In California the CA Department of Motor Vehicles keeps a public record of all your traffic convictions and accidents. The length of time that the violation remains on your MVR depends on the severity of the offense. Most violations (illegal turn, not making a complete stop, driving over the speed limit, etc.) and/or accidents will stay on your driver record for 36 months (3 years). More serious offenses, such as hit-and-run or a DUI, will stay on your record for up to 10 years.

Ticket convictions stemming from the CA cell phone laws are reportable offenses, so they will go on your California driving record however, the CA DMV will not assign a violation point to your MVR. Since it is a minor offense it will remain on your driving record for 3 years.

The CA DMV notes that the base fine for the FIRST offense for a cell phone violation is $20 and $50 for subsequent convictions. We have heard from some drivers that have been caught talking on their cell phone without a hands free device who have said their fine has been $88 to $92.

So while the base fine of talking on your cell phone while driving in California may be $20 but as with most all tickets in CA there are additional costs added to the base fine amount. There are state and county fees typically as well as court costs to process the ticket and thus a ticket can easily be double or in as in this case 4 times the base fine amount.