Last updated September 15, 2026
A speeding ticket in Texas usually costs $150 to $300 all-in for a first offense outside a school or work zone. That figure is two pieces: a fine set by the court (state law caps it at $200 for most speeding), plus court costs of roughly $100–$150 that the state and county add on conviction. Then there’s the part that isn’t on the ticket: the conviction on your record and the insurance increase that follows, which typically costs far more than the ticket itself.
Quick answer
- Fine: up to $200 for ordinary speeding (Transportation Code §542.401); each court publishes its own schedule that steps up with mph over the limit.
- Court costs: about $100–$150 on top, set by state law and the county.
- School zone / work zone with workers: fines double; work-zone tickets can’t be dismissed with a course.
- Cheaper alternative: if eligible, dismiss the ticket with a $25 driving safety course. You still pay court costs, but no fine, no conviction, no insurance hit.
Typical Texas speeding fines by speed over the limit
Texas has no statewide fine table. Each municipal and justice court sets a schedule within the statutory cap, so the numbers below are typical ranges drawn from published court schedules, not guarantees. Court costs are extra.
| Speed over limit | Typical fine | With court costs (≈ $125) | Course-eligible? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–5 mph | $100–$150 | $225–$275 | Yes |
| 6–10 mph | $125–$170 | $250–$295 | Yes |
| 11–15 mph | $150–$200 | $275–$325 | Yes |
| 16–20 mph | $175–$200 | $300–$325 | Yes |
| 21–24 mph | $200 | ≈ $325 | Yes |
| 25+ mph over, or 95+ mph | $200 (higher if charged as reckless) | ≈ $325+ | No — ask about deferred disposition |
| School zone | Fines doubled | Varies | Yes |
| Work zone, workers present | Fines doubled | Varies | No |
Some courts’ schedules are lower than these ranges (small JP courts often charge $100–$125 fines plus costs); big-city municipal courts tend toward the top. The citation itself usually doesn’t show the amount; the court’s website or clerk will.
The cost that isn’t on the ticket: insurance
Pay the ticket and you’ve pleaded guilty. The conviction goes on your Texas driving record for three years, and most insurers surcharge a speeding conviction at renewal. Increases of 10–25% are common for a first minor speeding conviction; on a $1,800 annual premium that’s $180–$450 a year, for three years. That’s why a $200 ticket often ends up costing $800–$1,500. Texas repealed its points and surcharge program (the Driver Responsibility Program) in 2019, so the state itself no longer bills you extra, but insurers still see the conviction.
Pay it, dismiss it, or fight it
| Pay the ticket | Driving safety course | Deferred disposition | Contest it | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fine | Yes | No | “Special expense fee” up to the fine amount | Only if convicted |
| Court costs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Only if convicted |
| Other cost | — | $25 course + $12 record | — | Your time; attorney optional |
| Conviction on record | Yes | No | No, if you complete probation | Depends on outcome |
| Insurance impact | Likely surcharge | None (protected by statute) | None | Depends |
For most first-time speeding tickets under 25 over, the driving safety course is the cheapest outcome by a wide margin. Here’s who qualifies and how to request it. If you’ve used the course in the past year, compare deferred disposition.
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- Ticket-dismissal guarantee: they pay the ticket (up to $250) if the court refuses your certificate
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Frequently asked questions
How much is a ticket for 10 over in Texas?
Typically a $125–$170 fine plus about $100–$150 in court costs, so $250–$300 all-in depending on the court. Dismissing it with a $25 course avoids the fine and the conviction.
How much is a ticket for 15 over in Texas?
Usually a $150–$200 fine plus court costs, roughly $275–$325 total.
How much is a ticket for 20 over in Texas?
Fines are at or near the $200 statutory cap, so about $300–$325 with court costs. Still eligible for the driving safety course (the cutoff is 25 over).
Is a speeding ticket a misdemeanor in Texas?
Yes, a Class C misdemeanor, the lowest level, punishable by fine only. It’s not a crime that shows on background checks the way Class A/B misdemeanors do, but the conviction is on your driving record.
How many points is a speeding ticket in Texas?
None anymore. The points system ended with the Driver Responsibility Program repeal in September 2019. The conviction itself still counts for insurers and for license-suspension rules based on the number of convictions.
How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record in Texas?
Convictions remain on your Texas driving record for three years from the conviction date for most insurance and DPS purposes.
Sources: Texas Transportation Code §§542.401–542.404 (penalties, school and work zones); Texas Code of Criminal Procedure arts. 45.051 and 45.0511; published fine schedules of Texas municipal and justice courts. Ranges are typical, not exact; confirm with the court on your citation.