California Stop-Sign Law

• According to California vehicle codes, the driver of any vehicle that is approaching a stop sign at the entrance to, or within, an intersection must stop at the limit line before passing the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. If there is no limit line marked adjacent to the stop sign, drivers must stop at the entrance to the intersecting roadway.
  
  

Penalty

• The California Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedule -- created in 2005 -- establishes the specific fines for each particular traffic violation, including failure to stop at a stop sign. The penalty for a rolling stop is a traffic ticket and a fine that, after all additional county fees are included, will cost around $140.
  
  

Railroad Crossings

• Because not adhering to stop signs or other safety signals associated with railroad crossings can pose a serious danger upon drivers and train passengers, the penalty for violating railroad crossing stop signs is more severe than for regular stop signs. The California Uniform Penalty Schedule asserts that the traffic penalty for failing to stop completely at a railroad crossing sign results in a total fine of around $350, which includes all additional fees.
  
  

Paying the Fine

• If you plan on paying the traffic fine for a rolling stop, you do not need to go to court. You may pay the fine through postal mail or an online service. If you want to attend traffic school to erase the points from your driving record, fees for traffic school will increase the total cost of the rolling-stop transgression. If you plan to fight the ticket, you may contest the violation in court in the county that issued you the ticket. Once in front of the judge, you may enter a plea and request a trial. A date will be assigned for your case, and you may present your case and contest the ticket at that time.