What the California Highway Patrol's "Pick It Up" Program Does
California's Pick It Up program is a Highway Patrol enforcement operation that targets drivers with suspended licenses. Officers stop vehicles and check license status against the Department of Motor Vehicles database in real time. If your license is suspended, you face an when ready citation, vehicle impound, and potential arrest depending on the reason for suspension and your driving history.
The program runs year-round but intensifies during specific enforcement periods announced by the CHP. It operates on state highways, local roads, and in coordination with local police departments. The goal is to remove unlicensed drivers from the road, but the consequences for you are when ready and costly.
Unlike a routine traffic stop where an officer might let a minor violation slide, a Pick It Up stop results in a citation almost every time. The CHP does not issue warnings for suspended licenses under this program.
Key Takeaways
- A Pick It Up stop results in a citation for driving with a suspended license, which carries fines starting at $250 and can reach $1,000 or more depending on the suspension reason.
- Your vehicle will be impounded for at least 30 days if you are stopped, adding towing and storage fees that typically total $500 to $1,500.
- Driving on a suspended license in California is a misdemeanor if your suspension is for certain reasons (like DUI or reckless driving) and can result in jail time.
- The only way to avoid a Pick It Up citation is to not drive while suspended; there is no way to contest the stop itself once you are behind the wheel with a suspended license.
- Reinstating your license before driving again is the only legal option, and the reinstatement process depends on why your license was suspended in the first place.
Why the CHP Targets Suspended Licenses
Drivers with suspended licenses are statistically involved in more accidents, injuries, and fatalities than the general driving population. The CHP uses Pick It Up to reduce that risk by removing suspended drivers from circulation. The program is not about revenue; it is about public safety enforcement.
However, the financial and legal consequences fall entirely on you. A single Pick It Up stop can cost you $1,000 to $3,000 in fines, towing, storage, and reinstatement fees combined. If your suspension is for a serious reason—such as a DUI conviction or accumulation of traffic violations—the misdemeanor charge can result in probation, jail time, or both.
What Happens During a Pick It Up Stop
When an officer stops you during a Pick It Up operation, they will run your license through the CHP's Mobile Data Terminal, which connects to the DMV database. The check takes seconds. If your license shows as suspended, the officer will inform you of the suspension status and issue a citation.
You will be cited under California Vehicle Code Section 14601 (driving with a suspended license), Section 14601.1 (driving with a suspended license due to a DUI), or Section 14601.2 (driving with a suspended license due to reckless driving), depending on the reason for your suspension. The specific code matters because it determines the severity of the charge and potential penalties.
After the citation is issued, your vehicle will be towed and impounded. You cannot retrieve it when ready. The impound hold is typically 30 days, though it can be longer if there are additional violations or if your license remains suspended.
Fines, Fees, and Impound Costs
The citation itself carries a base fine of $250 to $1,000, depending on whether this is your first offense and the reason for suspension. Court costs and penalty assessments typically double or triple the base fine, bringing the total citation cost to $500 to $3,000.
Towing fees vary by county and towing company but typically range from $150 to $400. Storage fees are charged daily—usually $30 to $50 per day—and accumulate quickly. A 30-day impound can add $900 to $1,500 in storage alone.
To retrieve your vehicle before the impound hold expires, you must show proof that your license has been reinstated. If your license is still suspended when the hold ends, the vehicle may be sold at auction.
| Cost Category | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Citation fine (base) | $250–$1,000 | Varies by suspension reason and prior offenses |
| Court costs and assessments | $250–$2,000 | Added to base fine; varies by county |
| Towing fee | $150–$400 | One-time charge; varies by towing company |
| Daily storage fee | $30–$50 | Charged for each day vehicle is impounded |
| License reinstatement fee | $100–$300 | Depends on suspension reason; paid to DMV |
Criminal Charges vs. Traffic Citations
Driving with a suspended license can be charged as either a misdemeanor or an infraction, depending on the reason for suspension. If your suspension is for a DUI, reckless driving, or accumulation of serious violations, the charge is a misdemeanor. A misdemeanor conviction can result in up to six months in county jail, probation, and a permanent criminal record.
If your suspension is for a minor reason—such as failure to pay a traffic fine or failure to maintain insurance—the charge may be an infraction, which is not a criminal offense. However, even an infraction citation carries fines and can complicate your reinstatement process.
The CHP does not decide whether to charge you with a misdemeanor; that decision is made by the prosecutor's office after the citation is filed. However, the officer's report and the reason for your suspension will influence that decision.
How to Reinstate Your License After a Pick It Up Stop
Reinstatement depends entirely on why your license was suspended. The DMV website lists your suspension reason in your driving record. You can check this online through your DMV account or by calling the DMV directly.
Common suspension reasons and their reinstatement paths include: failure to pay traffic fines (pay the fine and reinstatement fee); failure to maintain insurance (provide proof of current insurance and pay reinstatement fee); accumulation of violations (complete a traffic school or defensive driving course if required, then pay reinstatement fee); DUI suspension (complete a DUI education program, provide proof of insurance, and pay reinstatement fee); and reckless driving suspension (pay reinstatement fee and any outstanding fines).
Reinstatement fees range from $100 to $300 depending on the suspension reason. Once you have met all requirements, you can reinstate online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. Online reinstatement is fastest and typically takes one to two business days.
Avoiding a Pick It Up Stop
The only way to avoid a Pick It Up citation is to not drive while your license is suspended. This means checking your DMV driving record before driving, understanding the reason for any suspension, and completing the reinstatement process before getting behind the wheel.
If you receive a notice of suspension from the DMV, do not ignore it. The notice will explain the reason for suspension and the steps required to reinstate. If you believe the suspension is in error, you can request a hearing through the DMV within a specific timeframe—usually 10 days from the notice date. A hearing request stops the suspension from taking effect until the hearing is held.
If you are currently driving on a suspended license, the safest and most cost-effective action is to stop driving when ready and begin the reinstatement process. The longer you wait, the greater the risk of a Pick It Up stop and the financial and legal consequences that follow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my vehicle back before the 30-day impound hold ends?
Yes, if you reinstate your license before the hold expires. You must show proof of reinstatement to the impound lot. If your license is still suspended when the hold ends, the vehicle may be sold at auction, and you will lose it entirely.
What if I was not the one driving when I got the Pick It Up citation?
You are responsible for the vehicle and the citation, regardless of who was driving. The citation is issued to the registered owner. You can pursue a claim against the driver, but the DMV and the court will hold you accountable for the suspended license violation.
Does a Pick It Up citation go on my criminal record?
Only if you are charged with a misdemeanor. If the charge is an infraction, it does not create a criminal record, but it will appear on your driving record and can affect insurance rates and future license reinstatement.
Can I fight a Pick It Up citation in court?
You can contest the citation, but the facts are straightforward: your license was suspended and you were driving. Your defense options are limited. You could argue that the DMV database was incorrect or that your license had already been reinstated, but you would need documentation to prove it.
What happens if I get a second Pick It Up citation?
A second citation within a certain timeframe increases fines, extends the impound hold, and makes a misdemeanor charge more likely. Repeat violations also complicate future license reinstatement and can result in a longer suspension period.