How Much Is a Speeding Ticket in Texas?
 Written by Dylan Tate Dylan TateDylan Tate is an insurance content expert for SmartFinancial with over 300 articles about home, auto, business, health a... Read more |  Edited by Richard MurphyRichard MurphyRichard Murphy manages content on SmartFinancial's website. With a strong background in content strategy and copywriting... Read more |
Editorial Standards SmartFinancial Offers Unbiased, Fact-based Information. Our fact-checked articles are intended to educate insurance shoppers so they can make the right buying decisions. Learn More
The fines and court costs associated with a Texas speeding ticket can add up to as much as $500, depending on the city you live in and whether you were caught speeding in a school zone or construction zone. Additionally, a Texas speeding ticket may result in further costs, including license reinstatement fees, limited employment opportunities and higher car insurance rates.
Continue reading to learn more about Texas speeding costs and what you should do if a police officer gives you a citation for driving over the posted speed limit.
|
Key Takeaways
|
Average Cost of a Speeding Ticket in Texas
When considering both base fines and associated administrative fees, Texas speeding ticket costs typically range from $235 to $500, depending on your location and the severity of the offense. In some Texas jurisdictions, the fine may be twice as high if you commit a speeding violation in a construction zone or school zone as it would be for a speeding violation on an ordinary road.[1]
Average Cost of a Speeding Ticket in Major Cities in Texas
Each municipality in Texas can establish its own schedule of fines for traffic offenses, so the cost of your ticket may vary based on the city or county where you live. Refer to the following table for an overview of standard Texas speeding fines, including court fees, for drivers cited for exceeding the speed limit by 10 mph in the state’s five largest cities.
|
City |
Speeding Penalty |
Speeding in a School Zone Penalty |
Speeding in a Construction Zone With Workers Present Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Austin[2] |
$237.50 |
$184.50 |
$184.50 |
|
Dallas[3] |
$201.10 |
$221.10 |
Not specified |
|
Fort Worth[4] |
$214 |
$239 |
$294 |
|
Houston[5] |
$259 |
$289 |
$329 |
|
San Antonio[6] |
$190 |
$359 |
$380 |
Keep in mind that the financial penalty for speeding may increase depending on how fast you were driving. For example, in Bexar County, the fine for driving more than 30 mph over the speed limit is nearly $150 higher than the fine for driving 10 mph over the speed limit.[6] Even if the speed limit is not posted, you could still be fined for exceeding the prima facie speed limit — the presumed limit for the type of road you are driving on.[3]
What Should I Do if I Get a Speeding Ticket in Texas?
When you receive a citation for speeding in Texas, pay close attention to the court date and fine amount listed on the ticket, as a judge may issue a warrant for your arrest if you miss your court date or fail to make required payments on time.[7] If you want to contest your speeding ticket, consider consulting a traffic attorney who can help you gather evidence and present your case in court.
Does a First-Time Speeding Ticket Affect Car Insurance in Texas?
A first-time speeding ticket can cause your car insurance premiums to go up by 10% to 15% in Texas, and repeat offenses can result in even more severe rate hikes, making it harder to maintain financial responsibility at an affordable price.[1] Full coverage auto insurance costs an average of $2,938 per year for someone with a single speeding conviction in Texas — a $338 increase compared to drivers with clean driving records.[9]
What Are the Consequences of Getting a Speeding Ticket in Texas?
Along with legal penalties and higher insurance premiums, there are other financial consequences that can stem from Texas speeding tickets. For example, your driver’s license could be suspended for an especially severe speeding violation, potentially necessitating costly reinstatement fees. In addition, you could have a hard time finding work in an industry that requires a clean driving history, such as commercial trucking.[1]
Can I Just Pay My Ticket and Not Go to Court in Texas?
If you want to avoid going to trial over your speeding ticket, you may have the option to pay the fine online, in person or by mail. However, by paying the fine, you are effectively pleading guilty or no contest.[10] As a result, if you believe your ticket was issued unfairly, it may be worthwhile to go to court and contest it so you can prevent it from negatively impacting your clean driving record.
How To Get a Texas Speeding Ticket off My Record
Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to keep a speeding ticket off your record by taking steps that show a commitment to safe driving. For example, a judge may offer you a deferred disposition, meaning your ticket may not go on your record if you avoid further moving violations or meet other criteria during a set period of time known as a probationary period.[1]
You may also be able to get a ticket dismissed up to once per year by completing a defensive driving course, although this option may only be available for minor offenses.[1] For example, the defensive driving dismissal cannot apply to any speeding violation that occurs in a construction zone where workers are present in Bexar County.[6]
- Insurance quotes /
- Auto /
- How Much Is A Speeding Ticket In Texas
Dylan Tate is an insurance content expert for SmartFinancial with over 300 articles about home, auto, business, health and life insurance under his belt. He has over nine years of experience writing for online publications, primarily about gaming and esports. In the process, he has become an expert in search engine optimization, news reporting, feature writing and copy editing.
Get a Free Auto Insurance Quote Online Now.
More on Auto Insurance
Looking for Auto Insurance?
Compare rates from dozens of companies in less than 3 minutes.