(330) Redwood City
Phone: (650) 779-2700
Address:
355 Convention Way
Redwood City, CA 94063
The CHP Redwood City Area is situated along the San Francisco Bay Area peninsula, within the heart of Silicon Valley. The Area is comprised of roadways within urban and rural communities and encompasses portions of San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Alameda counties. The total service area of the Redwood City Area command is in excess of 550 square miles, with 300 miles of major arterial freeways, including US-101, I-280, SR-237, SR-92, SR-85, SR-84, SR-82, SR-35, SR-1 and approximately 650 miles of unincorporated roadways. With an average yearly traffic volume in excess of several million motorists, the Area proudly provides the highest levels of safety, service, and security.
In addition to the efforts associated with saving lives upon the highway, members of the command provide first class traffic safety education to the public through community events and presentations. Area staff and volunteers also conduct hundreds of child passenger safety seat installations each year and ensure on-going collaboration with our allied public safety stakeholders.
Car Seat Appointments
The Redwood City Area offers free car seat inspections by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please use this link.
Please bring your car seat, instruction manual, vehicle owner's manual, and your child (if possible) to the appointment.
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Appointments
The Redwood City Area offers VIN inspections by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please email the VIN Officer at
330VIN@chp.ca.gov. Please provide your name and phone number, along with your vehicle's year, make, model, VIN, and the reason the DMV referred you (out of state, salvage, out of the system). The DMV is always your first stop, please have a referral from them.
Start Smart: Driving Smart to Stay Safe
Start Smart is aimed at helping newly licensed- or soon to be licensed- teenage drivers (15-19) become more aware of the responsibilities that accompany the privilege of being a licensed California driver. The newly licensed teenage driver and their parents/guardians are invited to attend and participate in a free 2 hour long Start Smart class usually hosted at a local California Highway Patrol (CHP) office. CHP officers speak directly to the newly licensed driver and their parents/guardians through candid conversations, discussing topics such as collision avoidance techniques along with collision causing elements such as excessive speed, DUI, and distracted driving. Start Smart makes teens and parents aware of the responsibilities they face and teaches what precautions to take to stay safe; such as the importance of seat belt unsafe, passengers in the vehicle and what to do when involved in a collision.
If any inquiries or to RSVP please email 330StartSmart@chp.ca.gov
Obtaining a CHP 555, Crash Report
To obtain a copy of your Crash Report, you can visit any local CHP Area office or request it online at:
https://crashes.chp.ca.gov/Identity/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2F
The CHP charges only a nominal fee to cover reproduction costs (To determine the cost of your report, please contact the CHP office where the report was filed). The CHP charges the following for collision reports:
- $10.00 — 01 - 25 pages
- $20.00 — 26 - 50 pages
- $30.00 — 51 - 75 pages
- $40.00 — 76 - 100 pages
- $10.00 — Over 100 - for each additional 25 pages or portion thereof
**There is no extra charge for handling or mailing. Your personal check or money order must be sent with your request and made out to the California Highway Patrol. Please place the report number on your check, if you know it. NO CASH PLEASE if you are requesting the report by mail. We do not accept Credit or Debit cards at this time.
Citation Processing
The CHP issues three types of tickets, which can be identified by the form number at the top left of the citation:
- Traffic Citation (CHP 215)
Once issued, a traffic citation can only be handled through the court specified at the bottom of the form. If the citation includes a mechanical violation to be corrected, it may be brought to any CHP office, police department, or sheriff's office for certification. CHP does not charge for this certification, and no appointment is required.
- Mechanical or Equipment Citation (CHP 281)
A correctable mechanical or equipment citation points out a fault or discrepancy with your vehicle. The violation must be corrected and verified by any law enforcement officer before being returned to the issuing office. The issuing office address is listed on the back of the citation. Postage is required if sending through US Mail.
Violations must be certified as corrected and returned to the issuing office within 30 days. If the violation is not resolved, it will be converted into a traffic citation and will be forwarded to the local court for processing.
- Parking Ticket (CHP 267)
Once issued, any correspondence or payment of fines for a CHP-issued parking citation can only be handled through the Parking Citation Center listed at the bottom of the form.
Release of towed vehicle
While there are many reasons that a vehicle may be towed by the CHP, all will fall into one of two categories: "Stored" or "Impounded":
Stored Vehicles
Vehicles stored by the CHP can be retrieved directly from the tow company by the registered owner or his/her agent. Some examples of "stored" vehicles include:
- Vehicle involved in a traffic collision, and cannot be driven from the scene.
- Vehicle left parked on a freeway in excess of four hours.
- Vehicle left parked blocking a lane or creating a traffic hazard.
Impounded Vehicles
Vehicles impounded by the CHP require a release from the office that caused it to be impounded. Tow companies will not release the vehicle unless they are directed to by the CHP. Common examples of "impounded" vehicles include:
- Vehicles towed because the driver did not have a valid Driver License.
- Vehicles towed as part of an investigation where further examination is necessary.
- Vehicles without valid paid registration.
If you are unsure of why your vehicle was towed or where it was towed to, please contact the office that caused your vehicle to be towed for more information.
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