Last reviewed: July 4, 2026 | By US Legal Brain Editorial Team
Traffic tickets fall into two categories: moving violations (speeding, running a red light) and non-moving violations (parking, expired meter). Moving violations are more serious because they add points to your license and raise your insurance.
| Violation Type | Typical Fine | Points | Insurance Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding (1-15 mph over) | $50-$200 | 1-2 | +20-30% |
| Speeding (16-30 mph over) | $150-$500 | 3-4 | +30-50% |
| Running a red light | $100-$500 | 2-3 | +20-30% |
| Running a stop sign | $50-$250 | 1-3 | +15-25% |
| Reckless driving | $200-$1,000 | 4-6 | +50-100% |
| No seatbelt | $25-$200 | 0-1 | Minimal |
| Cell phone use | $100-$500 | 1-3 | +10-20% |
| Parking violation | $25-$250 | 0 | None |
This is the easiest but most expensive option. You pay the fine, the point goes on your record, and your insurance increases for 3-5 years. A $150 speeding ticket can actually cost $1,000+ when you factor in insurance premiums.
You pay the fine plus a traffic school fee ($20-$50), complete an 8-hour course (online is usually fine), and the point stays off your public driving record. Your insurance doesn't increase.
Rules:
You contest the ticket in court. Possible outcomes: dismissal, reduction to a lesser charge, or conviction.
A written trial. Both you and the officer submit written statements. The judge reviews them and mails a decision.
Advantages:
An officer needs "reasonable suspicion" to pull you over. If the stop was unlawful, all evidence from it may be suppressed. Common challenges:
Minor errors (wrong hair color) usually don't invalidate the ticket. But major errors can:
You broke the law to prevent greater harm. Examples: speeding to get someone to the hospital, or speeding to avoid being rear-ended by a tailgating truck. This is hard to prove but can work.
Many courts allow you to negotiate before trial:
| Violation | Annual Premium Increase | Duration | Total Cost (3 years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding 1-15 mph | $200-$400 | 3 years | $600-$1,200 |
| Speeding 16-30 mph | $400-$800 | 3-5 years | $1,200-$4,000 |
| Running red light | $200-$500 | 3 years | $600-$1,500 |
| Reckless driving | $800-$1,500 | 5 years | $4,000-$7,500 |
| DUI | $1,500-$3,000 | 5-7 years | $7,500-$21,000 |
| State | Point System | Suspension Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| California | Yes (1-2 points/violation) | 4 points in 12 months / 6 in 24 months |
| New York | Yes (2-11 points/violation) | 11 points in 18 months |
| Texas | Yes (2-3 points/violation) | 6 points in 3 years (surcharge applies) |
| Florida | Yes (3-6 points/violation) | 12 points in 12 months (30-day suspension) |
| Washington | Yes (1-5 points/violation) | 6 points in 12 months |
| State | Eligibility | Cost | Frequency | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | One moving violation, no DUI | $20-$50 + court fee | Every 18 months | Online or in-person (8 hours) |
| New York | Point reduction only | $25-$50 | Every 18 months (4 points off) | Online or in-person (6 hours) |
| Texas | Deferred disposition available | $25-$100 court fee | Once per year | 6-hour course |
| Florida | One election per 12 months | $20-$50 | 5 elections per lifetime | 4-hour basic or 8-hour aggressive |
For a first ticket, traffic school is usually the smartest choice — pay the fine but keep the point off your record. For subsequent tickets, fighting may be worth it, especially if the officer doesn't show up (30% dismissal rate).
The ticket is typically dismissed. This happens about 30% of the time. Some courts reschedule rather than dismiss, especially for serious violations.
Speeding 1-15 mph: 20-30% increase for 3 years. Speeding 16-30 mph: 30-50%. DUI: 80-100% for 5-7 years. One ticket can cost $600-$1,200 in extra premiums.
A written trial where you and the officer submit statements to the judge. Available in California. Officers often don't submit their statement, resulting in automatic dismissal. If you lose, you can request an in-person retrial.
2-3 years in most states. California: 3 years. New York: 18 months (active), 4 years (visible on record). Accumulating too many points leads to license suspension.
Some courts offer "deferred adjudication" or "continuance for dismissal" — you pay a fee and the ticket is dismissed if you stay clean for 90 days to 1 year. Call the court clerk to ask about options.
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Yes. Red light camera tickets are civil violations in most states, not criminal. Common defenses: the camera was not properly calibrated, the yellow light timing was too short (below federal standards), the driver in the photo is not you (you must identify the actual driver), or the ticket was not mailed within the required timeframe (usually 15-30 days).
Yes. Most states share traffic records through the Driver License Compact (DLC). A ticket in one state will appear on your home state driving record and may add points. However, some states like Georgia and Tennessee do not report minor violations to other states.
You can request traffic school at the time you pay your ticket, or at your court date. In California, you can also request it online through the court website. Eligibility: one moving violation, no DUI or reckless driving, not used in the past 12-18 months.
Available in Texas and some other states, deferred adjudication means you pay a fine and the ticket is dismissed if you receive no new tickets for 90 days. The dismissal keeps the violation off your record. Not available for all violations or in all states.