Vehicle Code Appendix B
List of Violations of the Vehicle Code
Division 11 - Rules of the Road
Types of Violations
C – Civil
F – Felony
I – Infraction
M – Misdemeanor
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This section, excepting entries for Occupational Licensing and Business Regulation (Div.5), is provided by the California Highway Patrol as an informational guide only and is not intended to supplant sections of the vehicle code enacted into law. The following list has not been codified and does not carry the force or effect of statute.
| Type | VC Section | Violation |
|---|---|---|
| I | 21100.3 | Failure to obey traffic direction of local authority. |
| I | 21106(b) | Crosswalk, use of where prohibited by sign. |
| I | 21113(a) | School or public grounds, trespassing on with vehicle, animal, bicycle, skateboard, motorized bicycle, or roller skates. |
| I | 21116(a) | Unlawful to drive upon roadway on a levee, canal bank, pipeline right-of-way or natural waterline course. |
| M | 21200.5 | Riding a bicycle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both. |
| I | 21201(a) | Bicycle, single wheel brake required. |
| I | 21201(b) | Bicycle, handlebars no higher than operator’s shoulders. |
| I | 21201(c) | Bicycle: rider unable to support in an upright position with at least one foot on the ground. |
| I | 21201(d) | Bicycle illumination, devices required while riding upon a highway, sidewalk, or a bikeway. White or Yellow reflectors may be worn on a shoe or ankle as an option to the pedals. |
| I | 21201.3(b) | Steady or flashing blue light on bicycle. |
| I | 21201.5(a) | Sale of unapproved, reflex reflector, or reflectorized tire. |
| I | 21201.5(b) | Sale of bicycle without required reflectors on pedals and sides. |
| I | 21202(a) | Bicyclist, failure to use right edge of roadway. |
| I | 21203 | Bicyclist, hitching ride on other vehicle. |
| I | 21204(a) | Bicyclist, riding on other than permanent seat and/or passenger riding on other than permanent seat. |
| I | 21204(b) | Bicyclist, permitting passenger on other than a permanent seat; minor passenger not retained in seat. |
| I | 21205 | Bicyclist, unable to keep at least one hand free to use on handlebars. |
| I | 21207.5 | Operation of motorized bicycle upon bikeway, equestrian, hiking or recreational trail without proper authority. |
| I | 21208(a) | Failure to ride in a bicycle lane. |
| I | 21208(b) | Bicyclist shall not leave bike lane until reasonably safe. |
| I | 21209(a) | Driving in bicycle lane. Except as provided. |
| I | 21210 | Bicycle lying on its side on a sidewalk. |
| I | 21211(a) | Standing, stopping, sitting, or loitering on a Class I bikeway. Tow trucks exempt from prohibition of blocking bikeway when engaged in towing a vehicle. |
| I | 21211(b) | Placing or parking any bicycle, vehicle, or object upon a Class I bikeway which impedes the movement of a bicyclist. |
| I | 21212(a) | Person under 18 operating or riding as passenger on a bicycle, nonmotorized scooter, or skateboard or wear in-line roller skates or roller skates without wearing an approved helmet. |
| I | 21212(c) | Sale of safety helmet not meeting applicable safety standards. |
| M | 21221.5 | Riding a motorized scooter while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both. |
| I | 21223 | Motorized scooter, during darkness headlight, red reflector to the rear, and side reflectors required. |
| I | 21226(b) | Violation of motorized scooter muffler equipment requirements. |
| I | 21226(d) | Violation of motorized scooter exhaust/noise level requirements or operation with modified exhaust. |
| I | 21228(a) | Motorized scooter, failure to ride as close as practicable to the right hand curb or right edge of the roadway. |
| I | 21229(a) | Motorized scooter, failure to ride within an established bicycle lane. |
| I | 21229(b) | Prohibits the operator of a motorized scooter to exit a bicycle lane without signaling. |
| I | 21235(a) | Operating a motorized scooter unless it is equipped with a brake. |
| I | 21235(b) | Operating a motorized scooter on a highway with a posted speed limit in excess of 25 miles per hour unless the motorized scooter is operated within a bicycle lane. |
| I | 21235(c) | Operating a motorized scooter without wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet. |
| I | 21235(d) | Operating a motorized scooter when the operator is under 16 years of age. |
| I | 21235(e) | Operating a motorized scooter with any passengers in addition to the operator. |
| I | 21235(f) | Operating a motorized scooter carrying any package, bundle, or article that prevents the operator from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars. |
| I | 21235(g) | Operating a motorized scooter upon a sidewalk. |
| I | 21235(h) | Operating a motorized scooter on a roadway with handlebars above the operator’s shoulders. |
| I | 21235(i) | Leaving a motorized scooter lying on its side on any sidewalk, or parking a motorized scooter on a sidewalk so that it blocks pedestrian traffic. |
| I | 21235(j) | Attaching a motorized scooter or the operator while on the roadway, by any means, to any other vehicle on the roadway. |
| I | 21260(a) | Prohibits a low-speed vehicle from being operated on any roadway with a speed limit in excess of 35 miles per hour except when the roadway is being crossed. |
| I | 21281(a) | Electric personal assistive mobility device, shall be equipped with front, rear, and side reflectors. |
| I | 21281(b) | Electric personal assistive mobility device, equipped with a system to bring the device to a controlled stop. |
| I | 21281(c) | Electric personal assistive mobility device, equipped with a lamp emitting a white light while in motion during darkness. |
| I | 21281(d) | Electric personal assistive mobility device, equipped with a sound emitting device activated by the operator to alert nearby persons. |
| I | 21281.5(a) | Unsafe operation of an electric personal assistive mobility device. |
| I | 21281.5(b) | Unsafe operation of an electric personal assistive mobility device, speed that endangers the safety of persons or property. |
| I | 21281.5(c) | Unsafe operation of an electric personal assistive mobility device, wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. |
| I | 21281.5(d) | Unsafe operation of an electric personal assistive mobility device, failure to yield to a pedestrian. |
| I | 21367(b) | Department of Transportation, disobeying traffic control at construction site. |
| I | 21367(c) | Failure to obey warning devices at construction site. |
| I | 21451(a) | Circular green signal, shall proceed but shall yield to vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within intersection. |
| I | 21451(b) | Green arrow, shall enter intersection only to make movement indicated. |
| I | 21451(c) | Pedestrians facing circular green, may proceed but must yield to vehicles lawfully within the intersection. |
| I | 21451(d) | Pedestrian facing green arrow shall not enter roadway. |
| I | 21452(b) | Failure of pedestrian to properly respond to signal of yellow light or arrow. |
| I | 21453 | Red or Stop, vehicles stop at limit line or X-walk. When making right turn at a red light/stop sign driver required to yield to any vehicle approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard. |
| I | 21453(b) | After stopping, may turn right, or turn left from a one-way street to a one-way street, (unless sign posted) but shall yield to pedestrians and traffic on cross street. |
| I | 21453(c) | Red arrow, driver shall not enter intersection to make indicated movement. |
| I | 21453(d) | Pedestrian facing circular red or red arrow, shall not enter roadway. |
| I | 21454(c) | Lane use control signal, steady red, driver shall not enter or use. |
| I | 21454(d) | Lane use control signal, flashing yellow, driver may use only for making left turn to or from the highway. |
| I | 21455 | Official traffic control signal erected at other than an intersection, shall stop at sign, crosswalk, limit line, or if none, at the signal. |
| I | 21456(a) | “Walk” pedestrian failure to yield right-of-way to vehicles already in crosswalk. |
| I | 21456(b) | “Don’t walk” or “wait” or “upraised hand”, pedestrian crossing against. |
| I | 21457(a) | Flashing Red, failing to stop for. |
| I | 21457(b) | Flashing Yellow, proceed only with caution. |
| I | 21460(a) | Double solid lines, driving to left of, except driveway, intersection, or U-turn. |
| I | 21460(b) | Solid-broken lines, driving to left when solid line placed on right. |
| I | 21460.5(c) | Two-way left turn lane, driving in, or turning from through lane. |
| I | 21461(a) | Traffic control sign, failure to obey regulatory provisions. |
| I | 21461.5 | Pedestrian, failure to obey any sign or signal. |
| I | 21462 | Traffic control signals, all traffic (Sec. 620) to obey. |
| I | 21463 | Traffic signals, illegal operation. |
| I | 21464(a) | Signs, signals, markers, or motorist call boxes, damaging, removing, or attaching material to. |
| I | 21464(b) | Person using or unauthorized vehicle equipped with signal changing device. |
| F | 21464(c) | Signs, signals or markers, damaging, removing or attaching material to, resulting in injury or death. |
| I | 21464(e) | Willful interference with traffic device or willful use, possession, or distribution of traffic interference device not resulting in injury. |
| I | 21465 | Traffic devices, display of unauthorized. |
| I | 21466 | Blinding lights, displayed toward highway. |
| I | 21466.5 | Display of light source impairing vision of drivers. |
| I | 21650 | Right half of roadway, failure to drive on. |
| I | 21650.1 | Bicycle on roadway or shoulder required to be operated in same direction as motor vehicles. |
| I | 21651(a) | Divided highways, driving over, upon or across dividing section; left or semicircular U-turn except through marked opening. |
| M | 21651(b) | Driving the wrong way on a divided highway. |
| M/F | 21651(c) | Driving the wrong way on a divided highway which causes injury or death. |
| I | 21652 | Service road, entering or leaving adjacent highway from other than lawful opening. |
| I | 21654(a) | Slower vehicle, in left lane(s). |
| I | 21655(b) | Certain vehicles (22406) using left lane(s), or passing in lane other than adjacent to right lane. Trailer buses allowed in HOV lane. |
| I | 21655.5(b) | Failure to obey sign posted preferential traffic lane(s); exceptions - motorcycles, mass transit buses, and paratransit vehicles. |
| I | 21655.8(a) | Crossing over double yellow lines to enter or exit a preferential use traffic lane. |
| I | 21655.9(b) | No person shall drive a vehicle described in 5205.5 unless the proper decal, label, or other identifier is displayed |
| M | 21655.9(c) | No person shall operate or own a vehicle displaying a decal, label, or other identifier as described in 5205.5, if that decal, label, or other identifier is not assigned to that vehicle. |
| I | 21656 | Slow vehicle, failure to use signposted turnout or safe area. |
| I | 21657 | One-way street, highway, driving against traffic. |
| I | 21658(a) | Laned roadways (2 or more lanes in direction of travel), straddling or changing when unsafe. |
| I | 21658(b) | Designate lanes, failure to obey signs. |
| I | 21659 | 3-lane highway, driving in far left lane, or using center lane when unsafe. |
| I | 21660 | Meeting vehicles, failure to pass to right, and/or yield half of roadway. |
| I | 21661 | Descending narrow grade, yield to ascending vehicle. |
| I | 21662 | Mountain driving, hold motor vehicle under control. |
| I | 21662(a) | Mountain driving, drive as near the right edge as possible. |
| I | 21662(b) | Mountain driving, roadway with insufficient width, driver to give audible warning where view obstructed within 200 feet. |
| I | 21663 | Driving on sidewalk, except when permitted. |
| I | 21664 | Exiting or entering a freeway at other than a designated on-ramp or off-ramp. |
| I | 21700 | Obstructing driver’s view or control, by passengers or load. |
| I | 21700.5 | Operation of bus with school pupils standing in city of San Diego. |
| I | 21701 | Interfering with driver’s control of vehicle. |
| M | 21702(a) | Driving Hours-Persons, not to exceed 10 hours. |
| M | 21702(b) | Driving Hours-Property, not to exceed 12 hours. |
| I | 21703 | Following Too Closely, not reasonable and prudent. |
| I | 21704(a) | Distance between trucks, 300 feet on 2-lane highway. |
| I | 21705 | Caravans, maintain at least 100 feet distance between vehicles. |
| I | 21706 | Authorized emergency vehicles, following within 300 feet. |
| I | 21706.5(b) | A person shall not operate a vehicle in an unsafe manner within an emergency incident zone. |
| I | 21707 | Fire area, operating vehicle within the block or 300 feet. |
| I | 21708 | Fire hoses, driving over unprotected. |
| I | 21709 | Safety zone, driving through. |
| I | 21710 | Coasting, in neutral on downgrade. |
| I | 21711 | Towed vehicle, whipping, swerving or failing to track properly. |
| I | 21712(a) | Permitting person to ride where unlawful. |
| I | 21712(b) | Unlawful riding on portion not intended for passengers or load. |
| I | 21712(c) | Person driving a motor vehicle shall not knowingly permit a person to ride in the trunk of that motor vehicle. |
| I | 21712(d) | A person shall not ride in the trunk of a vehicle. |
| I | 21712(g) | Permitting riding in trailer coach or trailer carrying vessel unlawful. |
| I | 21712(h) | Unlawful towing of bicycle, skis, sled, etc. |
| M | 21713 | Privately owned armored car, operated without CHP license. |
| I | 21714(a) | Operating a fully enclosed 3-wheel motor vehicle described in 27803(f) in any lane established under 21655.5 as a preferential lane. |
| I | 21714(b) | Operating fully enclosed 3-wheeled motor vehicle described in 27803 (f) adjacent to lane markings or between vehicles. |
| I | 21715(a) | Passenger vehicle towing more than one other vehicle. (See 36625 and 36626 for exceptions.) |
| I | 21715(b) | Motor vehicle under 4,000 pounds towing any vehicle over 6,000 pounds. |
| I | 21716 | Operating golf cart in speed zone above 25 mph. |
| I | 21717 | Motor vehicle turning across a bicycle lane. |
| I | 21718(a) | Stopping or parking on freeway having full access and no crossing grades. |
| I | 21720 | Pocket bike, shall not be operated on a sidewalk, roadway, or any part of a highway, or on a bikeway, bicycle path or trail, equestrian trail, hiking or recreational trail, or on public lands open to off-highway motor vehicle use. |
| I | 21750 | Overtaking vehicle, failure to pass safely to left. |
| I | 21751 | Overtaking vehicle, passing without sufficient clearance. |
| I | 21752(a) | Driving left of center, when view limited by curve or hill crest. |
| I | 21752(b) | Driving left of center, when view limited approaching bridge, viaduct or tunnel. |
| I | 21752(c) | Driving left of center, traversing any RR crossing. |
| I | 21752(d) | Driving left of center, traversing any intersection. |
| I | 21753 | Overtaken vehicle, not moving to right on audible signal, or increasing speed. |
| I | 21754 | Passing on right, when unlawful. |
| I | 21755 | Passing on right, when unsafe, or on shoulder. |
| I | 21756(a) | Passing streetcar when receiving or discharging passengers. |
| I | 21756(b) | Passing streetcar at unsafe speed. |
| I | 21756(c) | Passing trolley coach at unsafe speed. |
| I | 21757 | Passing streetcar on left. |
| I | 21758 | Passing too slowly on grade (10 mph faster, complete pass 1/4 mile). |
| I | 21759 | Passing animals, stop or reduce speed as necessary. |
| I | 21800(a) | Uncontrolled intersection, yield to first vehicle within. |
| I | 21800(b) | Uncontrolled intersection, yield to vehicle on right. |
| I | 21800(c) | Intersection controlled from all sides (4-way stop), yield to vehicle on right. |
| I | 21800(d) | Inoperative traffic signals, stop and proceed when safe. |
| I | 21801(a) | Left turns or U-turns yield until reasonably safe. |
| I | 21801(b) | Failure to yield, turning vehicle having yielded (lane by lane). |
| I | 21802(a) | Entering through highway, yield until reasonably safe. |
| I | 21802(b) | Failure to yield, by vehicle not a hazard. |
| I | 21803(a) | Yield signs, yield until reasonably safe. |
| I | 21803(b) | Failure to yield, by vehicle not a hazard. |
| I | 21804(a) | Public or private property, yield to approaching traffic so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. |
| I | 21804(b) | Failure to yield, by vehicle not a hazard. |
| I | 21805(b) | Equestrian crossings, failure to yield by driver. |
| I | 21805(c) | Horseback rider proceeding into path of vehicle. |
| I | 21806(a) | Emergency vehicles, other driver failing to yield. |
| I | 21806(b) | Emergency vehicles, motorman failing to yield. |
| I | 21806(c) | Emergency vehicles, pedestrian failing to yield. |
| I | 21807 | Driving authorized emergency vehicle without due regard for safety of persons and property. |
| I | 21809(a) | A person driving on a freeway approaching a stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck with its lights on, if in an immediately adjacent lane, must change to an adjacent lane or slow to a prudent speed. |
| I | 21950(a) | Crosswalks, failure to yield to pedestrians within. |
| I | 21950(b) | Crosswalk, pedestrian running in front of vehicle. |
| I | 21950(c) | Failure to exercise due care and reduce speed of the vehicle for pedestrians. |
| I | 21951 | Crosswalk, overtaking and passing vehicle stopped for pedestrian within. |
| I | 21952 | Sidewalk, failure to yield to pedestrian on. |
| I | 21953 | Pedestrian yield, if protected crossing available. |
| I | 21954(a) | Pedestrian yield, upon roadway outside crosswalk. |
| I | 21955 | Jaywalking, between signal controlled intersections. |
| I | 21956 | Walking on roadway, other than pedestrian’s left edge. |
| I | 21957 | Hitchhiking, while standing in roadway. |
| I | 21959 | Skiing, tobogganing, on or across highway interfering with traffic. |
| I | 21960(a) | Violation of freeway or expressway use restrictions by pedestrian, motor-driven cycle, motorized bicycle, or motorized scooter. |
| M | 21963 | Fail to yield right of way to blind pedestrian. |
| I | 21964 | Other than blind person carrying white cane. |
| I | 21966 | Pedestrian in a bicycle lane where pedestrian facility. |
| I | 21968 | Motorized skateboard on highway, bikeway, or trail. |
| I | 21970(a) | Stopping unnecessarily and blocking a marked or unmarked crosswalk or sidewalk. |
| I | 22100(a) | Right turn at intersection, improper position. |
| I | 22100(b) | Left turn at intersection, improper position. |
| I | 22100.5 | U-turn at traffic signal, only from left lane. |
| I | 22101(d) | Required or prohibited turn, failure to obey official sign. |
| I | 22102 | U-turn in business district, other than from extreme left-hand lane at an intersection or opening in divided highway. |
| I | 22103 | U-turn in residence district, vehicle approaching within 200 feet. |
| I | 22104 | U-turn at fire station, in front of or using entrance. |
| I | 22105 | U-turn, vision obstructed within 200 feet. |
| I | 22106 | Starting or backing when unsafe. |
| I | 22107 | Unsafe turn, and/or without signalling. |
| I | 22108 | Turning without signalling last 100 feet. |
| I | 22109 | Stopping suddenly without signalling. |
| I | 22110 | Signals shall be given by signal lamp, unless a vehicle is not required to be and is not equipped with turn signals. Vehicles not required to be and not equipped with turn signals shall give a hand and arm signal. |
| I | 22111(a) | Left turn hand signal, improperly given. |
| I | 22111(b) | Right turn hand signal, improperly given. |
| I | 22111(c) | Stop hand signal, improperly given. |
| I | 22112(a) | Schoolbus driver shall activate amber warning light system 200 feet prior to stop. Driver shall deactivate amber system upon stop. Driver shall activate flashing red light system and stop signal arm when the bus is stopped for loading and unloading pupils. |
| I | 22112(b) | Schoolbus driver, stop to load or unload pupils only at designated schoolbus stops. |
| I | 22112(c) | Schoolbus driver, when required, ensure the flashing red signal system and stop signal arm are activated and it is safe to enter or exit the schoolbus. |
| I | 22112(d) | Schoolbus driver, escort pupil with hand held stop sign, require all pupils to walk in front of bus, ensure all pupils and pedestrians are a safe distance from the bus before departing. |
| I | 22112(e) | Schoolbus driver, may not activate the amber warning light system at specified locations, except where pupils must cross the highway. |
| I | 22112(f) | Activation of either the amber warning light system or the flashing red light system at a location determined by the CHP as necessary. |
| I | 22348(b) | Driving in excess of 100 mph. |
| I | 22348(c) | Vehicle subject to 22406 using left lane(s) or passing in lane other than lane immediately adjacent to right lane. |
| I | 22349(a) | Exceeding 65 mph maximum speed limit. |
| I | 22349(b) | Exceeding 55 mph speed lim |