VC 22356(b) Speeding & Lane Violations

Speeding on 70 MPH Highway

California Vehicle Code 22356(b) applies specifically to highways where the Department of Transportation has authorized and posted a 70 mph speed limit. Driving above that posted 70 mph limit on those designated corridors is a separate violation from the general 65 mph limit under VC 22349(a). A citation under this section carries 1 DMV point and a base fine starting at $367 — higher than a standard 65 mph limit violation — because the minimum speed excess needed to trigger it begins higher.

DMV Points
1 point
Fine
~$363 and up
Fight This Ticket — $89 ← All Ticket Types

California Vehicle Code § 22356 — Maximum speed limit on certain highways

Source: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov

(a)
Notwithstanding Section 22349, the Department of Transportation, with respect to state highways, and local authorities, with respect to highways under their jurisdiction, may authorize, by resolution or ordinance, a speed limit of 70 miles per hour on any highway or portion of a highway upon the basis of an engineering and traffic survey.
(b)
No person shall drive a vehicle upon that highway at a speed greater than 70 miles per hour, as posted.

Amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 739, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1996.

Fine & Penalty Amounts

Estimated totals include all mandatory state and county penalty assessments. Actual amounts vary by county court.

Violation Range Est. Total with Assessments Notes
1–15 mph over 70 ~$750
16–24 mph over 70 ~$1,000
25+ mph over 70 ~$1,000 May trigger mandatory court appearance depending on total speed.
100+ mph total ~$2,000+ Mandatory court appearance; license suspension possible.
Base fines are set by the California Vehicle Code. Estimated totals include state and county penalty assessments, which typically multiply the base fine two to three times. Actual totals vary by county.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions drivers search for after receiving this citation.

California Vehicle Code 22356(b) applies on highways where the posted speed limit has been raised to 70 mph following an engineering and traffic survey by Caltrans or a local authority. A citation under this section means an officer determined you were driving faster than the posted 70 mph limit on one of those designated corridors. It is separate from VC 22349(a), which covers the general 65 mph maximum.
The base fine starts at $367 for driving 1–15 mph over 70. For 16–24 mph over, the base fine is $490. After California's mandatory penalty assessments, total fines typically reach two to three times the base fine. Driving at 100 mph or more triggers a mandatory court appearance and a base fine of $859.
Yes. A conviction adds 1 point to your California DMV driving record, which remains for 36 months from the violation date. Accumulating points can lead to a Negligent Operator designation and potential license suspension.
Yes. Common defenses include challenging whether the radar or LIDAR device was properly calibrated, questioning whether the highway was properly posted and authorized for 70 mph, disputing the officer's speed measurement method, or filing a Trial by Written Declaration to contest the ticket in writing without a court appearance.
VC 22349(a) sets the general 65 mph maximum on California highways. VC 22356(b) applies only on specific highways that Caltrans or a local authority has authorized and posted for 70 mph. If you were cited on a 70 mph posted highway, the officer should cite you under 22356(b). The fine structure differs — the 70 mph corridor violation starts at a higher tier because you must be going above 70 to violate it.

Also frequently cited with

California drivers who receive this citation often have questions about these related violations.

VC 22349(a) Speeding on Highway VC 22350 Basic Speed Law Violation VC 22107 Unsafe Lane Change VC 21655.5(b) HOV / Carpool Lane Violation VC 22348(a) Driving Above Posted Maximum Speed

Ready to fight your VC 22356(b) ticket?

Flat-fee defense service. Submit your citation details and we handle the written declaration process.

Start Now — $89 ← All Ticket Types