Source: https://www.shouselaw.com/traffic/24250vc
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 17:01:37+00:00

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Under California Vehicle Code 24250 VC, it's unlawful for motorists in California to drive "during darkness" without headlights.
There are five important points to know about this code section.
The specific facts of a case will determine whether a driver is driving "during darkness" and therefore needs to operate a vehicle with headlights. Some key factors include: time of day/night and visibility.
A driver that drives without headlights must pay a fine of $230.00.
A driver that violates Vehicle Code 24250 VC will also receive one point on his DMV driving record. A driver could potentially get a negligent operator license suspension if he receives a certain number of points in a specified amount of time (e.g., 4 points in 12 months, 6 points in 24 months or 8 points in 36 months).
There are legal defenses available to those drivers that violate Vehicle Code 24250 VC. It's in the driver's best interests, though, to consult with an attorney before raising one.
Drivers must not ignore California tickets for driving without headlights. If a driver ignores, or even forgets about, a traffic ticket in California, he may get charged with failure to appear, per California Vehicle Code 40508. Failure to appear, under California law, may be charged as a misdemeanor.
California Vehicle Code 24250 makes it unlawful in California for motorists to drive in the dark without headlights.
A question that sometimes arises when reading VC 24250 is: what does "during darkness" mean?
Courts have also stated that Vehicle Code 24250 applies to drivers of motorcycles.6 Thus, motorcycle drivers, as well as drivers of vehicles, must use their headlights "during darkness."
Note also that failing to dim high beams is also an infraction under Vehicle Code 24409 VC.
Points on the motorist's California State driving record.
A driver that drives without headlights will receive a ticket and he must pay a corresponding fine.
Motorists that drive in California and violate Vehicle Code 24250 VC will receive one point on their DMV driving record.8 This is not a good thing. Points put on a driver's record are ultimately reported to a driver's insurance carrier. The result is typically an increase in the motorist's insurance rates for several years.
A problem also occurs when points accumulate, or, when a driver receives multiple points on his driving record. If a driver in California accumulates a certain number of points within a 1-,2- or 3-year period, the DMV can declare that person a negligent driver. If this happens, the DMV can either suspend or revoke a motorist's driving privileges.
A driver that receives a ticket for driving without headlights can always challenge the ticket.
A driver that receives a ticket for driving without headlights can always challenge the ticket. This means he can raise a legal defense to contest the ticket and say he wasn't guilty. However, if this is done, it's best for the motorist to gain the assistance of an attorney.
The driver failed to use headlights because of an emergency.
There was sufficient light so that headlights were not necessary.
This second defense relates back to the phrase "during darkness" that is found in the language of VC 24250. Drivers raising this defense would want to show that, given all the facts surrounding their case, there was sufficient light and visibility making headlights needless.
Drivers can represent themselves when challenging California traffic tickets. However, it's in the driver's best interests to contact a California attorney for help in beating them.
defendant's lawyer can go on his behalf.
Drivers that violate VC 24250 do not have to attend traffic school.
Criminal charges do not get filed if a person violates Vehicle Code 24250 VC. This is because it's not a crime if a motorist drives without headlights in California.
Violations of VC 24250 are infractions under California law. Violators are not subject to incarceration.
Upon receiving a traffic ticket in California, the offender is obligated to sign a written promise to appear in court. The driver promises to appear in court at a certain time and place (provided that he does not have an attorney – please see 3.2 above).
7. Effect of driving without headlights on a personal injury lawsuit?
A driver that violates VC 24250 may cause – or get involved in – an accident with another motorist. If the motorist later files a personal injury lawsuit against the driver, the driver may be found "negligent."
This means a driver would be negligent per se if driving a vehicle in the dark without using headlights because he would be in violation of VC 24250.
California's law on driving on the wrong side of the road.
A driver in California may fail to use headlights when driving in the dark because he is driving under the influence. If so, the driver will be charged with both driving without headlights and driving under the influence (DUI).
Drive under the influence of drugs.
The penalties for a California DUI can grow quite severe. For this reason, motorists charged with a DUI must consult with a California DUI attorney.
Legal defenses to a California DUI charge do exist. However, a California DUI lawyer is necessary to raise the right one on a driver's behalf.
It's unlawful for drivers in California to tailgate, or follow too closely.
Thus, drivers are tailgating if they are following more closely than what is reasonable and prudent. The determination of what is, or is not, reasonable and prudent depends on all the circumstances of a given case.17 The conditions highlighted in VC 21703 (i.e., the speed of the vehicles, traffic, and conditions of the roadway) are but just a few circumstances courts consider.
It's against the law in California for drivers to drive on the wrong side of the road.
Given this language, all vehicles on California's highways must drive to the right of a barrier or dividing section. Or, they must drive on the right side of the road.
Driving to the left of a barrier is driving on the left side of the road; and, this is driving on the wrong side of the road.
Driving on the wrong side of the road is a "wobbler" under California law. A "wobbler" is a crime that can be punished as either a misdemeanor or a felony.
Whether a violation of VC 21651 (b) results in a misdemeanor or felony depends on whether anyone was hurt or killed because of the violation.
A motorist guilty of driving on the wrong side of the road will also receive points on his driving record.
If you or someone you know has been cited for violating VC 24250, or has been injured in an accident in California, we invite you to contact us for a free consultation. We can be reached 24/7 at 855-LawFirm.
Cited in Nevada? See our article on fighting Nevada tickets for failing to use headlights (NRS 484D.100).
California Vehicle Code 24250 VC.
Donato v. Lopopolo (1937) 20 Cal. App. 2d 409.
Fouch v. Werner (1929) 99 Cal. App. 557. See also Winn v. Long (1928) 203 Cal. 758.
Holmes v. Koepsel (1940) 40 Cal. App. 2d 793.
Sawdey v. Producers' Milk Co. (1930) 107 Cal. App. 467.
Pope v. Halpern (1924) 193 Cal. 168.
California Vehicle Code 21703 VC.
Pittman v. Boiven, 249 Cal. App. 2d 207.
See California Vehicle Code 21651 VC.
California Vehicle Code 21651 (b) VC.

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