Traffic Fines by US State
2026 Comparison
Typical fine ranges for speeding, red light, cell phone, and other common violations across US states — plus how each state's point system works.
Read This First — Ranges Only, Not Exact Amounts
The fines below are typical ranges only. Your actual fine depends on the county, the specific court, your driving history, the officer's discretion, and any local surcharges. Court costs and state assessments are added on top of the base fine and can substantially increase the total.
This page is not legal advice. If you've received a citation — especially for reckless driving, DUI, hit-and-run, or any criminal traffic charge — consult a licensed attorney in your state before doing anything else.
📊Common Fine Comparison Across US States
Lowest speeding tier and first cell-phone offense shown for at-a-glance comparison. Click any state row for the full violation list, point thresholds, traffic-school options, and what to do if you got a ticket.
| State | Speeding (low tier) | View |
|---|---|---|
| TXTexas | $115–$200 | View |
| CACalifornia | $230–$240 | View |
| FLFlorida | $115–$135 | View |
| NYNew York | $90–$300 | View |
| ILIllinois | $120–$140 | View |
| GAGeorgia | $0–$50 | View |
| OHOhio | $50–$150 | View |
| PAPennsylvania | $45–$110 | View |
| MIMichigan | $100–$155 | View |
| WAWashington | $125–$135 | View |
| NJNew Jersey | $85–$95 | View |
| NCNorth Carolina | $30–$220 | View |
| VAVirginia | $60–$140 | View |
Note: Speeding column shows the lowest tier (typically 1-10 or 1-15 MPH over). Cell-phone column shows the first-offense fine. Both are base ranges — court costs are added on top.
🎯How Traffic Fine Systems Differ Between States
Traffic-fine amounts vary enormously between states — and even more between counties within the same state. Here's why:
- 🎯Point system or notMost states (45+) assess "points" against your driving record for moving violations. A few states (notably Texas and Washington) don't use a traditional point system — they use other triggers for license action instead.
- 📈Court costs & state surchargesIn many states, court costs and state assessments are added on top of the base fine and can double or triple the total. New York adds an $88-$93 mandatory surcharge to every conviction; California adds multiple state assessments.
- 🏛️County variationLocal courts set their own fee schedules within state-allowed ranges. The same speeding ticket can cost different amounts in different counties of the same state.
- 🎓Traffic school eligibilityMost states allow traffic school / defensive driving once every 12-18 months to keep a ticket off your record. Pennsylvania notably does not offer a traffic-school dismissal option.
- ⚠️Reckless-driving thresholdsIn Virginia, speeding 20+ MPH over OR ≥85 MPH = reckless driving (criminal misdemeanor). Most other states treat it as an infraction. Always check your state's threshold before assuming a speeding ticket is just a fine.
🛡️The Hidden Cost: Auto Insurance
The fine on the ticket is often the smaller half of what a moving violation costs you. Across most insurers, a single moving-violation conviction can raise your auto-insurance premium by 20%-40% for the next 3 years — frequently adding $300-$1,500+ in extra premiums, depending on your insurer, your prior record, and your state's rating rules.
That's why traffic school (where eligible) is often the obvious choice even for small fines — keeping the conviction off your record can save far more than the course costs. Talk to your insurance agent before deciding whether to pay or contest a ticket; they can usually tell you the actual rate impact.
📝If You Got a Ticket — Three Steps
- 1
Read the citation carefully — don't miss the deadline
Every citation has a court date or response deadline (often 20–30 days). Missing it usually means an automatic guilty finding, additional fees, and a possible bench warrant. Note the court name, the violation code, and the deadline — they're all printed on the ticket.
- 2
Decide: pay, contest, or take traffic school
For minor non-moving violations (parking, expired tags), paying is often the cheapest path. For moving violations that add points or insurance impact, traffic school (where your state allows it) is often the better total-cost choice. Contesting makes sense when you have evidence the citation is wrong, when the consequences are severe, or when an attorney advises it.
- 3
For serious charges, talk to an attorney
Reckless driving, DUI, hit-and-run, driving on a suspended license, leaving the scene — in most states these are criminal charges, not traffic infractions. They carry possible jail time, license revocation, and long-term consequences. Many traffic-defense attorneys offer free initial consultations; the cost of representation is almost always less than the cost of mishandling a serious charge alone.
📍Driver's License Guides for Other States
For states not listed in the table above, each licensing guide links to the official DMV, where you can look up that state's point system and court fine schedule.
💰Also Worth Knowing: Driver's License Cost by State
Compare driver's license fees across US states — permit, license, REAL ID, and the hidden costs no one tells you about.
View License Cost by StateThis page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Traffic-fine amounts vary by state, county, court, prior record, and the specific circumstances of each case. Court costs, state surcharges, and assessments are routinely added on top of the base fines listed here.
Information is sourced from publicly available state statutes and DMV publications and may not reflect the most recent amendments. Always verify current penalties at the official state source before relying on any number on this page. For any criminal traffic charge — including DUI, reckless driving, hit-and-run, or driving on a suspended license — consult a licensed attorney in your state.
usdriverguide.com is not affiliated with any DMV, court, or law enforcement agency.