Beating a Speeding Ticket Over 100 MPH in California (VC 22348b): Fines, Court, and Points
Speeding over 100 MPH in California is a severe 2-point violation with fines often exceeding $900. Unlike regular speeding, a citation under Cal. Veh. Code § 22348(b) requires a mandatory court appearance, remains on your DMV record for 7 years, and gives the judge discretion to suspend your license for up to 30 days.
Driving on open stretches of California highways, like Interstate 5 or Interstate 15 through the desert, can make it dangerously easy to lose track of your speed. However, if a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer clocks you going over 100 miles per hour, you are facing one of the most severe traffic infractions on the books. A citation under Cal. Veh. Code § 22348(b) is not a standard speeding ticket that you can simply pay online and ignore. The state considers this extremely dangerous driving, and the penalties reflect that. In this guide, we will break down the severe consequences of a 100+ MPH ticket, how to defend against airplane speed enforcement, and why hiring an experienced traffic attorney from our US Lawyers directory is critical to keeping your license.
The Severe Penalties of Cal. Veh. Code § 22348(b)
While driving over 100 MPH is generally charged as an infraction rather than a misdemeanor (meaning it is usually not considered reckless driving unless other factors are involved), the penalties are devastating. A conviction carries a massive fine, adds two points to your driving record that remain visible on your California DMV history for 7 years (84 months) under the Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS), and makes you completely ineligible for traffic school. Having two points on your record will cause your auto insurance premiums to skyrocket, and can jeopardize your job if you drive for a living.
Mandatory Court Appearances (No Pay-by-Mail)
Unlike a normal ticket for doing 80 in a 65 MPH zone, a Cal. Veh. Code § 22348(b) ticket requires a mandatory court appearance. You cannot just mail a check to the courthouse or submit Form TR-205, California, Judicial Council, Request for Trial by Written Declaration to make it disappear. You, or your attorney, must appear before a judge in the local jurisdiction, such as the Superior Court of California, County of Kern, Bakersfield or the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, San Bernardino.
The 30-Day License Suspension Risk
The most terrifying aspect of a 100+ MPH ticket is the judge's discretionary power. Even for a first-time offense with a completely clean driving record, the judge has the legal authority to instantly suspend your driver's license for up to 30 days. If the judge orders a suspension in court, you cannot legally drive home. An attorney is essential to argue mitigating circumstances and plead with the judge to let you keep your driving privileges so you can commute to work.
Defending Against Airplane Speed Enforcement
Many 100+ MPH tickets on long California highways are not caught by an officer behind you, but by a CHP airplane flying overhead. The aircraft uses visual speed timing by clocking how long it takes your car to cross white markers painted on the highway. The pilot then radios a ground unit to pull you over.
Defending against an airplane ticket requires your attorney to challenge the coordination between the two officers. Your lawyer will subpoena the pilot's calibration logs and challenge whether the ground officer pulled over the correct vehicle. If both the pilot and the ground officer do not show up to your court date to testify, the judge will typically dismiss the case entirely.
Reducing a 2-Point Ticket to a 1-Point Violation
If the officer's radar or LiDAR (laser) evidence is strong, getting the case completely dismissed might be difficult. In these scenarios, a skilled traffic attorney will focus on damage control. The primary goal is to avoid the 30-day license suspension and negotiate the charge down from a 2-point Cal. Veh. Code § 22348(b) violation to a standard 1-point speeding violation under Cal. Veh. Code § 22349 (Speeding 1-25 MPH over the limit).
If the charge is reduced to a 1-point violation, you may suddenly become eligible for traffic school, which would hide the point from your insurance company entirely, saving you thousands of dollars over the seven years the 2-point conviction would have otherwise lingered on your DMV driving record.
Hiring a Lawyer for a Cal. Veh. Code § 22348(b) Violation
Because this ticket mandates a court appearance, hiring a lawyer saves you massive amounts of time and stress. Under Cal. Penal Code § 977(a) and Cal. Veh. Code § 40507, you can authorize a licensed traffic attorney to appear in court on your behalf through a written authorization for appearance of counsel or notice of appearance. If you got a ticket in Barstow while driving back to Los Angeles from Las Vegas, your lawyer can handle the hearings locally so you do not have to take time off work to travel back to the desert.
How Much Does it Cost in California?
| Penalty / Expense | Estimated Cost in California |
|---|---|
| Base Fine & Assessments | Around $900 for a first-time offense, but can exceed $1,300 for repeat offenses. |
| Attorney Fees | Traffic lawyers usually charge a flat fee of $500 to $1,500+ for 100 MPH cases due to the required court appearances. |
| Insurance Premium Hikes | A 2-point violation stays on your DMV record for 7 years and can increase your rates by 50% to 100%, potentially costing you several thousand dollars over that seven-year period. |
How Long Does the Process Take?
Your mandatory court date (the arraignment) is usually scheduled 45 to 60 days after the ticket is issued. If your attorney pleads not guilty, a formal trial date will be set for 1 to 3 months later. During this entire waiting period, the points do not go on your DMV record, and your license remains fully valid. The lengthy timeline gives your attorney ample opportunity to negotiate with the citing officer or the prosecutor for a charge reduction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is driving over 100 MPH considered a crime in California?
Generally, no. It is classified as an infraction, which means it will not result in jail time or a criminal record. However, if you were weaving through traffic or evading police, they could add a misdemeanor Reckless Driving charge (Cal. Veh. Code § 23103).
Can I just do traffic school to wipe the 2 points?
No. California law specifically prohibits traffic school for any citation over 100 MPH. You must get the charge formally reduced by the judge or prosecutor to a standard speeding ticket first to become eligible.
What if the officer wrote my speed down as 99 MPH?
If the ticket says 99 MPH, you have avoided the 2-point Cal. Veh. Code § 22348(b) charge. It will be treated as a standard 1-point speeding ticket, you do not face an automatic license suspension, and you may still be eligible for traffic school with a judge's permission.
Do I need to inform my employer about the ticket?
If you hold a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or drive a company vehicle, you are legally obligated to report the ticket to your employer within 30 days of conviction. A 2-point violation will likely result in immediate termination for commercial drivers.
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