§ 23103 Reckless Driving Penalties

Driving a vehicle in a way that shows you don't care about other people’s safety on a road or in a parking garage is called reckless driving and can lead to jail time, a fine, or both.

Key Takeaways

•Reckless driving means driving with willful or wanton disregard for safety.
•It applies both on highways and in off‑street parking facilities.
•Punishment can be 5‑90 days in county jail, a fine from $145 to $1,000, or both.

Example

Maria drives her car through a crowded grocery‑store parking lot, speeds around people and almost hits a child.

Because she drove with willful disregard for safety in an off‑street parking facility, she can be charged with reckless driving and face a jail sentence, a fine, or both.

How to Calculate

Fine amount = any dollar value ≥ $145 and ≤ $1,000 (chosen by the court)

Look at the fine range set by the law – at least $145 and no more than $1,000.
The judge decides where in that range the fine should fall based on how serious the reckless driving was.
The chosen amount becomes the fine the driver must pay.

John was caught driving recklessly on a highway and the judge decides a moderate fine is appropriate.

Result: John must pay a $350 fine (which is between $145 and $1,000).

(a) A person who drives a vehicle upon a highway in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving. (b) A person who drives a vehicle in an offstreet parking facility, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 12500, in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving. (c)Except as otherwise provided in Section 40008, persons convicted of the offense of reckless driving shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for not less than five days nor more than 90 days or by a fine of not less than one hundred forty-five dollars ($145) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment, except as provided in Section 23104 or 23105.

Driving a vehicle in a way that shows you don't care about other people’s safety on a road or in a parking garage is called reckless driving and can lead to jail time, a fine, or both.

Key Takeaways

•Reckless driving means driving with willful or wanton disregard for safety.
•It applies both on highways and in off‑street parking facilities.
•Punishment can be 5‑90 days in county jail, a fine from $145 to $1,000, or both.

Example

Maria drives her car through a crowded grocery‑store parking lot, speeds around people and almost hits a child.

Because she drove with willful disregard for safety in an off‑street parking facility, she can be charged with reckless driving and face a jail sentence, a fine, or both.

How to Calculate

Fine amount = any dollar value ≥ $145 and ≤ $1,000 (chosen by the court)

Look at the fine range set by the law – at least $145 and no more than $1,000.
The judge decides where in that range the fine should fall based on how serious the reckless driving was.
The chosen amount becomes the fine the driver must pay.

John was caught driving recklessly on a highway and the judge decides a moderate fine is appropriate.

Result: John must pay a $350 fine (which is between $145 and $1,000).

Key Takeaways

Example

How to Calculate

References

§ 23103 Reckless Driving Penalties

Key Takeaways

Example

How to Calculate

References

Key Takeaways

Example

How to Calculate

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

How to Calculate

Related Statutes

References