Yes, traffic light cameras (also called red-light cameras) are legal in California, and cities across the state continue to use them. But the way they operate — and the way drivers are cited — is undergoing major legal changes. Many Californians assume these cameras were banned years ago because so many tickets got thrown out in court. Others believe every red-light camera ticket is automatically valid because a city installed the system. The truth is more complicated. California allows red-light cameras, but strict rules govern how they must be operated, how citations are issued, and how the evidence is used. And with a major new law (SB 720) reshaping the entire enforcement system starting in 2026, drivers need to understand both the current rules and the new ones headed their way.
Current Legal Status in 2026
Under California Vehicle Code § 21455.5, cities and counties may legally install and operate automated red-light enforcement systems at intersections. These systems can photograph a vehicle that enters an intersection after the signal has turned red. Enforcement agencies may then issue a citation to the registered owner, which currently counts as a moving violation, adds one point to the driver’s DMV record, and carries a fine that often exceeds $500 once fees and penalties are added.
However, the law surrounding these citations has been shaped heavily by court challenges. For years, many red-light camera tickets were dismissed due to insufficient driver identification — meaning the photo did not clearly show the driver’s face. This created a massive loophole in enforcement, and thousands of tickets were tossed out because cities could not prove who was behind the wheel.
That loophole is about to close.
Driver Identification Rule — 2026 Requirements
As of 2025, California still requires that red-light camera evidence clearly show the driver for a ticket to be valid. Judges across the state consistently dismissed tickets where the driver could not be identified. This rule has been the most powerful defense available to California drivers — and it remains valid throughout 2025.
But the Legislature decided to rewrite the system entirely.
Major Change Coming: SB 720 Overhauls Red-Light Cameras
In late 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 720, the most significant change to red-light camera laws in decades. This new law takes effect in 2026–2027, depending on each city’s implementation timeline. Once active, it will fundamentally change how red-light camera violations work.
Here is what the new law does:
Driver Identification Requirement Is Eliminated
Under SB 720:
- Cities no longer need to identify the driver.
- The ticket is issued to the registered owner, similar to how parking tickets work.
- Blurry photos or unclear images will no longer invalidate citations.
This single change removes the most common defense drivers used to beat red-light camera tickets for years.
Red-Light Camera Tickets Become Civil, Not Criminal
Under current law (in 2025):
- A red-light camera ticket is a moving violation.
- It adds one DMV point.
- It affects insurance premiums.
- Under SB 720 (starting 2026–2027):
- A red-light camera ticket becomes a civil penalty, not a moving violation.
- It will not add pointsto a driver’s record.
- It cannot raise insurance rates.
- It functions like a parking ticket, with a base fine around $100.
This is a dramatic shift in California traffic enforcement philosophy, intended to make camera enforcement fairer while avoiding harsh financial penalties.
Registered Owner Liability
Under SB 720:
- The registered vehicle owneris liable for the civil penalty.
- Owners may challenge the ticket but cannot argue “I wasn’t driving” unless an alternative driver formally accepts liability.
This is identical to how many toll-by-plate and parking systems work.
Are Tickets Still Enforceable in 2026?
Yes. All red-light camera tickets issued in 2025 remain enforceable under the current rules:
- They are still moving violations.
- They still require driver identification.
- They still carry high fines and one DMV point.
- The new civil system has not yet taken effect.
Drivers cannot demand the lower civil fine until the city officially transitions under SB 720.
Conclusion
Traffic light cameras are fully legal in California, and cities may continue issuing tickets using them. But the enforcement system is about to undergo the biggest overhaul in decades. Throughout 2025, red-light camera tickets remain expensive, point-based moving violations — and many can still be challenged if the driver cannot be clearly identified. Starting in 2026–2027, SB 720 will eliminate the driver-identification requirement, convert violations into civil penalties, and shift responsibility to the vehicle’s registered owner. In California, the cameras aren’t going away — but the way drivers are punished by them is changing dramatically.
