Traffic ticket calculator

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There are more than 230 million drivers in the U.S., according to figures from the National Safety Council. Unfortunately, some people drive recklessly, while others make mindless mistakes. 

Traffic citations are a way for law enforcement to impose order. And it’s believed most drivers receive at least one ticket during their lifetimes. 

As those unlucky enough to have received a citation know too well, there’s usually a fine – and a subsequent car insurance rate increase – with every conviction.

The fines for various traffic tickets are usually easy to find on the web. But finding out how much your insurance will increase is a bit more difficult.

Insure.com’s Traffic Ticket Calculator is designed to help you figure out what you’ll pay for insurance after a traffic ticket conviction. The tool displays insurance rates increases for almost 40 different violations, including speeding, texting and more.

How Insure.com’s traffic ticket estimator works

Insurance costs can skyrocket after a traffic conviction and impact your premiums for months and even years. 

The Traffic Ticket Calculator allows you to see the typical increases in your insurance premiums after common traffic violations.

Insure.com’s traffic ticket tool is easy to use, with results available in seconds.  Just follow these steps:

1. Choose your violation
2. Select your state
3. Enter your annual policy premium

The calculator will automatically calculate how much you can expect your insurance policy to increase after your traffic violation. If you see a sizable jump, don’t be surprised — rates can increase as much as 25% after a ticket. 

What are traffic ticket violations?

In each state, there are typically two types of traffic tickets: moving violations and nonmoving violations. Common moving violations include speeding, reckless driving, failure to yield, and failure to stop at a stop sign. Nonmoving violations include illegal parking and windows that are tinted too dark.

Repeat offenders tend to face harsher penalties than first-time offenders. 

In most states, a moving violation results in points on your record. This point system is used by the states’ Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to track and impose penalties on offenders. Depending on your state, these points can be on your record anywhere from one to three years.

Too many points on your record and you risk having your driver’s license suspended. 

Different types of traffic ticket violations

Each violation has its own penalty. For example, if Sally is caught going 78 miles per hour in a 55-mile-per-hour zone, she might face a penalty of $10 per mile over the speed limit – $230, plus court costs. If Mark, on the other hand, was caught driving without a seatbelt, that might cost him about $185. 

Below is a chart of sample traffic ticket violations and fines based on data from Travis County, Texas.

List of Traffic Ticket Violations & Fines

How much do insurance rates go up after a ticket?

Different traffic ticket violations can affect your insurance rates differently.  For example, texting could raise your rates more than 25%. Increases in insurance costs are especially high for DUIs and DWIs. Your first DUI could result in a 90% increase and a second DUI an 185% increase – which could add up to thousands of dollars in extra insurance costs a year.

Based on the latest Insure.com data, this is a look at how insurance rates typically increase after one or more tickets.  

How To Respond to a Traffic Ticket

After an offense, you can respond to a traffic ticket in the following ways:

1. Pay the fine. You can simply opt to pay the fine and accept any penalties and points that may accompany the offense. However, paying the fine is not your only option.
2. Fight the ticket. You can argue your case in court or look to negotiate or plea to a lesser charge. But note, if you go to trial and lose, you’ll pay the fine and the ticket will go on your record. You may have to pay court costs as well.
3. Look to take a driver improvement course. Some states may waive your first moving violation if you take a driving course. This can also help reduce your insurance costs by up to 15%. 

Do you need to appear in court if you get a traffic ticket?

You can plead guilty and pay your fine by mail or online. 

You can also go to court and argue your case. In most states, a traffic court hears cases involving minor infractions, such as running a stop sign, not wearing your seatbelt, or texting while driving. 

There are also more serious offenses like DUIs/DWIs, reckless driving, and hit-and-runs. These cases are generally heard in a criminal court because they are considered misdemeanors or felonies. For these more serious violations, you may want to hire a lawyer to represent you in court – to improve your chances of a favorable outcome. If you’re found guilty, a judge will determine the consequences. 

If you feel you can show just cause for dismissal, you may want to try your chances in court. You could have your fee reduced or even dismissed based on the judge’s ruling. 

Managing and resolving traffic tickets

There are a few tips to help you handle your infraction. 

• Don’t talk too much. While you are pulled over, try not to volunteer any unnecessary information. As the saying goes, the more you say, the more that can be used against you in court. 
• Record details. After you’re cited and safely arrive at your destination, write down all of the details you can remember regarding the incident. This will help you later if you fight your case. 
• Negotiate. Some courts will allow for mitigation. This is when you work with the prosecutor and judge to find a compromise that works for all parties. This could be a lower fee or a reduced penalty that will not affect your driving record. For information on how to proceed, look into your local court’s mitigation procedures. 
• Find witnesses. If you can find witnesses to testify about the infraction, it could bolster your case. This could be a passenger in the vehicle or someone else present on the scene during the incident. 
• Delay the hearing. A delayed hearing buys you more time if you need to hire an attorney or obtain more evidence for your case.

For more serious matters, experts recommend that you seek legal counsel from an established attorney in your area. This professional will be well-versed in local traffic laws and can help guide you toward the best path for your particular case. 

While insurance increases may be unavoidable, how you handle your case can impact the cost of your premiums for years to come. A lawyer can give you the best shot at a reduced penalty or even a dismissal.  

How to pay a traffic ticket

Every jurisdiction is different in how it handles the payment of traffic tickets. You may have only a certain amount of time to pay your ticket before fines increase and you face additional penalties. For example, in Florida, you only have 30 days to pay your fine, take a driver improvement course, or contest your case before you risk suspension of your driver’s license.  

Should you choose to pay your fine, the process is simple. You pay your infraction in-person to the Clerk of Court or via an online portal. Some areas accept mail payments, as well. 

To make the payment experience go more smoothly, these are some tips: 

• Have your information ready. Make sure your case number or citation number is available for faster processing. If you need to show proof of your driver’s license, registration, or driver improvement course, be sure to have that information prepared in advance so you can provide it upon payment.  
• Ask about a payment plan. If you are worried about making your payment, you may be able to contact the court and work out a payment plan to break payments up into more manageable installments. 
• Make copies. Be sure you save or print a copy of your receipt so you have proof of payment should an issue arise in the future. 

What happens if you fail to pay the fine or appear in court

There are many penalties you could face if you fail to pay your fine or appear in court. It often means additional fees, which can become quite costly over time. You could also risk the loss of your driver’s license until the matter is resolved. 

There are times when failure to pay results in another court date. The judge can issue a bench warrant or require a probation violation hearing. If the court proves you have the financial ability to pay but you still fail to do so, you could be sentenced to jail. 

Paying your fines promptly not only protects your wallet but also ensures you keep your license intact.

Tips for avoiding traffic tickets

Of course, the ideal outcome is to avoid tickets altogether. These tips can help you enjoy a smoother, safer ride so you can avoid getting traffic ticket violations in the future.

• Slow down. Drive slowly and with caution to avoid the hazards of speeding and distracted driving. Follow the speed limit and check your odometer frequently to ensure you don’t accidentally start speeding.
• Be aware. In addition to speed limit signs, pay attention to stop signs, red lights and pedestrian crossings. Practice defensive driving, and remain cognizant of the drivers around you. Be sure to keep an eye out for emergency vehicles, and pull over when you see them approaching. 
• Be patient. Avoid road rage and aggressive driving by taking a deep breath and remembering to be respectful of other drivers – as well as any law enforcement you may encounter. 
• Maintain legal standing. Before you drive, ensure that your license is up to date and your car insurance policy is valid. 
• Check your vehicle. Be sure your vehicle also is in compliance with local laws, whether it is a modification like a spoiler or dark tinting on your windows.  
• Stay informed. Make sure you stay abreast of local laws so you know when changes occur that could affect you as a driver. 

Strategies to save on insurance rates after getting a traffic ticket

Just because you have a traffic violation doesn’t mean that you are subject to high insurance rates forever. As discussed, a defensive driving course can be an enormously helpful way to lower car insurance rates. 

These are some other ways to save on car insurance, too.

• Increase your deductible. Increasing your deductible could have an enormous impact on your car insurance bill. By increasing your deductible by $500, you could save up to 30% on your car insurance premium; if you raise it to $1000, you can save up to 40% on insurance costs⁷. 
• Maintain a good credit score. Insurers often use your credit score when calculating rates, so a good credit score can mean lower rates. Some providers even offer an auto insurance discount for good credit. Be sure to make timely payments and practice responsible spending so not to risk a dip in credit.
• Bundle your insurance. Many insurance companies offer other types of insurance, too, such as homeowners insurance and life insurance. When you choose a home and auto bundle, you could save as much as 25% off your total bill.
• Shop around. It could be time to switch providers. Insure.com has a list of the best auto insurance companies – but remember, what’s the best company for one person might not be the best for another. When you compare car insurance quotes, be sure to also compare coverage to ensure you are getting the right coverage for that low price.  

A traffic ticket does not have to be the end of the world. There are still many options to resolve the issue, including ways to reduce the impact it has on your car insurance. And, with the help of our Insurance.com Traffic Ticket Cost Calculator, you will always have an idea of what to expect when that insurance bill pops up in the mail.

Resources & Methodology

Methodology

In 2024, Insure.com pulled rates from Quadrant Information Systems for 40-year-old male and female drivers with full coverage insurance with 100/300/100 liability limits and $500 comprehensive/collision deductibles. Quadrant’s Auto Problems Report comprises data from 51 states, 548 cities, 1,467 ZIP codes, 202 companies and more than 5 million insurance quotes.

Lena Borrelli

Contributing Researcher

 

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Lena Borrelli is a freelance writer from sunny Tampa Bay who has worked with such leading industry titans as Gronk Fitness, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo and Simon Corporation. Her work has most recently been published on sites like TIME, Microsoft News, Bankrate, Investopedia, Fiscal Tiger, The Simple Dollar, ADT and Home Advisor.