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CVC 21453 requires you to stop at a steady red light or red arrow. Running a red light under 21453(a) or (c) totals $467.90 and adds 1 point; a rolling right turn under 21453(b) totals $226.16.
What are the parts of CVC 21453?
Vehicle Code 21453 is the red-signal rule. It has four subdivisions, and the one on your citation decides your total.
| Subdivision | What it covers | Statewide total bail | DMV points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21453(a) | A steady circular red: stop at the marked limit line (or, if there is none, before the crosswalk, or before the intersection) | $467.90 | 1 point |
| 21453(b) | A right turn on red, or a left turn from a one-way street onto a one-way street, after stopping, unless a sign prohibits it | $226.16 | 1 point |
| 21453(c) | A steady red arrow: do not enter the intersection to make the arrow's movement | $467.90 | 1 point |
| 21453(d) | The pedestrian signal rule | $186.87 | 0 points |
Subdivision (b) comes with a condition. After stopping, you must yield to pedestrians and vehicles.
Read the subdivision on your citation first. It decides the amount: (a) and (c) share one total, (b) is lower, and (d) is lower again and carries no points on the 2026 schedule. A citation that only says "CVC 21453" without a letter should be clarified with the court before you decide.
How much is a red light ticket?
The Judicial Council's 2026 Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedule sets the base fine for each subdivision, and total bail adds penalty assessments, a state surcharge and two fixed assessments on top.
- 21453(a) and (c): base fine $100, total bail $467.90.
- 21453(b): base fine $35, total bail $226.16.
- 21453(d): base fine $25, total bail $186.87.
Total bail is the amount the court's schedule sets for the offense. A county may set its own totals, so your court's figure can differ from these statewide numbers. A judge sets the final amount if you are convicted. The ticket cost calculator lists the red light rows beside the speeding rows and explains each assessment.
How many points?
A point is a mark the DMV adds to your driving record. Under VC 12810, other moving violations count as one point, and a conviction for only one violation arising from one occasion of arrest or citation is counted. The 2026 schedule lists 1 point for subdivisions (a), (b) and (c) and 0 points for (d).
A single point alone does not trigger DMV action. The negligent operator presumption starts at 4 points in 12 months. The DMV points guide covers the thresholds.
Officer ticket or camera ticket: what is the difference?
An officer's ticket is handed to you at the stop. A camera ticket arrives later, issued under VC 21453 on the strength of an automated system that must follow VC 21455.5. The section you are charged under is the same, so the base amounts above apply to both. How the notice reaches you, and what you can check on it, differ.
Our page on red light camera tickets explains the camera program's requirements and what to review on the notice. For the point count on a camera ticket, ask your court.
What are your options after a red light ticket?
You can pay, ask for traffic school or contest the ticket.
- Pay. Paying in full is a bail forfeiture: the conviction goes to the DMV and the chance to contest ends.
- Traffic school. If your court finds you eligible, VC 41501 lets a court hold the conviction confidential after you finish traffic violator school. Only one conviction within 18 months will be held confidential, and you pay full bail plus fees.
- Contest. Ask for a trial in court, or contest in writing by trial by written declaration.
Not sure which fits? Our guide to traffic school or fighting the ticket compares them. Use the due date on your citation, and do not miss it: an unanswered ticket can become a failure to appear.
Frequently asked questions
Is a right turn on red without stopping a red light ticket?
Yes, it can be. Subdivision (b) lets you turn right on red only after you stop, unless a sign prohibits the turn, and you must yield to pedestrians and vehicles. The 2026 schedule lists a base fine of $35 and a total of $226.16.
Is CVC 21453 a moving violation?
Yes. The Judicial Council's 2026 schedule lists 1 point for 21453(a), (b) and (c), the point value VC 12810(f) gives to other moving convictions. The pedestrian signal rule in subdivision (d) is listed at 0 points, so it does not add to your record.
Can I take traffic school for a red light ticket?
Often, if your court finds you eligible. Under VC 41501, a court may hold a conviction confidential after traffic school, and only one conviction within 18 months will be held confidential. You pay full bail plus fees. Eligibility lists differ by court, so check yours. Commercial drivers face tighter rules, covered on our CDL page.
What is 21453(c)?
Subdivision (c) covers a steady red arrow. A driver facing a red arrow may not enter the intersection to make the movement the arrow shows. The 2026 schedule prices it like a red light under subdivision (a): a base fine of $100, a total of $467.90 and 1 point.
Last reviewed · Reviewed by the California Ticket Guide editorial team