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How much is a speeding ticket?
Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Key takeaways
- The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) estimates that speeding accounted for 29 percent of crash fatalities in 2022.
- Driving even 5 mph over a road’s speed limit can cause an increase in traffic fatalities of up to 8 percent, as reported by the IIHS.
- Data collected by the General Highway Safety Association shows that teen drivers accounted for 43 percent of all traffic fatalities between 2015 and 2019, where speeding was a factor.
- Data from the National Safety Council reports that on average, speeding was a factor in 33 traffic fatalities per day in 2022.
How much does a speeding ticket cost?
How much a speeding ticket is depends on several factors, including how fast you were going over the posted speed limit, the state you received the ticket in and if you violated other laws, like speeding in a school zone. Here are some factors that contribute to the overall cost of a speeding ticket:
- Speed: Your actual speed may significantly impact the cost of your speeding ticket, with higher speeds sometimes leading to criminal charges, license suspensions and even jail time.
- State: Speeding ticket fines in Oregon can be as low as $65 for going no more than 10 miles or as much as $2,000 for 30 or more miles over the posted limit. You could also receive another fine of up to $875 for speeding in a special construction or school zone. In Nevada, the same speeds over the limit can result in fines of $150 and up to $1,000, respectively, with an additional fine of $415 for speeding in a school zone. Fines are comparatively smaller in Louisiana, ranging from $100 to $300.
- Zone: If you are caught speeding in a high-risk area, such as a school, work or construction zone, you could face much steeper penalties than you would on a regular roadway.
- Additional infractions: If a police officer observes you committing other infractions while speeding, such as reckless or drunk driving, the consequences of your speeding ticket are likely to be much more severe.
- Associated costs: Your speeding ticket cost will increase if you have to go to court, which typically incurs court fees. You may also have to pay to have your license reinstated if it’s suspended, a vehicle registration reinstatement fee if your registration gets suspended, impound fees if your car is towed and attorney’s fees if you need representation in court. Lost wages may also factor into your speeding ticket costs if you have to miss work for court, community service or jail time.
- Prior driving record: If you have a history of speeding or multiple moving violations on your record, you may be charged a higher fee than if it was your first infraction. In Massachusetts, for instance, receiving three or more speeding tickets within a 12-month period could result in a license suspension.
- Insurance surcharges: Even after you pay your ticket, you'll likely be on the hook financially for higher insurance premiums when your policy renews.
Other speeding ticket penalties
The consequences of speeding aren’t just limited to receiving a ticket, fine or time in court. If you get a speeding ticket, you may also experience:
Will a speeding ticket increase my car insurance rate?
The average cost of car insurance is $2,638 per year for a full coverage policy. A driver with a speeding ticket conviction on their record pays an average of $3,204 annually. For minimum coverage with a speeding ticket, drivers pay an average of $923 yearly, but those with a clean record pay an average of $767. In most cases, drivers can expect speeding tickets to impact their insurance rates for three to five years, depending on the carrier.
Insurance companies tend to view drivers with a speeding ticket as higher risk and more likely to cause an accident, so they often raise their premiums to reflect this risk. However, it is important to note that if your ticket is dismissed, it should not affect your rate. Some states also allow you to take a course to remove points from your license. That said, since the point systems differ for states and insurance companies, removing points from your license may not change your insurance premium.
Speeding ticket costs by state
If you are still trying to answer the question, how much is a speeding ticket? The answer is, it’s tricky to know. That’s because costs for speeding, including penalties and car insurance hikes, vary greatly. Here is a quick look at the most and least expensive states for increased car insurance rates after one speeding ticket.
What are the most expensive states for car insurance after a speeding ticket?
To determine the most expensive states for a speeding ticket in terms of your car insurance costs, we looked at the total average full coverage premium for drivers with a single speeding ticket on their record. The three most expensive states are Florida, Louisiana and New York according to our research.
- Florida: $4,845 per year — 51 percent above national average
- Louisiana: $4,830 per year — 50 percent above national average
- Nevada: $4,218 per year — 31 percent above national average
- New York: $4,135 per year — 29 percent above national average
- California: $4,109 per year — 28 percent above national average
What are the least expensive states for car insurance after a speeding ticket?
Car insurance companies in some states are more forgiving than others. If you receive a speeding ticket in Maine, Vermont or Idaho, you may be able to find cheap car insurance without much hassle. Other states like Hawaii, Texas and South Dakota all tend to have lower car insurance rates after speeding as well. Note that these states have some of the lowest average rates to begin with, so low rates after a speeding ticket may also be attributed to low overall average rates.
- Vermont: $1,598 per year — 50 percent below national average
- Idaho: $1,675 per year — 48 percent below national average
- Hawaii: $1,836 per year — 43 percent below national average
- Ohio: $1,925 per year — 40 percent below national average
- Maine: $1,956 per year — 39 percent below national average
Average cost of a speeding ticket by state
The average cost of a speeding ticket varies significantly by state, with some states imposing much stricter penalties than others. For more information regarding the fines and court costs associated with your speeding violation, please reach out to the court directly or refer back to your ticket.
The table below demonstrates the average premium increase you could expect on your full coverage car insurance policy, outside of fines and court costs. As shown, how much your car insurance will increase may depend on where you live. However, keep in mind that your driving record is only one factor that influences your rate. The type of vehicle you drive, your annual mileage, and in some states, your gender and credit history can also impact how much you pay for insurance.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,484
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$602
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,748
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$619
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$3,403
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$1,031
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$3,007
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$619
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$4,109
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$972
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$3,862
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$731
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$3,324
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$1,309
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$3,375
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$1,157
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$4,845
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$1,358
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$3,656
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$1,316
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$1,836
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$457
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$1,675
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$427
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,874
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$793
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,112
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$506
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,202
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$395
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,994
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$699
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$3,306
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$931
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$4,830
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$1,271
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$1,956
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$509
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$3,322
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$1,185
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,708
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$672
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$3,771
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$1,032
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$3,073
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$908
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,560
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$602
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,956
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$786
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,756
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$480
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,713
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$592
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$4,218
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$1,372
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,102
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$561
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$3,109
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$1,247
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,561
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$526
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$4,135
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$1,776
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$3,043
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$904
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,140
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$476
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$1,925
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$515
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$3,229
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$664
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,423
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$1,012
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,753
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$611
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$3,491
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$1,117
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,435
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$771
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,664
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$429
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,543
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$658
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,825
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$809
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,581
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$955
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$1,598
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$353
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,591
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$846
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,204
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$655
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,570
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$678
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,307
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$527
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$2,438
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$327
|
|
Avg. annual full coverage premium
$3,343
|
Avg. annual min. coverage premium
$971
|
Is a speeding ticket a misdemeanor or a felony?
How a speeding ticket is classified depends on several factors. Based on your jurisdiction, your speeding offense may be considered an infraction, misdemeanor or felony. Most moving violations are treated as a simple infraction or violation and have no associated criminal penalty. This can include speeding and other minor offenses such as failing to stop, yield, signal, use proper lighting or use your seat belt.
Your driving history and the severity of the event may also impact how your speeding ticket is classified. When there is property damage, injuries or death, you are likely to face harsher penalties than an incident with no associated losses. Additionally, some states classify a certain number of miles per hour above the posted limit as reckless driving, which could be a misdemeanor or felony. If you speed in a school zone, you will almost always face more severe consequences. Drivers with a record that includes multiple speeding violations or other infractions are also likely to face harsher consequences than drivers with a clean driving record.
There is a difference in how violations are tried in court. Generally, less severe offenses are heard in traffic court, while more severe offenses may be tried in criminal court. However, this varies based on state and local jurisdiction law.
Typical differences between traffic court and criminal court
Traffic court | Criminal court |
---|---|
Minor speeding | Extreme speeding (15 mph or more) |
Failing to stop at a stop sign | Property damage |
Running a red light | Driving under the influence (DUI) |
Texting while driving | Driving while intoxicated (DWI) |
Following too closely | Reckless driving |
Changing lanes unsafely | Vehicular homicide or manslaughter |
Keep in mind: Most speeding cases are handled in traffic court unless it is a more severe case involving a repeat offender or one resulting in an accident that incurs damages and losses of some kind. If you are unsure about how your jurisdiction treats various speeding offenses, check your local laws or speak with a local attorney.
How can I find cheap car insurance after a speeding ticket?
Finding cheap car insurance after a speeding ticket is possible, but it may take a little extra legwork. Below you’ll find a few strategies that might help you find affordable coverage.
Shop around
Requesting quotes from multiple insurance companies after a change in your driving record is a common way to ensure you’re getting the most competitive rate, as some carriers weigh speeding tickets more heavily than others. Be upfront about your ticket and claim history with the company. Many companies wait to run your motor vehicle record (MVR) until you agree to purchase the policy, so failure to disclose blemishes on your driving record could cause your quoted rate to be lower than your actual final rate.
Consider attending a driving course
Some states will remove a speeding ticket or corresponding license points from your record if you complete a voluntary driving course. You might even be able to take this class online rather than in person. However, each state (and insurance company) has different guidelines. For more information, you may want to contact your DMV as well as your insurance agent.
Take advantage of telematics and discounts
Many car insurance companies now offer telematics programs, and depending on your driving habits, this discount could save you quite a bit on your premium. Telematics may also be an excellent incentive to drive safely, which, over time, may lower your overall premium and make driving within the posted speed limit a habit that sticks. Other car insurance discounts like auto and home insurance bundles and membership affiliations may also help lower your premium. Discounts and their impact on your premium can vary significantly by insurance company, so it’s worth asking your agent about what discounts are available so you can ensure you’re taking advantage of all the savings you qualify for.
Avoid future tickets and accidents
Maintaining a clean driving record by steering clear of traffic violations and accidents may be one of the best things you can do to maintain a low auto insurance rate. Insurance providers typically view drivers with blemish-free records as low-risk, translating into lower insurance rates. Conversely, infractions and collisions can lead to surcharges or elevated premiums, as insurers typically categorize such drivers as higher risk. Avoiding tickets and accidents may help keep you safe behind the wheel and save you money on your premium. It can also make you eligible for safe driving and claims-free discounts, resulting in even lower insurance rates.
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze January 2025 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a single, 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2023 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base) and single speeding ticket.