Drivers stopped for 100+ mph speeding in Madera County are having their tickets referred to the DMV FAST suspension program for a review hearing.
For those unaware, the CHP and DMV are in cooperation on a pilot program called FAST, which is short for Forwarded Actions for Speeding Tickets.
Established without the CA legislatures written approval, it requires that all tickets for 100+ mph speeding statewide be referred to the regional Driver Safety Office for possible license suspension or revocation, even before a trial to determine guilt or innocence.
Speed measurement devices are not infallible, and occasionally, the law enforcement officer stops the wrong vehicle. Every CA driver is entitled to due process.
CA Vehicle Code (VC) 22348(b)(1) already gives the judge discretion to suspend:
“A person who drives a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than 100 miles per hour is guilty of an infraction punishable, as follows:
- Upon a first conviction of a violation of this subdivision, by a fine of not to exceed five* hundred dollars ($500). The court may also suspend the privilege of the person to operate a motor vehicle for a period not to exceed 30 days pursuant to Section 13200.5.”
*This $500 maximum was approved in 1959. Since then, the CA Assembly has added ten surcharges, penalties, and assessments that make the total three to five times that amount.
Some legal experts believe action by the DMV may sidestep the court’s authority. However, until that is decided by the CA Supreme Court, drivers must take action to protect their rights.
Here’s What Madera County Drivers Must Do at a Minimum:
- Verify Your Home Address: Confirm that the DMV has on file your current home mailing address. To confirm your address, log into my.dmv.ca.gov or call 1-800-777-0133.
- Monitor Your Mailbox: Check daily for official notices from the DMV of possible hearing dates.
- Pursue Legal Counsel: Consult a CA traffic attorney to discuss representation at the hearing, at your arraignment, and at trial. Bigger & Haman offers a complimentary initial consultation to discuss your options.
Using the same legal counsel for both the hearing and trial could save the driver money.
Regardless of the results of the DMV FAST Suspension Program Hearing, you or an attorney will still need to attend a mandatory court hearing.
Madera County, CA—at a Glance
The major heavily traveled state routes running through Madera County, California, are:
- State Route 99 (SR-99): The main north-south artery connecting the valley portion of the county to the rest of California, passing through Madera, Fresno, Bakersfield, and others.
- SR-145: An east-west route connecting the city of Madera toward Millerton Lake and connecting to SR-41.
- SR-41: The primary route, aka Southern Yosemite Highway, linking Fresno to the Madera foothills, Oakhurst, and Yosemite National Park.
- SR-152: A major east-west route that provides access from the coast and I-5 into the valley, merging with SR-99 near the city of Madera. Heavily used for freight and travel toward the coast.
- SR-49: Starts at SR-41 in Oakhurst, heading north into the Gold Country.
Despite the rural surroundings, the CHP and County law enforcement monitor speed measurement devices to catch speeders.
The Consequences of a 100+ MPH Speeding Conviction in Madera County
A conviction for 100+ mph speeding triggers harsh consequences that will impact your family budget, possibly for the next seven years:
- Court costs and assessments: Despite the CA VC 22348 capping the “base fine” at $500—ten state and county enhancements inflate the real cost significantly. Today, convicted drivers routinely pay between $859 and $2,137.
- DMV point assessments: If convicted, the DMV will assess two NOTS points to the driver’s motor vehicle driving record (MVR). That means for the next seven years, not only will you pay double or triple insurance premiums, but you’ll start the first year with only two points separating you from a prima facie negligent operator unless it is legally expunged.
- Insurance premium hikes: For Madera County drivers, with a clean driving record, who carry full coverage(frequently required by lienholders)—they will pay an average of $2,776 annually—a conviction for 100+ mph speeding could mean paying up to 8,328, unless they have a teenager on their policy. Bankrate.com says, “Parents adding a teen driver to their policy can expect to pay 130 percent more than the California average cost of full coverage.”
- Temporary driving privileges suspensions: without considering the DMV FAST suspension program, the Madera County court judge has the discretion of imposing an automatic 30-day suspension upon conviction. These possible suspensions will be more than a small inconvenience for drivers in the rural areas of Madera County.
Many of the CA drivers who had their driver’s license suspended or revoked long-term saw an extreme reduction in their quality of life, especially those in rural areas in single-driver families.
Contact Bigger & Harman About Representation for a 100+ MPH Speeding & the DMV FAST Suspension Program
Call Bigger & Harman about representing at the DMV hearing and the mandatory court appearance in Madera County Courthouse at (661) 367-8232 today—se habla Español.
We routinely represent drivers in the Madera County Courthouse. You can reach out to us through our webpage's contact form or email us at attorney@biggerharmanlaw.com.
Click here to download a free copy of our eBook, 4 Unknown Consequences of Driving Over 100 MPH.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Section
Q: What is the DMV FAST suspension program?
A: The DMV Forwarded Actions for Speeding Tickets (FAST) program sends 100+ mph tickets to the Driver Safety Office for a possible license suspension review, often before the court determines guilt.
Q: As a Madera County driver, what should I do after a 100+ mph ticket?
A: At a minimum, you should confirm your DMV mailing address, watch for notices, and speak with a traffic attorney immediately about representation at the DMV hearing and a mandatory trial.
Q: Do I still have to go to court if the DMV schedules a FAST hearing?
A: Yes, the DMV FAST suspension program is independent of the court. Drivers must handle both proceedings.
References:
CA VC Section 22348, Speed Laws.
The Bankrate.com article, Average cost of car insurance in CA for 2026.
The CA DMV News Release dated 22 December 2025, New FAST program focuses on reducing crashes through early intervention of drivers traveling more than 100 mph on California Highways.