How Much Is A Speeding Ticket In Texas While Texas is a large state, it is important to avoid speeding on its roads. If you do receive a speeding ticket in Texas, the fine can range from $155 to $340 depending on how much you exceeded the speed limit and where the ticket was issued. Furthermore, getting a speeding ticket in Texas can also impact your car insurance rates. According to Forbes Advisor’s analysis, Texas drivers can expect their car insurance rates to increase by an average of 19% after receiving a speeding ticket. It is essential to be aware of these consequences and take necessary precautions while driving in Texas.
How Much Is A Speeding Ticket In Texas 2024?
On average, a speeding ticket for exceeding the limit by 10 mph in Texas costs around $223, according to our examination of ticket expenses in major cities within the state. The cost of Texas speeding tickets is significantly affected by the speed at which you are driving and the location. However, regardless of your location, going 10 mph (or less) over the speed limit will result in a cost of approximately $200.
When driving faster, you will end up paying a higher amount for your speeding ticket. In Texas, the average cost of a speeding ticket is $255 for going 15 mph over the speed limit, and $291 for going 20 mph over, as per Forbes Advisor’s analysis. If you exceed the limit by 20, 25, or 30 mph, the average cost of a speeding ticket in Texas is approximately $330, depending on the location and the set upper tier for speeding.
Speeding Ticket in Texas by City Cost
If you receive a speeding ticket in a school or construction zone in Texas, the cost will be higher. In Houston, for example, the usual fine for a speeding ticket of 15 mph over the limit is $284, but it rises to $309 in a school zone and to $414 in a construction zone with workers present.
How to Figure Out How Much Your Texas Speeding Ticket Will Cost
To find out the cost of your Texas speeding ticket, refer to the court indicated on the citation. Most courts provide fine schedules and online payment options on their websites. If you cannot find the information online, contact the court clerk for details on the ticket cost. After analyzing over 20 cities and counties in Texas, we discovered that fines and court costs differ throughout the state but generally result in similar final amounts due.
In Texas, some cities and counties itemize the fine, court costs, and extra fees, while others consolidate them into a single amount. Additionally, in certain areas, the fine includes a base amount and an additional charge, such as $5, $8, or $10, for each mile exceeding the speed limit. For instance, in Fort Worth, the fine is $8 for every mile over the specified limit. This means that if you are caught driving 12 mph over the limit, the fine would be $96. Furthermore, there is a $50 state traffic fee and $84 in court costs, resulting in an additional $134 to be paid on top of the fine. Thus, the total amount for a speeding ticket for driving 12 mph over the limit in Fort Worth would be $230.
How Are Car Insurance Rates Affected After a Ticket?
According to our research on Texas car insurance expenses, Texas drivers with a speeding ticket pay 19% more annually compared to those with a clean driving history. While a speeding ticket may not immediately affect your car insurance rates, you can expect an increase when you receive your renewal bill. Your insurance provider will take note of the speeding violation on your record, indicating a higher risk. To secure affordable Texas car insurance post-ticket, it’s advisable to compare quotes from various insurers as they assess the impact of speeding offenses differently, leading to varying rate adjustments.
Average Car Insurance Rate Increases After a Speeding Ticket in Texas
According to our analysis, the average cost of car insurance in Texas after receiving a speeding ticket is $3,509 per year. On average, Texas auto insurance rates go up by $555 each year with a speeding ticket on your record.
Car Insurance Costs in Texas After a Speeding Ticket
What To Do After Getting a Speeding Ticket in Texas
Please check your citation to determine the deadline for addressing your Texas speeding ticket. If there is a court date specified, you must settle your ticket before that date or make a court appearance. It’s important not to delay, as the timeframe for response may be limited. For instance, in San Angelo, Texas, you have 15 days from the citation date to address the ticket, while in Amarillo, Texas, the window is 12 days. The ticket should indicate the relevant court for ticket resolution, and the court’s website may provide detailed information on how to resolve the ticket or pay the fine online.
Can You Fight a Texas Speeding Ticket?
It is possible to contest a speeding ticket in Texas. Upon receiving a speeding ticket, you have several options.
- Contest the citation.
- Pay the fine.
- Request a deferred disposition, if you’re eligible.
- Request to take a driver safety course, if you qualify.
If you are below 17 years old and receive a speeding ticket, Texas law mandates that you must accompany a parent or guardian to appear before a judge. In certain regions like Lubbock County, underage drivers who are still in school can request the judge to allow them to pay off their fine by performing community service.
You can lower your car insurance costs by keeping the speeding ticket off your driving record, which can be achieved through obtaining a deferred disposition or permission to complete a driver safety course for the dismissal of the ticket.
Contest in Court
To contest your speeding ticket, you can plead not guilty and have a trial before a judge or jury. You have the option to represent yourself or hire a lawyer for the court proceedings. If you are found not guilty, your ticket will be dismissed, but if you are found guilty, you will receive a fine and the violation will be recorded on your driving history.
Deferred Disposition
By opting for deferred disposition, also known as deferred adjudication, you admit no contest or guilt to the speeding charge, and settle court costs and fees. There may be an additional expense fee, but it must be lower than the maximum fine amount. Following this, you enter a probationary period, which can last up to a year. Throughout this period, you must avoid receiving any further traffic tickets (moving violations). If you successfully meet the terms, your ticket will be dismissed and will not appear on your driving record at the end of the probationary period. Failure to comply with the conditions will result in the speeding ticket being recorded on your driving record and may lead to additional fines.
You typically can’t choose deferred disposition if you:
- Are already on a deferral from another court.
- Have a commercial driver’s license.
- Your ticket resulted from a traffic accident.
- Your traffic offense took place in a construction zone where workers were present.
Deferred dispositions are not available to minors with previous alcohol-related traffic violations in certain cities like Dallas, and drivers under 17 cannot request them in other cities such as Fort Worth. In Texas, individuals under 25 are typically mandated to complete a driving safety course in addition to deferred disposition.
Driver Safety Course
To be eligible for this option, you typically need to request to complete a state-approved driver safety course in order to have your Texas speeding ticket dismissed and prevented from appearing on your driving record.
- Have a valid Texas driver’s license.
- Have not taken a driver safety course within the last 12 months.
- Not currently be taking a driving course for another traffic violation.
- Not have been driving 95 mph or more.
- Not have been speeding in a construction zone with workers present.
- Not have been speeding while passing a school bus.
- Not have been speeding 25 mph or more over the limit.
- Show proof of Texas car insurance.
You are still required to cover court expenses and demonstrate to the court that you have completed the driver safety course within the specified time period, for example, 90 days. If you fail to do so, a warrant for your arrest may be issued.
How Can You Reduce the Cost of a Texas Speeding Ticket?
You may be able to benefit from deferred disposition or the driver safety course, which usually results in a lower payment and keeping the ticket off your record. If you don’t qualify for these options, consider negotiating with the court to reduce the fine. If you can’t afford to pay the full amount of your speeding ticket, inquire about a payment plan or alternative options such as community service or having the fine waived. Typically, being unable to do community service due to hardship and lacking funds to pay your fine is necessary to have a Texas speeding ticket waived. Ignoring a Texas speeding ticket can lead to serious consequences, including the following:
- A warrant issued for your arrest (which comes with a $50 warrant reimbursement fee).
- Being charged with failure to appear (which comes with a fine, such as $244 in Houston).
- Denied renewal or issuance of driver’s license.
- Referral to collections, which can result in additional fees (such as 30% of the total fine in Houston).
What’s the Cheapest Texas Car Insurance After Getting a Ticket?
According to Forbes Advisor’s analysis, Geico offers the most affordable car insurance in Texas at $2,000 annually for drivers with a speeding ticket on their records. USAA provides low rates in Texas, but only for military personnel and their families. Nationwide and State Farm are the next best options for Texas drivers with a speeding citation. Additionally, there are other Texas auto insurers that offer car insurance below the average cost of $3,509 per year for drivers with a speeding ticket.
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Summary
A provider of insurance data and analytics. Rates are based on a female driver insuring a new Toyota RAV4 with $100,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, $300,000 per accident and $100,000 in property damage liability (together known as 100/300/100), uninsured motorist coverage, and collision and comprehensive with a $500 deductible. Speeding tickets in Texas can vary in cost depending on various factors such as the speed at which you were caught, the location of the violation, and any previous offenses on your record. It is important to note that these fines can change over time due to updates in legislation or local regulations. To find out the most accurate and up-to-date information on speeding ticket costs in Texas in 2024, it is recommended to consult with local authorities or legal professionals who specialize in traffic violations. They can provide you with specific details and guidance based on your individual situation.
How Much Is A Speeding Ticket In Texas 2024? Faqs
How long do points stay on your license in Texas?
Texas does not have a driver’s license points system. Texas got rid of its driver’s license points system in 2019. Previously, it had a driver responsibility program that assigned two points when you were convicted of a moving violation and three points if your moving violation resulted in an accident.
Texas no longer assigns points, but your license may be suspended if you’re convicted of too many tickets in too short of time. Your driver’s license may be suspended if:
- You’re convicted of four or more moving violations within 12 months.
- You’re convicted of seven or more moving violations within 24 months.
What happens if you are going 20 mph over the speed limit in Texas?
If you’re stopped by law enforcement for going 20 mph over the speed limit in Texas, you’ll receive a speeding ticket. The cost of a speeding ticket for going 20 mph over the speed limit varies based on where you were in Texas when cited. Here are some examples of fine amounts for speeding 20 mph above the limit:
- $334 fine in Austin
- $281 fine in Dallas
- $294 fine in Fort Worth
- $309 fine in Houston
A speeding ticket in Texas for 20 mph over the limit may affect your ability to get cheap car insurance because it shows riskier behavior to car insurance companies. Even with a ticket on your record, you can shop around to look for better car insurance rates.
How much is a speeding ticket fee in Texas?
You can expect to pay between $155 and $340 for a speeding ticket in Texas. How much you’ll owe precisely for a Texas speeding ticket depends on how many miles per hour over the speed limit you were ticketed for and the city or county where you received a ticket. Texas car insurance rates typically increase if you’re convicted of a speeding offense. Compare car insurance quotes from multiple car insurance companies to find the best deal.
How long does a speeding ticket affect your insurance in Texas?
A speeding ticket will normally affect Texas car insurance rates for three years. Each Texas car insurance company calculates its rates differently, so it’s wise to shop around.
