Speeding Ticket Cost: Average Fees Explained

What a speeding ticket costs depends on where you get it and how fast you were going. Each state sets its own fine schedule. Courts add fees and surcharges, and a conviction can raise your car insurance for years. A single national average hides all of that, so this page shows state examples side by side.

The figures below come from published sources and state statutes, and they carry a check date of Oct 12, 2026. They are examples from three states, and other states differ. This is general information and not legal advice.

The cost has two parts: what you pay the court now and what you may pay your insurer later. The examples below cover both, using California for total ticket costs, Florida for statutory fines, and Colorado for fines before a surcharge.

Florida civil penalties for speeding are set in statute 318.18, published by the Florida Senate. The amount rises with the speed over the limit. This is a Florida example, and other states use different schedules.

Going 6 to 9 mph over carries a fine of $25. At 10 to 14 mph over, the fine is $100, and at 15 to 19 mph over it is $150. At 20 to 29 mph over, the fine is $175, and at 30 mph and above it is $250. Court costs and other charges may be added on top of these penalties.

NerdWallet estimates the total cost of a California speeding ticket, which includes fees and not only the base fine. The estimate for going 1 mph to 26 mph or more over the limit is $234 – $486.

By band, going 1 to 15 mph over is estimated at $234. Going 16 to 25 mph over is estimated at $363, and 26 mph and over at $486. Because the estimate is a total, it is not directly comparable with the Florida base fines above.

AutoInsurance.com lists Colorado fines by speed, before a surcharge is added. Treat these as the base fine and not the final amount.

At 1 to 4 mph over, the fine is $30. At 5 to 9 mph over, it is $70, and at 10 to 19 mph over it is $135. At 20 to 24 mph over, the fine is $200. A surcharge applies on top of these fines, so the amount you owe is higher than the figures shown.

For many drivers, the insurance increase is the larger cost. It depends on your insurer, your state, your record, and whether the ticket results in a conviction.

NerdWallet lists California full coverage at $1,894/yr with a clean record and $2,818/yr with one speeding ticket. AutoInsurance.com lists a Colorado average of $3,215/yr with a clean record and $3,984/yr with a speeding ticket.

AutoInsurance.com puts the average Colorado premium increase after one ticket at 24%. These are averages from each source, so your own change may be larger or smaller. Compare within a source and not across sources, because the coverage levels and driver profiles differ.

There is no single formula that works in every state, but you can build your own estimate from the pieces below.

• The base fine for your speed band, from your state's fine schedule or the citation itself.
• Court costs, fees, and any surcharge your state or county adds.
• Costs tied to the way you resolve the ticket, such as traffic school or a court appearance, if your state allows them.
• The change in your insurance premium, using a quote from your insurer and not an average.
• Time away from work for a court date, if one is required.

The citation usually lists the amount due and how to contest it. If you are unsure what applies in your state, check the court's website, and consult a licensed attorney in your state for legal questions.

• State and local law. Fine schedules differ by state, and some counties add their own fees.
• Speed over the limit. Every example above rises with the speed over the limit.
• Your driving record. A prior violation can change the outcome.
• Your insurer. Premium changes differ by company.