Reckless Driving Ticket: Everything You Need to Know
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Reckless driving refers to the blatant disregard for other people’s safety and property while operating a vehicle and can include excessive speeding, street racing or illegally passing a school bus. If you’re convicted of reckless driving, you could face fines, jail time and points added to your driving record. Reckless driving convictions can stay on your driving record for three to 10 years but this may lessen if you attend a defensive driving course, fight the ticket or defer the ticket (if permitted by your state).
Read below to see what the specific consequences are for reckless driving where you live.
On This Page
What Does Reckless Driving Mean?
What Happens if You Get a Reckless Driving Ticket?
How Does Reckless Driving Differ From Other Traffic Violations?
How Much Is the Average Reckless Driving Ticket?
Reckless Driving Ticket: State-by-State Laws and Pricing
How Long Does a Reckless Driving Ticket Stay on Your Record?
FAQs
What Does Reckless Driving Mean?
Generally, reckless driving is the willful operation of a vehicle in a way that shows a lack of concern for the physical safety of people or property. The driver would need to be aware of the risk they are causing to other people and property.
At the state level, “per se” is used to qualify specific driving behaviors as reckless driving. Some of the more common forms of per se reckless driving would be extreme speeding (driving 20 miles over the speed limit), street racing or passing a school bus when its stop lights are flashing.
Reckless Driving Examples
Below are some examples of what state courts will consider reckless driving:
- Excessive speeding (20 miles over the posted speed limit), especially in crowded areas
- Driving unsafe vehicles
- Illegally passing a school bus
- Not using headlights at night
- Peeling out
- Street racing
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What Happens if You Get a Reckless Driving Ticket?
Receiving a reckless driving ticket will add points to your driving record. You will also need to pay a fine and possibly face jail time depending on the severity of the infraction. Drivers may pay fines up to $15,000 depending on their state, the nature of the violation and where the reckless driving ticket was issued.
How Does Reckless Driving Differ From Other Traffic Violations?
The major difference between reckless driving and other traffic violations is the level of risk to other people’s safety. Reckless driving shows a higher disregard for the safety of others and property.
For example, a speeding ticket for illegally passing a school bus at 60 mph in a school zone would be considered reckless driving, but speeding just 5 or 10 mph over the posted limit on a regular street may be classified as a regular moving violation.
How Much Is the Average Reckless Driving Ticket?
The cost of a reckless driving ticket can range from $5 to $15,000 and will vary by state, the egregiousness of the moving violation and whether it was a first or subsequent offense. Vermont enforces the highest fine for reckless driving at $15,000. Several states have a fine maximum for reckless driving (e.g., fines not to exceed $1,000).
Reckless Driving Ticket: State-by-State Laws and Pricing
Below you will find a table showing the penalties for reckless driving by state.
|
State |
Code |
Penalty |
Violation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
|
AL |
(AL Code Sec. 32-5A-190) |
Imprisonment: First offense - 5 to 90 days; Subsequent offense - 10 days to 6 months Fine: First offense - $25 to $500; Subsequent offense - $50 to $500 |
Misdemeanor |
|
AK |
(AK ST Sec. 28.35.400) |
Imprisonment: Not more than 1 year Fine: Not more than $1,000 |
Misdemeanor |
|
AZ |
(ARS 28-693) |
Imprisonment: First offense (Class 2 misdemeanor) - Not more than 4 months; Second/subsequent offense within 24 months (Class 1 misdemeanor) - Not more than 6 months Fine: First offense - Class 2 misdemeanor - Not more than $750; Second/subsequent offense (within 24 months) - Class 1 misdemeanor - Not more than $2,500 |
Class 2 misdemeanor for first violation; Class 1 misdemeanor for subsequent violation within 24 months |
|
AR |
(AR Code 27-50-308) |
Imprisonment: I. Non-injury-related offense: First offense - 5 to 90 days; Second/subsequent offense (within 3 years) - 30 days to 6 months II. Injury-related offense: First offense - 30 to 90 days; Second/subsequent offense (within 3 years) - 60 days to 1 year Fine: I. Non-injury-related offense: First offense - $25 to $500; Second/subsequent offense (within 3 years) - $500 to $1,000 II. Injury-related offense: First offense - $100 to $1,000; Second/subsequent offense (within 3 years) - $500 to $1,000 |
Class B misdemeanor |
|
(CA Code Section 23103) (CA Code Section 23104) |
Imprisonment: 5 days to 90 days; or 30 days to 6 months with bodily injury Fine: $145 to $1,000; or $220 to $1,000 with bodily injury |
Misdemeanor |
|
|
CO |
N/A |
Imprisonment: First offense - 10 to 90 days; Second/subsequent offense - 10 days to 6 months Fine: First offense - $10 to $300; Second/subsequent offense - $50 to $1,000 |
Class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense |
|
CT |
(GSC section 14-222) |
Imprisonment: First offense - Not more than 30 days; Second/subsequent offense - Not more than 1 year. Fine: First offense - $100 to $300; Second/subsequent offense - Not more than $600 |
Misdemeanor |
|
DE |
(DE Code Title 21 section 4175) |
Imprisonment: First offense - 10 to 30 days; Subsequent offense (within 3 years) - 30 to 60 days. Fine: First offense - $100 to $300; Second/subsequent offense (within 3 years) - $300 to $1,000 |
Misdemeanor |
|
DC |
(DC Code section 50-2201.04) |
Imprisonment: First offense - Not more than 3 months. Second/subsequent offense (within 2 years) - Not more than 1 year Fine: First offense - Not more than $250; Second/subsequent offense (within 2 years) - Not more than $1,000 |
Misdemeanor |
|
(FS 316.192) |
Imprisonment: First offense - Not more than 90 days; Second/subsequent offense - Not more than 6 months Fine: First offense - $25 to $500; Second/subsequent offense - $50 to $1,000 |
Misdemeanor (Moving Violation) |
|
|
GA |
(Georgia Code 40-6-390) |
Imprisonment: Not more than 12 months Fine: Not more than $1,000 |
Misdemeanor |
|
HI |
(HRS section 291-2) |
Imprisonment: Not more than 30 days Fine: Not more than $1,000 |
Petty misdemeanor |
|
ID |
(ID Statutes section 49-1401) |
Imprisonment: First offense - 5 to 90 days; Second/subsequent offense - 10 days to 6 months Fine: First offense - $25 to $300. Second/subsequent offense - $50 to $300 |
Misdemeanor |
|
IL |
N/A |
Imprisonment: Not more than 1 year Fine: Not more than $2,500 |
Class A misdemeanor |
|
IN |
N/A |
Imprisonment: Not more than 180 days Fine: Not more than $1,000 |
Class B misdemeanor |
|
IA |
N/A |
Imprisonment: Not more than 30 days Fine: $50 to $500 |
Simple misdemeanor |
|
KS |
(KS Statutes 8-1566) |
Imprisonment: First offense - 5 to 90 days; Second/subsequent offense - 10 days to 6 months Fine: First offense - $25 to $500; Second/subsequent offense - $50 to $500 |
Misdemeanor |
|
KY |
N/A |
Imprisonment: None Fine: $20 to $100 |
Violation |
|
N/A |
Imprisonment: First offense - Not more than 90 days; Second/subsequent offense - 10 days to 6 months Fine: First offense - Not more than $200; Second/subsequent offense - $25 to $500 |
Misdemeanor |
|
|
ME |
(MRS Title 29-A section 2413) |
Imprisonment: Not more than 6 months in the county jail Fine: Not more than $5,000 |
Felony |
|
MD |
(MD Transp. Code section 21-901.1) |
Imprisonment: None Fine: Not more than $1,000 |
Misdemeanor |
|
MA |
(MGL chapter 90 Sec. 24) |
Imprisonment: Two weeks to 2 years Fine: $20 to $200 |
Misdemeanor |
|
MI |
(MI Vehicle Code sections 257.625 to 257.626c) |
Imprisonment: Not more than 90 days Fine: Not less than $100.00 or more than $500.00 |
Misdemeanor |
|
MN |
N/A |
Imprisonment: Not more than 90 days Fine: Not more than $1,000 |
Misdemeanor |
|
MS |
(MS Code 63-3-1201) |
Imprisonment: First offense - none; subsequent offense - Not more than 10 days Fine: First offense - $5 to $100; Second/subsequent offense - Not more than $500 |
Misdemeanor |
|
MO |
N/A |
Imprisonment: None Fine: Up to $1000 - $2000 |
Class B misdemeanor; Class A misdemeanor of violation causes an accident |
|
(MCA section 61-8-301 and section 61-8-715) |
Imprisonment: First offense - Not more than 90 days; Second/subsequent offense - 10 days to 6 months. Fine: First offense - $100 to $500; Second/subsequent offense - $500 to $1,000 |
Misdemeanor |
|
|
NE |
(R.R.S. Nebr. § 60-6, 213; 60-6,215; 60-6,217 ) |
Imprisonment: First offense (Class III misdemeanor) - Not more than 3 months; Second offense (Class II misdemeanor) - Not more than 6 months; Subsequent offense (Class I misdemeanor) - Not more than 1 year Fine: First offense (Class III misdemeanor) - Not more than $500; Second offense (Class II misdemeanor) - Not more than $1,000; Subsequent offense (Class I misdemeanor) - Not more than $1,000 |
Class I, II or III misdemeanor |
|
NV |
(NRS 484B.653) |
Imprisonment: Not more than 6 months Fine: Not more than $1,000 |
Misdemeanor |
|
NH |
(NH Statutes 265:79) |
Imprisonment: None. Fine: First offense - $500, Second/subsequent - $750 to $1,000 |
Violation |
|
NJ |
(NJ Statutes 39:4-96) |
Imprisonment: First offense - Not more than 60 days; Second/subsequent offense - Not more than 3 months Fine: First offense - $50 to $200; Second/subsequent offense - $100 to $500 |
Quasi-criminal/Petty Offense |
|
NM |
(NMS 66-8-113) |
Imprisonment: First offense - 5 to 90 days; Second/subsequent offense - 10 days to 6 months Fine: First offense - $25 to $100; Second/subsequent offense - $50 to $1,000 |
Misdemeanor |
|
(NY Vehicle & Traffic Law Section 1212) |
Imprisonment: First offense - Not more than 30 days; Second offense (within 18 months) - Not more than 90 days; Subsequent offense (within 18 months) - Not more than 180 days Fine: First offense - Not more than $300; Second offense (within 18 months) - Not more than $525; Subsequent offense (within 18 months) - Not more than $1,125 |
Misdemeanor |
|
|
NC |
N/A |
Imprisonment: 1 to 60 days Fine: Not more than $1,000 |
Class 2 misdemeanor |
|
ND |
N/A |
Imprisonment: Not more than 30 days Fine: Not more than $1,000 |
Class B misdemeanor |
|
OH |
(ORC section 4511.20) |
Imprisonment: First offense (minor misdemeanor) - none; Second offense within 1 year (4th-degree misdemeanor) - Not more than 30 days; Subsequent offense within 1 year (3rd-degree misdemeanor) - Not more than 60 days Fine: First offense (minor misdemeanor) - Not more than $150; Second offense within 1 year (4th-degree misdemeanor) - Not more than $250; Subsequent offense within 1 year (3rd-degree misdemeanor) - Not more than $500 |
Misdemeanor |
|
N/A |
Imprisonment: First offense - 5 days to 90 days; Second/subsequent offense - 10 days to 6 months Fine: First offense - $250 to $500; Second/subsequent offense - $300 to $1,000 |
Misdemeanor |
|
|
OR |
N/A |
Imprisonment: Not more than 1 year Fine: Not more than $5,000 |
Class A misdemeanor |
|
PA |
(PA Vehicle Code Ch. 37; Section 3736) |
Imprisonment: None Fine: $200 |
Summary Offense |
|
RI |
N/A |
Imprisonment: First offense - Not more than 1 year §31-27-13(c); Second/subsequent offense - 1 to 5 years Fine: First offense - Not more than $500 §31-27-13(c); Second/subsequent offense - Not more than $5,000 |
Misdemeanor for first offense; Felony for subsequent offense |
|
SC |
(SC Code section 56-5-2920) |
Imprisonment: Not more than 30 days Fine: $25 to $200 |
Misdemeanor |
|
SD |
N/A |
Imprisonment: Not more than 1 year Fine: Not more than $1,000 |
Class 1 misdemeanor |
|
TN |
(TN Code section 55-10-205) |
Imprisonment: Not more than 6 months Fine: Not more than $500 |
Class B misdemeanor |
|
(TX Transp. Code Ch. 545.401) |
Imprisonment: Not more than 30 days Fine: Not more than $200 |
Misdemeanor |
|
|
UT |
N/A |
Imprisonment: Not more than 6 months Fine: Not more than $1,000 |
Class B misdemeanor |
|
VT |
(23 VSA section 1091) |
Imprisonment: 1 year to 4 years Fine: Negligent Motor Vehicle operation: First offense - Not more than $1,000; Subsequent offense - Not more than $3,000 Grossly Negligent Motor Vehicle Operation: First offense - Not more than $5,000; Subsequent offense - Not more than $10,000; Offense involving serious bodily injury/death - Not more than $15,000 |
Misdemeanor; Felony if offense causes serious bodily injury or death |
|
VA |
N/A |
Imprisonment: Not more than 12 months Fine: Not more than $2,500 |
Class 1 misdemeanor |
|
WA |
N/A |
Imprisonment: Not more than 1 year Fine: Not more than $5,000 |
Gross misdemeanor |
|
WV |
(WV Code section 17C-5-3) |
Imprisonment: First offense - 5 to 90 days; Subsequent offense - 10 days to 6 months Fine: First offense - $25 to $500; Subsequent offense - $50 to $1,000 |
Misdemeanor |
|
WI |
(WI Code Chapter 346 Section 346.62) |
Imprisonment: Endangering Persons or Property: First offense (forfeiture) - None; Second/subsequent offense within 4 years (misdemeanor) - Not more than 1 year in the county jail. Causing Bodily Harm (misdemeanor): 30 days to 1 year in the county jail; Causing great bodily harm (felony) - 90 days to 2 years and 3 months Fine: Endangering Persons or Property: First offense (Forfeiture) - $25 to $200; Second/subsequent offense (within 4 years) (misdemeanor) - Not more than 1 year in county jail. Causing Bodily Harm (misdemeanor): $300 to $2,000 §346.65(3); Causing great bodily harm (felony) - $600 to $2,000 |
Civil Forfeiture, misdemeanor or felony |
|
WY |
(WY Statutes Title 31, Ch. 5 Section 31-5-229) |
Imprisonment: Not more than 6 months Fine: Not more than $750 |
Misdemeanor |
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How Long Does a Reckless Driving Ticket Stay on Your Record?
The length of time a reckless driving ticket stays on your driving record will range from three to 10 years and vary by state. Drivers can potentially reduce the time a ticket stays on the record, by:
- Attending a defensive driving course
- Getting your ticket deferred and then dismissed
- Fighting the ticket
How To Get a Reckless Driving Ticket Dismissed
When you appear in court for a reckless driving violation, the judge may permit having your ticket deferred to a later date and then subsequently dismissed. If you drive without committing any moving violations or causing any accidents up to the deferral date, your ticket will be dismissed. This means the violation will not be noted on your driving record. However, fines, court fees and other penalties may still apply.
Alternatively, you can fight the ticket. Consider hiring an attorney to help you build a case and prove why the judge should dismiss your ticket.
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Derek has over 10 years of experience writing web content for a variety of online publications. His pieces range from finances and entertainment to religion and philosophy. For the past three years, Derek has focused on writing financial literacy articles for credit unions throughout the country. He prides himself on being able to take complex topics and make them accessible to the general public.
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