The story of Midnight Club Los Angeles follows the main character, J.T. (Jason Taylor), a former cop turned street racing driver. After being falsely accused of murder and forced into hiding, J.T. sees an opportunity to clear his name by entering underground racing tournaments across Los Angeles. Along the way, he teams up with new friends and allies who help him on his quest for redemption.
The gameplay in Midnight Club Los Angeles is centered around high-speed street racing. Players can choose from a variety of cars, each with its own unique handling characteristics and abilities. The game features a dynamic weather system and day-night cycles, which affects the behavior and speed of both the player's car and AI opponents. Additionally, players must navigate through increasingly complex traffic patterns and avoid various obstacles to emerge victorious in racing tournaments.