California Speeding Ticket: Your 3 Options
Got a speeding ticket? You have three choices: pay, fight, or traffic school. Here's an honest comparison to help you decide.
Quick Comparison
Option 1: Just Pay the Fine
What Happens
- Pay $234-$486 (depending on speed)
- 1 point goes on your DMV record
- Point stays for 3 years
- Any premium change is set by your insurer, not by the court
True Cost
- Ticket fine: $234-$486
- Insurance increase: $1,500-$4,000+ over 3-5 years
Best For
People who just want it over with immediately and don't mind the long-term cost. Not recommended if you care about insurance rates.
Option 2: Fight the Ticket (Recommended)
What Happens
- Submit defense via Trial by Written Declaration
- No court appearance required
- If dismissed: Full bail refund, no points, no insurance impact
- If guilty: Pay the original fine (already covered by bail)
True Cost
- TicketFight AI: $49
- If dismissed: $0 total (bail refunded)
- If not dismissed: Original fine + can still do traffic school
Best For
Everyone. There's no downside. If you lose, you're no worse off than if you'd just paid. If you win, you save thousands.
Fight Your Ticket for $49
TicketFight AI generates a professional defense. If your ticket isn't dismissed, you get your $49 back, guaranteed.
- No published dismissal rate exists in California
- No court appearance required
- Second chance with Trial de Novo if needed
Option 3: Traffic School
What Happens
- Pay the full ticket fine
- Pay traffic school fee ($20-$50)
- Pay court administrative fee ($50-$65)
- Complete 8-hour online course
- Point is masked from public record (but DMV still sees it)
True Cost
- Ticket fine: $234-$486
- Traffic school course: $20-$50
- Court fee: $50-$65
- Insurance: Usually no increase (point is masked)
- Total: $308-$605
Limitations
- Only available once every 18 months
- Not available for 100+ mph violations
- Not available for misdemeanors
- Not available for CDL holders
- Point still counts toward DMV negligent operator totals
Best For
People who fought and lost, or who definitely want to avoid insurance increases but don't want to fight. Note: You can fight first and still do traffic school if you lose.
The Smart Strategy
- Fight first ($49)
Best case: Dismissed, you pay nothing. Worst case: Move to step 2. - If you lose TBWD, request Trial de Novo
You get another chance with an in-person trial. - If you lose Trial de Novo, do traffic school
Masks the point and avoids insurance increases.
This approach maximizes your chances of paying nothing while still having traffic school as a backup.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Can I do traffic school if I fight and lose?
Yes! Fighting doesn't disqualify you from traffic school. You can fight first and still elect traffic school if you're found guilty.
What if I can't afford to pay at all?
Request a payment plan or ability-to-pay reduction from the court. Don't ignore the ticket. That makes everything worse with additional penalties.
Is there any risk to fighting?
There are costs rather than penalties. You post the full bail up front, you spend the time preparing the declaration, and you pay whatever the service or lawyer charges. If the decision goes against you the bail is applied to the fine and nothing is added on top, and you can still ask for a trial de novo. What you do not get is a guarantee, because no California court publishes written-trial outcomes.
How do I decide between options?
Compare the fine against what contesting costs you, and check your traffic school eligibility before you choose. Contesting means posting bail up front and spending time on the declaration, with no published odds of success. Traffic school keeps an eligible point off your public record but you still pay the full fine plus the school fee, and only once every 18 months. Paying is the fastest and leaves the conviction and its point on the record.
What are my options for a California speeding ticket?
You have 3 main options: (1) Pay the fine - quickest but most expensive long-term due to insurance increases; (2) Fight the ticket - best outcome if successful (no fine, no points); (3) Traffic school - masks the point but you still pay the fine plus additional fees.
Which option saves the most money?
Fighting and winning saves the most - you pay nothing and avoid insurance increases worth $1,500-$4,000. Traffic school costs more than just paying (fine + school fees) but saves on insurance. Just paying is cheapest upfront but most expensive over 3 years.
Should I just pay my speeding ticket?
Paying is the fastest route and it leaves the conviction and its DMV point on your record, where the point counts for 36 months. The fine is $234 to $486 under the 2026 schedule. What that costs you beyond the fine depends on your insurer, and no California source publishes a figure, so ask yours before deciding it is the cheaper option.
Is traffic school better than fighting the ticket?
Fighting is usually better. Traffic school costs more upfront (fine + fees) and only masks the point - you still pay everything. Fighting costs $49 with TicketFight and if you win, you pay nothing. If you lose, you can still do traffic school.