Speeding Ticket Cost by State: What You’ll Actually Pay

ByMyRoadWise

A speeding ticket for going 15 mph over the limit can cost $130 in one state and $500 in another — for the exact same violation. State fine schedules, fee structures, and surcharge systems vary dramatically, and the number on your citation is almost never the number you actually pay.

This guide covers what speeding tickets cost across all 50 states, including base fines, typical total costs after fees, and points assessed. Use it to understand what you’re facing — and whether the cost justifies pursuing dismissal.

How to Read This Guide

Every state listed includes:

  • Base fine range for a common minor speeding violation (10–15 mph over the limit on a non-highway road)
  • Typical total after state surcharges and court fees are added
  • Points assessed (where applicable — some states use different systems)
  • Notes on anything unusual about that state’s system

Totals are estimates based on published fine schedules. Your actual amount may vary by county, court, and specific circumstances. Always confirm with your court before paying.

Speeding Ticket Cost by State

Alabama

  • Base fine: $20–$100
  • Typical total: $150–$250
  • Points: 2 points (10–15 mph over)
  • Notes: Points stay on record for 2 years. 12+ points in 2 years triggers suspension.

Alaska

  • Base fine: $100–$200
  • Typical total: $150–$300
  • Points: 2 points
  • Notes: No driver improvement program for point reduction.

Arizona

  • Base fine: $15–$65
  • Typical total: $130–$250
  • Points: 3 points
  • Notes: Traffic survival school available for point reduction. 8+ points in 12 months triggers hearing.

Arkansas

  • Base fine: $25–$100
  • Typical total: $100–$250
  • Points: 3 points
  • Notes: Points expire after 3 years.

California

  • Base fine: $35–$70
  • Typical total: $230–$490
  • Points: 1 point
  • Notes: California’s penalty assessment multiplier results in the highest total costs in the country. Traffic Violator School masks the point from insurance records (once every 18 months).

Colorado

  • Base fine: $30–$100
  • Typical total: $100–$200
  • Points: 1–4 points depending on speed
  • Notes: 12+ points in 12 months (or 18 in 24 months) triggers suspension.

Connecticut

  • Base fine: $35–$90
  • Typical total: $150–$300
  • Points: 1–3 points
  • Notes: Driving school available for point reduction (once every 5 years).

Delaware

  • Base fine: $25–$100
  • Typical total: $100–$200
  • Points: 2–5 points
  • Notes: 12+ points in 12 months triggers suspension.

Florida

  • Base fine: $129–$204
  • Typical total: $166–$276
  • Points: 3 points
  • Notes: BDI (Basic Driver Improvement) course available for election before due date — prevents points and protects insurance record. One use per 12 months.

Georgia

  • Base fine: $0–$100 (plus mandatory fees)
  • Typical total: $150–$300
  • Points: 2–3 points
  • Notes: Super Speeder law adds $200 for speeds 75+ mph on two-lane roads or 85+ mph anywhere. Defensive driving course available for point reduction (once every 5 years).

Hawaii

  • Base fine: $97–$200
  • Typical total: $97–$200 (fees relatively low)
  • Points: No point system
  • Notes: Hawaii does not use a point system. Violations go directly on driving record.

Idaho

  • Base fine: $67–$139
  • Typical total: $90–$180
  • Points: 3 points
  • Notes: 12–17 points in 12 months triggers suspension.

Illinois

  • Base fine: $120+
  • Typical total: $120–$200
  • Points: No traditional point system
  • Notes: Illinois uses a court supervision system rather than points. Court supervision keeps the conviction off your record if you complete a monitoring period without violations.

Indiana

  • Base fine: $25–$500
  • Typical total: $150–$350
  • Points: 2–8 points depending on speed
  • Notes: 14–20 points triggers suspension depending on age.

Iowa

  • Base fine: $20–$100
  • Typical total: $100–$230
  • Points: None (Iowa does not use a point system)
  • Notes: Habitual violator status based on violation count, not points.

Kansas

  • Base fine: $45–$200
  • Typical total: $100–$300
  • Points: 3 points
  • Notes: 3 convictions in 12 months or 8 points in 24 months triggers suspension.

Kentucky

  • Base fine: $20–$100
  • Typical total: $100–$200
  • Points: 3 points
  • Notes: Defensive driving course available for point reduction (once every 5 years, max 3 points).

Louisiana

  • Base fine: $115–$215
  • Typical total: $200–$400
  • Points: 2–4 points
  • Notes: Louisiana has some of the highest surcharge multipliers in the South.

Maine

  • Base fine: $75–$500
  • Typical total: $75–$500 (Maine fees are relatively straightforward)
  • Points: No traditional point system
  • Notes: Maine uses a demerit system; 12 demerits in 12 months triggers suspension.

Maryland

  • Base fine: $80–$160
  • Typical total: $80–$160 + $45–$75 court costs
  • Points: 1–5 points
  • Notes: 8+ points triggers license suspension proceedings. Defensive driving course reduces 3 points (once every 3 years).

Massachusetts

  • Base fine: $100–$200
  • Typical total: $100–$200 + $50 surcharge
  • Points: Not a traditional point system; uses surchargeable event system
  • Notes: A single moving violation surcharges your insurance. Safe Driver Insurance Plan tracks events for 6 years.

Michigan

  • Base fine: $100–$200
  • Typical total: $100–$200 + driver responsibility fees (suspended in 2018, check current status)
  • Points: 3 points
  • Notes: 12+ points in 2 years triggers mandatory review.

Minnesota

  • Base fine: $30–$140
  • Typical total: $120–$300
  • Points: No standard point system
  • Notes: MN uses a conviction-based system. 3 convictions in a year triggers a hearing.

Mississippi

  • Base fine: $100–$200
  • Typical total: $150–$300
  • Points: 3 points
  • Notes: Defensive driving course can reduce 3 points (once per year).

Missouri

  • Base fine: $50–$200
  • Typical total: $100–$300
  • Points: 3 points
  • Notes: 12 points in 12 months triggers suspension. Defensive driving course reduces 4 points (once every 3 years).

Montana

  • Base fine: $40–$200
  • Typical total: $100–$300
  • Points: 3 points
  • Notes: 30 points in 3 years triggers suspension.

Nebraska

  • Base fine: $25–$300
  • Typical total: $75–$400
  • Points: 2 points
  • Notes: 12 points in 2 years triggers suspension.

Nevada

  • Base fine: $20–$120
  • Typical total: $100–$300
  • Points: 1–3 points
  • Notes: Traffic school (NDEP) available for dismissal (once every 12 months for minor violations).

New Hampshire

  • Base fine: $62–$250
  • Typical total: $62–$250
  • Points: No standard point system
  • Notes: Demerit system tracks violations for 3 years.

New Jersey

  • Base fine: $85–$260
  • Typical total: $85–$260 + $250 surcharge for 6 points in 3 years
  • Points: 2–5 points
  • Notes: High surcharge system. 12+ points triggers suspension. Defensive driving course reduces 3 points (once every 5 years).

New Mexico

  • Base fine: $25–$200
  • Typical total: $75–$300
  • Points: 3 points
  • Notes: Defensive driving course available for reduction (once every 7 years).

New York

  • Base fine: $90–$300 (10–30 mph over)
  • Typical total: $93–$303 + $88–$93 driver assessment surcharge
  • Points: 3–6 points depending on speed
  • Notes: PIRP (Point and Insurance Reduction Program) removes up to 4 points and qualifies for insurance discount. Does not dismiss the ticket.

North Carolina

  • Base fine: $10–$50 (plus fees)
  • Typical total: $100–$250
  • Points: 2–3 points
  • Notes: Defensive driving course can dismiss certain minor violations (once every 5 years with court approval).

North Dakota

  • Base fine: $5–$30 (plus fees)
  • Typical total: $50–$150
  • Points: Not a traditional point system
  • Notes: Lower fine schedule than most states.

Ohio

  • Base fine: $50–$150
  • Typical total: $100–$200
  • Points: 2–4 points
  • Notes: 12 points in 2 years triggers suspension. Defensive driving course can reduce 2 points (once every 3 years).

Oklahoma

  • Base fine: $10–$100
  • Typical total: $100–$200
  • Points: 2 points
  • Notes: Defensive driving course available for dismissal (once every 12 months).

Oregon

  • Base fine: $115–$440
  • Typical total: $115–$440
  • Points: No point system (uses violation count)
  • Notes: Oregon’s base fines include fees — totals are relatively straightforward.

Pennsylvania

  • Base fine: $35–$75
  • Typical total: $100–$200
  • Points: 2–3 points
  • Notes: 6 points triggers written exam; 11 points triggers suspension. Defensive driving course reduces 3 points (once every 12 months).

Rhode Island

  • Base fine: $75–$150
  • Typical total: $75–$150 + court costs
  • Points: No standard point system
  • Notes: RI uses an assessment system.

South Carolina

  • Base fine: $15–$200
  • Typical total: $100–$300
  • Points: 2–4 points
  • Notes: 12 points in 3 years triggers suspension. Defensive driving course reduces 4 points (once every 3 years).

South Dakota

  • Base fine: $10–$100
  • Typical total: $50–$200
  • Points: No standard point system
  • Notes: Habitual violator system tracks convictions.

Tennessee

  • Base fine: $40–$150
  • Typical total: $100–$300
  • Points: 1–4 points
  • Notes: 12 points in 12 months triggers suspension. Defensive driving course reduces 3 points (once per year).

Texas

  • Base fine: $100–$200
  • Typical total: $150–$304
  • Points: 2 points
  • Notes: Defensive driving course available for full ticket dismissal (once per 12 months). Must notify court before deadline. Most favorable dismissal rules in the country.

Utah

  • Base fine: $50–$200
  • Typical total: $100–$300
  • Points: 35–55 points (Utah uses a different point scale)
  • Notes: Utah’s point scale is much higher numerically — 200 points in 3 years triggers suspension review.

Vermont

  • Base fine: $50–$500
  • Typical total: $50–$500
  • Points: No traditional point system
  • Notes: Vermont tracks convictions directly.

Virginia

  • Base fine: $6 per mph over + $51 fine
  • Typical total: $100–$300+
  • Points: 3–6 points
  • Notes: Virginia has strict reckless driving laws — 20+ mph over the limit OR any speed over 85 mph is a criminal reckless driving charge, not a traffic infraction.

Washington

  • Base fine: $136–$250
  • Typical total: $136–$250
  • Points: No standard point system
  • Notes: WA uses a different tracking system. Defensive driving course available for insurance discount but does not affect record.

West Virginia

  • Base fine: $100–$500
  • Typical total: $100–$500 + court costs
  • Points: 3–9 points
  • Notes: 12 points in 2 years triggers suspension.

Wisconsin

  • Base fine: $20–$300
  • Typical total: $100–$400
  • Points: 3–6 points
  • Notes: 12 points in 12 months triggers suspension. Defensive driving course reduces 3 points (once every 3 years).

Wyoming

  • Base fine: $30–$120
  • Typical total: $75–$200
  • Points: 3 points
  • Notes: 15 points in 24 months triggers suspension.

The Hidden Cost in Every State: Insurance

Every state’s table above shows fines and fees — but as covered in our speeding ticket cost guide, the insurance rate increase is typically the largest component of a ticket’s real cost. That impact doesn’t vary by state so much as by your insurer, your prior record, and the violation severity.

The states with the highest fines (California, New Jersey, Virginia) are not necessarily where a ticket costs the most in total once insurance impact is included.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the total so much higher than the base fine?
Every state layers penalty assessments, fund contributions, and court fees on top of the base fine. California is the most extreme example — a $35 base fine becomes $238 after assessments. This is standard across all states, just varying in how aggressively it’s applied.

Do out-of-state tickets cost more?
The fine is set by the state where the violation occurred. You pay the same amount as a resident of that state would for the same violation. The insurance impact follows you home through the Driver License Compact, which most states participate in.

Can I negotiate the fine?
In some jurisdictions, yes — particularly at arraignment where you can ask about reduced charges or payment plans. The base fine schedule is generally fixed, but surcharges are sometimes waivable for demonstrated hardship. Ask the court directly.

Does a speeding ticket cost more at night or on weekends?
Not typically based on time of day. School zone and construction zone multipliers are the most common location-based increases. Some states have enhanced penalties for violations that occur when a fatal accident is also present, but standard speeding tickets don’t vary by time.

The Bottom Line

Speeding ticket costs vary widely by state — and the total is always higher than the base fine on the citation. Before you pay, check whether dismissal is available in your state. The difference between dismissal and conviction is often more than the entire fine amount, once you account for the insurance impact that follows.

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