How Much Is a Speeding Ticket in California? [2024]

Picture this: You’re driving down the highway. Suddenly, you see those blue lights flashing behind you. You just got a speeding ticket.

Uh oh. How much is this going to cost? And how long will it stay on your record?

Read to find out how much you are likely to owe based on your speed and other factors.  

Speeding Ticket in California? Here’s How Much It’ll Cost

California drivers pay anywhere between $234 and $2,126 or more for a speeding ticket depending on:

• How fast you were driving over the speed limit
• Whether it was a first or subsequent offense (for speeding over 100 miles per hour)
• Where you were caught speeding (e.g., construction and safety zones)

These figures are averages and estimates, and the actual costs can be even higher. The court will also impose penalty assessments that can run into thousands of dollars. 

That means that, in reality, what you should expect to pay might look more like this:

Additional fees may apply for DUI tests and other legal procedures, depending on the severity of your offense. 

Let’s see a few examples. 

How Much Is a 90 mph Speeding Ticket in California?

Assuming you are driving 16-25 mph over the limit, the base fine for a 90-mph speeding ticket in California is $70 plus penalty assessment fees of around $293 

However, you may pay a higher fine if you’re caught speeding in a designated safety, construction, or highway maintenance zone. 

How Much Is a 95 mph Speeding Ticket in California?

A 95-mph speeding ticket will cost you just as much as any traffic ticket for driving 26+ mph over the speed limit. Expect to pay a base fine of $100 plus additional fees of $386 or more. 

How Much Is a 100 mph Speeding Ticket in California?

If you’re caught speeding over 100 mph, you’ll pay a base fine of $500 to $1,000 plus penalty assessment fees. The fine amount depends on whether it’s a first or subsequent offense:

• A first-time speeding ticket for going over 100 mph will result in a $500 fine, two demerit points, and up to 30 days of license suspension. 
• If you commit the same offense within three years, you’ll pay a base fine of $750. The DMV may also suspend your driver’s license for up to six months. 
• A third offense (speeding 100+ mph) within five years will lead to a fine of $1,000. You may also have your license suspended for 12 months. 

How Much Is a First-Time Speeding Ticket in California?

The cost of a first-time speeding ticket in California is $35 to $500 plus assessment fees. 

But again, you may have to pay higher fines for speeding in designated low-speed zones. For instance, a $35 fine can double if you speed in a construction zone. 

How Many Points Is a Speeding Ticket in California?

Most speeding tickets in California will result in one point on your license, with a few exceptions:

• If you are speeding over 100 mph, the first offense will result in 2 points.
• If you are convicted of speeding while driving under the influence, your license will be immediately suspended regardless of point history.

In California, drivers face having their license suspended or revoked if they:

• Receive 4 points within 1 year
• Receive 6 points within 2 years
• Receive 8 points within 3 years

For minors, punishments are more severe. Drivers under 18 can have their license suspended or revoked if they:

• Receive 3 points within 1 year
• Receive a traffic ticket and fail to pay the fine
• Are convicted of a DUI involving any amount of alcohol or drugs

Having points on your license could also trigger extra steps when it’s time for your California driver’s license renewal.

How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Record?

In California, the points from a speeding ticket remain on your record for three years. 

After three years, the point from a regular speeding ticket can no longer be used against you. And after three years and three months, you can request that the DMV remove the ticket from your record altogether.

Points for more severe offenses, like reckless driving or speeding while under the influence, will remain on your record for 10 years.

Misdemeanor, Felony, Reckless Driving?

In California, most traffic violations are classified as misdemeanors or infractions. Speeding is an infraction, but under certain circumstances, it can lead to misdemeanor or felony charges. 

For example, if you’re stopped for speeding and are going so fast that the officer believes you are driving recklessly, you might be at risk for a misdemeanor ticket. 

And if you receive a speeding ticket and don’t pay your fine or appear in court by the due date, you could be charged with failure to appear. That’s a misdemeanor and carries more severe penalties than an infraction. 

Now let’s assume you’re driving faster than 100 miles per hour and cause an accident in which someone is injured or killed. In such cases, you may be found guilty of a felony. The fines will be significantly higher, and you might face jail time. 

How Much Does Insurance Increase After a Speeding Ticket in California?

A study by Nerdwallet found that the average 35-year-old driver will see a 37% increase in their annual car insurance premiums after a single speeding ticket. That study found that the true cost of a speeding ticket averages 35 times more than the cost of the ticket itself.

What You Need to Know about Out-of-State Speeding Tickets

Have you been caught speeding in another state? Then you should know that 47 states and Washington D.C. belong to the Driver License Compact, meaning they exchange information about traffic violations. 

Getting a speeding ticket in any of these states will add one or two points to your California driving record. However, the fine will be collected by the state where you received the ticket, so you may have to pay a different amount than what you’d pay in California for the same offense. 

Depending on your circumstances, you can either contest the charge or attend traffic school in the state where you got the ticket to mask a point from your record. 

How Do I Beat a Speeding Ticket in California?

The best way to fight a speeding ticket in California is by proving that you weren’t actually speeding. This can be difficult to do – you’ll need evidence and/or witnesses that can help convince a judge to decide in your favor.

Typically, you’ll go to trial and present your evidence to a judge. If the officer who issued your speeding ticket doesn’t appear for your court date, the ticket may get dismissed right away. Otherwise, the judge will review your evidence and the officer’s and make a decision.

You might be able to avoid going to court by completing a Request for trial by written declaration. The judge can then either make a decision based on the documents included, or reject your argument. If your argument is rejected, you can request an in-person court date.

The Speed Trap Defense

If your speeding ticket was the result of a radar gun, you may be able to fight it using the speed trap defense. This defense requires a lot of work but it can be a strong defense against a speeding ticket.

Can I Go to Traffic School for a Speeding Ticket in California?

You are eligible to attend traffic school if you are caught going 25 mph or less over the speed limit. Unless you decide to fight the ticket, you can go to traffic school to mask this point from your license.

Even if you were pulled over for going more than 25 mph over the speed limit, the judge might still allow you to attend traffic school. Just make sure you ask about it. 

First, make sure you’re eligible for traffic school. If you qualify, plead guilty and pay your ticket and any additional fees. 

Next, enroll in a DMV-approved traffic school in California. 

Once you have finished the program, you must take a final exam. If you pass, the school will submit a certificate of completion to the court and DMV to:

• Mask your speeding ticket (maximum one point)
• Prevent your car insurance rates from going up
• Keep points off your driving record

Our recommendation is to choose an online traffic school so you can study at your own pace. Many of our students complete Best Online Traffic School in just two or three hours – and 99% pass the final exam on the first try. 

Best Online Traffic School is licensed by the California DMV (#E1314) and provides courses in English, Spanish, and Chinese. The best part? You only pay when you pass. 

Dealing with a speeding ticket can be stressful, but traffic school doesn’t have to be. See how fast and easy it can be with Best Online Traffic School.

FAQs about Getting a Speeding Ticket in California

Want to find out more? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.

Can you legally go 5 mph over the speed limit in California?

Going 5 mph over the speed limit is against the law in California and any other state, for that matter. Some police officers may not pull you over for it, but this doesn’t make it legal. 

How many miles can you go above the speed limit in California?

The police can give you a ticket for exceeding the speed limit by just 1 mph. Speeding is speeding, whether one or 50 mph over the limit. 

How many days do you have to pay a speeding ticket in California?

Under California law, you have 21 days to pay the fine associated with a speeding ticket. 

How much is a speeding ticket in California without a license?

If you’re caught speeding without a driver’s license, you’ll pay the speeding ticket ($35 to $500 or more) plus additional fines and fees. 

In California, driving without a license is classified as an infraction or misdemeanor, depending on your circumstances. This traffic violation will result in a fine of $250 to $1,000 plus penalty assessment fees. 

Simply put, you’ll be fined on two charges: speeding and driving without a license. The court may also impose jail time. 

Are radar detectors legal in California?

Radar detectors are legal in most states, including California, but must be mounted on the dashboard, not the windshield. The police could fine you if the device is mounted on the windshield where it can obstruct your view. 

Is speeding 20 mph over the limit considered reckless driving in California?

Not necessarily. In California, reckless driving charges are not dependent on a specific speed limit. It’s up to the police officer to decide whether or not your speeding counts as reckless driving. 

Is speeding 25 mph over the limit a felony in California?

No, it is not. Going 25 mph per hour over the speed limit is an infraction.