A 28/701a ticket is a California Vehicle Code violation for unsafe speed for conditions, and the fine ranges from $238 to $490 depending on the county and court

The base fine for a 28/701a violation starts at $238 in most California counties, but the total amount you owe includes mandatory penalty assessments and court costs that can nearly double that figure. A typical total bill lands between $400 and $490, though some counties charge slightly more or less. The exact amount depends on which county issued the ticket and whether you have prior violations on your record.

This is not a speeding ticket for exceeding a posted limit. A 28/701a is issued when an officer believes you were driving too fast for the actual road conditions—rain, fog, heavy traffic, construction zones, or curves—even if you were under the speed limit. Because it is a judgment call rather than a fixed number, the fine structure is different from a standard speeding violation.

Key Takeaways

  • The base fine for a 28/701a ticket is $238, but assessments and court costs typically bring the total to $400–$490 depending on your county.
  • This violation is for driving too fast for road conditions, not for exceeding a posted speed limit, so it cannot be dismissed by proving you were under the limit.
  • Paying the ticket by the due date shown on the citation avoids additional late fees and keeps the violation off your driving record if you do not contest it.
  • Requesting traffic school (if you are under 18 or have not attended in the past 18 months) may hide the violation from your insurance company, though the fine still applies.
  • Contesting the ticket in traffic court requires evidence that conditions did not actually warrant the speed reduction the officer cited.

How the fine breaks down on your citation

When you receive a 28/701a ticket, the citation shows a base fine amount—typically $238—but that is only the starting point. California law requires the court to add penalty assessments on top of the base fine. These assessments fund state and county programs and usually add 85 percent to 100 percent more to your bill. A $238 base fine becomes roughly $440 to $490 after assessments are applied.

Some counties also add local court costs or administrative fees. The exact total appears on the back of your citation or in the payment instructions mailed to you. If you are unsure of the total amount owed, call the traffic court listed on your ticket and ask for the breakdown. Do not guess or pay less than the full amount, as underpayment triggers late fees and collection action.

What happens if you pay the ticket

Paying the fine by the due date (usually 30 days from the citation date) closes the case without a court appearance. The violation goes on your driving record and is reported to the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Your insurance company will see it, and your rates may increase—typically by 10 to 15 percent for three years, though this varies by insurer.

Paying the ticket is an admission of guilt and does not remove the violation from your record. If you want to keep it off your insurance record, you need to request traffic school instead of straightforward paying. However, traffic school does not erase the fine—you still owe the full amount, and you also pay the traffic school course fee (usually $50 to $100).

Traffic school as an alternative to paying

If you are under 18 or have not attended traffic school in the past 18 months, you can request to take an approved traffic safety course instead of paying the fine outright. Completing the course tells the court you have learned about safe driving, and the court may dismiss the ticket. When dismissed, the violation does not appear on your driving record and your insurance company does not see it.

The catch is that you still must pay the full fine to the court, and you also pay the traffic school provider separately. The total cost is the fine plus the course fee—so you are paying more money overall, not less. Traffic school makes sense only if you want to protect your insurance rates from the increase that would otherwise follow. If you do not care about the insurance impact, paying the fine directly is cheaper.

Not all drivers are may be able to access. If you have attended traffic school in the past 18 months, the court will deny your request. If you are 18 or older and this is your first violation in several years, you may still be may be able to access, but the court has discretion to deny the request if you have a pattern of violations.

Contesting the ticket in traffic court

You have the right to contest the ticket by requesting a court date and arguing that the officer's judgment was wrong. To win, you must show that the road and weather conditions did not actually require you to slow down, or that your speed was reasonable for those conditions. This is harder to prove than a speeding ticket, because there is no posted limit to point to—the officer's assessment of "safe for conditions" is subjective.

Bring evidence: dashcam footage showing the road conditions, weather reports from that date and time, photos of the road, or witness statements from passengers. If the officer does not show up to court, the ticket is dismissed. If the officer testifies and you cannot convincingly argue that your speed was safe, you will be found guilty and ordered to pay the fine anyway.

Going to court takes time and does not reduce the fine if you lose. Many people contest tickets only if they believe the officer made a clear factual error (wrong vehicle, wrong time, or impossible conditions that made the citation unreasonable).

How a 28/701a affects your insurance and driving record

Once the violation is on your record, insurance companies see it as a moving violation and typically raise your rates. The increase usually lasts three years from the date of the violation. The exact percentage varies by insurer and your driving history, but 10 to 15 percent is common. Over three years, that can add hundreds of dollars to your premiums.

The violation also counts toward your driving record points under California's point system. A 28/701a is worth one point. If you accumulate four points in 12 months, six points in 24 months, or eight points in 36 months, the DMV may suspend your license. For most drivers with clean records, a single violation does not trigger suspension, but it moves you closer to that threshold.

Payment options and important date

The citation shows a due date, usually 30 days from the date issued. You can pay by mail, online through the court's website, in person at the courthouse, or by phone. Check the back of your citation or the court's website for the exact payment methods and address. Paying online is usually fastest and gives you a confirmation number when ready.

If you miss the due date, late fees are added and the court may issue a failure-to-appear notice, which can result in a suspended license or a warrant for your arrest. If you cannot pay by the due date, contact the court and ask about a payment plan. Many courts allow you to pay in installments over 30 to 90 days without additional penalty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a 28/701a ticket dismissed if I was under the speed limit?

No. A 28/701a is not about exceeding a posted limit—it is about driving too fast for the actual conditions. You can only contest it by arguing that the conditions did not require you to slow down, which is a judgment call the officer made. straightforward proving you were under the limit does not dismiss the ticket.

Will traffic school remove the ticket from my insurance record?

Traffic school can result in a dismissal, which means the violation does not appear on your driving record and your insurance company does not see it. However, you still pay the full fine plus the course fee. The dismissal is only available if you are under 18 or have not attended traffic school in the past 18 months.

How long does a 28/701a stay on my driving record?

The violation stays on your record for three years. Insurance companies can see it during that time and may charge higher rates. After three years, it no longer affects your insurance, though it remains in your DMV history.

What if I cannot afford to pay the fine?

Contact the court listed on your citation and ask about a payment plan. Most courts allow installment payments over 30 to 90 days. Do not ignore the ticket—failure to pay results in late fees, license suspension, and possible arrest warrants.

Does paying the ticket mean I admit guilt?

Yes. Paying the fine is an admission of guilt and the violation goes on your record. If you believe the ticket was issued in error, you should contest it in court instead of paying.