US Traffic Fines · Updated 2026

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.

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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)	Cell Phone	Point System?	View
TXTexas	$115–$200	$25–$200	No	View
CACalifornia	$230–$240	$160–$165	Yes	View
FLFlorida	$115–$135	$30–$60	Yes	View
NYNew York	$90–$300	$50–$200	Yes	View
ILIllinois	$120–$140	$75–$150	Yes	View
GAGeorgia	$0–$50	$50–$150	Yes	View
OHOhio	$50–$150	$150–$200	Yes	View
PAPennsylvania	$45–$110	$50–$100	Yes	View
MIMichigan	$100–$155	$100–$250	Yes	View
WAWashington	$125–$135	$136–$340	No	View
NJNew Jersey	$85–$95	$200–$400	Yes	View
NCNorth Carolina	$30–$220	$100–$200	Yes	View
VAVirginia	$60–$140	$125–$250	Yes	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:

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Point system or not
Most 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.
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Court costs & state surcharges
In 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.
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County variation
Local 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.
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Traffic school eligibility
Most 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.
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Reckless-driving thresholds
In 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.

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.

📍Detailed Traffic-Fine Guides Coming Soon for These States

We have basic licensing guides for these states; detailed traffic-fine pages are in progress. In the meantime, see your state's licensing guide for the official DMV link.

💰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 State

⚠️Important Legal Disclaimer

This 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.

DriveGuideUSA.com is not affiliated with any DMV, court, or law enforcement agency.

Traffic Fines by US State2026 Comparison