Washington Traffic Fines
& Penalty Ranges
Typical fine ranges for the most common Washington traffic violations — speeding, red light, cell phone, and more. Plus how the license-action system works and what to do if you got a ticket.
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 Washington attorney before doing anything else.
📋Common Washington Violations & Typical Fines
Most-searched violations in Washington. All amounts include the typical base fine; court costs and state surcharges are added on top and vary by county.
| Violation | Typical Fine |
|---|---|
Speeding 1–5 MPH over | $125–$135 |
Speeding 6–10 MPH over | $135–$155 |
Speeding 11–15 MPH over | $165–$185 |
Speeding 16–20 MPH over | $205–$225 |
Speeding 21+ MPH over Doubled in active school and work zones. | $250–$425+ |
Running a red light Camera-issued red-light tickets are typically $124–$139 (no driver record entry). | $139–$240 |
Running a stop sign | $190–$240 |
Seat belt violation | $124–$139 |
Hand-held cell phone ("E-DUI") $136 first / $234 second offense within 5 years; counts as a moving violation reportable to insurance. | $136–$340 |
Driving without insurance | $550–$1,000 |
🎯How Washington's License Action System Works
Washington does not use a traditional traffic-violation point system. Instead, license-action triggers are based on the number of moving-violation convictions within a fixed period.
4+ moving violations within 12 months OR 5+ within 24 months may trigger a 60-day suspension under the Habitual Traffic Offender rules. Repeat suspensions can lead to revocation.
🎓Traffic School & Defensive Driving
Washington allows a "deferred finding" once every 7 years for a non-commercial driver, where you pay an administrative fee (typically $150–$250 depending on court) and the violation is removed from your record after 1 year of clean driving.
🛡️The Hidden Cost: Auto Insurance
The fine on the ticket is often the smaller half of what a moving violation costs you. In most cases, a single ticket 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.
Talk to your insurance agent before deciding whether to pay or contest a ticket — they can usually tell you the actual rate impact, which often makes traffic school (where eligible) the obvious choice even if the fine itself is small.
📝If You Got a Washington Ticket — Three Steps
- 1
Read the citation carefully — don't miss the deadline
Every Washington 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 eligible) 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 a Washington attorney
Reckless driving, DUI, hit-and-run, driving on a suspended license, leaving the scene — these are criminal charges in Washington, 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.
🔗Official Washington Sources
For exact, current penalties for your specific situation, check the official sources below — these are the same sources Washington courts and law enforcement use:
💰Also Worth Knowing: Washington License Cost
See the complete cost breakdown for getting a Washington driver's license — permit fees, license fees, REAL ID, driver education, and the hidden costs no one tells you about.
View Washington License Cost BreakdownNeed Your Washington Driver's License?
Get the complete step-by-step Washington driver's license guide — requirements, documents, road test tips, fees, and FAQs.
Full Washington Driver's License GuideThis page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Traffic-fine amounts vary by 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 and can substantially increase the total amount owed.
Information is sourced from publicly available Washington statutes and DMV publications and may not reflect the most recent amendments. Always verify current penalties at the official Washington 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 Washington attorney.
DriveGuideUSA.com is not affiliated with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL), any Washington court, or any law enforcement agency.