California Law Library
California Vehicle Code

Vehicle Code § 23103 Reckless Driving

Makes it unlawful to drive a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.

Verified Sep 1, 2026
Official source
Statute text, verbatim

What the code actually says

23103.   (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. (Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 685, Sec. 2. (AB 2479) Effective January 1, 2011.)

Read on leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
Report readiness

What a report needs to survive this charge.

Knowing the code is the easy part. Cases get kicked when the narrative never documents an element the prosecutor has to prove.

Elements to document
  • The suspect drove on a highway or in an off-street parking facility
  • Driving showed willful or wanton disregard for safety
  • Specific driving behaviors are described with speed and conditions
  • Risk to actual persons or property is articulated
Common report defects
  • Speed is estimated with no method or calibration noted
  • Traffic, weather, and road conditions are omitted
  • 'Reckless' is used as a conclusion with no supporting maneuvers

Abbreviated for reference. Report960 runs the full element and defect checklist against your narrative and quotes the exact passage behind every finding. This page is not legal advice.

Related sections

Charges that travel together.

Check a Vehicle Code § 23103 report

Every element, checked.Every finding, quotable.

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