California Speeding Ticket Cost Calculator | Getdismissed (2024)

How Much Does A California Speeding Ticket Typically Cost?

The fines for different speeding levels include:

• $238 + 1 DMV point – 1-15 MPH over limit
• $367 + 1 DMV point – 16-25 MPH over limit
• $490 + 1 DMB point – 26+ MPH over limit

Do note that if your speed is over 100 MPH then this will result in a $900 fine as well as 2 DMV points being added to your license.

Fines For Different Zones

The fines are increased if you are caught speeding in certain zones and locations. This includes both construction zones as well as safety enhancement zones.

For construction zones you could be hit with fines of:

• $367 + 1 DMV point – 1-15 MPH over limit
• $525 + 1 DMV point – 16-25 MPH over limit
• $648 + 1 DMB point – 26+ MPH over limit

If you are caught speeding in safety enhancement zones will be:

• $280 + 1 DMV point – 1-15 MPH over limit
• $409 + 1 DMV point – 16-25 MPH over limit
• $532 + 1 DMB point – 26+ MPH over limit

What Should You Expect If You Are Caught Speeding?

If you are caught speeding you may receive a courtesy notice approximately two to four weeks before the citation is issued. Do note that these courtesy notices are not mandatory. You must take action regardless of whether or not you receive one.

Why Is It Difficult To Use A Calculator To Work Out The Cost Of Your Speeding Ticket?

It can be quite difficult to work out the exact cost of your speeding ticket in California. The reason for this is that each jurisdiction or city and county can add their own fees on top of the typical speeding amount. So, you might be fined $367 but a county could add $100 on top of this if they believe the situation permits it.

That’s why the best way to determine the specific amount you will need to pay is to contact the court. You can typically find contact information or details on the specific court at the bottom of the ticket. Some counties will also provide you with the option of accessing information on your speeding ticket online.

However, do note all counties provide this option. So, you might either need to call or take a trip to the traffic court to find out the specific fine amount. Your exact amount will also typically be noted in the courtesy notice. However, as we have mentioned, notices like this will not always be sent out as the courts are under no requirement to do so. If you don’t hear from the court after a couple of weeks, you should contact the court office a few weeks prior to your appearance for the speeding ticket.

Are There Other Factors That Can Add To The Cost?

It’s largely well known that the cost of speeding tickets have been on the rise in California over the last few years. While base fines have remained the same, additional costs have caused the rise.

There are several additional penalty assessments that can cause the cost to increase. This includes emergency medical services as well as construction assessments. Due to penalty assessments like this, the cost of speeding tickets has now quadrupled since 1993. That’s why it’s important to understand the right steps that you should take if you are hit with a speeding ticket.

Why Should You Fight A Speeding Ticket?

The main cost of a speeding ticket is not actually the initial charge that you will pay. Instead, the main cost is often going to be the change to your insurance premium. Depending on how fast you were traveling, a speeding ticket can cause your speeding ticket to rise significantly. To deal with this, you should think about fighting your speeding ticket.

If you are unsuccessful in fighting your speeding ticket, then you can also apply for traffic school. By applying for traffic school you can avoid points being added onto your license. However do note that in California you can only attend traffic school once every 18 months. This is why it is recommended that you do fight the speeding ticket first before you explore the option of traffic school.