Speeding Ticket Calculator
Estimate your speeding fine for all 50 US states — including court fees, surcharges, and license points.
Estimated Total Fine
includes base fine, court fees & surcharges
mph over limit
license points
reckless risk
Potential Reckless Driving Charge
At this speed you may face reckless driving charges — a criminal offense in most states carrying significantly higher fines, mandatory court appearance, and possible license suspension or jail time.
Estimates are based on typical base fines, court costs, and surcharges for each state. Actual fines vary by jurisdiction, judge, and circumstances. Not legal advice.
How Much Is a Speeding Ticket?
A speeding ticket in the United States typically costs between $150 and $500 for a standard highway violation — but the actual amount depends heavily on your state, how far over the limit you were driving, and the type of road. Many drivers are surprised to discover that the fine on the citation is only the starting point: court fees, administrative surcharges, and road-type multipliers can double or triple the base amount by the time the ticket is settled.
The average speeding ticket cost across all 50 states is roughly $150–$300 for going 10 mph over the limit on a highway, including typical court fees and surcharges. That figure climbs to $300–$500 at 20 mph over, and at 25–30 mph over you may enter reckless driving territory in many states — where criminal misdemeanor charges replace the civil fine entirely.
What Factors Determine Speeding Ticket Cost?
Miles Per Hour Over the Limit
Every state charges a base fine plus a per-mph fee for each mile per hour above the posted limit. Going 5 mph over might cost $150; going 30 mph over in the same state could reach $500 before any surcharges are applied. Use the speeding ticket calculator above to see the exact per-mph rate for your state.
Road Type
School zones and construction zones dramatically multiply the fine. Most states double fines in active construction zones, and school zone fines are typically 2–2.5× the highway rate. Louisiana triples school zone fines when children are present — the highest multiplier in the country.
State-Specific Surcharges
Court fees and mandatory surcharges vary widely and are often larger than the base fine itself. California's Penalty Assessment system multiplies base fines by 3–4× through layered state and county fees. New Jersey adds a $150/year MVC surcharge for three years once you accumulate 6 points. Georgia's Super Speeder Law automatically adds $200 for speeds of 75+ mph on a two-lane road or 85+ mph anywhere in the state.
Reckless Driving Threshold
Every state sets a speed at which a standard infraction becomes a criminal charge. Virginia treats any speed of 80+ mph as a criminal misdemeanor. Arkansas's threshold is just 15 mph over the limit. Crossing this line means court appearances, potential jail time, and a permanent criminal record — not just a higher fine.
How Much Is a Speeding Ticket in Key States?
California speeding ticket cost
One of the most expensive in the nation due to the Penalty Assessment system. Going 10 mph over on a California highway typically totals $285–$399 including all surcharges — roughly 3–4× the base fine. Traffic school is available once every 18 months to mask the ticket from your DMV record.
Texas speeding ticket cost
Texas repealed its Driver Responsibility Surcharge in 2019, simplifying the cost structure. A typical 10 mph over highway violation costs $270–$378. Texas allows a defensive driving dismissal once every 12 months — an approved course removes the conviction entirely.
Georgia speeding ticket cost
Standard violations run $235–$329, but Georgia's Super Speeder Law adds $200 for speeds of 75+ mph on a two-lane road or 85+ mph anywhere — making aggressive speeding among the most expensive in the Southeast.
New York speeding ticket cost
New York's layered system — base fine, $6/mph surcharge, mandatory fees, and the Driver Responsibility Assessment ($100+/year for 3 years over 6 points) — typically totals $235–$329 for 10 mph over, with the long-term insurance cost far exceeding that.
Arizona speeding ticket cost
Arizona charges $15 base plus $6/mph over, with approximately $160 in court costs. A 15 mph over violation typically totals $235–$330. Arizona also operates an extensive photo-radar network — unserved photo tickets do not go on your record.
Ohio speeding ticket cost
Ohio is more moderate at $165–$231 for 10 mph over on a highway. The state enforces actively on the I-70, I-71, I-75, and I-90 corridors and uses a 12-point-in-24-months threshold before license suspension.
Beyond the Fine: Insurance and License Points
The fine is only the beginning of the total speeding ticket cost. A conviction typically raises auto insurance premiums by 20–35%, with that surcharge lasting 3–5 years. A single $250 speeding ticket can generate $1,000–$2,000 in additional insurance premiums over the surcharge period — making the long-term cost far greater than the citation alone.
License points compound the impact further. Most states use a point system where accumulating too many within a set window — typically 12 months to 3 years — triggers suspension, mandatory DMV hearings, or required improvement courses. The speeding ticket cost calculator above shows both the estimated fine and license points for your state, so you can decide whether to pay, contest, or request traffic school.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about speeding ticket costs, laws, and what to do after getting a ticket.
How much is a speeding ticket?
A speeding ticket in the United States typically costs $150–$500 for a standard highway violation. The exact amount depends on your state, how many miles per hour over the limit you were going, and road type. Court fees and surcharges often double or triple the base fine — use the calculator above to get a state-specific estimate.
How much is a speeding ticket in California?
A speeding ticket in California costs $285–$399 for going 10 mph over the limit, $360–$504 for 15 mph over, and up to $700+ for 25 mph over — all due to California's Penalty Assessment system that multiplies the base fine by 3–4× through state and county surcharges. Traffic school is available once every 18 months to prevent the violation from appearing on your DMV record.
How much is a speeding ticket in Texas?
A speeding ticket in Texas typically costs $270–$378 for going 10 mph over the limit, including court fees. Texas repealed its Driver Responsibility Surcharge in 2019, eliminating annual surcharges on top of the fine. Texas allows a defensive driving dismissal once every 12 months — complete a state-approved course and the ticket is dismissed with no conviction on your record.
How much is a speeding ticket in Florida?
A speeding ticket in Florida typically costs $175–$245 for going 10 mph over the limit on a highway. Fines escalate significantly at higher speeds, and going 30+ mph over in a school zone requires a mandatory court appearance. Florida's Adjudication Withheld option through traffic school lets eligible first-time speeders avoid points being recorded on their license.
How much is a speeding ticket in Georgia?
A standard speeding ticket in Georgia costs $235–$329 for 10 mph over the limit. Georgia's Super Speeder Law adds a mandatory $200 state fee for anyone convicted of driving 75+ mph on a two-lane road or 85+ mph anywhere in the state — applied automatically upon conviction regardless of driving record. Out-of-state drivers are not exempt.
How much is a speeding ticket in New York?
A speeding ticket in New York typically costs $235–$329 for 10 mph over the limit. New York's Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA) adds $100/year for 3 years once you accumulate 6+ points in 18 months — plus $25 per additional point per year. A conviction for going 31+ mph over adds 6 points alone, immediately triggering the DRA.
How many points is a speeding ticket?
A speeding ticket typically adds 2–5 points to your license depending on the state and speed. Going 1–10 mph over generally adds 2 points, 11–20 mph over adds 3 points, 21–30 mph over adds 4 points, and 30+ mph over adds 5 points. Most states trigger a suspension review at 8–12 points within a 1–2 year window. Texas has no state DMV point system.
Can a speeding ticket affect my insurance?
Yes — a speeding ticket conviction typically raises auto insurance premiums by 20–35% for 3–5 years. A single $250 fine can generate $1,000–$2,000 in additional insurance premiums over the surcharge period. Attending traffic school where available prevents the conviction from appearing on your driving record, blocking the insurance surcharge entirely.
How do I fight a speeding ticket?
You can fight a speeding ticket by contesting it at a court hearing, requesting traffic school for a dismissal, or hiring a traffic attorney to negotiate a reduced charge or non-moving violation plea. In many states, a deferred judgment — where the ticket is dismissed after a clean period without further violations — is available for first-time offenders. Appearing in court rather than paying online almost always produces a better outcome.
What happens if I don't pay a speeding ticket?
If you don't pay a speeding ticket, most states add late fees that can double or triple the original fine. Continued non-payment typically leads to a license suspension, a hold on your vehicle registration, and in some states a warrant for your arrest. Most states participate in interstate compacts, meaning an unpaid ticket in one state can cause your home state to suspend your license.
How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record?
A speeding ticket typically stays on your driving record for 3–5 years in most states, though this varies. Oregon points expire after 12 months; New Hampshire keeps them for 7 years. For insurance purposes, most insurers look back 3–5 years when calculating your premium. Attending traffic school often prevents the ticket from ever appearing on your record.
What is reckless driving vs speeding?
Speeding is a civil traffic infraction — you pay a fine and receive points. Reckless driving is a criminal misdemeanor in most states, appearing on your permanent criminal record with potential jail time and mandatory suspension. The threshold varies: Virginia treats 80+ mph as automatic reckless driving; most states set it at 20–30 mph over the limit; Arkansas's threshold is just 15 mph over.
How much does a speeding ticket cost on average?
The average speeding ticket cost in the United States is approximately $150–$300 for going 10 mph over the limit on a highway, including court fees. North Dakota averages as low as $110–$154 for a standard violation, while California and Nevada can exceed $350–$500 for the same infraction. The total long-term cost including insurance increases is typically $1,000–$2,000 per ticket.
What is the most expensive state for speeding tickets?
California, Nevada, and New Jersey are consistently among the most expensive states for speeding tickets. California's Penalty Assessment system multiplies base fines by 3–4×. Nevada charges $7/mph over the limit plus $160 in court costs. New Jersey's mandatory MVC surcharge adds $150/year for 3 years beyond the initial fine. Illinois also ranks high with a $75 base fine and mandatory 6-month suspension for going 31+ mph over.