California Speeding Ticket Fines 2025
California speeding tickets are among the most expensive in the country. Here's a complete breakdown of what you'll actually pay—and why fighting your ticket often makes more financial sense than just paying the fine.
2025 California Speeding Ticket Fine Schedule
| Speed Over Limit | Base Fine | Total with Fees | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-15 mph over | $35 | $238 | 1 |
| 16-25 mph over | $70 | $367 | 1 |
| 26+ mph over | $100 | $490 | 1 |
| 100+ mph | $500+ | $900+ | 2 |
How Fees Multiply Your Fine
California adds numerous surcharges and fees that multiply a small base fine into a large total. Here's how a $35 base fine becomes $238:
| Fee/Assessment | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base fine | $35 |
| State penalty assessment (100%) | $35 |
| County penalty assessment (70%) | $24.50 |
| Court facility construction | $17.50 |
| Court operations | $14 |
| DNA identification | $3.50 |
| Emergency medical services | $7 |
| Night court assessment | $1 |
| Additional fees and assessments | ~$100 |
| Total | ~$238 |
The TRUE Cost of a Speeding Ticket
The fine is just the beginning. Here's what a speeding ticket really costs over time:
Typical Total Cost Breakdown
| Court fine (1-15 mph over) | $238 |
| Insurance increase (25% x 3 years) | $1,500+ |
| Traffic school (if used) | $30-100 |
| Time off work for court (if required) | $100-300 |
| Potential Total Cost | $1,868-$2,138+ |
Cost by County
Fines are generally consistent across California, but some counties may add local assessments:
| County | 1-15 mph over | 16-25 mph over |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $238 | $367 |
| San Diego | $238 | $367 |
| Orange County | $238 | $367 |
| San Francisco | $238 | $367 |
| Sacramento | $238 | $367 |
Why Fighting Your Ticket Saves Money
The math is straightforward: paying your ticket is almost always more expensive than fighting it, even if you factor in the cost of your defense.
When you simply pay a speeding ticket, you're accepting more than just the fine. You're also accepting the $1,500+ in increased insurance premiums you'll pay over the next three years, plus a point on your driving record that stays there for 36 months. That "quick and easy" payment of $238 actually costs you nearly $2,000 when all is said and done.
Fighting your ticket changes the equation entirely. For a $49 investment with TicketFight AI, you have a strong chance of having your ticket dismissed completely. That means no fine, no insurance increase, and no point on your license. The total cost? Just $49.
Even if you don't win, you've only risked $49 versus the certainty of paying nearly $2,000 if you simply accept the ticket. That's a risk-reward calculation that makes sense for almost everyone.
Save Thousands—Fight Your Ticket
With a 97% success rate, fighting your ticket with TicketFight AI is almost always the smarter financial choice. $49 investment to potentially save $1,700+ is a no-brainer.
Start Your Defense for $49