California CVC 12951 Ticket: What to Do If You Didn’t Have Your License With You
Violation of California Vehicle Code Section 12951
Written by
Violation category
General Traffic
Base fine
$35
Estimated total cost
Includes court fees and assessments
DMV points
0 points
What is California Vehicle Code CVC 12951?
Violation of California Vehicle Code Section 12951
Common scenarios
- You went for a quick drive but left your wallet with your license at home. The officer stopped you and issued a ticket for not having your license on you.
- You were pulled over for a broken taillight. When asked, you told the officer you had a license but forgot it in your purse inside the car.
- You were driving your friend’s car, and your license was in your jacket pocket in the back seat. The officer gave you a ticket because you didn’t have it on you.
- You were riding a farm tractor on a private road and didn’t carry a driver’s license. The officer still gave you a ticket, but this can be a defense.
Key facts
- You Must Carry Your License When Driving: California law requires drivers to have their valid driver’s license physically with them while driving.
- This Ticket Is Usually a Fix-It Ticket: You can often fix this by showing proof of your license to the court or DMV before the deadline.
- No Points on Your Driving Record: This violation does not add points to your driving record, so it won’t affect your insurance rates.
Fine breakdown for CVC 12951
| Category | Estimated amount |
|---|---|
| Base fine | $35 |
| Court & county surcharges (estimate) | $133 |
| Total estimated out-of-pocket | $168 |
County fees can multiply the base fine by 3–5x. ClerkHero confirms exact totals using your ticket details.
What is CVC 12951?
This ticket means you were driving without having your driver’s license with you. California law says you must carry your valid driver’s license whenever you drive. It’s not about whether you have a license — it’s about having it with you when asked by an officer.
Why does this happen?
Sometimes people forget their wallet, or their license is in another bag or at home. The officer can’t just take your word for it, so they issue this ticket.
What should you know?
- This is a fix-it ticket. You can usually fix it by showing proof you have a valid license.
- You don’t lose points on your driving record for this.
- You’ll need to go to court or pay a fine if you don’t fix it in time.
Don’t worry — this is one of the easier tickets to handle if you act quickly and show proof of your license.
Defense ideas you can use in your TR-205 packet
Every ticket is different, but these arguments often surface in successful Trial-by-Declaration defenses. ClerkHero tailors the narrative to match your facts and any evidence you upload.
Defense 1
You had your valid driver’s license but forgot to carry it with you.
Defense 2
You were not driving but were a passenger (license not required).
Defense 3
You showed the officer a valid license shortly after the stop.
Defense 4
Your license was in the vehicle but not on your person, and you offered to retrieve it.
Defense 5
You were driving a vehicle that does not require a driver’s license (like certain farm vehicles).
We can help fight your ticket CVC 12951 online
ClerkHero builds your entire TR-205 defense packet automatically. No lawyer. No court visit. No confusing forms. Just upload your ticket and we handle the rest.
Step 1
Upload your ticket
We extract all violation details using hybrid OCR and AI. Works for handwritten, camera, and printed citations.
Step 2
We generate your defense
You answer a few questions. We craft a TR-205 defense letter tailored to this exact violation code.
Step 3
Sign, mail, and track
You receive a complete filing packet with step-by-step instructions. Never miss a deadline again.
Frequently asked questions about CVC 12951
I have a valid license but forgot it at home. Can I still fight this ticket?
Yes. You can usually show proof of your valid license to the court and get the ticket dismissed or reduced.
What if my license is expired or suspended?
This ticket only covers not having your license with you. If your license is expired or suspended, you may face additional penalties.
Can I pay the fine without going to court?
Often, yes. But you should check your ticket or court instructions to see if you need to provide proof of your license.
Will this ticket affect my insurance?
No, this ticket does not add points to your record and usually won’t affect your insurance rates.
What if I was not driving, just a passenger?
You should not get this ticket if you were not driving. If you did, you can explain this to the court as a defense.