Driving above the speed limit is illegal, and if you’re caught, you’ll likely get a speeding ticket. The cost of a speeding ticket varies based on the details of the offense, like how fast you drove over the speed limit, your location, and your past driving record.1
But ticket cost isn’t the only thing you have to worry about. Speeding tickets affect your driving record, which could make your car insurance rate go up. Here’s what you need to know about the true cost of a speeding violation.
How much does a speeding ticket cost?
A speeding ticket costs anywhere from $75 to $400, depending on where you live and the situation. But you could pay much more, depending on state laws and the severity of the offense.
Additional costs — including court fees and higher insurance premiums — can increase the cost of your ticket. For instance, in California, overall costs are usually five times the fine amount. Most states charge different fines, depending on how fast you were going over the speed limit and whether you were speeding in a school zone or construction zone. If you were breaking other laws while speeding, you might have to pay additional fines.
Consequences of a speeding ticket
Penalties for speeding often go beyond the ticket cost. Other potential consequences can include:2
Higher insurance premiums
Loss of auto insurance coverage
Points added to your license or driving record
Court fees and other legal penalties
Conviction for a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the circumstances
Requirement to take a driving safety course
How speeding tickets affect your car insurance premiums
A speeding ticket usually results in a rate increase with your insurer.3 The national average cost of liability insurance without a ticket is $104 per month, compared to $130 per month for drivers with a ticket, Insurify data shows.
Getting caught speeding often indicates to insurers that you might not be driving safely and could be at higher risk of getting into an accident and filing a claim.
How much your insurance increases depends on the state where you were speeding and the situation. For example, your rate might be higher if an officer cites you for excessive speeding or reckless driving. And first-time offenders might not see an increase as significant as someone with prior tickets.
What to do after receiving a speeding ticket
If you’re caught speeding and get a ticket, here’s what to do next:
Pay the ticket. You may be able to pay your ticket online, in person, by mail, or over the phone.
Contest the ticket in court. Follow the instructions on the ticket to schedule a court appearance. Then, show up for your court date and plead your case. Your ticket may be reduced or waived.
Get legal representation. For more serious cases, like reckless driving, consider hiring a lawyer that specializes in traffic violations. They can help you navigate the court system and develop a strategy to contest the ticket.
Take a defensive driving course. If you’re willing to go to traffic school, you might reduce the effect on your car insurance premiums and the length of time a citation affects your record.
How to read a speeding ticket
Your speeding ticket contains many types of information, including date of issue, name of the agency issuing the ticket (such as a city or state), citation description, and name and badge number of the police officer. Your personal and vehicle information is also usually on a ticket.
Most tickets include information about how to make payment or schedule a court date to contest the charges.
Factors affecting the cost of speeding tickets
The following factors influence the cost of a speeding ticket:
Cheapest companies for drivers with a ticket
Your insurance company might charge a higher rate after a speeding ticket. COUNTRY Financial offers the cheapest rates for drivers with a speeding ticket, at an average of $38 per month for liability coverage.
The table below shows what drivers pay with different companies and which are cheapest after you get a speeding violation.
How to get cheap insurance after a speeding ticket
If your insurance rate goes up after a speeding ticket, you may be able to take steps to save on car insurance:
Take a defensive driving course to learn driver safety skills.
Find out if your insurer has a telematics program to monitor your habits, which can reduce your premium if you show you can be a safe driver.
Avoid other violations and tickets in the future to keep premiums low.
Shop around for better rates.