A lot! California is one of the most expensive states for speeding penalties. While you may see the freeway as pretty “free” of monitoring by CHiPS, you would be mistaken. California takes its speed limits both on the freeway and local roads very seriously. If you get caught speeding, you might be surprised by the cost of driving too fast on California roads.
Challenging a Speeding Ticket in Court
You can, of course, challenge any traffic ticket. But be advised, speeding tickets are very difficult to defend. A good attorney can advise court date postponements and other tactics likely to keep the law enforcement officer from showing up, in which case you might win. But you shouldn’t bet on that. When challenging a ticket, you should consider:
- Cost of the ticket
- Time and money lost in court appearances and fighting the case
- Attorney fees
Cost of tickets in California
miles over:
1-15 $35
16-25 $70
26-99 $100
100+ $200
While the above are technically listed as the cost for speeding, all sorts of surcharges, fees and penalties, some up to 50% or 100% of your base fine, can be added on if you were speeding in a safety enhanced zone, road work zone, or school zone.
The Real Projected Costs of a Ticket
Expect to pay about $230 for a speeding ticket if you’re 15 mph over the limit, nearly $360 for going up to 25 mph over, and about $500 for going above 26 mph but under 100 mph. You will have to pay about $800 if you’re caught above 100 mph with the inevitable added charges.
And then there’s your car insurance
Most drivers do not pay attention to this factor as it usually comes up later. On average, a single speeding ticket will raise your insurance at least $200 a year. With some insurers, a 40-year-old driver can expect a 42% insurance hike after just one speeding ticket.
Call Us
An experienced traffic attorney may get those additional costs reduced, and even get you out of paying entirely. If you have been given a speeding ticket and live in Barstow, San Bernardino County, or Mojave, call David Leicht, Esq @ 760-256-3104 for a free case evaluation.
FAQs
1 to 15 MPH over speed limit = $35. 15 to 25 MPH over speed limit = $70. Over 25 MPH over speed limit = $100. Over 100 MPH = $200.
Does California have ticket forgiveness? ›
Parking ticket forgiveness, also known as parking citation dismissal or amnesty, is a program offered by the state of California that allows individuals to have their parking tickets dismissed or reduced under certain circ*mstances.
How long does a speeding ticket stay on your DMV record in California? ›
A speeding ticket in California can stay on your record for three to seven years. Moving violations result in points, but if you are eligible, you may be able to pay a fee and go to traffic school. If you complete traffic school, you will not get any points on your driving record.
Is 20 mph over the speed limit a felony in California? ›
Can speeding be a felony offense in California? Alone, speeding cannot be a felony offense in the state of California. It can only lead to felony charges if the incident led to someone else suffering serious injuries and you are also charged with either: reckless driving (Vehicle Code 23103 VC), or.
How many mph over the speed limit is reckless driving in California? ›
California does not enforce a specific speeding threshold that counts as reckless driving. Reckless driving charges are typically assigned on a case-by-case basis. However, speeding over 100mph in any situation automatically qualifies as reckless driving in California.
Is it worth fighting a speeding ticket in California? ›
Is a Speeding Ticket Worth Contesting? Although a speeding ticket is generally only an infraction instead of a misdemeanor, contesting it can make a positive difference in your record and maintaining your driver's license. If you choose to pay the ticket, the state considers it an admission of guilt.
Can I just pay my ticket and not go to court California? ›
In most cases you can pay the amount listed on your courtesy Violation Information Notice instead of going court. This is called a "bail forfeiture." If you choose, instead, to go to court and are sentenced by a judge to pay an amount, this is called a "fine." Both bail and fines carry additional penalties and fees.
How do I remove a ticket from my driving record in California? ›
In California, the only way to remove points from your license is to pass a defensive driving course. The state has approved many different schools to offer this course. The course consists of several lessons, which you can take in a classroom or online.
How many tickets will suspend your license in California? ›
The California DMV will automatically suspend your driver's license for 6 months if you accumulate: 4 points within 1 year. 6 points within 2 years. 8 points within 3 years.
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 suspending regardless of point history.
So, if you're caught going 14 miles over the limit, you'll get 1 point on your license. If you're caught going 16-25 miles over the limit, the number of points jumps to 2. Speeding 26-34 miles over the limit gets you 3 points, and 35 miles or more over the limit gets you 4 points.
How many speeding tickets can you get before you lose your license in California? ›
California assigns DMV points for various traffic violations. Points range from one point for minor infractions (speeding) to two points for more serious offenses (drunk driving). A driver's license can be suspended for accumulating six points in 12 months, eight points in 24 months, and ten points in 36 month.
How much is traffic school for a speeding ticket in California? ›
California Traffic School Cost
Costs for California traffic school classes typically range between $20 and $45. They can be taken in person or online. Traffic school in California is an eight-hour course, broken down into single-subject units, and it removes one point from your driving record.
