Comparison

CHP vs Caltrans QuickMap

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

CHP

This app guides teen drivers through the California Driver License process. It offers a step-by-step guide, a driving log to track trips and statistics, and a map to find local CHP offices for required classes.

Highlights
  • Step-by-step license guide
  • Driving log with trip statistics
  • Map of CHP offices
  • Information on Start Smart classes
  • Provisional and unrestricted license steps
Read full description

The California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) official Start Smart app is designed to help soon-to-be teen drivers with the process of obtaining their California Driver License. The Start Smart app includes a step-by-step guide with resources covering everything from the DMV Driver Handbook to the final steps of obtaining a provisional license and ultimately achieving an unrestricted California Driver License! Start Smart includes a handy driving log which tracks top speed, average speed, distance traveled, duration of trip, and trip date. You can send via email, a PDF of stats for an individual trip or for all trips recorded. The app also tracks total driving distance and time spent behind the wheel as you accumulate the driving time needed to obtain your California Driver License. The Start Smart app also includes a map with locations of nearby CHP Area offices where you can attend a free and exciting Start Smart class. These classes are designed to help teen drivers become more aware of the responsibilities that accompany the privilege of being a licensed California driver.

About

Caltrans QuickMap

Access real-time California traffic conditions, including speeds, camera snapshots, and lane closures. Receive alerts for road closures near your location. Customize your map view to display various highway information and points of interest.

Highlights
  • Real-time freeway speeds
  • Traffic camera snapshots
  • Lane closure alerts
  • CHP incident reports
  • Highway information display
  • Geotargeted notifications
  • Customizable map preferences
Features
Read full description

Know Before You Go: QuickMap puts real-time California traffic data straight from Caltrans in the palm of your hand — so you can plan smarter, avoid delays, and drive with confidence. What's on the map: - Freeway speeds and congestion - Live traffic cameras and snapshots - Lane closures and CHP incidents - Chain controls and snow plows - Changeable message signs - Border wait times - Safety roadside rest areas, Park & Ride lots - Commercial vehicle information including: -- Weigh stations and Escape Ramps -- Terminal/Service Access Ramps -- Overweight Corridors and California Truck Networks Auto-refresh will refresh data every 3 minutes unless a different refresh interval is selected in the settings screen. Manual refresh is also available via the refresh button at the bottom right of the map. Enable Geotargeted Notifications to receive alerts about road closures near you — even when the app is closed. Note: If you choose to enable Geotargeted Notifications, this app will monitor your location in the background and alert you (via a Push Notification) to State Highway System road closures occurring near you. Continued use of background location may decrease battery life. Questions or something not looking right on the map? We want to hear from you — reach us at quickmap@dot.ca.gov.

Screenshots

CHP4 screens
Caltrans QuickMap4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: CHP at 4.8 against Caltrans QuickMap's 3.0. CHP also leads on review sentiment (50% vs 30%) and iOS requirement (14.1 vs 18.6). Caltrans QuickMap's advantage is ratings volume (253 vs 5) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 11 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

CHP holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Caltrans QuickMap has 253 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of CHP's written reviews are positive against 30% of Caltrans QuickMap's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CHP ships an update every 11 months, Caltrans QuickMap every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
CHP versus Caltrans QuickMap: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCHPCaltrans QuickMap
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (5 ratings) — better3.0 (253 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews — better29.6% of reviews
Number of ratings5253 — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.1 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size59 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCalifornia Highway PatrolCalifornia Department of Transportation

Customer experience

CHP

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Caltrans QuickMap

All ratings253 ratings
Positive42.3%
Neutral12.6%
Negative45.1%
Written reviews125 reviews
Positive29.6%
Neutral17.6%
Negative52.8%

Bugs and requests

CHP

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Caltrans QuickMap

Reported bugs

11 issues
  • App crashes immediately upon opening
  • App closes itself even when not driving
  • Camera feeds display error (play button with slash)
  • Search feature completely non-functional
  • Location and refresh buttons stack on iPhone XR
Show 6 more
  • App redirects to FAQ page during navigation
  • Inconsistent camera functionality (works sometimes, not others)
  • Tap on road closure symbols returns incorrect nearby locations
  • Chain control symbols not displaying on iPhone app
  • App crashes during major storms when most needed
  • Codec incompatibility prevents video playback on iPhone

Requested features

15 requests
  • CarPlay compatibility
  • Live video streaming for cameras instead of still images
  • Terrain and satellite map view options
  • Ability to zoom and pinch camera images
  • Larger, more visible map icons
Show 10 more
  • Customizable saved map regions with memory
  • Weather radar layer integration
  • Customer service request submission within app
  • Hazard reporting interface in-app
  • Direction indicators for road signs before opening
  • Freeway speed data display instead of color bands
  • Extended coverage to other US states
  • Last update timestamp visibility
  • Clickable explanations for all map symbols
  • Fire perimeter information on fire layer

In-app purchases

None

CHP

No in-app purchases

None

Caltrans QuickMap

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CHP free?
CHP is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Caltrans QuickMap free?
Caltrans QuickMap is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, CHP or Caltrans QuickMap?
CHP is rated higher. CHP averages 4.8 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Caltrans QuickMap averages 3.0 from 253 ratings.
Do CHP or Caltrans QuickMap have ads?
Neither CHP nor Caltrans QuickMap shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CHP or Caltrans QuickMap?
CHP ships an update every 11 months, and Caltrans QuickMap every 3 months. Most recently, CHP was updated on September 18, 2026 and Caltrans QuickMap on October 3, 2026.

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