Highway Patrol

Highways are the arteries of everyday life in California, and the Highway Patrol keeps those arteries open and safe. This guide explains what the Highway Patrol is responsible for, how it serves drivers and communities, and how you can quickly find offices, programs, alerts, crash reports, and answers to common questions. You’ll also learn how divisions across California operate—Northern, Golden Gate, Valley, Central, and Southern—and where to turn for official help.

Understand What “Highway Patrol” Means in California

The California Highway Patrol—commonly called “CHP”—is the statewide law enforcement department that focuses on traffic safety and general law enforcement on California’s state highways, U.S. routes, interstates, and certain unincorporated areas. The mission is summed up in three words used throughout its official materials: Safety, Service, and Security. That mission drives everything from everyday speed enforcement to major-incident response and public outreach.

CHP officers patrol freeways, investigate crashes, remove roadway hazards, and coordinate with allied local, state, and federal agencies. They also support security for state facilities, manage specialized investigations, and run education programs that help drivers, passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians avoid harm. If you think “Highway Patrol” is just traffic tickets, think again—the scope is much broader, and the services are designed to be accessible to every community across the state.

Navigate Official CHP Resources with Confidence

Find your local Area Office fast

When you need to sign off a correctable citation, ask about VIN verifications, or request local traffic safety presentations, start by using the official Find an Office locator to identify the closest CHP Area Office, inspection facility, or communications and dispatch center. The locator is searchable by city, county, or ZIP code and covers the statewide network of Area commands and specialty facilities. Use the Find an Office tool whenever you need in-person help or want to confirm business hours before you go.
Visit the Find an Office locator on the CHP site: find a CHP office.

Start with the CHP homepage for statewide services

From statewide alerts to programs and forms, the CHP homepage ties it all together with quick menus for offices, traffic information, alerts, newsroom updates, and programs. It’s the best first stop if you’re not sure which unit handles your need.
Explore the official California Highway Patrol site: California Highway Patrol homepage.

Browse practical programs and services that reduce risk

CHP’s programs go beyond enforcement. They include teen and adult driver safety classes, child safety seat education, impaired driving prevention, commercial vehicle oversight, and more—all built to lower collision and fatality rates. You’ll also find links to services and information that can make a difference on your next trip.
Learn more under Programs & Services: see CHP programs.

Make the Most of Everyday Services

Requesting a traffic crash report

If a collision was investigated by CHP, you can request a copy of the report online through the official crash portal. You’ll be guided through account creation and the request process, and the portal clearly explains who is eligible to receive a report and what information you’ll need.
Start with Request a Traffic Crash Report: request a CHP crash report.

Checking statewide alerts and public information

CHP uses alerts and newsroom posts to keep the public informed about enforcement efforts, roadway safety campaigns, and significant incidents. If you want timely, official updates—not second-hand summaries—use the newsroom feed to see what’s new and when it was issued.
See Newsroom updates: view CHP news items.

Reviewing forms and FAQs before you call

Many common needs—fix-it ticket sign-offs, VIN inspections, and child passenger safety questions—are answered in the FAQs and forms library, which saves you a phone call and a trip. If you’re unsure whether your situation requires an appointment or if a service can be handled by mail, scan the FAQs and any relevant forms first.
Check the official FAQ index: read common CHP questions.
Browse the Forms library: access CHP forms.

What Highway Patrol Does on the Road—And Behind the Scenes

Enforcing laws that save lives

The backbone of Highway Patrol work is patrol and enforcement: speed control, seat belt and child restraint compliance, impaired driving prevention, and distracted driving enforcement. These core functions reduce the severity and frequency of crashes. CHP emphasizes consistent enforcement on high-risk corridors and during peak travel seasons—and coordinates with local partners when problems cross jurisdictional lines.

Investigating major crashes with specialized teams

When a crash is unusually complex or severe, CHP deploys specialized resources to determine what happened and why. Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) units analyze vehicle data, scene evidence, roadway design, and environmental conditions—work that helps identify systemic risks and improves future prevention. Those investigations can inform roadway engineering, enforcement priorities, and public education.

Managing commercial vehicle safety

Commercial vehicle enforcement protects everyone on the road by making sure regulated trucks and buses meet safety rules. CHP runs commercial vehicle enforcement facilities, mobile road enforcement, and inspection teams. The work ranges from brake and load checks to driver log compliance, and it happens both at fixed facilities and along the corridor—especially on heavy-freight routes in the Central Valley, Bay Area, and mountain passes.

Answering 9-1-1 and dispatching help

In many areas of California, 9-1-1 calls from mobile phones on highways route directly to a CHP communications center. Public Safety Dispatchers triage calls, coordinate officers and allied agencies, and manage limited highway shoulder access to get help to you quickly. If you’ve ever had a flat in a dangerous spot or witnessed debris in a travel lane, the lifesaving value of fast, accurate dispatch is obvious.

Use Education and Outreach to Stay Safer

Teen and new-driver programs

CHP offers programs tailored to the riskiest driving years—before and just after licensure. “Start Smart” and related initiatives help teens and families understand how speed, distraction, impairment, and nighttime driving elevate risks, and how to build safer habits from day one. You can find offerings through local Area Offices using the Find an Office tool and by watching the newsroom and events calendar for sessions near you.

Child passenger safety and vulnerable road users

Parents and caregivers can get guidance on child safety seats and restraints—including inspections and installation help at many Area Offices. CHP also publishes materials and runs outreach for pedestrians, bicyclists, and micromobility users, emphasizing visibility, rule comprehension, and shared-space awareness. These programs reduce serious injuries where vehicle traffic and vulnerable users meet.

Language access for inclusive service

California is linguistically diverse, and CHP explicitly provides interpreters, bilingual employees, and translated documents to ensure equal access to services and information. If you need assistance in a language other than English, call or visit your local Area Office and ask about language support. Written materials and on-site interpreter options are part of CHP’s commitment to serving everyone in California.

Know How Divisions Keep a Big State Covered

California is divided into eight CHP Divisions. The statewide footprint ensures that urban freeways, rural highways, mountain passes, and coastal routes receive the right mix of patrol, enforcement, dispatching, and public outreach. The following overviews reflect what each featured Division prioritizes to reflect local geography, traffic patterns, and community needs—all drawn from official descriptions.

Northern Division: High mileage, big country, constant readiness

Northern Division covers the 14 northernmost counties—everything from the rugged North Coast to the Oregon and Nevada borders. With nearly 40,000 square miles and thousands of miles of roadway, the terrain includes forests, mountains, and river corridors that demand year-round vigilance: winter snow, summer wildfire evacuations, and seasonal recreation traffic. Northern Division deploys Area Offices, Resident Posts, communications centers, and specialized units (Air Operations, Commercial Enforcement, Motor Carrier Safety, Investigative Services, and MAIT) to keep roadways moving and help when trouble strikes. In remote areas, response planning is crucial; communications centers and patrols coordinate closely to shorten response times on long stretches between towns.

Golden Gate Division: Bay Area complexity on the move

Golden Gate Division is the command center for nine Bay Area counties. Traffic can swing hour-to-hour depending on events, weather, and bridge operations. The Division includes eleven Area Offices, three Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facilities (including facilities at Cordelia, Mission Grade, and along the Nimitz corridor), an integrated Communications Center, and an Air Operations Unit. Officers work on elevated freeway structures, long viaducts, and eight toll bridges—environments that change quickly when congestion, collisions, or high winds develop. Education is part of the mission here as well; the Division regularly supports child safety seat installations and community events to keep the public informed and safe.

Valley Division: Where freeways, foothills, and tourism meet

Valley Division surrounds the greater Sacramento region and extends from Chico to Tracy, South Lake Tahoe to Woodland. With interstates (I-5 and I-80), U.S. 50, and state routes (99, 49, 20, and others) crossing the Division, the travel demands include commuters, farm-to-market freight, and seasonal tourism to Lake Tahoe and the Sierra. Three communications centers support 9-1-1 and officer dispatching across varied terrain—from iced mountain passes to hot valley corridors. The Division’s specialized programs include K-9 units, Air Operations, Commercial Enforcement, Safety Services, Salvaged Vehicle Identification, and task forces focused on auto theft prevention. Valley Division exemplifies how Highway Patrol blends enforcement with public education and partnerships to improve safety.

Central Division: Agriculture, national parks, and freight corridors

Central Division, based in Fresno, covers the heart of the Central Valley and is home to Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon national parks. It patrols two of the state’s most critical corridors—State Route 99 and Interstate 5—and oversees the Grapevine, a steep, high-volume mountain pass that carries immense freight and passenger traffic. The Division’s Transportation Management Center (a CHP/Caltrans collaboration) uses computer-aided dispatch and real-time roadway technology (like changeable message signs) to respond to problems fast. Special Operations units focus on auto theft rings, drug interdiction, gang collaboration with allied agencies, and state property investigations. MAIT services provide in-depth collision analysis when the stakes are highest.

Southern Division: Nation-scale traffic within one county

Southern Division, headquartered in Glendale, manages Los Angeles County’s heavy mix of interstates and freeways—405, 10, 5, 105, 110, 134, 210, 60, 101, and others—along with dozens of unincorporated communities. Although it is the smallest Division geographically, it supports the largest number of employees and handles the highest collision counts in the state. Motor officers are especially important here; motorcycles can reach incidents on gridlocked freeways where shoulders are limited, and they support dignitary protection details working with federal partners. The Division also staffs the Los Angeles Regional Transportation Management Center with Caltrans, using ramp metering, message signs, and camera networks to keep traffic flowing.

When You Need Answers, Start Here

You’ve received a citation—what next?

The FAQ section breaks down how to handle a correctable (fix-it) ticket, how to contact the appropriate court, and where to go for a sign-off. If your question is local—like which Area Office can sign off a specific equipment violation—the Find an Office page will point you to the right counter.
Review the FAQ first: read common CHP questions.

You were in a crash—how do you get the report?

If CHP investigated, request your report online through the official crash portal. It explains who is eligible to receive a copy (for example, involved parties and their insurers) and what identifiers you’ll need to submit a request.
Use the official crash report portal: request a CHP crash report.

You’re planning a long drive—where do you check conditions?

Start with your local Area Office page for any planned enforcement operations or local advisories, then watch CHP’s newsroom feed for statewide updates tied to holiday Maximum Enforcement Periods or seasonal campaigns. For route-specific hazard and emergency alerts across California, the statewide alert pages are linked from the newsroom and alerts menus on the CHP site.
Browse Newsroom updates: view CHP news items.

Tap CHP Career and Recruitment Information

If you’re considering joining the Highway Patrol—as an officer, a public safety dispatcher, or in non-uniformed support—CHP publishes recruitment information, testing timelines, and the Applicant Preparedness Program. Division web pages often list recruitment contacts; you can also start at the statewide careers page for application steps and academy details.
Explore CHP Careers: learn about CHP careers.

Stay Informed with Official Traffic Safety Campaigns

CHP runs recurring enforcement and education campaigns—like Maximum Enforcement Periods during holiday weekends—and targeted efforts around impaired and distracted driving. These initiatives are announced in the newsroom and often come with focused outreach to specific communities, including Spanish-speaking residents through programs like El Protector. When you see these campaigns referenced in official posts, they’re not just publicity; they’re data-driven deployments designed to reduce the most common causes of serious collisions.

Use the Programs & Services Hub for One-Stop Learning

The Programs & Services hub links to in-depth information on child safety seats, recreational vehicle safety, texting and driving awareness, statewide integrated traffic records, and more. If you’re preparing a teen to start driving, buying an RV, learning how HOV/HOT lanes work, or seeking guidance on distracted driving, start there. It’s organized by topic, and many pages include downloadable, plain-language materials you can review before a long trip.
Open the Programs & Services directory: see CHP programs.

Get Traffic Safety Right in Your Community

A strong Highway Patrol is most effective when the community is engaged. Here are practical ways to plug in using official channels:

Request a presentation for your school or business – Area Offices coordinate traffic safety presentations for businesses, schools, and community groups. Use the office locator to find the right contact and ask about scheduling.
Use Find an Office: find a CHP office.

File a traffic complaint on a problem corridor – If there’s a persistent speeding or unsafe passing problem near your neighborhood or school, the CHP site provides an official path to notify the department. Your local Area Office will review, and targeted enforcement or outreach can follow.
Start at the Programs & Services hub: see CHP programs.

Watch for official news before peak travel – Ahead of holidays or major events, CHP posts enforcement and safety information so you can adjust travel times, routes, and expectations.
Check Newsroom updates: view CHP news items.

Know Where CHP Fits Among Statewide Players

Even though CHP is the law-enforcement centerpiece on state highways, it coordinates constantly with other state entities:

With CalSTA, CHP aligns on transportation safety priorities and cross-departmental initiatives.
Read about the transportation secretary’s role: learn about CalSTA leadership.

With Cal OES and local emergency managers, CHP supports evacuations, traffic control, and rapid route clearing during wildfires, floods, and earthquakes.
Find statewide alerts through Cal OES: review state emergency alerts.

With DMV, CHP enforces licensing and registration laws, and supports REAL ID education.
Confirm requirements at DMV REAL ID: learn about REAL ID.

With CDPH, CHP supports public health safety messaging that intersects with travel behavior and roadside safety.
See official health updates: California Department of Public Health.

What To Expect When You Visit a CHP Office

Area Offices typically keep weekday lobby hours for records requests, fix-it ticket sign-offs, and program information. Headquarters and Division offices are administrative—many are not public service counters—so confirm the service location you need before you go. The Find an Office page lists addresses, phone numbers, and hours for each facility. If you plan to request a collision report in person, call ahead to verify whether your report was investigated by CHP or by another police department; if another agency handled it, you’ll need to obtain it from them.

Tips for Using CHP Services Efficiently

Be ready with details for any call or report: date/time, location (route number, direction, nearest exit), vehicle descriptions, and witness contact information if available. This shortens response time and improves the accuracy of the record.

Check FAQs before you drive to a counter. Many answers—including what can be handled by mail—are posted on the official site.

Use the newsroom and alerts before holiday travel. Enforcement emphasis and road safety advisories are time-sensitive.

Ask about language support. CHP provides interpreters and translated documents at no cost to help you navigate services.

Know which office to call. Area Offices handle most public-facing services. Division offices coordinate larger regions. Headquarters is primarily administrative.