines apply to all drivers, both above and below the age of 18, including bus drivers. These fees are low compared to the laws for texting and driving in New York, where fines start at $50 and can go all the way up to $450.

The California DMV doesn’t assign points for the first time you get caught on your phone while driving. However, each subsequent offense results in one point on your record. Of course, if you think you’re not guilty, you should seek legal advice from a traffic ticket lawyer to avoid paying a base fine for cell phone tickets.

How Fines Can Affect Insurance Costs

Once you pay the fine for your infraction, the case will be closed, but the violation will show up as points on your record for three to seven years⁴. Insurance companies usually look at the past three to five years of your driving record, so a texting and driving violation can increase the auto insurance costs in California during that time.

While there’s limited data on how texting and driving tickets affect car insurance rates, we can get a better sense by looking at how speeding tickets increase premiums. In California, a speeding ticket increases full coverage premiums by about $60 per month. A texting and driving ticket could have a similar effect on your rates.

If you have a texting and driving violation on your record, you can shop around for the cheapest rates. To find the best car insurance in California for your needs and budget, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from at least three providers. USAA, GEICO, and Progressive offer lower-than-average premiums for speeding tickets in the Golde

How to Avoid Texting and Driving Citations

The easiest way to avoid texting and driving citations is to not use your phone, or any electronic communication devices, while you drive. However, if you are above the age of 18 and need to make a call or use a voice assistant, make sure your device is hands-free. Voice assistants like Siri can make it easy to use your phone without your hands. If you’re under 18, don’t use your device at all, not even with voice assistants.

Recap

If you’re caught texting and driving in California, expect to pay fines and have the violation on your record for at least three years. While texting and driving tickets aren’t as expensive in the Golden State, you could see your premiums increase significantly. The state prohibits drivers under 18 from using phones unless they’re hands-free, and they’re not allowed to use a phone to talk, even with hands-free devices. The bottom line is that texting and driving can result in major accidents, so keep your phone in hands-free mode to prevent distracted driving.