California Speeding Ticket Cost Calculator (2025)
Find out the true cost of your California speeding ticket, including fines, court fees, and the hidden cost of insurance increases over the next 3 years.
Calculate Your Ticket Cost
How California Speeding Ticket Fines Are Calculated
California speeding ticket costs include much more than just the base fine. Here's how the total is calculated:
Base Fines by Speed
- 1-15 mph over: $35 base fine (~$235 total)
- 16-25 mph over: $70 base fine (~$360 total)
- 26+ mph over: $100 base fine (~$490 total)
- Over 100 mph: $500+ base fine (~$900+ total)
Additional Fees and Assessments
California adds multiple assessments to every traffic ticket, typically increasing the base fine by 5-7 times. These include:
- State penalty assessment
- County penalty assessment
- Court construction fees
- Emergency medical services fee
- DNA identification fund fee
- State courthouse construction fund
DMV Points and License Suspension
Most speeding tickets add 1 point to your DMV record. Accumulating too many points can lead to license suspension:
- 4 points in 12 months = suspension
- 6 points in 24 months = suspension
- 8 points in 36 months = suspension
Insurance Rate Increases
The biggest hidden cost of a speeding ticket is the impact on your insurance. California drivers pay an average of $2,974/year with a ticket on their record versus $2,009 with a clean record - a 48% increase. This higher rate typically lasts 3-5 years.
Why Fighting Your Ticket Makes Financial Sense
For just $49, you can fight your ticket using Trial by Written Declaration. If your ticket is dismissed:
- No fine payment required
- No points on your license
- No insurance increase
- Potential savings of $500-$2,000+