California camera ticket, but you weren’t driving.
If a friend, partner, or anyone else genuinely had your car, California law lets you say so under oath and shift the ticket off your name. It’s called an Affidavit of Non-Liability.
At a glance — details and the official link below. Last verified June 2026.
Does the form work in California?
California red-light camera tickets let the registered owner file an affidavit that someone else was driving — but you generally must name the actual driver, and liability transfers to that person. Unlike most states, a California red-light camera ticket is a real moving-violation citation (Veh. Code § 21453) — it can add 1 point to the driver’s record, which is exactly why naming the actual driver matters here. (California speed cameras exist only in a six-city pilot under AB 645; those are civil, with no points.)
Statute: Cal. Veh. Code § 40520 · last verified June 2026. Confirm with your court before filing.
How to file in California
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i
Make sure it’s true.Someone other than you, or a co-owner, genuinely had the car. The form is sworn, so this part isn’t flexible.
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File before the deadline.Submit by sworn affidavit returned to the court, within about 30 days of the notice (check your court’s date).
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Let the court decide.They cancel the ticket or set a hearing.
The court reviews your declaration — usually within a couple of weeks. You’ll get a decision by mail or email: the ticket is canceled, or a hearing is set. Don’t pay the fine while you wait — paying can withdraw the declaration. Heard nothing by the follow-up date? Call the court and confirm they received it.
California camera tickets: FAQ
If someone else was driving, can I get out of a camera ticket in California?
Yes. California lets the registered owner file an Affidavit of Non-Liability (Cal. Veh. Code § 40520) stating you weren’t the driver, naming the person who actually had the vehicle. A valid one can cancel the ticket. It must be true — it’s sworn under penalty of perjury.
How do I fight a traffic camera ticket in California?
If someone else was driving, file an Affidavit of Non-Liability (Cal. Veh. Code § 40520) — follow the steps above. If it was you, request a hearing to contest the citation itself.
What is the Affidavit of Non-Liability in California?
It’s a sworn statement to the court that the vehicle was in someone else’s control at the time of the camera infraction. File it by sworn affidavit returned to the court, within about 30 days of the notice (check your court’s date).
Do camera tickets in California put points on my license?
Yes, potentially. A California red-light camera ticket is a moving violation that can add 1 point to the driver’s record and can affect insurance. Speed-camera tickets from the AB 645 pilot cities are civil, with no points. Don’t pay before deciding — paying is an admission for whoever’s name is on the ticket.
Do I have to name who was driving in California?
Yes — California’s process requires you to identify the actual driver for liability to transfer to them. (Some states, like Washington and Oregon, don’t require this; California does.)
This is a statement under penalty of perjury. If it was genuinely someone else, use the remedy without hesitation. If it was you, just pay it or ask for a hearing — a false oath is never worth it.
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