How much does a speeding ticket cost?

Speeding is an expensive mistake that many of us make while driving at some point in our lives. If you have a speeding ticket on your driving record, you can expect to pay $367 more per year for a full coverage policy than someone who does not have any tickets. You would have to pay your ticket fee in addition to the increased premium. StrongInsurance has broken down the key information you need to know after receiving a speeding ticket so you can plan your budget accordingly.

How much does a speeding ticket cost?

According to Quadrant Information Services data for 2022, drivers with a speeding ticket pay an average of $2,138 per year for a full coverage policy and $657 per year for minimum coverage. In comparison, the average annual full coverage policy premium for a driver with a clean driving record is $1,771 for full coverage and $545 for minimum coverage.

The amount of the fine for speeding depends on the circumstances. The amount you must pay should be listed on your ticket, but you should contact the court if you have any further questions. The following factors can influence the amount of your speeding fine:

• Speed: The cost of your speeding ticket is heavily influenced by your actual speed, with higher speeds sometimes resulting in criminal charges, license suspensions, and even jail time. In Virginia, for example, any speeding ticket for exceeding the speed limit by 20 miles or more is considered reckless driving.
• State: Where you are cited for speeding matters. Nevada, for example, has much harsher penalties for speeding than other states. Louisiana drivers, who already have the highest average annual full coverage car insurance rates in the country at $2,864, see a $607 increase in their car insurance after just one speeding ticket.
• Zone: If you are caught speeding in a high-risk area, such as a school, work, or construction zone, you may face much harsher penalties than if you were caught 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 will most likely be much harsher. In these cases, what would have been a simple speeding ticket may now result in 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 fine than if this is your first offense.

Other penalties of speeding tickets

The consequences of speeding include more than just a ticket, fine, or time in court. If you receive a speeding ticket, you may also encounter:

• Bodily injury: Speeding is dangerous, and it is possible that you will injure yourself if an accident occurs. Furthermore, if you hit someone and injure or kill them while speeding, the penalties will be much harsher.
• License suspensions: If your offense is serious enough or your driving record shows a pattern of speeding, your license could be suspended for up to a year.
• Points: Speeding is an easy way to accumulate points on your driver record, which can result in expensive fines, license suspensions, and even having your car impounded. Points will also increase your car insurance rates.

How does a speeding ticket impact your insurance?

For a full coverage policy, the average annual cost of car insurance is $1,771. A speeding ticket, on the other hand, costs $2,138 per year. Drivers pay an average of $657 per year for minimum coverage with a speeding ticket, but those with a clean record typically pay around $545. Speeding tickets usually result in a three-year surcharge on your insurance policy.

Drivers with a speeding ticket are perceived by insurance companies as higher risk and more likely to cause an accident, so their premiums are raised to reflect this risk. It is important to note, however, that if your ticket is dismissed, it should have no effect on your rate. In some states, you can also take a course to remove points from your license.

Speeding ticket costs by state

The costs of speeding, including penalties and increased car insurance, vary greatly. Here's a quick rundown of the most and least expensive states for increased car insurance rates after a single speeding ticket.

Most expensive states for car insurance after a speeding ticket

We looked at the total average full coverage premium for drivers with a single speeding ticket on their record to determine the most expensive states for a speeding ticket in terms of your car insurance costs. According to our research, the three most expensive states are Louisiana, Florida, and New York.

Least expensive states for car insurance after a speeding ticket

Some states' car insurance companies are more forgiving than others. If you get a speeding ticket in Maine, Vermont, or Idaho, you should have no trouble finding cheap car insurance. Other states, such as Hawaii, Washington, and Wisconsin, have lower car insurance increases after speeding as well.

Speeding ticket costs by state

The penalties for speeding vary greatly by state, with some imposing far harsher penalties than others.

Court fees and fines are additional.

Is a speeding ticket a misdemeanor or a felony?

Several factors influence how a speeding ticket is classified. Your speeding offense may be classified as an infraction, misdemeanor, or felony depending on your jurisdiction. Most speeding tickets are treated as minor infractions or violations with no criminal consequences. This includes speeding as well as other minor offenses like failing to stop, yield, signal, use proper lighting, or wear your seat belt.

The severity of the event, as well as your driving history, may influence how your speeding ticket is classified. When there is property damage, injuries, or death, the penalties are likely to be harsher than in an incident with no associated losses. Furthermore, some states consider exceeding the posted speed limit to be reckless driving, which can result in a misdemeanor or felony. When you speed in a school zone, you almost always face harsher penalties. Drivers with a history of multiple speeding violations or other infractions are also more likely to face harsher penalties than those with a clean driving record.

There is a distinction in how violations are prosecuted in court. Less serious offenses are typically heard in traffic court, while more serious offenses may be tried in criminal court. This, however, varies according to state and local jurisdiction law.

Typical Differences Between Traffic Court and Criminal Court

Unless it is a more serious case involving a repeat offender or one resulting in an accident with damages and losses, most speeding cases are handled in traffic court. If you are unsure how your jurisdiction handles various speeding offenses, consult your local laws or a local attorney.

Do I need a speeding ticket lawyer?

The decision to hire a traffic lawyer for your speeding ticket is a personal one, and having a lawyer's defense for the infraction may have both advantages and disadvantages.

"Even with something as simple as a traffic ticket, there's a lot at stake," say North Carolina lawyers Kurtz & Blum. "Having a good traffic lawyer from the start will almost certainly save you time and money."

Ultimately, hiring a traffic lawyer is a personal choice. A traffic lawyer may be able to spot errors on your ticket that you are likely to overlook, and these errors may result in your ticket being thrown out of court. However, lawyers are not cheap, and finding one with whom you want to work may require some legwork. Fighting a traffic ticket in court will also require you to take time out of your schedule, which may result in missed work. All of this may be worthwhile if your ticket is serious.

When making your decision, you must weigh the cost and time associated with hiring a lawyer against the amount of your fine, court costs, and the possibility of increased insurance premiums if the ticket remains on your record.